I won Miss Ebony pageant through hard work, prayers, fasting

By Christy Anyanwu

Her name is Rachael Jesutofunmi Adeleke. She won the Miss E.B.O.N.Y Ambassador Innovative Pageant Nigeria held last month in Lagos. Her gait, charisma and intelligence gave her an edge over other contestants.

She describes herself as a graphic designer, an operations manager, and the founder of Vee Xentials Feminine Hygiene, a brand focused on providing effective feminine care products for women.

She’s also a child care advocate and humanitarian, deeply passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of young girls and women. “I enjoy learning new things and exploring new horizons, especially in ways that help me grow and use my voice to inspire others,” she stated.

Amiable and soft-spoken, Rachael, in this interview, gave an insight into her journey into beauty pageants.

How did you feel being the winner of the Miss E. B.O.N.Y Ambassador Innovative Project Nigeria? And can you take us through the journey of your preparation for the event?

It was a very fulfilling experience for me. A friend of mine introduced me to the pageant because I had a history of winning beauty pageants back in school. However, after some past experiences, I had decided not to contest again.

But when my friend explained that this was a no-bikini competition and assured me that the organisers were fair and transparent, and that all promised prizes would be delivered, I took time to pray about it. After almost two weeks, I eventually decided to purchase the form.

At that time, I wasn’t financially stable, and I honestly didn’t know how I was going to manage travelling from Ibadan to Lagos every two weeks for workshops. But I had a strong inner drive and confidence that I would make it work and I did.

I only missed one physical class, which I attended online due to a church engagement. The entire experience of learning new skills and meeting new people really set my year on a positive path.

After each session, I would go on YouTube to deepen my understanding of what I had learned before completing my assignments. I also fasted and prayed consistently throughout the preparation period. I truly believe that whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well. So when I eventually won, I felt deeply satisfied knowing that all my efforts had paid off.

Did you at any point in time envisage winning the contest?

Yes, I did. I envisioned winning even before I picked up the form. I live by faith and I make decisions with the end goal in mind. I always aim for the topmost top and give my very best in everything I do, while also recognising that success often comes down to sacrifice and consistency.

I was confident that if the organisers remained transparent and fair, nothing would stop me from winning. Even if I hadn’t won, I wouldn’t have had regrets because I would know I gave my all and respected the process.

I was also strategic in my approach. I knew I might not be strongest in the voting segment, so I focused more on areas where I had greater strengths and could perform better. That balance of faith, strategy, and hard work guided me throughout the journey.

Could you share your camp experience with us, and tell us one episode you still can’t erase from your memory?

My camp experience was very memorable. I was the first person to arrive on the opening day, which gave me the opportunity to familiarise myself with the environment before others arrived. That helped me settle mentally and emotionally before the activities officially began.

I also naturally took on a leadership role, almost like a house representative, and the other contestants were very cooperative, which made coordination smooth and peaceful throughout the programme.

One experience I still can’t forget is that throughout the three days, I did not have a single altercation with anyone. That was very important to me because I initially feared conflict in such a competitive environment. I intentionally prepared myself spiritually through fasting and prayer so I could remain calm, and it worked perfectly. The entire experience was peaceful and smooth.

What does style mean to you, and what would you not want to wear?

Style to me is wearing clothes and accessories that make me feel comfortable while still reflecting my calm and subtle personality. I prefer simplicity and elegance over anything overly extravagant.

As a person, I would not wear outfits that expose sensitive parts of my body. For me, confidence is very important, and I believe what I wear should enhance my confidence, not take it away.

Could you share with us some of the lessons life has taught you?

One major lesson life has taught me is that you cannot truly fulfil purpose outside of God. I have learned not to be afraid of letting go of things or people when it means staying aligned with Him, because I am confident that obedience leads to a better and more purposeful tomorrow.

What are some of the memorable moments you had while growing up?

One of my most memorable moments growing up was going to the farm with my dad and working on the farmland alongside my siblings whenever I had the opportunity. Those moments shaped my understanding of discipline, family unity, and hard work, and they remain very special to me.

What are your likes and dislikes?

I like honesty, justice, and contributing in my own small way to making the world a better place. I value people and principles that reflect integrity and truth.

I strongly dislike dishonesty, injustice, and bullying, because I believe these things negatively affect individuals and society as a whole.

Could you tell us about the kind of projects you would like to focus on during your reign?

The project I will be embarking on is called the Worth Project. Through this initiative, we will be teaching young girls in Nigeria, starting with my state, Osun State, practical skills and the importance of building strong mental capacity.

The goal is to equip them with the tools they need to become financially independent, as well as help them make better-informed decisions that protect their future and prevent choices that could negatively impact their lives.

For young girls who are already facing challenges such as teenage motherhood, we aim to create a safe space where they can learn, grow, and thrive, while being supported to rebuild and create a better future for themselves.

Overall, my journey has been shaped by faith, discipline, learning, and intentional growth. I believe in using every platform I have to inspire positive change and to leave people and places better than I met them.