By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
A 14-year-old, Miss Precious Essien, who is a student of Marygold International school Calabar, the Cross River State capital at the weekend emerged winner of the Face of Teen Beauty Pageant International.
And in the process, she carted away the star prize of N200,000.
Miss Essien was adjudged winner by a five-man panel of judges, beating 14 other contestants to emerge the queen.
The panel of judges described the 14-year-old teenager as not just creative when it comes to performing almost all the task given to the contestants, but a combination of beauty and brain.
In an interactive session with newsmen shortly after she was crowned as Queen of Face of Teen Beauty International at the Conference Hall of Etaval Hotel, Calabar on Sunday night, the newly-crowned queen lauded other contestants and everyone present at the hall for making the ceremony a reality.
The 14-year-old indigene of Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, averred that her major pre-occupation is to go to the university and pursue a degree in Pediatric Nursing so that she can lend a helping hand to nursing mothers who might be in dire need of medical attention for their babies, contribute her quota to societal development and above all, provide medical care to the newly born.
She said, “I intend to study pediatric nursing at the university. I have love for children. I want to study nursing to ensure that they live long.
“My goal is to contest for bigger pageant like Miss Africa and return home with the crown.
“I also have a big dream to win Miss Africa crown.
“I know this big dream can be actualized if I work so hard just like pageants in Venezuela, Brazil, Colombia,India and the Netherlands, the sky can be my limit.”
Speaking on the competition, the Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director, CEO/MD of Face of Teen Beauty Pageant International, Thelma Eneji, while giving insight into the pageant said, “Our mission is to nurture and showcase the talents and potentials of teenagers globally, promoting self confidence, cultural diversity, and social responsibility.
“We aim to create opportunities for young people to grow as leaders, influencers and positive role models in thier communities.
“Our vision is ’empower and inspire teenagers world wide, fostering confidence, leadership and cultural appreciation, providing a global platform for young talents to shine and positively impact on their communities’.”
