Pa Sulayman Secka, the General Manager of PASS Trading Company Ltd. recently donated D25, 000 and a state of the earth computer 2010 model to Miss 22nd July Scholarship Pageant Committee, at a presentation ceremony held at the office of the Minister of Basic and Secondary Education in Banjul.
In receiving the computer and the cash from Mr. Secka, the Chairperson for Miss 22nd July Scholarship Pageant Committee, who is also the Minister of Basic and Secondary Education, Fatou Lamin Faye commended Mr. Secka for his wonderful donation to her committee.
She said it was President Jammeh who came up with the idea not because of competing for beauty alone, but his aim is to offer scholarship to empower girls. He said President Jammeh wanted it to be done in a way that girls would compete in terms of not only showing beauty, but their talents, comportment, and the way they communicate.
According to Minister Faye, no country in the world could develop without the development of its science and technology, adding that outside scholarships would be given to the contestants, based on the unavailability of the courses in The Gambia.
"This is because we don't want to kill the University of the Gambia (UTG). We want UTG to flourish," she said, calling on Gambians and non-Gambians to patronise the UTG to make it grow from the level at which it is today.
She said Gambians now know that The Gambia is among the few countries that have attained the MDGs of gender parity at the basic level from grades 1-9, noting that government is also working hard to attain it at the secondary and tertiary levels. She stated that the scholarship pageant for girls is one way of achieving that target.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, the General Manager of the company, Pa Sulayman Secka said the largesse is meant for the 2010 Miss July 22nd Scholarship Pageant competition. Mr. Secka said it is important for his company to come on board to support the Miss 22July Scholarship Pageant.
Mr. Secka commended President Jammeh for the developments he is doing for The Gambia, especially in the education sector.
Tida Jatta, a member of the organising committee said Miss 22nd July Scholarship Pageant started in 2008, initially with 100 contestants from upper basic, senior Secondary and tertiary levels. She said those 100 students who contested in 2008 are all enjoying full scholarship at the moment, adding that the 2nd edition was in 2009, with a number of 32 contestants from senior secondary and tertiary levels, with 6 students presently under the sponsorship package.
Tida said the students are not only competing for beauty, but intelligence, how they express their views in public, and how to comport themselves.
Sheikh Tijan Bah, the secretary of the committee thanked all those who have donated to the committee, whether in cash or in kind. Mr. Bah said this year’s Miss 22nd July Scholarship Pageant is slated for 31st July and anyone who wants to donate can do it through their Trust Bank account number 11011294202.
mittee thanked all those who have donated to the committee, whether in cash or in kind. Mr. Bah said this year’s Miss 22nd July Scholarship Pageant is slated for 31st July and anyone who wants to donate can do it through their Trust Bank account number 11011294202.
