Miss Rita Ofili is the first Miss Wheelchair Nigeria and will be representing her country in the upcoming Miss Wheelchair World 2022, which will be held in Mexico. 

In this interview, she shares her excitement about the event and details about the remarkable events that sparked her interest and passion for pageantry…

Opeyemi: 

Finally, we have the opportunity to speak with the delectable Miss Wheelchair Nigeria. Miss Ofili, absolute pleasure to do this with you.

Miss Ofili:

The pleasure is mine 😊

Opeyemi: 

Soon, you’ll be representing Nigeria at the upcoming Miss Wheelchair World 2022 set to hold in Mexico. What’s your motivation behind pageantry?

Miss Ofili:

I have always been a go-getter. If I want something, nobody can dissuade me. Some people have tried to dissuade me from going to Mexico for Miss Wheelchair World 2022. 

Every day, I got different advice… too many negative contributions. Some people will ask me; “Are you ready to get naked? Are you ready to go and start sleeping with men? Are you ready to sell your body? Are you sure you are ready for this?” 

Pastors said “Rita, I see God telling me to lay hands on you and you will stand up and start walking. God told me in my dream that I should ask Rita if she wants to go there to be Miss Wheelchair World or if she wants to receive her miracle. Rita make a choice.” 

But I am a focused person. I know what I want; I know where I am going, and I know who is directing me – God. So, I say, allow me to be me. Allow me to have a platform to express myself.

Living with my parents as a kid with a disability, there was this photographer – Douglas, may his soul rest in peace – that lived across from us. As a kid, my mother would put stockings on me, she would dress me up and the man would take pictures of me. I grew up knowing that photography is good. 

All the time he took my pictures, I kept wondering, ‘Why is this man snapping me?’ In a week, he took my pictures about three times, in a month, sixteen times. He will always say, “You’re beautiful, don’t worry about the legs.’ Growing up as a child was like that. The man made me feel so passionate. He made me look so superior, he made me look like a princess, like one beautiful girl.

Opeyemi: 

Amazing! When and how did your journey in pageantry begin?

Miss Ofili:

I got to know about pageantry officially in 2006 when I was admitted to the University of Lagos. I stayed at Moremi hostel, and there was a “Miss Special Moremi” contest in 2006 and 2007. I did not participate. I said to myself, “What will I be doing there when I can’t walk?” What will I be doing? Which one is Miss Special? What kind of mockery pageantry is that?’ Many people were begging me to participate, but I declined. 

It got to the extent that I had to tell my pastor and he said I should participate and enjoy the school, I said no. I kicked against it. 

Then, in 2008, they had another one. People begged me to participate again, and I did. I came out as the third runner-up. It was fun, I had fun, and we were happy. 

Then we did another one the next year and I came out 2nd. I wasn’t the winner, but I was like, “Wow, this is interesting. This is amazing. Oh! Pageantry is fascinating. ” I had many people tell me that it fit me – the poise and the confidence I had.

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Opeyemi:

Are there any challenges you’ve encountered along the way?

Miss Ofili:

Yes, I once saw people organizing Mr. and Mrs. Nigeria international. That was how I called; ‘Hello, my name is Rita. I am a physically challenged person and I am interested in pageantry.’ 

But they said that they don’t have facilities to help me and ‘it is not for people like me’. I called in for another one – an actress flagged up a beauty pageant. I called them and they were happy to welcome me. They said the form was 2,000. I quickly paid. Three days before the program commenced, I got a call; ‘Miss Rita, we are sorry. Where we are, your wheelchair can’t move there. 

We don’t have the facility to help you.’ They could have told me before I paid the money, but they didn’t. Then MBGN (Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria), I called them, telling them about my interest, but they said they didn’t have facilities to aid me. I cried. 

There is no inclusion for people with disabilities. I just really wanted to participate. Then I found an inclusive pageantry, Mr and Miss Special Ambassador, that was held in Port Harcourt. I travelled all the way from Lagos to Port Harcourt to participate, and I emerged the second runner-up. I was so excited. 

Then I saw another one online; Miss Wheelchair World, and I decided to apply. I saw about 7 Nigerians there. We all participated, and they chose me. I emerged as the winner to represent Nigeria.

Opeyemi:

What has the experience been like for you to be a beauty queen?

Miss Ofili:

These things are so amazing. I experienced it, and it is fun when you see that you are representing yourself and people with disabilities doing their own pageantry. 

Most people with disabilities don’t even know about these things or how to go about it. They have not heard about it. I became passionate about pageantry because of what it makes me – to be a queen, to reign, to represent people with disabilities. To say ‘yes!’ It is not only about catwalking on the stage. It is about leadership, poise, and composure. It is a beautiful thing to be involved in pageantry.

As the first Miss Wheelchair Nigeria, I felt excited and happy. It is an avenue to give back to my society, an avenue for me to represent my community by saying it is on the leg but not on the mind, an avenue to be seen, heard, and watched all over the world that disability is nothing if you have your mind and are positive about life. I know what I want, I know where God is taking me. 

Opeyemi:

Is there anything you would like to say to people with disabilities out there?

Miss Ofili:

The message I have for people with disabilities and even those without is that everyone has their challenges, but, in your pain, find strength and hope. Be strong and try to make progress. 💪🏻