By Platform Reporters
Oluwatimilehin Alarape, a maritime enthusiast and law graduate came out top with 93% in the Season 11 Audition Result of Face Of Maritime International (FOMI) published earlier last week, but placed 9th in the just concluded Photo Challenge.
In this exclusive interview with Platform Reporters, she explains the reason for the gap in her performance in the Photo Challenge compared to the Audition. Enjoy the excerpts!
PLATFORM REPORTERS: Congratulations, Timi, on taking the first position in the audition results published earlier last week. Could you tell us about yourself, your state of origin, educational background, and what motivated you to contest in Face of Maritime International this year?
TIMI: My name is Oluwatimilehin Alarape, and I am a Law graduate of Lagos State University. I enjoy exploring ideas that interest me, having meaningful conversations, and expressing my creativity through design.
I was motivated to participate in Face of Maritime International because I am currently participating in my first maritime fellowship, which has further strengthened my interest in the maritime sector. The Girls Go-To-Sea Campaign presents another opportunity to fulfil my commitment as an ocean steward, promote awareness about the maritime industry, and encourage more young women to explore opportunities within the sector.
PLATFORM REPORTERS: How did you feel when the audition results were released and you saw your name in the top position?
TIMI: Initially, I did not have a particularly strong reaction, but seeing my name at the top of the chart was certainly a pleasant surprise. I was glad that my preparation and knowledge had paid off, and it encouraged me to approach the subsequent stages with an open mind.
PLATFORM REPORTERS: What strategy did you adopt that helped you outperform other contestants and emerge first in the audition?
TIMI: I researched previous editions of the competition and drew on my existing knowledge of the maritime sector. I am also an avid reader, which has helped me develop an understanding of issues surrounding maritime sustainability and the Blue Economy. This preparation gave me a foundation for answering the audition questions confidently.
PLATFORM REPORTER: You scored 93 out of 100 in the audition but placed ninth in the photo challenge. What happened? Did you relax after your initial success?
TIMI: I did not relax; the two stages simply required different approaches. The audition focused more on knowledge and preparation, while the photo challenge required a level of audience engagement that I am still learning to navigate. I have a relatively small circle, and I am not particularly active on social media, which may have affected my performance. Nevertheless, I understand that every stage presents a different challenge, and I am taking the experience in stride.
PLATFORM REPORTERS: How prepared are you to maintain a top position in the upcoming tasks, particularly the popularity test?
TIMI: I intend to give each stage my best, although I understand that the outcomes may vary. I am not naturally a very social person, and I knew that the popularity-based tasks would be challenging for me. I am approaching the remaining stages with an open mind, willing to learn and make the most of the experience, regardless of the outcome.
PLATFORM REPORTERS: What advice would you give your fellow contestants, especially those who are yet to improve their performance in the competition?
TIMI: I would encourage them to keep going and not allow the results of one stage to discourage them. Beyond the rankings, this competition offers an opportunity to learn, build connections, and gain a deeper understanding of the maritime industry. They will be just fine, what matters is the lessons we leave with and not the contest ultimately, what we learn and the impact we make matter just as much as the position we finish in.
PLATFORM REPORTERS: Finally, what are your expectations of the organisers regarding transparency, credibility, and fairness throughout the competition?
TIMI: I appreciate the effort involved in organising a competition of this nature. However, I believe that providing a more detailed and clearly illustrated breakdown of the results during live result announcements would be beneficial. This would help contestants better understand how scores are determined, strengthen confidence in the process, and promote transparency and fairness throughout the competition. Because when I saw a photo contest to determine the personality test, I was stunned to say the least.
