Niawali Twain

Former Miss PNG, Niawali Twain, issued this statement after receiving her UPNG degree on Friday.

From a mixed parentage of Manus and East New Britain, the beaming Niawali Twain gracefully walked up to get her degree from the UPNG chancellor in the first session of the 64^th graduation ceremony. 

The beauty queen was crowned Miss PNG in 2017, was the Queen Emma Chocolates Brand Ambassador and is the chaperone of the current Miss PNG and Miss Pacific Islands, Leoshina Kariha.

The emerald green tree snail, also called the 'forest jewel', is scientifically known as papustyla pulcherrima.

Miss Twain, who is part Manus islander, highlighted the fact that the green snail is an endangered species and its habitat, the tropical rainforest, is being threatened by logging, road construction, other development activities and rising sea levels. She used the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant platform to call for its protection.

She and five other contestants of Miss Pacific Islands Pageant PNG today visited the Buk Bilong Pikinini at Tatana Village, Port Moresby.

The visit is part of the pageant’s one week program leading to the crowning ball this Saturday (Nov 11).

Twain says the whole week has been very busy and exciting.

Most part of it was meeting with locals.

Miss Queen Emma Chocolate 2017, Niawali Twain, spoke about this as her main agenda when standing for the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant.

The 23-year-old Medical Laboratory Science student is empowered to make a difference and inspire young people out there to better themselves.

“Many times, young people forget about striving to work towards making something out of their lives.

“We need to aim to be better and make a difference in the world,” she said.

Niawali Twain is a 23-year-old Medical Laboratory Science student who is passionate about education and women empowerment.

The Manus mix West New Britain lass, during her sponsorship launch yesterday, says the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant is an opportunity to inspire change and empower women in the country.

This year, there are eight contestants that are standing for the pageant, four of which have already secured sponsorship.