In part 2 of this exclusive interview with the pioneer Winner of NIMA Reality TV Show, Ambassador Winnie Ogunsakin, she told Platform Reporters that although she didn’t study maritime course nor had a prior background in maritime sector before emerging Nigerian Maritime Ambassador, yet she’s ready to take maritime by storm through her pet project.
Speaking ahead of her pet project launch scheduled for Friday, May 5th, 2023 in Victoria Island, Lagos, the 22 years old reality TV Star gave some hints about the pet project she wants to execute and the value she aims to add to the Nigerian maritime sector as Ambassador.
Platform Reporters: What inspired you to participate in the show in the first place?
Winnie: The word MARITIME. Oh how I love ships. I visited one as a kid and that machine has always been a mystery to me. So that word, ‘maritime’ was like oh wow, I’m going to learn a lot about ships here, why not go for it?
Platform Reporters: How has winning NIMA Reality TV Show changed your life?
Winnie: It has made me see life from a different perspective, it has given me opportunity to meet people of different caliber and class that ordinarily, I wouldn’t have met. It has also given me some exposure in both entertainment world and corporate world of maritime, adding that I have a car for myself (winks)
Besides, I just emerged a winner, so I have one year service reign ahead of me. I believe much will still change going forward.
Participating in the Show alone was a remarkable experience for me, no doubts.
Platform Reporters: What would you say about Nigerian Maritime Ambassador Reality TV Show?
Winnie: It’s a great show, this is their first season so I believe in few years to come, the show will be at its best but for a start, it’s a thumbs up to the brand.
Giving the Winner 10 million Naira worth of deals, comprising a Car, Sponsored Luxury Vacation, Cash Prize, Endorsement deal and other benefits is a no joke for a new brand in a maiden edition. So it’s a thumbs up for them.
Platform Reporters: As Winner of Nigerian Maritime Ambassador, what value will you add to the sector, or what will be your project during your one year reign?
Winnie: The ideology behind this show is to tackle marine environmental problems in riverine communities and the territorial waters as a whole. My pet project is tagged “Clean Ocean Campaign”. I will be creating awareness as possible as I can in Riverine communities on the dangers of marine litter as well as educating them on how to safely dispose waste without damaging the waters.
I am going to be an added value to the Marine sector as I am going to ensure that measures will be put in place to control Water Pollution e.g. just as we have PSP onshore we can have LAWMA boats to collect waste from riverine communities week by week if not available and if available I will ensure it is made effective, amongst others, etc.
Cleanliness they say is next to Godliness and this starts from home, I will ensure that for the whole of 2023, 12 or more schools will be educated on how to help reduce the risk of marine pollution from the comforts of their homes and when outside their homes, the right ways to dispose plastics, food waste and the likes and also ensure every vessel is following the IMO (International Maritime Organization) standard to prevent sea pollution and to promote a cleaner oceans.
To list them out :
1. Creating awareness on the importance and benefits of proper waste disposal especially in riverine communities
2. Visiting schools (maritime and non maritime schools) and educating the students on how they can help to reduce the risk of marine pollution
3. Executing a beach cleanup project from time to time.
4. Distributing waste bags for different kinds of waste to be identified with color codes in some riverine communities e.g Ajegunle, Makoko etc encouraging them to use them and showing practical examples on how to use them.
5. Working with LASG, bottling companies e.g Coca-cola, Marine Agencies who has been working very hard to ensure a sustainable environment by executing various pet projects such as: greener Lagos , recycling banks, MARPOL, etc respectively, to serve as additional hand in carrying out these projects.
6. I would like to have a podcast or a talkshow that takes on different topics from marine environmental pollution to other issues that are begging for attention in the maritime industry as well as the social economic crisis in the Marine Sector.
Platform Reporters: How do you relax?
Winnie: I relax by watching movies, reading books and eating good food.
Platform Reporters: What has been your biggest challenge in life so far?
Winnie: Running two businesses while in school, it was a very big challenge
Platform Reporters: Who is your role model and why?
Winnie: Nancy Isime . Yes I would love to be a presenter and she is a very good presenter. The way she presents, motivates me, the way her confidence radiates all over her body, when I watch her, the remaining light of presenting in me shines brighter. I just love her.
Platform Reporters: If you didn’t study English Language & Linguistics, what other career would you have pursued?
Winnie: I would have loved to be a TV presenter.
Platform Reporters: Which brands are you looking forward to working with?
Winnie: First, I look forward to working with my brand, NIMA and its partner agencies and organisations towards executing my pet project during my one year reign.
Secondly, I am also open for endorsement deals with other brands interested in working with me.
Platform Reporters: Finally, Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
Winnie: Greater than I am today. I mean for me this is the beginning of life. I am not where I want to be yet like Rich Dad would say, “financial freedom comes when money works for you and not when you are a slave to money“.
Every man or woman can be pushed towards greatness, but he/she has to be willing to love oneself through it all.
It can’t be forced if the whole body and mind isn’t aligned for it.
No lies. Next phase will get bigger and bigger and I can only get better and better. Which I believe I can keep going at it. Thank you!