Posted by By David C. Hart on
Ten contestants took part in the 2004 Bonny Cultural Beauty Pageant organized by the Bonny Graduates Forum with a young school leaver from Finima Girls Secondary School, Bonny, Miss Hilda Ibelema Hart emerging as over all winner.
Ten contestants took part in the 2004 Bonny Cultural Beauty Pageant organized by the Bonny Graduates Forum with a young school leaver from Finima Girls Secondary School, Bonny, Miss Hilda Ibelema Hart emerging as over all winner.
The occasion, which was held last December at Grafton's Place, Bonny attracted a large crowd and dignitaries from all parts of Rivers State.
There were two runners-up at the ceremony namely, Miss Akie Jumbo and Ibifiri Jumbo who came first and second in that order.
The chairman of the programme planning committee, Comrade Ibituru Pepple said at the occasion, a total of 37 individual awards were issued to encourage hard work and professional craftsmanship.
Comrade Pepple pleaded for patience among those that were yet to benefit, assuring that the Forum would meet its target.
He further announced that eight corporate awards were being issued to friendly companies and organizations that have impacted on the lives of the people.
He described the ceremony as the first of its kind in the area and commended the Bonny Graduates Forum for taking the lead in such events.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Bonny council chairman, Hon. Warisenibo Rodaford LongJohn Commended the wisdom behind the event and urged its organizers to maintain the spirit.
Warisenibo LongJohn who was represented by the secretary to the council, Barr. Furoshiagha Wilcox announced a monthly allowance of N60,000, N40,000 and N30,000 respectively for the beauty queens in addition to scholarship awards for further studies in institutions of high learning in Nigeria.
The Special Adviser to the Bonny local government council boss on chieftaincy and traditional matters, Wariopusenibo Patrick A.D. Jumbo charged members of the Bonny Graduates Forum to maintain their exemplary conduct, promising to always identify with such laudable activities.
Contributing, the Amanyanabo of Grand Bonny who is also the chairman of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, King Edward Asimini William Dappa-Pepple informed the young graduates that their action amounted to upliftment of the cultural potentials of the ancient kingdom and urged them to always strive at things that would promote peace and unity among the people. King Asimini Dappa-Pepple was represented by his press secretary, Warisenibo Tamunuola Chapp-Jumbo.
The chairman of the Bonny Graduates Forum, Comrade Nathaniel LongJohn and secretary, Comrade Walter Abie Hart in their separate vote of thanks recognized the assistance received from some multi-national companies in the area towards the ceremony and appealed to them not to relent.