The words of Mr. Henry Gomez, leader of the opposition Gambia People Democratic Party (GPDP), published in The Point today are very pertinent indeed. He has expressed the view that though the just concluded two-day political consultative meeting held in the country is significant in all aspects, there is still need for greater collaboration between the Government of The Gambia and its opposition parties.

We as a nation should all be proud that The Gambia would be engaged in such talks as we have just witnessed, but it follows that representatives of all the people should be involved fully and not just in attendance. While the APRC is the largest party in The Gambia it is not the only one, so when talks of this kind take place representatives of all parties must be allowed to play a full and active role in the deliberations.

Here in The Gambia all our population love peace and want to see peace and stability spread throughout the sub-region and indeed the continent as a whole. We can accomplish this if we all work together to represent our nation fully at such talks. Great change can come about when a greater variety and quantity of ideas and views are discussed between people. It reminds one of the old adage “two heads are better than one”.

Another pertinent proverb that applies to this situation is “charity begins at home”.

Mr. Henry Gomez stated in his interview, “If the government of The Gambia is doing that for political party leaders of Guinea Bissau with the sole objective of bringing lasting peace in their country, I don’t see any reason why they can’t do it here in The Gambia.”

There is a lot of sense in this statement. Through dialogue, discussion and an exchange of ideas we can all benefit as a nation as we move forward on our common path to development. The Millennium Development Goals we are trying to reach, the food self-sufficiency we are trying to gain, the high quality education we want for our children and the peace and stability we wish to see in our nation and sub-region are not the goals of any one party; they are the goals of every patriotic Gambian.

So in the future let us see a more inclusive politics practised in The Gambia. We would all reap the benefits with such eventuality.

Venessa, the Nigerian  contestant is the  elated lucky winner of the much talked about English programme of the year, “Miss Nollywood UK 2008”. 

Lillia , another Nigerian contestant grabbed the position of first runner-up, whilst Lola, yet another Nigeria, was the  second runner-up.

As   stated in the previous edition of this column, winners in this rare beauty pageant are expected to benefit from numerous prizes and incentives. The winner will benefit from a contract in the Nollywood filming industry and a huge cash  award, and Ten (10) free modelling photo shots to be printed by Mouldme Studio, among others. The first runner-up also stands to benefit from a contract with the Nollywood filming industry  as well as  a return ticket to the Republic of Nigeria.

A total of 35  intelligent  beauty queens participated in this competition. The contestants were drawn from all parts of the world, especially African, Caribean  and Asian  countries. All the contestants are beauty queens in their own right.

The Miss Nollywood UK beauty competition is geared towards strengthening the spirit of mutual understanding and tolerance, and promoting cultural exchanges between people of diverse cultures and to instill a sense of self confidence in the participants. In order to win this beauty competition, the contestants should be armed with interest in acting, be able to dance, model, pose, be witty, articulate, intelligent and be able to think right on their feet as well to have a walk that sets them apart from the other contestants. All the 35 beauty queens had  gallantly  and enviably exhibited  the above mentioned rare qualities.

Over 300 art and beauty lovers attended the programme. The hall was filled to capacity, according to Stevie Nash, coordinator of Miss Nollywood UK 2008. Mr Stevie Nash, in a statement dispatched to Arts and Culture from his UK base, described the event as a real success considering the turnout of both the audience and the contestants. “People came from almost all parts of the world, especially those of African descent in the Diaspora. We were expecting about 300 people but the hall was filled to capacity and everything went perfectly well, as planned. There was a general tone of high spirits and adoration of the human creative industry,” the coordinator explained.

The people of SometaVillage in Foni Berefet District recently benefited from the donations of both a Dutch and Belgian Philanthropist. The donors gave a milling machine value at 2000 Euro, 120 bags of cement for the construction of the ArabicSchool and four taps to the village of Someta. During the handing over ceremony all the V.D.C members were present. Mr. Erect, from the Netherlands, the Chief donor, urged the beneficiaries to take proper care of the items. In the event that the machine gets any minor problem they should rise and rejuvenate it. He added that the people of Someta are hard working and that they need to be credited.

Mr. Gabriel, the Belgian donor, has pledged to transform part of the primary health care centre into a eye surgery clinic, since the Government cannot do all. Mr. Gabriel further pointed out that they are on the crusade to construct a structure in the premises of P.H.C. He further added that, they will train two people from SometaVillage to become eye surgeons. He finally promised the villages that the issue of medicine or drugs will not be a problem.

The chairman of Brikamabe area council, Mr. Sunkurr Badjie, thanked the donors for the job well done.

Gabriel, the chairman, revealed that if people heard that there is an adequate supply of drugs in Someta they will come and call. He said, “if the word is advancing we also need to advance.”

The Gambia Red Cross Society (GRCS) on Monday received two brand new vehicles from the Institutional Development of West African Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, to Strengthen Response Capacity (IDWARC) project.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, held at the GRCS headquarters in Kanifing, Mrs. Carmen Echezerreta Inurritegul, the representative of the Spanish Red Cross Society, said that IDWARC is a regional project that is being implemented jointly by the International Federation of Red Cross, Spanish Red Cross and eight Sister West African National Societies with the objective of strengthening the response capacity of those societies. He said that the project is entirely funded by AECID (Spanish Agency for International Cooperation). She revealed that within the framework of the project, the GRCS will benefit from two vehicles, ten motor bikes, eight computers, and printers, four fax machines, four scanners, eight cell phones, furniture and the rehabilitation of the Basse branch. “On the other hand, GRCS personnel will participate in different training courses that will strengthen national society response capacity,” she said.

Mrs. Fatou Mas Jobe, president of GRCS, said that the greatest challenge and constraint faced by the society is mobility, but the vehicles donated will boost their operations. She described the donation as timely and thus thanked the partners and their donors for the gesture. She assured that the vehicles will be put into good use.

Dr.Malick Njie, Secretary of State for Health and Social Welfare, said that the government and his state department recognise the invaluable support and auxiliary role of GRCS in responding to emergencies and other humanitarian needs countrywide. He commended GRCS

for meeting their expectations. He also thanked the partners of GRCS for making it possible for the society to function effectively. Mrs Ndey Sireng Bakurin Secretary General Gambia Red Cross Society chaired the ceremony which was attended by several dignitaries.

During a three-day trip up country, the FROGS team of Sally and Malcolm Reader visited the Basic Cycle School at Nyaga Bantang, CRD. The couple had previously visited the school in 2007, when the Headmaster, Mr. Alsana Manneh had appealed for help with their gardening project. The school had nothing in the way of gardening tools and the pupils borrowed from villagers when attending to their plots.

FROGS provided basic tools, a wheelbarrow, watering cans, spades, forks, hoes, hand tools and barbed wire and nails to reinforce the locally built fence.

Speaking at a brief presentation ceremony at the school, Madam Reader expressed their pleasure in helping the school.

She hoped that the tools will make the garden easier work and a more fruitful place.

The garden master, Pa Wally Ndinbalan said the tools would not only help the students in their gardening but would also help them in learning.

In another development, Bijilo Lower Basic School is twice blessed by FROGS assistance.

During a recent visit to her local Lower Basic School, Sally Reader, FROGS co-ordinator, was approached by the Headmaster, Mr. Kebbeh Fatty to help the school further and provide a new roof and chimney for the school kitchen.

The chimney had been damaged by youths playing football on a neighbouring field and the roofing sheets were worn out.

As the rainy season was fast approaching, FROGS moved rapidly and within 10 days the job was completed.

Not a moment too soon, as less that one week later the first rains hit Bijilo.

Fortunately for Bijilo LBS they can now continue providing lunches for their pupils, the feeding programme was instigated by FROGS in May 2007 and sustained by the school management.

After his conviction for having sex with a minor, Kebba Ceesay of Tallinding will now dedicate some man-hours to the Gambia Senior Secondary School in Banjul.

Kebba was recently fined D2000 for having carnal knowledge of a girl under the age of consent and will spend 12 months in jail if he defaults in fine payment.

He was found guilty of having sex with the girl after inviting her to his house in Tallinding.

The case was prosecuted by Inspector L. Touray and chaired by Magistrate Kumba Sillah-Camara.

Women’s Federation Nursery school in Brikama yesterday benefited from football jerseys which were donated by Lamin King Colley President of the Brikama Youths and Sports Committee.

According to Alkali Cham, Sports Coordinator to Nursery Schools in Western Region, Women’s Federation Nursery school is one of the oldest Nursery schools from the area. This was why it was decided to award jerseys to the school which, among many other things, helps to develop sports at that level.

He seized the opportunity to announce that Brikama will organise their first ever inter nursery school sports event at the end of the third term and will be again sponsored by Lamin King Colley.

He stated that nursery school sports should be well considered and will make sure that come the inter-school competition, all schools will be represented.

Speaking at the presentation, Lamin King Colley tasked the Sports Committee in charge of Nursery schools affairs in the area to come up with programmes of activities that will promote their sports with the help of sponsorship.

He said the donation is part of his contribution in developing grassroots sports for nursery schools. He added similar gestures are expected in future.

The headmaster of the school Ousman Touray, who witnessed the presentation at the school ground, expressed appreciation to the gesture.

Meanwhile at a congress organised by the Brikama Youths and Sports Association over the weekend, the following people while elected into office contrary to what was stated in Tuesday’s issue.

1.Lamin King Colley-  President

2.Pa Ansu  Nyass  1st Vice President

3.Nyankou  Touray  2 Vice President

4.Borry Jarju  Secretary General

5.Alhagie  Tamba  Jammeh  Ass. Secretary General

6.Karamo  Jarju  Treasurer

7.Samsideen  Bojang  Ass. Treasurer

8.Alasana Bojang Social Secretary

9.Busia Ebrima Drammeh Ass. Social Secretary

10.Sarjo Sorah Auditor

11.And 15 other co-opted members