By Yemisi Suleiman

For the second time in the history of the popular reality tv show Big Brother Naija, a female housemate Josephina Otabor aka Phyna, has emerged the winner.

After 72 days in the house, enclosed with 24 housemates who were evicted weekly, 25-year-old Phyna, last Sunday, edged out fellow finalist Bryann, to clinch the N100m grand prize, which includes N50m cash prize, a new SUV from Innoson Motors, a Dubai trip for two, a year supply of Pepsi, new Techno phone Camon 19, supply of Unik soap and supply of home appliances from Nexus among other mouth-watering prizes from sponsors.

The graduate of Agricultural and Bio Environmental Engineering from the Federal Polytechnic Auchi, Edo State, no doubt, gave fans a good show; from tasks, and romance, to fights, she did it all and was nicknamed the “queen of content” by viewers.

Phyna was the cynosure of all eyes on Tuesday when she got presented with her prizes.

She spoke to Allure about her newfound fame and leveled-up status, her relationship with love interest Groovy, and family life amongst other issues.

What motivated your to go into the Big Brother House, was it the money or fame?

Who no wan make am? I needed to level up na, and thank God I got in in the level-up season and won.

Congratulations on your win. Did you think you were going to win?

I didn’t see it coming, I was literary doing me, until the last minute. I felt Bryan was going to win and I was like, ‘bro if you win, you will win give me two million.’

You were always saying ‘I dey here till the last day’ as if you knew you were going to win.  What gave you that feeling?

I think I started saying that when I survived so many evictions. I was just doing me and having fun. I did not see it coming, but it happened and now, we are here.

So what should we expect from you going forward?

More fun, more entertainment, and more content. As you know, my fans call me “the queen of content.” I have a lot to give out. Nigerians should be ready for me.

How would you describe your experience in the house, has it changed you, or your thinking as a person in any way?

I’m not sure it has really changed me in any way. I am still me and I am okay. 

Would you say then that you made true friends in the house?

I will not say that, but I know I met people that I can always vibe with.

Why?

Because I can’t just make true friends in just two months, but I’m cool with everyone.

Your close friend Amaka, while in the house, mentioned that you betrayed her regarding your relationship with fellow housemate Groovy, who she asked you to speak with on her behalf, but with who you only started dating. What is your relationship with Amaka like now?

There were a lot of twists with that issue but personally, I’m cool with her. I don’t know about her, but for me, I am cool.  If there is something bothering her, she should come to me. However, when I have time, I will ask why she is cold to us, but I hold no grudge against anyone.

You found love in the house with Groovy, what is your relationship like with him now that you are outside, is it something you wish to take further?

We are going to have a conversation about that; afterward, we would let everybody know our decision.

How do you plan to spend her N50 million cash prize?

A lot of good things, great things, you’ll hear and see everything. I have a lot on my head. You all will see everything when the time comes. My head is full, I need to calm down, I need to relax my head.

 In what way would your new status impact your family’s life?

It’s definitely going to change my family’s life on every level. There is no way I’ll be like this and my family remains the way we used to be. So, for sure, my family is going to be leveled up too.

 What lesson would you say you took away from the house?

  I think I learned how to control my temper and how to control it no matter the situation. I used to be very temperamental, I also knew coming to the show with that temper was going to get me disqualified. I tried to be very tolerant, and now, I can say that I am a very tolerant person.

So what’s going to be next for you from here, what will you be doing with yourself?

I’ll be doing a lot. Before now, I was already into a lot of activities. before now,  I’ll just continue doing what I was doing.

Like What?

Like my hyping, acting, music, farming, a lot of farming.

How do you mean farming?

Yes, farming. I studied Agricultural and Bio Environmental Engineering at the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State. So, I plan to go in that direction.

Growing up, was Agricultural and Bio Environmental engineering your first choice; was it something you always wanted to do?

No. I’ve always wanted to be a medical doctor.

So what happened?

Nigeria happened (laughs) and I did engineering instead.

So, you intend to go into farming?

Yes, that would be on the side.

Tell me a bit about yourself. What was going up like for you?

Growing up wasn’t easy. Just like the normal, average Nigerian, generally, I had to work really hard to make ends meet in my family, but thank God, I am here today.

 Looking back at your time in the house, what would you miss most about the show?

Nothing (laughs). I went in to win and I won, so, I miss nothing. I’m now out to something new and great.