By Ibrahim Babatunde Sesay, Freetown.
“The idea that the beautiful ladies are yet unborn seems logical. Yet there are a good number of beautiful ladies in our midst to take part in pageants and other events. They are also admired and adored by their peers and the general public.”
The above was what this reporter saw with his own eyes when he graced the MISS SIERRA LEONE 2008 beauty pageant at the prestigious Family Kingdom, Aberdeen, Freetown, recently.
22-year-old Tyrilla Gouldson was crowned MISS SIERRA LEONE 2008 on June 20, 2008, after winning the minds and hearts of the battery of credible judges who decided it all.
The succulent 6ft 2in tall beauty queen who works for Sierra Leone’s leading mobile phone company, COMIUM, said her dream had become true moments after her coronation. “I have prepared myself for the contest for the past ten months, spending over $ 3,000.”
She appealed to her fellow contestants to work with her with an open mind so as to put the country on the world beauty map. “We all are winners and we should work with each other to help the girl child,” she said with a smile.
She added that she will do her best to ensure that needy children in the streets are cared for. She further pledged to join the fight against malaria which kills more people than HIV/AIDS.
Eight elegant Sierra Leone beauty queens took part in the event. They include: Aminata Nyelenkeh - Miss Southern Region 2008; Isata Barrie - Miss Eastern Region 2008; Tyrilla Gouldson - Miss Western Area; Jane Momoh, Safiatu Kargbo, Ramatulai Bangura, Lucy Peeler and Mariam Sesay.
The show was unique, fantastic and classical with the hall jam-packed. All those who made it to the venue of the pageant looked like they got a new lease of life.
Tyrilla Gouldson who was crowned Miss World Sierra Leone 2008 will receive $2,500 plus a round trip to Ukraine. The first runner-up, Luci Peeler bagged $1,000 plus a consolation prize whilst the second runner-up, took home $500.
Also, a consolation prize of One hundred dollars plus a gift were given to all the other contestants.
Last year’s winner, Miss Fatmata Turay who represented Sierra Leone at the Miss World Pageant in Beijing, China, crowned her successor, Tyrilla Gouldson.
Madam Yoko Entertainment, in selecting the contestants for this year’s Miss Sierra Leone, held regional contests in Bo for the entire Southern Region; in Kenema for all the Eastern regional queens and in Bombali for all beauty queens from the Northern Region.
Speaking to this reporter, after the show, the Executive Director of Madam Yoko Entertainment, Mr. Sida Ansumana Mansaray said that his entertainment entity felt honoured to work with the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs to organize such a wonderful event in the country.
“We promised and we shall deliver. We will make the winner represent Sierra Leone in the forthcoming Miss World annual premier beauty pageant on October 4, 2008, in Ukraine.
The rationale behind this move is to put Sierra Leone on the global culture map. “Sierra Leone stands to benefit a lot from this year’s Miss World pageant,” he noted.
He extended profound thanks to the government of Sierra Leone, the First and Second Ladies of the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Hon. Hindolo Sumanguru Trye, who stood firm to ensure that this year’s Miss Sierra Leone pageant was a huge success.
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