By NOELA EBOB BISONG, ISAAC OJONG & BEATRICE MOKAM (UB INTERNS)
The 2019 Miss Limbe FESTAC, Taku Pauline Bessem has not only made the city of Limbe proud, but indeed the entire nation of Cameroon, following her outstanding performance at an International Beauty contest in the Philipines dubbed Miss goddess of the universe, which took place last July. During the event, the Limbe-based beauty queen proved her worth, as she emerged first runner up. Together with her coach, Adama Ruth, Taku Pauline was given a hilarious welcome in the town of Limbe, during an event sponsored by the Limbe City Council of Limbe FESTAC’s vision bearer, Motanga Andrew Monjimba, and chaired by Fako Senior Divisional Officer (SDO), Engamba Emmanuel Ledoux, on Thursday, September 19, 2019 at the LCC hall in down beach.
During the event, Motanga Andrew Monjimba said “The brilliant performance of our Miss FESTAC at an international beauty pageant is eloquent proof that the organizers of Limbe FESTAC and especially the Miss FESTAC subcommittee headed by Hon Etombi Gladys and members of the jury made the right choice…it is our country, Cameroon, that is being honoured with this first runner-up crown of MISS GODDESS OF THE UNIVERSE”, he emphasized. Motanga equally said “One of the objectives of Limbe FESTAC is to sell Limbe internationally. That is what our Miss FESTAC has done. It’s a small and solid step whose impact cannot be felt now but surely the future is for those who have vision.”
According to Fako SDO, Engamba Ledoux, “Today we are celebrating the beauty of Limbe in the international level since Miss FESTAC 2019 has raised and taken the flag of this city to that level. This gives me the opportunity once more to thank and congratulate the government delegate, vision bearer of this wonderful project. I also want to congratulate and thank the organising committee under the umbrella of Hon Etombi Gladys and thank them for the job so well done. I will also want to congratulate Miss FESTAC for the success not only here in Limbe but also at the international level”, as he urged the Miss to also contribute in championing the call for effective back to school in her beloved city of Limbe and the South West region as a whole.
Miss Limbe Festac 2019 / Miss goddess of the universe during her address said “I will like to give thanks to the Almighty God for bringing me this far and giving me the courage, faith and determination to succeed.” She narrated that “my journey started few months ago when I was elected Miss Limbe FESTAC 2019; it’s been an unforgettable reign filled with adventures, surprises, challenges, tears and smile. Look at me, a small girl from a poor background, today I stand tall in the international scene representing my city and my country Cameroon…this is a true definition of believing in yourself”, she said.
“Today I feel very much proud of my accomplishments, but the accomplishment will be of no use if I don’t pass my experience and knowledge to many young girls out there. I will like to carry out a project on self hygiene, organise clean up campaigns with the youths, bike and taxi drivers and finally I will like to create a garden in Limbe, to contribute in making Limbe green and beautiful. I plead with the good people of Limbe to help me achieve these.” Taku Pauline expressed gratitude to the organising committee of the Limbe FESTAC, to vision bearer Motanga, Hon Etombi, her coach, Adama Ruth and all who have contributed to her success.
The international beauty pageant “Goddess of the universe” hosted in the Philippines on July 2019 brought together about 35 beauty queens from 35 different countries to the Philippines, with the goal of becoming the next goddess of the universe. As an international beauty pageant institution, the goddess of the universe seeks to provide a well secured and peaceful environment for women who are marginalised as a result of patriarchy, raise awareness on the challenges faced by women etc. The institution’s primary goal is to endure and empower universal security for all women.