Beauty queen, Tomi Salami, once contested in the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria Pageant and won the Face of Select Pro in the competition in 2012. She tells Saturday Beats why she left her banking job
For somebody who is shy and an introvert, why did you decide to contest in a beauty pageant?
When it comes to something I really love, I am a different person. When I am on stage or when I am doing my charity work, you see a different person. I love meeting people, I love travelling and I love going to places.
What made you contest for Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria?
I love entertainment. I figured it was a platform to have fun. I just decided to be a part of it. I knew I wanted to be in entertainment and I wanted to use the crown to start up a foundation. I just wanted to do what I love. I was fresh out of the bank and I knew I needed a platform to get out there. Mr. Guy Murray Bruce told me that it didn’t matter if I won or not. He said what mattered was what I achieved with the platform. And that was how I was able to meet my state governor and I was able to achieve all I have achieved so far. I won MBGN Face of Select pro. I won Miss Tourism Nigeria after. I was selected to represent Nigeria in Thailand. I didn’t win the international competition but I was selected to perform my talent and I sang Heroes by Mariah Carey. It was a highlight for me.
Were you disappointed that you didn’t win at the international pageant?
I wasn’t disappointed. I had fun. I love travelling. The experience is even much more than anything I can imagine. I had a nice time and I met beautiful people. Whether I won or not wasn’t a big deal for me; I just had an amazing time and that was what mattered most to me.
What did you study in school?
I studied English at the University of Ilorin. I eventually studied Fashion and Events Planning in New York.
Have you ruled out 9-5 job?
I am certainly not a 9-5 person. I used to work in a bank. To be honest, I was miserable every single day. I worked there for just a few months and I left. I told myself there are so many things to do on this earth and I decided to get off and do something I enjoy. I am happy now and I don’t regret leaving the banking sector. I left in 2012.
How was growing up?
It was fun. I have four other siblings. My mum is an educationist. She taught mainly international kids. It was a wonderful experience. My parents gave us good education. I come from a close-knit family and our parents made sure they gave us their best.
You must be in a relationship now…
Unfortunately, I am not in any relationship at the moment.
Is it by choice or design?
I am actually open to be with someone if the right person finds me. I don’t tell people I am looking for anybody, I tell people I am waiting to be found.
How come you have not been found?
I told you that I don’t go anywhere. I am just an introvert. One of my resolutions this year is to be more outgoing. I want to get out there and meet people. I am waiting for the right person.
Don’t you feel lonely at times?
Who doesn’t? Ironically, I am romantic. I love romantic movies and I listen to romantic songs. I get lonely sometimes but what can a girl do?
But you are a pretty girl, why have you not been getting ‘toasters?’
Let’s just say I have not seen the right guy yet. It is not as if they have not been coming. Trust me; they come in all shades and sizes.
You said you love charity work, have you embarked on any?
Oh yes. I have been doing one since 2013. It is called Kits for Kids. It is an educational project. We donate kits to kids. The kit contains a brand new school bag, sandals, stationery, lunch box, school books and other basic necessities for impoverished children. I actually came up with the idea. I have volunteered for a lot of charity works in Nigeria and abroad. This is what I love to do. I decided to start up my own charity and I registered my foundation. I have been doing this silently since 2013. We haven’t explored corporate sponsorship but we decided to reach out to other people. So far, it is only the Kwara State government that has shown interest.
But foreign organisations that may want to offer help would also feel that NGOs have been bastardised as so many people see it as an avenue to make quick money…
I agree with you. But I have not asked for help from anybody in the last three years. I am extremely private and I don’t like spotlight. I have been doing it secretly with the support of family and friends. We have been able to achieve so much on our own. Having a corporate body helping out is an added advantage and we would reach out to more kids. We are not a fraud. We have integrity. We believe so much in excellence. We are putting a twist to it this year. We want to invite international beauty queens. We will fly in Miss USA, Miss Canada, Miss Botswana, Miss India, Miss Puerto Rico and Miss South Africa. These beauty queens are also actively involved in charity works in their countries. They are coming here for support appearances and as goodwill ambassadors. We want to take Africa to the world.
Do you choose the category of people you attend to?
We choose children in public schools. But there are schools you will go to and you will find out that they don’t really need these things and there are some schools you will go to and you will see blisters on children’s feet. I saw a boy trying to repair tattered slippers with a nail and a stone. When I told him I was going to give him a pair of sandals, he couldn’t believe it.