Shirley Alero Aghotse is now a new being; from winning the Miss Tourism Nigeria in 2006, Shirley’s life has taken on a whole new meaning. Not ony is s
Shirley Alero Aghotse is now a new being; from winning the Miss Tourism Nigeria in 2006, Shirley’s life has taken on a whole new meaning. Not ony is she now a a born-again Christian, she is also a preacher of Jesus Christ. In a recent interview with Thisday, Shirley reveals her transformation from the runway of a beauty pageant to wining souls for Christ.
Experience as first Miss Tourism Nigeria
It has been 13 years. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, that thrust me into maturity faster than the average person, and a very good platform that I leveraged on. The most memorable moments of my reign was when I co-hosted the Commonwealth Tourism Ministers, with President Olusegun Obasanjo and Ambassador Franklin Ogbuewu- Minister of Tourism, and when I became fourth runner-up at Miss Tourism World.
Education and work life
I went back to school to get a BSc (Ed) degree in Business Education and Accounting, after which I started my ACCA. Then I went for an MSc degree in Finance and Accounting at the University of Sheffield, United Kingdom which is one of the top 20 schools in the UK and top 50 in the world, my graduation ceremony is on the 10 January 2013. Furthermore, I run an NGO, a jewellery line and a company that is into construction, oil and gas, tourism and consultancy.
Transformation from pageantry to the pulpit
It began since I was a child, but I didn’t know what it was. However, the Lord in His infinite mercy who knew me before I was formed, orchestrated my journey in a way that I fulfill a purpose. He redirected me in 2009, and I gave my life to Christ under the Leadership of Pastor Paul Adefarasin (House on the Rock Lagos), and I was called into full-time ministry in 2015. I run Grace Riches Army Ministry, our mantle is of righteousness, holiness, judgement, and Jesus is coming, focused on healing and deliverance.
Floating an NGO
Rebirth Renaissance and Advancement Initiative of Nigeria (Rebirth RAIN) was floated in 2009. When I was in the University I saw how some students struggled to pay school fees, and this led some of them into ‘runs’ (prostitution), cultism, ‘Yahoo-Yahoo’ and other vices, and it broke my heart. Also, an organization that awarded scholarships, were focused on brilliant students, plus the bureaucracy involved, and factors such as inability to pay school fees and hunger will always affect anyone’s grades, and this made it difficult for the average disadvantaged student to get a scholarship. In Rebirth RAIN, we award scholarships to stranded students without bureaucracy, and we conceal their identity for the sake of dignity. So it is as good as their parents paying it. And we have sponsored a number of students. It has been impactful.
