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| Miss Perpetua (L), painting of Gov Ayade made by her in three minutes (R) |
Efio-Ita Nyok|3 November 2017
I cannot see a reason why somebody would go on stage and paint the image of His Excellency in 3 minutes and then someone else will come up on stage to tell the audience how to pound yam and they now feel that talent should supercede the one who did painting.
… During my Miss Northern Cross River event I painted Senator Liyel Imoke. He was the then governor. I have passion for painting so most times when I come out to do talent in competition like this, I try to be different. I try to be unique because I know each and every one, who will come out, will want to do dancing, act and sing;
… The uniqueness of what I did that day stood me out of the crowd because I could feel the applause after I presented that.
On the 30th of September 2017, the duo of Miss Perpetua Adie and Mr Sylvester Unimashi were announced Miss and Mr NorthFest 2017 respectively.
What followed was a set of startling controversy undermining the indigenisation of Miss NorthFest, Perpetua. Critics have it that she is not from any of the five local government constituting Northern Senatorial District of Cross River. In fact, they say her biological father is from Etung LGA in Central Senatorial District of the state, while she shares maternity with Obudu LGA.
To ascertain the truth from hearsays, NegroidHaven went after the incumbent Miss NorthFest 2017, Her Majesty Miss Perpetua Adie who, among other startling revelations, in a granted interview, has explained how she emerged the current Queen, her agenda for Northern Senatorial District of Cross River and her relationship with Arc Eric Akpo, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Technical Matters —remember, it’s alleged that Arc Akpo is the sugar daddy of Miss Adie and that she won the much-coverted crown because of his particular influence.
NEGROIDHAVEN : For the purpose of this interview, can we meet you, please?
Queen Adie : My name is Queen Adie Perpetua. I am from Obudu. I am Queen of North Fest 2017.
NEGROIDHAVEN : How do you respond to the allegation that you aren’t from any of the five local government areas constituting Cross River Northern Senatorial District?
Queen Adie : Actually it sounds really funny though. Because, I cannot imagine where this is coming from. This is not actually my first crown.
My first crown was in Miss Northern Cross River 2014/15. In 2015/16 I was Miss Face of Culture in Obudu specifically. And there was no dust raising about where I’m coming from not until a day after my crowning in 2017 rumours started coming that I am from central part of Cross River. It really really sounds strange to me. Well I was not really shocked because what I believe is this, when you begin to aim high in life issues like this come up. How you try to handle it makes you who you are. So I think am not perturbed.
NEGROIDHAVEN : What’s your paternity and maternity like?
Queen Adie : My Dad is from Bedia in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State. And my Mum is from Bediaba in Obudu Local Government Area —She is not from Etung LGA as alleged. My Mum’s name is Mrs Catherine Adie. My Father’s name is Mr Denis Adie.
NEGROIDHAVEN : What’s your agenda as Miss NorthFest 2017?
Queen Adie: As part of my plans for Cross River, I am representing culture as a whole. And so, I will make a call for the orientation of our people. By orientation, I mean teaching of the core value of our ancestral heritage which has gone extinct. And also try to introduce the use of folklore, dance drama.
I will project comic drama in our Secondary schools so that each and everyone can have a sense of belonging because we know that without our culture there is no identity, there is no heritage. Our culture is our heritage. So it has to be revived. I think I will start from there, as the reign goes on any other things can come in.
NEGROIDHAVEN : What could be responsible for the allegation of your coming from Etung LGA?
Queen Adie: Actually I think why this rumors is coming up is because there is a prize attached to the crown. When I was Miss Northern Cross River, at the end of the day after everything I didn’t get the prize; and when I was Miss Face of Culture, I didn’t equally get the prize. So, I think why every body is talking is just because of the prize. That is what I think. All along I have handled positions and has handed over and there has been nothing like this. I think it’s because of the prize; besides, since it’s a government initiative, and all the people writing… I think its political.
When I was asked what aspect of culture I would like to change. I talked about male chauvinism which I explained to be that in our country today male children are entitled to inheritance while the females are left out, subjected to abject poverty and torture which isn’t very good because most times these women end up not getting married and they become solely dependent on their father being left with nothing. It’s either they get from their father or brothers and that’s not very cool.
What I thought was that the elders should also know there is need for an absolute paradigm shift of this norm which is completely abnormal to a more equitable share of inheritance where each and every one can have a fair share.
This practice is mainly in the northern senatorial district. For now I have no modalities to go about this cause but with time I will come up with one.
NEGROIDHAVEN : What, in your opinion, made you win the candidate of choice against other contenders?
Queen Adie : During the cause of the event, although stories still came out that it was influenced, that it was that and it was this, I just smiled because I cannot see a reason why somebody would go on stage and paint the image of His Excellency in 3 minutes and then someone else will come up on stage to tell the audience how to pound yam and they now feel that talent should supercede the one who did painting.
It was very funny because that wasn’t my first artwork. Even during my Miss Northern Cross River event I painted Senator Liyel Imoke. He was the then governor. I have passion for painting so most times when I come out to do talent in competition like this, I try to be different. I try to be unique because I know each and every one, who will come out, will want to do dancing, act and sing; so, I have to do something very distinct from what every other contestants is doing.
I think other contestants don’t know that’s what gives the others edge over others. I think they don’t know that aspect. The uniqueness of what I did that day stood me out of the crowd because I could feel the applause after I presented that. I think it stood me out because I don’t know where it is coming from that it was influenced.
NEGROIDHAVEN : Can you throw more light on the name saga especially in respect of the controversial certificate of origin?
Queen Adie: That’s the name used on all my papers and official documents and first schools leaving certificate for crying out loud!
They are trying to say the certificate was forged. It’s funny because I don’t know why I would do such. If they want my certificates from first school leaving certificate to higher institution, I am ready to present it for everyone to see so they’d know the name has always been there. As a matter of fact it’s the same name I used on all other contest, my schools certificate and all. It carries Adie Perpetua. (NegroidHaven cuts in asking about the unstamped coloured passport on the certificate of origin…)
As it is with me, there is no passport on the certificate. It’s a very old document. But when the organizers said they needed a certificate, I knew a passport is supposed to be on the certificate, so I took a recent passport photograph and placed on it. The screening panel didn’t raise any objections to it.
NEGROIDHAVEN : What’s your relationship with Mr Eric Akpo, the Special Adviser on Technical Matters to His Excellency the Governor of Cross River?
Queen Adie: Mr Eric is like a mentor to me. I make sure my relationship with him doesn’t go beyond the father and daughter if I should use that term because he has always been a mentor. This is someone I have always looked up to intellectually.
So, when they said I was Mr Eric’s girlfriend, others said I was his personal mistress and all of that, I just smiled because they don’t know. That is that.
NegroidHaven… Truth in view of Africa’s liberty!
