26 November 2007
Ms. Bendu Tita Parker of Montserrado County has emerged as winner of the Miss Liberia Beauty Pageant 2007/2008.
The pageant under the theme "Beauty with a Purpose", was organized by Miss Boss Lady Entertainment International in collaboration with the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.
The pageant brought together eight contestants from Bong, Maryland, Nimba and Grand Kru counties. Others included Montserrado, Lofa, Grand Gedeh and Sinoe counties.
The pageant that brought together well wishers, relatives of the contestants and government officials was described as by spectators as a colorful event and one of the best ever in the country.
Contestants did their level best at the historic and exciting program, displaying talents, including modeling, singing, discussing historical realities of Mama Liberia, and most of all relaying promises to the public what they could do upon winning the coveted crown of the country and the citizens at large.
Taking the stage first, Ms. Shu-rina R. Wiah of Maryland County, explained that if she were to win the pageant, her priority would be to raise awareness on gender based violence against women, especially for those in the leeward counties where she hails from.
At this indication, the crowd went wild with applause. Then followed Ms. Bendu Parker of Montserrado County, Ms. Parker dealt with the topic of good governance. Miss Parker stressed that there are two sides of the phenomenon of "governance", namely its good and bad sides.
She then historicized by stating that the underdevelopment of Liberia can be attributed to bad governance. She also said the 15-year civil conflict sprang from bad governance, Bad governance was then dramatized by the contestant by demonstrating the shooting of guns.
Ms. Massa Jallabah of Lofa County spoke on HIV/AIDS, while, Ms. Edna Synder of Bong County talked about the importance of national social security.
For the contestant from Sinoe County, Ms. Ma Hawa Deborah Juah talked about religious tolerance in Liberian society, while Grand Gedeh County Ms. Peterlyne Talleh spoke on the topic of coexistence of citizens with one another as a recipe for peace in the country.
For her part, Nimba County's Garmi Klee spoke on sexual exploitation and abuse that is being perpetrated against females in the country.
Under the watchful eyes of judges including former Miss Liberia, Evry Cooper, Buchanan Renewable Energies Veep, Michael Greenwood, Emonia Tarpeh and UNMIL Radio's Kojo Mensah, Miss Bendu Parker of Montserrado County was declared winner of the pageant with 12,761 votes.
Massa Jalliebah of Lofa County was similarly declared as first runner up, with Ms. Edna Snyder of Bong County as the second runners up, respectively.
According to the organizers, the new queen, Bendu Parker is expected to receive US$10, 000, US$6, 000 from Comium, a scholarship of US$1,500 and a saving account of US$5, 000 at Ecobank.
Bendu Parker is also awarded a round trip plane ticket to any country of her choice, while the first runner will receive US$5, 000 and US$200.00 at Ecobank.
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