I
wasn't in the crowd which converged to watch the Miss Akwa Ibom contest
yesternight. But as I woke up this morning, its outcome welcomed me to social
media. In fact, as I write, it's the trending issue in the Akwa Ibom State
segment of the ubiquitous social media.It has almost eclipsed the visit of the
Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.
Expectedly,
the gaffes of some of the contestants have effectively overshadowed the stellar
performances of their co-contestants. I have never been a fan of beauty
pageantry but i appreciate the fact that it tests both outward and inward
beauties.
For
too long, our people have been preoccupied with physical looks at the expense
of the real things ---- character and intelligence.
Surprisingly,
nobody is talking about how ugly any of the contestants was. All the
commentators are deploring their obvious lack of basic knowledge among the
goofing Queens.
Frankly,
I sympathize with those of them who are receiving the butt of public criticisms
on account of their failure to answer simple, straightforward questions. I wish
the commentators could show a little more understanding. But it's impossible to
control that.
The
emphasis of the commentators on knowledge is a clear and unmistakable statement
to our young men and women that fine faces, straight legs, good height,
beautiful shape etc are nothing if unaccompanied by a good brain.
When
next you want to assess your beauty, start from your brain.
It's
impossible for anyone to be truly beautiful without a quality brain and a good
heart. The good thing about these is that God has given everyone in varying
measures. The parable of The Talents in scriptures explains how some of us have
deployed our mental endowments.
While
some people with little mental endowment have worked consciously and tirelessly
to emerge intellectual giants, others have allowed cobwebs to take over their
brains.
What
problems can a beautiful face and fine legs solve?
It's
only people of sound intellect and good character who can build homes and
change the world.
Today,
almost every young woman around is inclined towards the mundane. From secondary
school, they are more interested in "turning heads" on the road than
captivating with their knowledge and skills. These are the same women who say
they can never marry a man who earns Thirty Five Thousand Naira(#35, 000).
How
can they marry a low income earner when they are certain they have nothing to
contribute to raise the family income from #35,000 to #350, 000 in three short
years? How can they, when #35,000 isn't enough for make up?
We
must avoid stigmatizing those Queens who braved the odds to contest for the
crown because their failure is a reflection of the state of our society. I'm
sure if all those questions were individually directed at cheering and jeering
members of the audience, only about 20% would score 100%. Truth is, we the
commentators aren't necessarily better than the contestants. The only
difference is that they were the ones on the spotlight.
Sadly,
these are the kind of questions we played and shone with in village primary
schools. Udeme Ukoh would
answer those questions in Primary Three.The average nursery school pupil would
make a mincemeat of them. If things continue this way, who will teach our children?
The story would be worse if it was an Essay Competition.
No
wonder Ibom Tropicana and Entertainment Centre enjoys more traffic than Ibom E-
Library.
Please
let's avoid making scapegoats of the contestants while the malaise of ignorance
and empty headedness which is eating up our State escapes unnoticed.
This
is also a wake up call to government regarding the state of our education. Some
of our teachers aren't literate enough to impart knowledge and the state of
infrastructure in our schools is also an inhibition.
A
brainless Queen is a disaster to the Kingdom.
Dear
reader, be sincere, did you have answers to all those questions before the
contest?
Omen Bassey.
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