Venessa, the Nigerian  contestant is the  elated lucky winner of the much talked about English programme of the year, “Miss Nollywood UK 2008”. 

Lillia , another Nigerian contestant grabbed the position of first runner-up, whilst Lola, yet another Nigeria, was the  second runner-up.

As   stated in the previous edition of this column, winners in this rare beauty pageant are expected to benefit from numerous prizes and incentives. The winner will benefit from a contract in the Nollywood filming industry and a huge cash  award, and Ten (10) free modelling photo shots to be printed by Mouldme Studio, among others. The first runner-up also stands to benefit from a contract with the Nollywood filming industry  as well as  a return ticket to the Republic of Nigeria.

A total of 35  intelligent  beauty queens participated in this competition. The contestants were drawn from all parts of the world, especially African, Caribean  and Asian  countries. All the contestants are beauty queens in their own right.

The Miss Nollywood UK beauty competition is geared towards strengthening the spirit of mutual understanding and tolerance, and promoting cultural exchanges between people of diverse cultures and to instill a sense of self confidence in the participants. In order to win this beauty competition, the contestants should be armed with interest in acting, be able to dance, model, pose, be witty, articulate, intelligent and be able to think right on their feet as well to have a walk that sets them apart from the other contestants. All the 35 beauty queens had  gallantly  and enviably exhibited  the above mentioned rare qualities.

Over 300 art and beauty lovers attended the programme. The hall was filled to capacity, according to Stevie Nash, coordinator of Miss Nollywood UK 2008. Mr Stevie Nash, in a statement dispatched to Arts and Culture from his UK base, described the event as a real success considering the turnout of both the audience and the contestants. “People came from almost all parts of the world, especially those of African descent in the Diaspora. We were expecting about 300 people but the hall was filled to capacity and everything went perfectly well, as planned. There was a general tone of high spirits and adoration of the human creative industry,” the coordinator explained.

Venessa, the Nigerian  contestant is the  elated lucky winner of the much talked about English programme of the year, “Miss Nollywood UK 2008”. 

LLillia , another Nigerian contestant grabbed the position of first runner-up, whilst Lola, yet another Nigeria, was the  second runner-up.

As stated in the previous edition of this column, winners in this rare beauty pageant are expected to benefit from numerous prizes and incentives. The winner will benefit from a contract in the Nollywood filming industry and a huge cash  award, and Ten (10) free modelling photo shots to be printed by Mouldme Studio, among others. The first runner-up also stands to benefit from a contract with the Nollywood filming industry as well as  a return ticket to the Republic of Nigeria.

A total of 35  intelligent  beauty queens participated in this competition. The contestants were drawn from all parts of the world, especially African, Caribean and Asian  countries. All the contestants are beauty queens in their own right.

The Miss Nollywood UK beauty competition is geared towards strengthening the spirit of mutual understanding and tolerance, and promoting cultural exchanges between people of diverse cultures and to instill a sense of self confidence in the participants. In order to win this beauty competition, the contestants should be armed with interest in acting, be able to dance, model, pose, be witty, articulate, intelligent and be able to think right on their feet as well to have a walk that sets them apart from the other contestants. All the 35 beauty queens had  gallantly  and enviablly exhibited  the above mentioned rare qualities.

Over 300 art and beauty lovers attended the programme. The hall was filled to capacity, according to Stevie Nash, coordinator of Miss Nollywood UK 2008. Mr Stevie Nash, in a statement dispatched to Arts and Culture from his UK base, described the event as a real success considering the turnout of both the audience and the contestants. “People came from almost all parts of the world, especially those of African descent in the Diaspora. We were expecting about 300 people but the hall was filled to capacity and everything went perfectly well, as planned. There was a general tone of high spirits and adoration of the human creative industry,” the coordinator explained.

Preparations are in high gear for the most talked about event in town, the Miss Summer 2008 beauty final, slated for Saturday 23rd August, 2008.

The spectacular event, the first of its kind, is scheduled to take place at the prestigious Paradise Suites Hotel in Kololi.

This grand event is exclusively organised by Champion Sound Promotions under the leadership of the President Award winning DJ, Lamin Cham.

It will include live performances by two Mbalax stars from The Gambia and Senegal namely Pa Omar Jack aka Mr ‘Fish and Chips’ and Gibby ‘Ganilah’ Dramme.
 
Champion DJ  Lamin Cham disclosed that 12 young  and beautiful contestants will  participate in the event noting that a cash price of  D25,000 will be shared out among the first six (6) winners and D15,000 worth of Africell credit will also be shared among the contestants.

Don’t miss this grand summer final because it’s going to the last thrilling party before we enter the month of Ramadan.

Over 30 female contestants and leaders across all political parties recently participated in a consultation meeting to review the gender concerns in the last local government area council election, at Pakalinding Lodge, Lower River Region. The meeting validated the reports on the pre-election activities with potential female contestants and reviewed the participation of women in the 2008 Local Government elections.

In her remarks, the Executive Director of GAMCOTRAP Dr. Isatou Touray, emphasised that the project on women’s political participation is supported by the Open Society Initiative of West Africa – OSIWA. She said it is not about partisan politics but rather to create political awareness amongst women to empower them within their own parties. Dr. Touray called for unity of purpose, solidarity and trustworthiness in women’s struggles; and pointed out that, as women there are commonalities, specificities and difference but they should all work for the interests of all women no matter what their partisan inclination is.

Speaking to the participants, the first Gambian female elected Parliamentarian and also Consultant for women and political participation, Honourable Nyimasata Sanneh, informed the participants that GAMCOTRAP is interested in creating awareness on women’s rights and empowerment and they choose the rights target for their activities. She emphasised that it is critical to engage women in decision-making positions in promoting women’s rights in politics. GAMCOTRAP was commended for the initiative to engage women leaders from different parties across the country to revisit the interest of women in the political processes.

 However, the participants highlighted some of the challenges female contestants were faced with amongst which were the concern that women leaders are used for election of political representatives and not for the strategic interest of women; challenges in their parties select committees attitudes towards some of the female candidates, sexual harassment during the campaign period, lack of funding for female candidates to campaign and reluctance of elite women to contest for elections, among other things.

The participants recommended a sensitisation on the Local Government Act and the role of area councilors, to train women on leadership and other skills to enhance their knowledge on policies and laws affecting them, to sensitise young girls on reproductive health and rights.

 They finally called for a national forum across parties to discuss the gender concerns in vying for elections for the interests of all women and promote solidarity and positive campaign strategies within and across parties, whilst emphasising the need for women to be recognised in their own right as citizens and to work in solidarity.

Informations reaching the Arts and Culture desk, ahead of the much awaited cross cutting, multi-dimentional Miss Bakau 2008 beauty and talent show has it that, this year’s event has developed a totally new exciting characters.

To cut the story short and keep it precise, the information dispatched from the organissing committee of the beauty and multi- talent show stated that the event got new contestants on the list by the name of Miss Queen Coker, Fatou Manneh, Zainab Touray, Floran Peter and two previous contestants, Miss Awa Sarr and Laura Suwaray, who were respectivelly dropped from the list, whilst more optimistic and benevolent sponsors for the event gets on board.

The new exciting sponsors are Adou lette Design,Vivax Clip Fastion Boutique, Ndow Design, Unique F.M 101.7, DA  Heaven Beauty Saloon on 100 Kairaba Avenue, Classy lady, Wallian Beauty Saloon and Hairnest Beauty Saloon.

As usual, your humble comments and contributions to this column are welcome either through 9996864 or sannajawara2002@yahoo.co.uk

As the school academic year begins, election campaign for the Students’ Union Executive began last week at the Gambia Technical Training Institute (GTTI) campus in Kanifing.

The portfolios to be contested are the post of President, Vice-President, Secretary-General, Public Relations Officer (PRO) and Sports Coordinator. 
Speaking to the Young Observer columnist, Adama Demba, GTTI Election Campaign Manager, announced that elections are slated for Tuesday November 6th, 2007. He confirmed that four candidates are vying for the post of President, one for the post of Vice-President, one for the Secretary-General post, one for Sports Coordinator post and none for the PRO.

Young Observer also caught up with some of the contestants and below are their views.  
Morr B. Ceesay, who is vying for the Students’ Union Presidency said,“I am studying ABE Diploma 11 and Diploma in Law.  One of my major plans for this institution is to find solutions to the shortage of lecturers in the Business, Marketing, Professional Development and Construction Departments. I will also make sure that there is graduation ceremonies held and finance from the Student’s Union Account and the account be controlled by the Student Union Executive. Student Management Relationship and the provision of school bus and students’ union telecentre will also be among my priorities”.

Alex Sylva, also vying for the Students’ Union President said, “I am a final year law student and am contesting for the position of the President of the union, due to certain reasons. First of all, I want to incooperate the spirit of unity among students and also student management relationship. I will also discourage all forms of injustice and corruption in this institution to ensure equity and fair play.

Pa Landing Manneh, who is also vying for the Presidency and a Primary Teachers Certificate holder said “I want to make sure that this institution has an archive of the pictures of the former Managing Directors of the institution, as well as pictures of the great African heroes like Kwame Nkrumah, Nelson Mandela etc. I will also promote environmental relationship between sister institutions like the Gambia College, the University of The Gambia (UTG) and promote international exchange visit programmes. Fund-raising programme forums and symposiums will also be organised for the benefit of the student body”.

Fatou Ndow who is also contesting for the Vice-President portfolio also said ‘I am studying ABE Diploma One. I will ensure that the students are united and ensure that student-staff relationship is cordial. I will also make sure that plans for the institutions are well implemented. Additionally, I will promote environmental cleanliness and make sure that students are exposed”.

Ousainou Bobb, who is set to contest for the post of Secretary-General said, “I am studying Electrical Engineering and I want to develop the Technical Department of the GTTI. I will also work with the administration of the institute to ensure that classrooms are well refurbished and maintained and for the student Union to be publishing a magazine”.

At the time of going to press, Sait Njie, also contesting for the Presidency post and Frank Enuson, contesting to be the Sports Coordinator were unavailable for this interview.
Meanwhile the post of the PRO will remain vacant.