Omowunmi Akinnifesi, the 2005 winner of Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, has opened up about her journey of faith, personal struggles, and the decision to maintain her virginity, a choice she once felt ashamed of.
In a candid video titled The Walk in Purity on her YouTube channel, Akinnifesi revealed how societal pressure and negative perceptions made her decision to remain a virgin a challenging one. She disclosed that these experiences ultimately inspired her to launch Sacred Vessels, an initiative aimed at helping women rediscover their self-worth and uphold moral values in today’s society.
“I had a covenant with God when I was 18 years old about keeping myself. People say ‘celibate,’ but I have never done it before,” she said. “Because I have kept myself, I walked in shame for a very long time. I was actually very ashamed of it. I had friends that I couldn’t talk to. When I finally spoke to them, they would laugh at me.”
The former beauty queen also shared how rumors and societal stereotypes fueled her resolve to stay true to her values.
“Even worse, the stories I would hear about myself. Imagine being okay with negative stories about you, masking something that you thought was going to be an embarrassment. It was very hard for me, but I did it through the grace of God,” Akinnifesi said.
Through Sacred Vessels, Akinnifesi aims to provide support and encouragement to women, emphasizing the importance of self-value and moral principles in a rapidly changing world.