The eight-day Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC) that enlivened the coastal city of Limbe for the whole of last week ended on Saturday, 11 April, 2015, with the award of various prizes.

This year’s canoe race prize went to Wovia villagers who won FCFA 500,000, followed by Batoke in the second position and Bimbia in the third place. They got FCFA 350,000 and FCFA 150,000 respectively.

The marathon male category trophy went to Justin Foimi, followed by Jude Lenka and Mbacha Eric. The three winners took home FCFA 1.5 million, FCFA 1 million and FCFA 500,000 respectively.

Meanwhile, Emelda Nsom, Lizette Ngalim and Yvonne Gwaya won first, second and third positions in the female category of the marathon, bagging the same amounts like the men.

Miss Barlene Manga Williams stood tall among her competitors to win this year’s FESTAC beauty pageant, receiving a cash prize of FCFA 500,000.

The Senior Divisional Officer for Fako Division, Zang III, closed the event at the Limbe Community Field, praising the organizers and participants. The SDO, who represented the Minister of Arts and Culture, stated that the eight days had been intense, lively and packed with cultural imprints.

As the main organizer of the event, the Government Delegate to the Limbe City Council, Andrew Monjimba Motanga, received a trophy for his vision.

Other personalities like the SONARA General Manager, Ibrahim Talba Malla, were honoured with awards for participating at all stages of FESTAC and also playing the role of a sponsor.

Likewise, the General Manager of CDC, Njie Franklin, Vice Chancellor of the University of Buea, Nalova Lyonga, Chief Otto Malinge of Batoke and the MP for Limbe, Honourable Gladys Etombi, won prizes for patronizing the event.

To draw the curtains down on FESTAC Limbe this year, the date for the event next year was discussed with organizers who pondered over improvements on this one.

Indeed, the feast was grandiose, worthwhile and image-boosting for the city of Limbe. This was translated in the words of Motanga Monjimba who said, “Sponsors or no sponsors, FESTAC has come to stay.”

The enthusiasm of participants from all segments and origins of the population of Limbe, showed that the future is even greater for FESTAC.