Leesi Peter-Vigboro, the reigning Miss Nigeria 2015, is a Computer Science graduate of University of Port Harcourt who has shared stage with other top beauty queens internationally. The enchanting damsel has been deeply involved in charity works as the reigning queen which has not changed her personality. Her journey as the queen seems not easy as it comes with its challenges and benefits knowing that people, especially youths look up to her. In this interview with our reporter, Leesi whose tenure will be wrapping up soon as a new queen will soon emerge disclosed the journey so far; her next plan, her take on domestic violence and other sundry issues.
It’s been almost a year since you emerged Miss Nigeria, how has it been so far?
It’s been a very wonderful journey for me. At first it was such a challenge to settle into the role and handle so much attention especially from the media as I’m usually a very introverted person but eventually I started getting the hang of it. I look back on the girl I was months before I won this and see that I have grown into a much stronger and better woman. This is one experience I’m eternally grateful to have had.
What exactly have you been able to achieve so far as regards your community project as a queen?
I have been involved in so many different community development projects and it’s such a beautiful thing that I am in a position where I can positively impact my society. Asides from my visits to orphanage homes, I collaborated with Sebeccly Cancer Care Organisation on a few projects, we visited community girl’s secondary school where we educated the girls on how to carry out self breast examination and I also got to talk with the girls about my journey and motivated them. I also collaborated with Sebeccly to carry out a “Run For Cancer” campaign at the Okpekpe Road race in Edo state where we raised awareness about breast cancer, carried out free testing for the community women and we were also able to raise some funds for an initiative tagged: “Change Her Cancer Story” I am currently running a community development Project in Port Harcourt called “Project Young Minds”. I am working with young volunteers from other west African countries to train and equip the students in community schools with basic computer skills like microsoft office, graphic design etc. We are also about to Launch a project called the “Green Girl Project” aimed at empowering young women in areas with environmental degradation issues by training and equipping them with Project management skills and good environmental practices that can enable them be active In the fight for environmental sustainability. We are focused on Women because Women generally have the most interactions with the environment especially in rural communities yet their contributions and significance is hardly recognized.
What’s next for you?
Hmmm, this is probably the “most asked” question in my life right now. Well right now, my interest is in conceptual photography and so I will be going ahead to pursue that path. However I am generally in Love with the arts and I’m still In the process of discovering and defining who I am so I’m open to exploring even further and seeing where it leads.
You have been a queen for almost a year now, what lessons have you learnt from this platform?
The most important lesson I learnt during my reign as Queen is that one has to know who he/she is and work with that because there will always be pressure to meet certain expectations so it is important to know who you are so you don’t get carried away. I also learnt not to be too hard on myself and treat myself with patience and realise I’m a work in progress.
This position has brought you fame, exposure. How were you able to cope with it?
I tried my best to stay grounded. It’s really very easy to get carried away with all the fame, but like I said, I tried constantly to remind myself why I do what I do. My Family and close friends have especially been helpful in making it easier for me. They have been so understanding and have provided emotional support which have been invaluable really. I also think one habit that really helped me is meditation, there are times when it seemed like there’s so much to do in such little time and it’ll get overwhelming for me , meditation basically calmed me down and helped me gather my thoughts again
Do you think you have been able to achieve your set goals that you have lined up for your tenure in office?
Well I honestly wasn’t able to achieve all the goals I had at the beginning of my tenure, but I have been able to achieve most of it.
Very soon, another queen will emerge. As an outgoing queen that already knows her way round, what advice would you give her?
For the incoming Queen, I would advise her to focus on her goals, understanding that her reign is unique to her and so she shouldn’t feel the need to be like any other Queen but herself. Also I would advise her to make the most out of the experience and still have fun in the process.
What’s your take on domestic violence?
Domestic violence is such a big issue in our society; it happens regularly to the point that we sometimes turn a blind eye to it and regard it as the norm. Thankfully more individuals are speaking up and fighting against it. Domestic violence happens to both men and women but women are the most victims of it. Personally, I think there should be stricter and more effective laws protecting women against such abuse in Nigeria. In Most countries it is a huge crime to hit a woman or abuse her and so before anyone thinks of such, they most probably will consider the implications, it is a bit different here, I notice that people who carry out this abuse don’t exactly hesitate because in their mind, they know that it will not exactly cause them any major problem. I really believe that if these laws are passed, there will be less of these issues. It also takes so much courage to speak up as a victim of domestic abuse because of the shame and embarrassment so I think people that speak out against it and/or share their story should be encouraged and supported.
It is believed that models especially the female ones engage in sexual relationship with the organisers of the event so as to emerge winner. How true is this?
Another Question in my list of “Most Asked questions” (laughs)…I can understand why people usually feel that you have to do such in the modeling industry because there have been a lot of such reported stories. While I cannot speak for every organisation because I haven’t exactly been involved with them, I can say for a fact that type of thing does not happen in The Miss Nigeria Pageant. The pageant believes in upholding the values and exemplary qualities of a Nigerian woman and so the winner is selected purely based on merit ensuring that they are able to represent those values.
Are you in a relationship?
I’m currently not in a relationship
Do you still maintain close contact with other contestants?
Oh Yes! During the camp period, I met so many brilliant and inspiring young women and we connected and so afterwards and up until now even, I still keep in contact with some of them.
