The much awaited, spectacular programme of the year, Miss Bakau 2008, was held, last Saturday, in a fascinatingly grand style, at the Sun Beach Hotel in Cape point, Bakau.

The pageantry, which started at about 10.30 pm, ran into the wee hours of Sunday, with the event bringing together distinguished personalities drawn from the media, Government and the private sector as well as Bakau and its satelite communities.

The ceremony, which was co-chaired by Ebrima Jaw Manneh, deputy editor-in-chief of the Daily Observer, and Miss Tida Ndure, a one time journalist now an employee of the Gambia Port Authority (GPA), saw nine (9) beautiful ladies contesting.The panel of judges delivered their verdict at the end of the event, and Miss Mariama Faye,19, a residence of Kerrigne, emerged  as the winner of Miss Bakau 2008, whilst Nafi Jasseh,

Certificates and awards were presented to all the contestants as well some distinguished sponsors of the programme, such as the Daily Observer Newspaper.

Some of the contestants who spoke to the Arts and Culture Desk, expressed deep sense of appreciation and gratitude to the organisers of the event, 'BYCAW',  for what they called a right step in the right direction, as far as promotion and development of the spirit of modelling and beautty is concerned.

Miss Nafi Jassey disclosed that she had contested in a number of beauty pagents, pointing to one of the miss inter-school competitions where she had emerged as the first runner up. She  did not hesitate to express her undying desire to become a winner some day. "I must be crowned a miss one day. I really like contesting in beauty pagents," she said.

Miss Fatou Manneh, a resident of Banjul and the winner of miss photogenic, said this is her first time contesting in a beauty pagent. She added that the event had really exposed her and that she was hoping some day. Similar comment where made by Miss Laura Suwareh, who also said the event was her first time of participating in a beauty contest.