24 October 2007
The President of Gambia had entertained a very glamorous visitor at his official residence.
Yahya Jammeh met an 18-year-old South African beauty queen who came to talk to him about her development work and aspirations for the continent.
Nom Fundo Mbagiwa told allAfrica.com that she was overwhelmed to meet the president, whom she told about her project to support African women.
Amie Khan, 22, was runner-up in the beauty competition - entitled Miss Queen Africa. She said she wanted to instill the importance of a good education in young girls.
The Gambian added: "We are the youth ambassadors of Africa and should be given room to upgrade [the young women] as future leaders of the continent."
President Jammeh, for his part, pledged to sponsor the first ten contestants to PhD level and pay for five others to sit their master's.
Adou Let-Sey, director for Africa Beauties Modelling Agency, said: "With the approval of President Jammeh and his government the next beauty pageant will be conducted in the Gambia".
