‘I have been passionate about modelling since I was a kid’, Shalom Mbachu, Miss Polo Nigeria

Budding model and Winner of Miss Polo Nigeria, Shalom Odinakachukwu Mbachu has said that she has been drawn to modelling since she was a child. The Obafemi Awolowo University graduate currently pursing a Masters degree in Human Resources Management at the Algonquin college, Ottawa, Canada won the Miss Polo Nigeria competition in December, 2021.

She began her modelling career in 2019 and has since featured on billboards, fashion magazines and commercial products in Nigeria.

With a father who was a military officer serving the Nigerian Army and her mum, a civil servant, growing up for Mbachu was a lot of fun. “I got to travel a lot and be exposed to different cultures, because my father was stationed in different states. That’s probably where my adventurous spirit came from.

“I have been passionate about modelling since I was a kid, my first hand contact with modelling was in my mother’s room, I would play with her belongings, I also stumbled upon fashion magazines featuring gorgeous women dressed in the most exquisite fashion clothing.

“It was the first time I saw Naomi Campbell; I was impressed by the lovely lady of my colour looking so gorgeous and at ease.”

Speaking on emerging winner of the Polo competition, she said, “the judges chose beautiful and well qualified contestants for the crown, although I can’t answer for anyone but myself, I believe I matched the judges requirements for poise and my stated purpose for Miss Polo Nigeria.”

The beauty queen noted that her entire journey has been exciting, “it’s a landscape I’ve never travelled through before and nearly didn’t think I’d ever walk through. I had the dream but lacked the courage to pursue it until the last possible moment; when I threw myself into the competition and never looked back.

She added, “For the competition, I studied the rules and etiquette of pageantry, but I quickly realised that knowing what to do and actually doing it are two different things. I went into the competition full of optimism; enthusiasm and I gave it my all.”

On pursing a master’s degree and combining with modeling, she said it is challenging while holding an office, “but I’m fortunate to have the support of my management, Miss Polo Nigeria, and my board of Trustees, which I formed to help me run my charity, Love Foundation. As a result, without burning out, I am able to properly execute both at the same time.”

On challenges she said, “the first hurdle I had to overcome was the expected; parental understanding and consent. I thank God for my parents, who, despite their lack of familiarity with new global concepts, opened their hearts to embrace the new notion of ‘modelling’ that I was bringing after four years of university education.

“It wasn’t easy for them, but they eventually agreed and I’ll be eternally grateful that they allowed me pursue my dreams.
Only a few people have seen and know how many times I was told ‘No’ while trying to advance in my modelling career; those were difficult days for me. Furthermore, I don’t have time for a solid social life because I’m juggling my set life with my education. It’s a life I’ve chosen and love; therefore I don’t consider it a struggle.”

Through her Love Foundation dedicated to the rehabilitation of Nigerian inmates, Mbachu says she wants to make history in Nigeria and around the world. “Using my foundation to bridge the gap between rehabilitated convicts and society; assisting them to reintegrate into the society and become significant pillars of the society as well as being beneficial to themselves and the community as a whole. In addition, I intend to represent Nigeria in the upcoming Miss Polo International Pageantry.”

On her advice to others seeking to become models, she said, “when it comes to modelling, do your homework and research on the kind of model you want to be, how to get started, who to talk to/collaborate with to get started. Believe and understand yourself, if you won’t stop yourself, nothing can stop you.”