Monday, 5 October 2015

Face of Culture NIGERIA: Ekaette Inyang Speaks...


EKAETTE INYANG
Face of culture in Nigeria

Words by Ifeoma Kismet

An interview session with Miss.Ekaette Inyang

Who is Ekaette Inyang ?
I am a simple and real person. I can be very exciting and I love to have fun and stay happy. I believe life is too short for anyone to live unhappy.

Background
I come from a family of three comprising of one male and two females. I’m the first daughter. Growing up was fun but not  easy as I happen to come from a Christian disciplined home. My dad was very strict. Years back that I contested for Miss Akwa Ibom without his consent and the camp activities was stream live on tv, my dad seeing me on television, he sent his aids to pick me up. God so bless the organizer as he was a friend to my father, went and talked things over with him, that was the only mercy I had.

Origin
I am a native of Ikot Usob Ekong in Eket LGA of Akwa Ibom State.
Favorite Food
Ekpang Nkukwo (native food)

Leisure
Handing out with good friends and gisting...lol…

Fashion accessories u cant do without
Hmmm..wrist watch and glasses

When did you start Modeling
It has been in my nature right from my primary and secondary school days…I used to partake in fashion parade whenever the school organized inter-house sport competitions, luckily for me I was always winning fantastic prizes. At the completion of my high school years ago, I met a friends who introduces me into modeling, I applied and I was trained for six months at ‘House of Gazelles”. Thereafter I started taking part in runways and trade shows, had photo shoots, feature in print campaigns  and contested for national and international beauty pageants.

What else do you do apart from Modeling
I am an undergraduate at the national Open University of Nigeria, studying communication technology. Since my school is not a conventional university I have time to venture into other things. I am currently undergoing training on fashion designing. As soon as I am done with the training, I will be unveiling my label. I also sing but not taking it as a career.

Has FOCIN changed anything in you
Chukles…No, it has not changed anything in me, I am still that old me everyone knows

What influences your fashion?
My fashion is being influence by so many thing but mostly are weather, my physique, since am slim, I’m very skeptical with what I wear, I wear fitted clothes. Lastly, the nature of occasion.

Will you rock Ankara from head to toe to a function just to promote culture?
Yeah! That’s my trade mark, anytime I’m in an official outing I rock Ankara  from head to toe.

Do you think the media is helping in promoting or diminishing our culture ?
Before I choose the media, I knew it’s a platform to reach out to people even those in diaspora, because of this facet I think the media is aiding in promoting our culture by eliciting and showcasing our cultural heritage like festivals – it is the media that helps disseminates the culture of different tribes, their clothing, native foods etc.
If you have the opportunity, which of the sacred tradition will you like to abort?
(wink)hmmm….i wouldn’t want to talk about that…people have different cultural beliefs and the reasons for the belief, I think I am okay with my tradition.

Golden moments and moment of agony
(she laughes)…..i wouldn’t say one moment is greater than the other, winning FOCIN was  great but can’t tag that as the only moment because blissful moment moments are still ahead (shrugs) well in life everyone has that low moment but what makes us a better person is how well we can build on that experience and try to move on to become a stronger and better person. My moment of agony was last year when I lost my grandma, she as more like a mother and a close friend, when she kicked the bucket I was so sad. Her legacy is what I am imbibing in and it is helping me to reach my potentials.

Who is your Role Model?
Oluchi Onveagba, I love her for the fact that she’s real and always simple despite her achievements.

Are u currently working on any pet project?
Yes, promoting and projecting Nigeria’s cultural heritage through the media.Also tackily common issues like malaria and environmental pollution.

What are the challenges you face as a beauty queen ?
Its basically funding to carry out my pet projects, seeing them come to reality will go along way to affect lives and that is my utmost goal.

Advice for people who want to go into modeling
My advise to them is to stand up and go for what they want, do not go because your friend is doing it, let your passion be the ultimate purpose for venturing into the modeling industry. Money shouldn’t be the first thing, chase the passion! Chase the dream! The money will come at the right time…

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