"WINNING FACE OF EVA GAVE ME THE BIG BREAK I NEEDED IN SHOW BIZ" OKEYCHUKWU AHUMAREZE

Reality Shows and Tv games are becoming so popular in Nigeria that winning any of them catapults the winner to stardom, fame and "riches". Okeychukwu is an
actor/model who got his long awaited break when he won a competition called FACE OF EVA WATER. Check this out! in this exclusive with WWW.Nollywoodgists.COM

NFC. WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

I am from Imo State, Oguta to be precise.

NFC. HOW WAS YOUR CHILDHOOD LIKE AND WHERE DID YOU SCHOOL?
It was wonderful growing up, i was shown love by my parents, who believed so much in me. I am the second in a family of four. My mother is a Custom office, my
father is a contractor. I live in Lagos. I studied Law at the University of Jos. I just finished my Law School program and by November, 2007, I will be called to the Bar and I will become a barrister.

NFC. SO WHAT WAS IT LIKE WINNING THE FACE OF EVA WATER AND WHAT WERE THE BENEFITS?

I felt really honoured, because it was a great challenge to go through the rigours of competing to become the Face of Eva, considering the fact that I contested with other very good looking boys and at the end of the day, they just needed one face, and I won. So it was really a break through for me because it opened a lot of doors for me. I started modelling abroad. I also did some jobs in South Africa, did one fashion show in London. Basically, it has been beautiful for me.

NFC. WHAT IS FACE OF EVA WATER ALL ABOUT?

Face of Eva Water is a competition that needed just two faces a male and a female, to be ambassadors of Eva Water. Its all about a Face that is going to
represent EVA WATER (a Coca Cola product), everywhere. Its a competition where you send in your pictures and you go through screening. I wasnt even in Nigeria when it started, but my manager just forwarded my pictures, I went through all the screening and made it to the finals. I had to come back to Nigeria from London for it, and after the finals, I won! Its all about representing a particular brand. Wherever you go you talk about it, you carry it along, you create
more awareness.

NFC. WHICH PEOPLE HAVE BEEN YOUR INSPIRATION?

I will say my family, friends, colleagues and every good person I meet. I will particularly say it is my mother. She has always been my role model. She taught me how to be strong and always believe in myself. She makes me believe I can achieve a lot when I put my mind into what am doing and strive for excellence.

NFC. WHERE ARE THE PLACES YOUR JOB HAS TAKEN YOU TO?
It has taken me to several african countries like Dakar, South Africa, and then London, Dubai, Europe, Egypt just preaching the good gospel of Eva Water and attending/modelling in fashion shows and all that.

NFC. WHEN YOU ARE EVENTUALLY GET CALLED TO THE BAR IN NOVEMBER, WHAT HAPPENS TO SHOW BIZ?

No, no, no. I am in show biz for good. Being a barrister doesnt stop me from also practising show biz. As a matter of fact, I have been on several movie locations, shooting films. I have also been very busy with photo sessions and modelling in fashion shows and it is not what I will want to stop doing even when I get called to the Bar, because I derive joy and satisfaction just being there. I love show biz and I think I will continue to model and also act whenever the need arises.

NFC. LAST WORD TO OTHERS WHO WANT TO GO INTO ENTERTAINMENT AND SHOW BIZ?

Be focused, keep it real and you will exhale. One love.

Emmanuel Gabari
Reporting from Abuja Nigeria
http://www.nollywoodgists.com