Geraldine Obi is more than a champion, she was the first to be voted back in the just concluded Gulder Ultimate Search8. She was Miss Abia, 2009 and Miss GLO rock and rule in her youth corps days in Osun state. In this interview with FLORENCE AMAGIYA, she talks about her childhood, fame and her future. Enjoy!

How was yourchildhood like?  

Childhood was memorial; l grew up in Port-Harcourt, Rivers state. Although growing up was a bit challenging and my parents had some rough times but those challenges was what sharpened me to become who I am today.

 What did growing up in Port Harcourt do to your person?

Portharcourt before the inception of the militants, kidnappers and quick means of making money amongst the youths was a beautiful place. It used to be a very calm place to bring up children and l am a product of that Portharcourt. It is a shame that it is no more the way it used to be.

Geraldine Obi

It has lost it innocence and a child of twelve years old is already clubbing in Port-Harcourt today. I wasn’t born in Port-Harcourt, l was born in Kaduna, Zaria, but l was fortunate to meet the city before it was transformed.  Portharcourt is an eye opener for me; it made me to be strong and wise to face the reality of life. It made me to be able to adapt to any situation l find myself. Although Port-Harcourt is getting back to its feet, it cannot be compared to the good old days.

How did  your mother help you as a growing girl? 

My mother is my role model, she is indeed a virtuous woman. She taught me to be hard working and independent and I can’t forget what she once said to me that true greatness consists of being great in little things. I love her so much.

Most times in life, you hear youngsters talk about what they wanted to read in the higher institutions, did you plan to read engineering before gaining admission into the university or was it a coincidence? 

Yes, I planned to read Chemical Engineering precisely. It is not a coincidence.

What were your reasons for choosing that course and has it been achieved?

My reasons for choosing Chemical engineering is because my country is blessed with natural resources like petroleum, but due to the poor production rate it now has a lower octane rating which sometimes affect the pistols and rings of vehicles. So I thought of opening a research laboratory soon to bring solution to our problem.  My dreams for choosing engineering haven’t been achieved, but  my I.T days at Eleme Petrochemical taught me some things about engineering.

 Why did you decide to go for most beautiful girl in Abia State?

Actually, it was an after- thought. l knew that l was pretty enough but l had just won Miss Glo Rock and Rule contest while serving in Osun state and l was crowned the most Beautiful Girl in Faculty of Engineering back in school during graduation.  So after all these winnings, l decided to try my hand on the real thing in my state and as God would have it, l became the queen in 2009.

What were your experiences after Miss Abia?                  My experiences after Miss Abia were awesome and I learnt a lot from them all.  I did some charity projects then and l am still doing some today with the help of God. I am still assisting the less privileged, motherless babies and orphanage children in their homes and I organize essay competitions for primary schools too.

What are the challenges in these projects? 

Well, finance is the challenge everywhere. People need to believe that people living in Homes are humans also. Giving shouldn’t be convenient. If it is convenient, then it is not giving. It should be described as leaving your change behind!  Currently I have a foundation called ‘Love Touch Foundation’.

I am looking forward to launching it soon and I am working on a movie project story about less privilege children. It is a big one but for now, I am still soliciting for sponsorships from the government and spirited individuals to assist me in achieving these goals.  Let me use this avenue to say that l know it is not convenient to give what you need, but there is more blessing when you give than when you receive.

How did you get into Gulder Ultimate Search reality show?

I was short-listed for GUS, although when I applied for it, I started training for it. I hoped l would be invited during my preliminaries, I did a lot of adventure and stuff as preparation and finally I was called to Lagos for the final elimination process and I was overwhelmed.

What was your experience in Gulder Ultimate search (GUS8). 

My experience is something I will never forget. It was funny anyway and the jungle was a survival of the fittest! Three days without food in the jungle is not a joke at all. They said you will not know how strong you are until being strong is the only option you have left. I am very proud to say I made history in GUS8 because out of twenty six thousand applicants, I was the first to be called into the jungle, the first to win the first task in GUS8, the first to be voted back again into the contest of champions and the strongest contender in Batch A. I may not have won it but I am a CHAMPION. The Ultimate Search was indeed a boost to my career and I am very grateful to  the organizers for such a life time opportunity they gave to me, I Love them all.

You have achieved a lot for a very young lady who finished secondary school only in 2002, what else do you do?

Right now I am focusing on my acting career.  I love acting and it started when I was just a kid. I recently find myself doing it with passion and I believe God would see me through.  At my leisure I do my ballet dancing also.

Are you in a relationship?   

Not yet, but soon you will be the first to know, I believe l would get married to the best man in the World.