Popular Nigerian Television Presenter and philanthropist, Ms Taibat Janet Mohammed has been named as one of the panelists in this year’s Miss, Mr and Mrs Deaf Galaxy (MMMDG) pageant.
Organisers of the event, Worthy Women NPC, based in South Africa announced Ms. Mohammed, the reigning Miss Philanthropy Central Africa and former Miss Deaf Nigeria as one of the panelists last week.
The Nigerian would be joined by five other panelists, including three females and two males to adjudicate at the week long event in South Africa from May 18 to 28.
The principal adjudicator for the pageant is Josef Uhlir, from Czech Republic. Uhlir is also the President of MMMD worldwide. He hosted the maiden event 17 years ago. Other judges include Borik Shelkovskii and Ekaterine Luzhetskaya from Russia, Vladimir Quintana Ruiz from Colombia, Tiscanny Derksen, Bianca Bernie, Sylvia Mahlangu, Chris Smit Iain and Dunn Gunn from South Africa.
As part of her function as Miss Deaf Nigeria and Miss Philanthropy Central Africa, Ms. Mohammed works with the National Television Authority (NTA) Abuja on advocacy for People Leaving With Disability (PLWD). She is also an entrepreneur. She contributes regularly to charity organisations catering to children.
According to the organisers, the MMMDG event would also be an avenue for deaf models and fashionistas to showcase their talents, and services.
Ms Levina Smit, the Chief Executive of Worthy Women NPC said the event is designed to provide opportunity for the disabled community to express themselves.
She said: ”There are many known beauty pageants on television worldwide for young ladies, men and women today. These ladies, men and women joined pageants, in hope to expand community services, friendships, do some charity work, win scholarships and prizes and especially win the title of Miss, Mr. or Mrs. Beauty Pageant of that year.
“But what many people do not realized is that there are many deaf people that would love to participate in this kind of activity. Deaf also feel that they have talent and beauty just like the others and they should be able to participate in things like this. And this is why there are several different pageants for the deaf for example Miss & Mister Deaf World, Deaf International and also Deaf Stars.
“However we launched MMMDG because there is no deaf pageant for married divorced or widowed women.”
She added that the pageant will give the deaf the opportunity to develop self-confidence, as well, as to become a goodwill spokesperson of the Miss, Mister & Mrs. Deaf Galaxy. The goal of the pageant is to encourage young ladies, men and women to be future leaders for the deaf youth programs in their countries and worldwide.
The CEO expressed appreciation to the panelist who are from different parts of the world.
She said: “We are honored to have a variety of judges from different countries which includes Miss Philanthropy Central Africa and a former Miss Deaf Nigeria – Queen Taibat Janet Mohammed, Miss Deaf South Africa – Chantelle Pretorius, Miss Deaf Minnesota, 1st Princess 2009 – Marianna Devenow and also the President of Miss & Mister Deaf World – Josef Uhlir to mention a few.
Countries that will participate are: Botswana, Colombia, Czech Republic, India, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa, Russia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
During the Deaf Pageant Week our contestants will be treat with special activities arranged by our main sponsor Tourism Friendly.”
Worthy Women is a Non-Profit Company founded in Pretoria, South Africa. It focuses on inspiring and empowering abused, disabled and disadvantaged communities to become the best versions of themselves using skills development, entrepreneurship programs, outreach programs, provision of educational programs, health care programs and deaf beauty pageants as key drivers for social inclusion, social cohesion and social integration.
Miss, Mr. and Mrs Deaf Galaxy (MMMDG) is one legacy program of Worthy Women NPC. This legacy program serves to amplify the VOICE of the Deaf in the form of an annual International Deaf Pageant which enables the finalists to experience a transformational journey through leadership development, personal development and skills development programs. MMMDG will be hosted in Hartbeespoort, South Africa from 18 – 28 May 2018.
Photos of other Adjudication panels:
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