Akaazua: ‘The pageant crown is for a year, but I’ve been a queen from birth’
By Prosper Okoye
Debatable as it may, pageant queen of the Face of Tiv International, Sarah Akaazua says her role as queen is not just appearing pretty in astonishing royal gowns and crown in galleries, as society expects. She shares the intricacies of her life as pageant queen, in a candid conversation.
I am aware that most people in our contemporary society still think that beauty queens do not have any morality standards. Which is very wrong.
Every beauty comes with truth, filled with compassion and love for the people. My conduct as a queen is deeply influenced by my personality and character. I have tried to live my life as a perfect model for my immediate society. Although, I know no one can be perfect, but, I always do my best to be that girl, every young girl can copy her lifestyle.
Growing up in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State had exposed me to the Tiv customs and culture. When I got to know about the Face of Tiv pageantry, I felt competent to participate. My early Tiv cultural exposure gave me the advantage of winning the crown; a platform I have exploited to learn more about the Tiv culture. It will interest you to know that the Tiv people have more than 10 different cultural attires. And I have also mainstreamed these cultural heritage of my people to the world.
I emerged winner over the 12 other contestants, because I did what was necessary to win. My performance of the Tsuwe tserel, a traditional Tiv dance, also known in English language as the Cat Dance, gave me an edge; because none of the girls that competed could do the dance so well, as I did.
I started dancing and singing as a child in primary school. My mother will always take me to events, she will plead for them to give me a chance to perform. When I did, the crowd will scream and hail me. It was quite fun for me. I was never a shy girl.
Since I emerged queen, my daily routine has been boisterous and hectic. I travel alot with my organization to showcase the Tiv culture to the world outside Benue State. Some days we have to do Photo shootings for hours, and hearing the camera say ‘do it again, (that) I didn’t get the perfect shot’ breaks my heart. We do Tiv dance and drama rehearsals. I also go on speaking events. As a queen and role model to young girls, I have to organize symposia on gender and other social issues facing our women. I have to speak out against these vices whenever the opportunity presents. But what I enjoy most is going on charity outreaches.
Combining all these roles with my academic activities as an undergraduate student of Mass communication, coupled with handling my skin care business; some days I will literally have to beg to be allowed a little time to sleep.
Beauty Pageantry is never a form of high class prostitution. Even though some pageant queens were involved in sex scandals, it is not because of pageantry, (as) those could have still done what they did, with or without a crown.
Face of Tiv do not ask her queen to sleep with high paying clients. If I am compelled to have sex, I will disobey.
I will wear the pageant crown for only one year, but I have been queen from birth, and I believe every woman is queen without a pageant crown.
The kind of man that will be my king will have to be God fearing, understanding; because most times I can be very annoying. He has to be industrious and hard-working. Physically, he must be tall and dark skin. He must not be poor, I will never marry a poor husband.
