During the announcement of the second Miss Bird of Paradise contestant sponsorship yesterday, PNG DataCO Limited Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Paul Komboi, expressed his pride and support for their young engineer graduate Yasmine Tabogani, who will represent the company for the first time in the prestigious 2024 Miss Bird of Paradise Pageant (MBoP). This marks the first time DataCo has participated in the pageant, making it a significant milestone for the organization as it steps into a new platform to promote gender equality, community empowerment, and inclusivity. In his speech, Mr. Komboi highlighted DataCo’s core values of gender equality and staff empowerment. “For DataCo, I think I need to make it very clear that we are gender equal or gender neutral,” said Mr. Komboi. “As much as possible, we'll try to promote and empower women in our organization.” The CEO also emphasized DataCo’s broader commitment to community development, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children with disabilities. “That support is not only to Miss Bird of Paradise but also to the children. We know that women and children are closely tied together in our society. Whatever we can do to assist in filling the gap required to empower our women, children with disabilities, and just our children, we will continue to do,” he said. The pageant, scheduled for December 3rd, 2024, coincides with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, reinforced by the MBoP. Mr. Komboi spoke highly of Yasmin’s initiative, noting her determination and the importance of supporting internal staff in their personal and professional endeavors. “I think like any of our staff, we always consider our staff very valuable for the organization. We want to support them in whatever personal endeavor they want to pursue. We know that this event will give them confidence and empower them to come back and do better in their role here,” he said. In addition to empowering staff like Yasmin, DataCo’s participation in the Miss Bird of Paradise Pageant showcases its willingness to step into new arenas to inspire and promote meaningful causes. The CEO concluded his remarks by wishing Yasmin the very best in the pageant and expressing the organization’s honor in supporting her journey. “We are really, really proud of you for taking the initiative,” he said. The 2024 Miss Bird of Paradise Pageant is set to celebrate leadership, culture, and the empowerment of women in Papua New Guinea. DataCo’s debut sponsorship reflects its dedication to fostering growth, inclusivity, and support for impactful community initiatives.