The Queen Who Loves Paupers   

Published on July 12, 2010 by TheNEWS   ·   2 Comments

Maryam Elisha, 23-year old former Miss Valentine, devotes  her time and money to the education of street kids

Maryam Elisha’s reign as Miss Valentine ended two years ago. But the passion she developed during her reign continues to burn brightly. With income from her fashion and lifestyle company, Rikaoto, and other sources, Maryam, winner of Miss Valentine 2007 pageant, has committed significant sums of money to charity. Top on the list of issues close to her heart is the provision of education for underprivileged children.

Even before her reign, Maryam had been working, on a small scale, at improving the lot of the less privileged in the society. But her emergence as a queen increased her passion. This led to the establishment of her Save Tomorrow Today, STT, project.

“The Save Tomorrow Today project is aimed at improving the standard of living of the less privileged within our society, with a key focus on the future. We hope to sow seeds of hope, faith and confidence in the ones that will one day lead and dwell in our society,” she told TheNEWS.

What she currently does, in her view, is deeper than what she did during her reign.

“I want to affect them (underprivileged children) positively so that they can be useful to themselves and the society,” she explained.

To achieve this, Maryam has adopted what she calls a  ‘child-parent’ method through which she hopes to get the kids off the street, meet their parents and find out if the kids are keen on schooling. Those who are keen will get her support. So will those who choose other paths. Both groups will then be monitored and mentored.

“We are dealing with the children and their parents at the same time. We want a situation where the parents are hardworking enough to take care of their kids and the kids in turn, leave street life and do meaningful things that would help their future,” she said.

Already, she said, a structure has been set up and is taking care of about 50 children. She has been able to attract the support of corporate organisations like the Dangote Group, Vista International Ltd., De United, manufacturers of Indomie Noodles, and Brilla Group.

Maryam’s decision to take part in the contest that has made her a celebrity did everything but excite her parents, especially her father, a retired police officer.

“He asked why I wanted to expose my body. But for me, it was what I wanted and I went for it,” she said.

How did her people in Kebbi State take her decision to contest?  “In my state, young people now look up to me and get excited. The girls ask me how I made it and I explain to them. Already, some of them are beginning to give pageantry a thought,” she said.

To Maryam, a final year student of English Language at the University of Lagos, being at a beauty pageant goes beyond flaunting bodies or an opportunity to meet men.

“Before I emerged as a beauty queen, there were things I didn’t do properly. But now, I do them properly because I have been trained to do them properly. I  now know how to think properly as a young girl without messing around or clubbing every other night,” she explained.

Maryam started modelling seven years ago at the St. Moritz Soul Selection. From there she went on to feature at other major fashion shows as well as in television and billboard advertisments for organisations like MTN, Zain (then Vmobile) and Diamond Bank.

Even then, she did not consider participating in a beauty contest. But in 2006, when she went for a photo shoot in a Lagos studio, a male friend advised her to consider taking part in a beauty contest. She heeded the advice, starting with the 2006 Prettiest Girl In Nigeria pageant. She emerged the first runner-up. Next to come was the Face of Abuja pageant, where she was also the first runner-up. A year later, she went one better, when she won Miss Valentine.

“It was a life-changing and awesome experience for me. I just wanted to showcase my talent at the show and I came out tops. There were many contestants who were also very good looking, but I beat them by God’s grace,” she said gleefully.

Among the perks she got as a queen were a Toyota Corolla car, an all-expenses-paid trip to South Africa and wardrobe of designer dresses.

—Funsho Arogundade

Tags:  devote, education, Maryam Elisha, Miss Valentine, money, pageant, passion, Rikaoto