By Amin Kef Sesay
Miss Europe 2020, Lara Jalloh, is currently on a visit to Sierra Leone where her father hailed from to connect with her people and meet with family members, in an effort to promote Sierra Leone’s tourism potentials globally. As part of her visit, she paid a courtesy call on the First Lady.
Chief of Staff at the office of the First Lady, Sheik Salim Feika welcomed the delegation on behalf of the Office of the First Lady. He said he was surprised to learn on social media that Miss Europe is a Sierra Leonean and that she is also in town.
Salim Feika urged her to fly the flag of Sierra Leone and to spread the name of the country with a very dynamic President that is open to investors from Europe. He called on Miss Europe to carry the message that Sierra Leone is a peaceful and loving country.
Memunatu Pratt, Minister of Tourism, said Lara is the first Sierra Leonean to win Miss Europe and it is a big opportunity to have a Sierra Leonean at that level.
She furthered that since 2018 the First Lady has shown great support in the tourism and entertainment industry and that has made her to be loved by many adding that Madam Fatima Bio is the most philanthropic and humanitarian First Lady the country has ever had and that is the reason they are now presenting Ms. Lara Jalloh a Sierra Leonean who is also a French citizen to her.
Madam Memunatu added that this is a big opportunity to showcase Sierra Leone on the international stage and that it also a turnaround time for Sierra Leone as what is happening now has never happened before, stating that is as a result of the support the President and First Lady are throwing for women and girls which is quite remarkable. She said winning the award has put Sierra Leone above many other African countries.
The First Lady, Madam Fatima Maada Bio, in her remarks said the Minister demanded her to meet with Miss Europe. She said she knows the feeling because many years ago she was in this same shoes with a crown on her head and many people wanted to know who she was.
She added that there is a whole lot of perception about beauty queens in people’s eyes but went on to state that most beauty queens have used that platform wisely to become very successful.
The First Lady admonished Ms. Jalloh that she can use the Miss Europe victory to transform herself and show people that good things come from Africa too, and can also be used to portray Africa as the best place in the world and more importantly showcase Sierra Leone as she is now an Ambassador of Sierra Leone.
