She is 21 years old; a computer science undergraduate in University of Abuja. She is Linda Iweka, the young girl who emerged the last woman standing at the just concluded Gulder Ultimate Search (GUSV) held in Awgu Hills, Enugu State and won for herself N2.5 million. Not only that, Enugu State Government in appreciation of her feat, gave her the sum of N1 million in addition. Linda, who loves the series Desperate Housewives, in this interview with Deputy Editor, Saturday, Charles Okogene, declares that her new fame and fortune will not get into her head.

Linda, congratulations

Thank you very much sir.

What is your plan for the N3.5million and don't you think you are too young to handle such amount of money?

Yeah! I am now a young millionaire...actually when I pay my tithe, I will keep the rest. My plan is to keep the money until I am through with my studies when I hope to start something big with it.

You talked about tithe, which church do you worship?

I am a Catholic.

How do you intend to keep the money?

I will keep it in a bank and when the stock market comes up again, I will invest in stocks.

When you applied for GUSV, what was your parent's reaction?

Actually, my dad was the backbone of everything. He told me to go and register for the search but before that I had always wanted to go for it. I had already applied before my dad's encouraging words.

What about your mummy...was she in support?

My mum was like worried that I may not be able to jump into the water. She kept asking me if I could jump.

Was it that guys were aware that contestants would be made to jump into water as part of the screening exercise?

Yeah!

Who told you?

I have watched previous editions.

And you were sure that the same screening exercise was what you would be subjected to this year.

Yes. I had clue that it could be something like that especially at the Sea School.

And when you applied did you have it at the back of your mind that you would scale even to the point of emerging last woman standing?

Actually, it is the Lord's doing.

What are the qualities you possessed which you think gave you the edge over other girls in the camp?

Actually, I was not really competing with the girls. I was competing with the guys. The girls did not threaten me. I was up against the guys.

You wanted to be the ultimate man or woman?

I wanted to be the ultimate woman. I wanted to be the first ultimate woman in the history of GUS.

Would you have been able to shoulder the responsibility that comes with being the ultimate man?

Why not? Look at my muscles (pointing at her left arm biceps).

Do you drink Gulder?

Once in a while, I do.

But now you have to drink more often because you can't make so much money from Gulder only to drink it once in a while?

It doesn't mean I should drink everyday.

But it means you have to drink responsibly every day

No...not everyday. It will still be once in a while.

Did you have a bank account before now and how much did you have in your account?

Yes, I do...I wasn't that rich but I had money there.

You must be aware that as soon as you return to Abuja, bank marketers will be all over you to bank with them, do you intend to return to your former bank?

Yes, but I will also patronise other banks.

Apart from paying your tithe, how much are you likely to give your siblings?

They just have to understand that they were not in the jungle with me (laughs).

So for you it is self first?

I could really settle them... I will just roger them small. While I keep the main thing to myself.

What will be your relationship with your boyfriend now that you have joined the league of young millionaires?

I will just be myself. It is not going to change anything.

How much will you give him?

I won't give him anything.

But if he were the one, he would share with you.

He is a man; I don't think he will ask me for his share.

Was he in the audience during the closing ceremony?

No.

Why?

We are not that close.

And he is your boyfriend?

Yes, he is my boyfriend.

Has he called you ever since?

Yeah! I spoke with him yesterday (Saturday, August 9).

And what did he say to you?

You are my baby; you made me proud.

Is he in based in Abuja?

Oh! No, I really do not want to talk much about him.

Why? Are you not proud of him?

Not that.

What will the feeling be like when you finally return to school?

My friends will still be my friends. I will still try to be more disciplined than I was before now. I will still tolerate people and still be myself. The fame and fortune won't blow my head. It won't go into my head. I am very sure of that by God's grace.

Any plan to spoil yourself a little from the money?

I want to get a small car. Though I don't know the kind of car I want to buy because I really don't know much about cars but when I get out of this place, I will settle down and think of what to buy. I will also update my wardrobe.

After all of these, what do you intend to do next?

I really want to go into the movie industry.

Did you have that in mind before?

Yes.

Have you ever acted before?

In my church I do act.