The story of 73-year-old Alice Alache Akla Adepe is akin to that of biblical Hadassah.

She came ahead of her time. Against all odds, and because of her charming beauty and carriage, she emerged as Miss Kano in 1962 and eventually Miss Nigeria in 1963.

Born to the family of Akla Adepe of the Oono family in Otukpo-Icho in the present Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, she made history as the second lady from Northern Nigeria to win the highly revered crown.

However, sadly for this ex-beauty queen, her story ended like Queen Gadus in Andy Dowling’s epic novel, ‘The Crowing Crown.’

Not much was heard about her since she handed over the crown to her successor, Edna Park in 1964.

Life played a smart one on her and she founded herself back in the village.

“I was abandoned and I decided to return to my village,” she recalled with nostalgia in an exclusive interview with IDOMA VOICE in her country home, Otukpo-Icho, in Otukpo LGA of Benue State.

She told [url]WWW.IDOMAVOICE.COM[/url] her story in a recent interview

Can we meet you ma?

My name is Alice Ad'epe, I was Miss Kano in 1962 and Miss Nigeria 1963.I'm from Otukpo-Icho village here in Otukpo local government area of Benue state.

As a former beauty queen, how has life been treating you?

Life hasn't being bad because I'm with my Lord who has been taking care of me.


How did you hear about the contest and what inspired you to contest for the Miss Nigeria crown?

First, I was crowned Miss Kano in 1962 that was what gave me the opportunity to contest for Miss Nigeria in 1963. I was in Kano then with my sister when my friend informed me about the contest. My brother, if you really want me to explain everything to you we won't live here today (general laughter).

Could you recall the benefits of being a beauty queen back then?

It came with a lot of benefits. I was given 200 pounds. We were also taken on a free trip to London then where we spent some months before coming back to Nigeria with a female editor of Daily Times Newspaper; they were the ones in charge of the competition then. I was also given a Singer sewing machine. Of course, here in Otukpo, those who knew the value celebrated me and are still celebrating me till today. They were happy that our community could produce Miss Nigeria.

What were you doing before then?

Like I told you earlier, I was with my sister after completing my elementary school here in Otukpo Icho.

How was the process of selection then?

See, then, the organizers were not after who is the most intelligent, all they were looking for is the most beautiful. I could recall that the event took place at 7up Company back then. We were like 22 in number, but somehow, by God's grace I managed to defeat the other girls to become the winner.

Do you have any regret contesting?
Never! Never! No regrets at all.

Were your family supported?

Of course, they were in full support and were happy when I came home with the crown.

Is there any difference between beauty contest then and now?

Yeah. There's a lot of difference now. Then, it was only based on natural beauty but now you have to be very intelligent also. Also, things have really changed. The way beauty queens dress these days is quiet different from how we did back then. (Though we were the first to use swimming pants in the camp). We were seen as role models to other girls. We made sure the way we talk and behave portrayed that of a true queen. But now, reverse is the case. However, they are still good beauty queens out there though.

How old were you when you contested for the beauty pageant?

Then, no one can contest if the person is below the age of 19. I was within that age range when I won the crown.

Was there any support by the then Benue-Plateau state government, after your victory?

None, not at all. They did nothing for me to the best of my knowledge.

What stopped you from representing Nigeria in 1964 Miss World?

The Federal government didn't send me as at that time to go.

Why did you end up here in the village?

After my reign, that was end of the story. There was no follow up; nobody cares to know how I was faring. Things were no longer rosy; I was abandoned so I decided to return home.

So what are you doing at the moment?

I have a restaurant called Alach Restaurant around GRA close to Isaac Ugbabe house in Otukpo town. That is what I use in training my two children.

If you have the chance of meeting with the state governor, what would be your request?

Well, I would want him to support my business.

If you have chance of changing anything about yourself, what could that be?

If given the opportunity to change anything about myself, I rather would get closer to my God.

Is it true that the current ’Miss Idoma’ is your niece?

Yes she is. But I wasn't invited to her coronation so I was not present there on that day.

Source>>>>>http://www.idomavoice.com/2017/01/exclusive-interview-54-year-old-alice.html

What a story

okay

And some are getting KIA and Cucumber

SCATTER PICTURES WITH IDOMAVOICE.. na wa oo

OTHER BLOGGERS BE LIKE

The fvck I wanted to give b4, somebody has already given the fvck #singing

these days they go. home with more than what a best graduating student would get as reward.

Don't know such a legend exist in Otukpo-icho.
o. I did my NYSC at Otukpo Community Secondary School (OCSS).
I know all the villages around that place, Upu, Otukpo-nobi, Otukpo-icho, Odudaje, etc.

like this just got me laughing......; D

Wow

Then,it was only based on natural beauty but now you have to be very intelligent also. Also, things have really changed. The way beauty queens dress these days is quiet different from how we did back then. (Though we were the first to use swimming pants in the camp). We were seen as role models to other girls. We made sure the way we talk and behave portrayed that of a true queen. But now, reverse is the cases.

This is fatal.
She just gave present day pageantry a deadly blow.
Today,it's all about how good you can use cucumber and dildos.They now use it to find s*x objects for politicians and other elites and to promote immortality.

.

Cocumber

Talking of beauty..if na now she for no even qualify from her state not to talk of contesting as Miss Nigeria...since beauty was the main basis of winning then.

ChiSun27:
Talking of beauty..if na now she for no even qualify from her state not to talk of contesting as Miss Nigeria...since beauty was the main basis of winning then.

There are better cameras now

I think also more awareness now for more girls to participate.

Good old days

I know the 200 pounds she won back then was a fortune and she could have established herself with it so what does she mean by things were not rosy so she relocated to the village?
Wetin she take the money do?

Abeg I don't want to disrespect my elders so let me stop talking.

i hope all these beauty queens can learn something from her story... but she needs to be rewarded once more!!

Nice one

..

Ahhhh.... sewing machine

You people no they go church

LifeofAirforce1:
200 pounds Na big money those days I guess

back then some salaries was like 80 pence /month.

So its true that Beauty fades.

Wow

Adebanjids1:
You people no they go church

Are you posting from church sir?

Nigeria we hail thee. Neglecting her pipo since 1963

beauty contest is just a phase in life, she should have completed her education and moved on.
the fact tha she ended up in the village shows that men prefer brains over beauty.
cucumber runs must have started in kano in d 60s.
i knew it was a mallo thing.

Redomi:
Don't know such a legend exist in Otukpo-icho.
o. I did my NYSC at Otukpo Community Secondary School (OCSS).
I know all the villages around that place, Upu, Otukpo-nobi, Otukpo-icho, Odudaje, etc.

I did mine at Makurdi. Neva knew oturkpo exist.