Shatu Garko, the winner of the 2021 Miss Nigeria beauty pageant, says she does not consider hijab as a barrier to achieving her dream.
The 18-year-old hijab model from Kano state had snagged the much-coveted crown, after defeating 17 other contestants at the 44th edition of the pageantry, which was held in Lagos on Friday.
In an interview with Chude Jideonwo, the media personality, alongside other finalists about a week to the grand finale of the contest, Garko said she remains unperturbed by criticisms.
The newly-crowned Miss Nigeria also said she does not care about what people think of her since she is not doing it for anyone.
“To me, it doesn’t matter what people think. I only believe in what I think. I believe the hijab is not a barrier. I think people shouldn’t criticise but either way I don’t really care. I’m just doing it for me – I am not doing it for anyone,” she said.
Garko succeeded Etsanyi Tukura, a native of Taraba state who happened to be the 43rd winner of the 2019 Miss Nigeria pageant.
She walked away with N10 million as well as a one-year residency in a luxury apartment, a brand new car coupled with lucrative brand ambassadorship opportunities.
