Dennis Udoma
A undergraduate of Medicine from the University of Calabar, Cross River State, Miss Queendalene Dennis Akpapan has won this year’s Uyai Annang Crown Queen tagged, ‘‘Annang Festival of Arts and Culture’’.
The event was organized by Nto Annang Foundation at Ikot Ekpene to celebrate the virtues of Annang women.
Queendalene Dennis Akpapan, was rewarded with a car gift, while the first runner-up, Miss Ufok Paul Ibara and 2nd runner-up, Hossana Jessie got cash gifts respectively.
Presenting the prizes, the National President of Nto Annang Foundation, Abom Ephraim Okon praised the winners saying, the event was organized to showcase Annang maidens as well as entrench Annang cultural heritage beyond their generation.
According to him, ‘‘our vision is to ensure Annang culture and tradition lives on, and eventually, presenting the rich and valuable heritage to the outside world and secure our place in the cultural global map.”
He said, the beauty contest which was spiced with essay completion also won by Miss Precious Ituen from St. Columbanus Secondary School, Ikwen in Obot Akara Local Government Area among other things, showcased their language and culture in a manner people have begun to appreciate its history and the people.
Abom Okon thanked Nto Annang Foundation in the United States of America, USA, and Nigeria for their support saying that, Annang culture is being embraced outside the country.
The Project Consultant, Annang Festival of Arts and Culture (AFAC), Mr Joseph Utin said, Annang Festival of Arts and Culture was being recognized by the National Council of Arts and Culture, Government of Ecuador and Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation.
He noted with optimism that, the current effort at presenting the rich cultural heritage of Annang was already attracting government’s attention towards the development of the sector, to rake in foreign exchange for the country.
Also speaking, Justice Ette, said the maidens who represented epitome of beauty were honoured in line with the avowed commitment of the foundation to preserve its cultural heritage for generations yet unborn.
‘‘We don’t want Annang culture to go into extinction but, to preserve it for posterity, that is why we incarnate them in the maidens today since beauty, courage are some of the virtues that beautify an Annang woman’’, he said.
