Despite being visually impaired, 21-year-old Favour Rufus won the Port Harcourt City Beauty Pageant in 2022, triumphing over 17 other contestants. In an interview with Godfrey George, she shared her motivations and struggles. When asked about her feelings as a visually impaired winner, Favour expressed immense gratitude for the opportunity to compete and win. Her primary motivation was not merely to claim the crown but to inspire hope and light for all Nigerians living with visual impairments. She highlighted the challenges faced by blind individuals in Nigeria, where they often feel marginalized and neglected by society. Even after winning the crown, Favour admitted that life remains difficult, with her greatest joy stemming from the inspiration she provides to others. She finds strength in the supportive messages she receives on social media, where people express renewed faith because of her journey. Her mother’s daily encouragement also plays a crucial role in her resilience.
Favour revealed that her interest in beauty pageantry was not initially nurtured by anyone; rather, it was a dream she held since childhood. Although her visual impairment slowed her progress, she became determined to advocate for people like herself. After conducting research, she decided to participate in the beauty pageant to share her story and break barriers. Favour noted that no blind girl had previously contested and won a beauty contest of such significance, and she aspired to extend her advocacy beyond Port Harcourt, aiming to become the first blind contestant to win the Miss Nigeria title. She emphasized that everyone has some form of disability, whether financial, emotional, or physical, and that being blind does not diminish one’s humanity or societal value.
Navigating the boot camp for the pageant proved challenging for Favour. Learning the catwalk was particularly difficult, and the financial burden of preparing for the event weighed heavily on her family. Her mother worked tirelessly to ensure Favour had the necessary dresses and makeup, often sacrificing her own needs for her daughter’s success. During the competition, Favour initially felt isolated but gradually formed friendships with other contestants. Despite facing hurtful comments, she remained focused on her goal, motivated by the thought of representing herself and others with disabilities. The support from her mother and the desire to inspire others fueled her determination to succeed.
Favour had no prior modeling experience before entering the beauty pageant, making the contest her first attempt at this field. She endured physical challenges, including blisters from the rigorous training, but remained committed to her goal. Reflecting on her journey, Favour shared that she was not born blind; her vision deteriorated after an unfortunate incident at the age of six, which led to a severe injury. The transition from being a fully sighted child to a visually impaired one was traumatic, marked by bullying and a lack of understanding from peers and teachers. Despite the emotional toll, she found solace in her mother’s support and her love for music.
Favour initially attended a school for the blind, but her experience there was far from positive. She described it as a place where children were neglected and mistreated, prompting her mother to withdraw her and enroll her in a rehabilitation center, The Lens Eye Clinic, in Port Harcourt. This new environment was nurturing and supportive, allowing Favour to learn Braille and develop social skills. After leaving the rehabilitation center, she attended a regular secondary school, where she faced challenges as the first blind student. Despite the difficulties, she excelled academically, achieving one of the best results in her West African Senior School Certificate Examination.
Although Favour expressed a desire to pursue journalism or media studies, she has not yet attended a formal university due to financial constraints. She highlighted the high costs associated with education for blind individuals, emphasizing the sacrifices her mother has made to support her. Favour and her mother have sought various medical and non-medical interventions over the years, including visits to churches in search of healing. However, they eventually decided to focus on improving her quality of life rather than pursuing surgery, which they could not afford.
Upon winning the beauty pageant, Favour did not receive any government recognition, despite her attempts to meet with local officials. She expressed frustration at how people often perceive her disability before recognizing her potential. Favour remains hopeful that one day she will regain her sight, longing to see her own reflection and her mother’s face, a wish that deeply resonates with her every day.
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