The Number One Question You Must About for Linda Ikeji
By Linda Ikeji


I started since I was 17 to support my loved ones fighting. I said the day I sell my body to a man for cash, may God strike me dead. I was determined to make it on my own, never let any guy take my dignity.

It was not late 2000, I was 19 years old, within my second year. I had been a version for around a year plus a half afterward. Modeling back then didn't pay a lot. Sometimes you eat, occasionally you can not find food. Occasionally you had cash, there are times when you'll need to beg for it. I'm not from a house that is rich.
Linda Ikeji
So I kinda hard rough life growing up but I kept working, doing all sorts of modeling occupations, ushering, fashion shows, and at one point I sold beer at a resort. I'd sell beer from 1 pm till 10pm and leave lectures, go to a hotel. I did this for a few months. It wasn't easy but I needed to live. I was decided to make it on my own, never let any guy take my dignity.



So back to my narrative. It was not late 2000, I hadn't done any modeling jobs in a little. Myself did not have any money in school, had not ate a proper meal in days, there was no money at home... My sister phoned and asked if I could send money home...did not have any. I wondered things to do...then I thought of this " aristo" who was pursuing me for months now...old man...wed.. .rich...in his fifties.

I said to myself, why do not you phone him and beg him for cash. Tell a lie, say you need it to go to the hospital 'cos you're ill or something desperate. Which was what I did. What he said to me was 'you know I enjoy you. Myself do not know why you're behaving like a child. You need someone to care for you blah blah blah'.

Eventually he said I should meet with him at a hotel. I'll never forget that hotel... Ambassadors resort in Ikoyi. Myself had been apprehensive about going but I was distressed... I said to myself what's the worse that can occur? It's not like he can rape you and there was no way in hell I would sleep with him, therefore i figured even if he did not give me the cash I asked for, at least he would give me cash for transport fare to go back home...that transport fare was what I was looking forward to actually. Myself did not have a dime on me small cash was borrowed by me from a friend to visit the hotel.

So when myself got there, he purchased me hotel food (my first real meal in days...:-)) and after I was done eating, he made his move. Myself shoved him off. Have you been a kid? The friend was angry that myself made him not give him what he desired and pay for a hotel room, spent money on food etc. So the friend got up to leave...and myself told him I didn't have any cash to return to school. If looks could kill, I would have perished in that moment he turned to look at me. He left the hotel room, and myself followed him. I kept wanting to explain to the friend that I didn't have transportation to go back and begging, he did not say a word to me as he entered his vehicle and drove off.

Myself stood facing the hotel wondering how I was really going to return to school. All myself had was N15. N15 was not going to take myself to Akoka from Ikoyi. In my plans, I never imagined that I wasn't going to at least get a few thousands from him. Myself'd seen this guy before...he was a buddy's manager. He owned a media business back then and every time myself went to see this buddy, this man would call me into his office...tell me how pretty I am, how much he enjoys me and how well he is able to care for me.

And the guy constantly gave me 5 k I was willing to depart his office. But this time I was the person who called him...so the guy must have found I was able to give in. We both misunderstood each other, I imagine...:-)

Anyway, after standing in front of the resort for several minutes, I went back in and saw a young man in front desk. By the time I got to Yaba, I had run out of cash, so I trekked to UNILAG Akoka from Yaba bus stop.

And that is the way myself lived. Decided to make it. As my own girl. I kept fighting and fighting until I was eventually blessed by God.

Now I have significantly more cash than I know what to do with it. The best part of all this is that I might blog free of charge. Now myself don't pursue money anymore...it pursues me. It is not just about the amount of money, it's the great friends I've met via this site, the amazing people I socialize with here, the freebies I get. How much I am to some people.

How many people see myself person and scream with excitement and wish to shoot photographs with me. Sometimes I pinch myself... Myself nearly can not believe this is my life.
So perhaps myself'm not a role model when it comes to what I do, but I understand I'm definitely a role model. To all the young girls out there, if you're looking over that, you may make it by yourself. You don't want to spread your legs for men, you do not want these old married men who simply take your glory. You're not weak, you're not ugly, there's nothing you can not achieve on your own. God has given you something no one else has. Find what it is and assemble yourself. Dignity is a lot more valuable than a range rover.

Myself want every one well in their journey. God bless.