The Parish Council and parishioners of the biggest parish in the Catholic Diocese of Banjul recently honoured their patron Saint in a grand style at the St. Therese’s Primary School campus.

The new parish council under Richard Mendy, who has been acting since the sudden demise of Tony Mendy, the then parish council chairman, contributed lots of additions in line with the self-reliance drive that has been in the offing.

In addition to honouring their patron saint, St.Therese, they have also honoured and given certificates of appreciation to some ten parishioners who have and continue to contribute to the development of the church at Kanifing. Some of the certificates were giving in absentia.

Ernest Anthony Mendy, the chairman in charge of the Awarding Committee reiterated his commitment in following the strict conditions for choosing those their committee selected. He says, “This is our first time; we hope to increase in our next selection. We know a lot of our parishioners are deserving but we cannot give it to all at the same time.”

The “Ashobi’ Committee” endeavoured to get their nice cotton, which added flavour to their celebration.

Rev. Fr. Peter Jammeh CSSP. in his sermon challenged parishioners to do more for their priests’ house by renovating it. “Do a little more like St. Therese, your patron saint,” he appealed.

The Brikama Magistrates’ Court presided over by Magistrate John Njie recently sentenced one Babucarr Sallah by binding him to keep the peace for a period of 18 months.

He was also warned that he would be sent to jail if he breaks the laws of the country within the 18 months period.

Mr Sallah had admitted assaulting one Fatou by hitting her with a pestle on her face thereby causing her actual bodily harm.

In a separate development the trial of Musa Jabang and Musa Camara could not proceed at the Brikama Magistrates’ Court as the police prosecutor was absent in court.

It could be recalled that the accused persons some time in the month of March this year allegedly assisted one Bakary Fatty to illegally obtain a passport. They were also further charged with lending a certificate to Bakary Fatty for the purpose of impersonation.

The acting British High Commissioner Birse Graham yesterday presented the Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council Certificate to seven award participants of the Presidents International Award of The Gambia who participated in the 2006-07 in Scotland at his office in Fajara.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Graham said the program will enable young people to contribute towards the socio-economic development of their country.

He advised the youth to serve as role models and to continue the partnership between the two countries.

For his part, the permanent secretary youth and sports, Mamanyick Njie, stated that the young people of the two countries, through the exchange program, have learn a lot about each others culture and tradition.

Ps Njie said the president of the republic, because of his passion for the youth, set up the NYSS and the PIA.

He said the Gamscot project is helping the youths of The Gambia.

The chief executive of PIA, Abdoulie Bah, said PIA is tasked with creating opportunities for the youth of the world.

Lawyer Edu Gomez on 9th April 2008 underscored his disapproval with the manners of a defendant in a 1,705,000 CFA case at the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court, telling him to shut up when he speaks.

The defendant, Abdoulie Faye, told the court that the plaintiff, who was represented by Lawyer Gomez, failed to appear in court because he was one of the accused persons in the Gam petroleum theft case and had absconded. He went on to say that the case in which he was a defendant was being dragged on the instance of the plaintiff who had failed to appear in court four times.

These comments did not go down well with Lawyer Gomez, who told the court that the defendant had no right to tarnish the image of his client. He countered that his client, Nachar Datef, was in the jurisdiction but could not appear in court because he was sick. He dismissed the defendant’s claim that the case dragged in the instance of his client, adding that it was not true that his client was absent four times. He thus urged the court to warn the defendant to behave well.

Senior Magistrate Abdoulie Mbackeh, who was presiding over the case, told the defendant that there are rules and procedures in court. The defendant then apologised.

Lawyer Gomez thereupon applied to the court to adjourn the case on the understanding that in the event his client does not recover in time to appear in court on the adjourned date, he (Gomez’s client) would have to bring a power of attorney.

Magistrate Mbackeh granted the application and asked Lawyer Gomez to provide the court with a medical certificate on the adjourned date, 23rd April 2008.

Mr. Michael Secka was born on 12th December 1963 in the town of Basse in the Upper River Region (URR). He attended St. George’s Primary School and later Armitage High School. Then he went to the Gambia College for his Primary Teaching Certificate (PTC) and his Higher Teaching Certificate (HTC) and now he is studying at the University of The Gambia while heading the Jangjangbureh Upper Basic School.

In an interview recently Mr. Secka told The Point that he loves the art of writing and ever since he was young he has been dreaming of becoming a writer. Now he thanks God that he has successfully launched four books that are widely read. The books are  “Love Impersonation and Breaking Hearts”, “Education in Tears and Women in Distress”, “Literacy for Gambian Upper Basic Schools” and “Shock”.

He is launching a further six books in two months time which are called; “Face to Face with African Tradition”, “Management in Gambian Schools”, “Critical Essay in Education”, “Preserving Customs”, “Africa Robbed it’s History, Dignity and Culture Along the Paths of History” and “Concern That Matters But No System”.

He is appealing to the Government, NGOs, Philanthropists and well wishers for sponsorship to launch these books.

According to the boy’s father, Mr. Nema Ceesay, Ousman was born sick. Since that time he has been taken to the Medical Research Council (MRC) and admitted on three occasions. He was later referred to RVTH where he was admitted for five weeks.

Upon his discharge, it was confirmed that he was suffering from pneumonia and heart failure. The certificate further revealed that the boy has a systolic murmur and that the LSE had picked out a dilated left atrium and ventricle which needs surgical treatment. The required procedure is only available overseas.

Ousman’s parents are now seeking assistance from Government, NGO’s and individuals to help the boy get the life-saving treatment. The father (Nema Ceesay) can be contacted on 7021553.