Egalitarian, who has grow into something of a household name in contemporary Gambian music, has spoken of a burning desire to improve his academic credentials, which by his reckoning would give him more musical depth to excel in the local and international music scenes.

Going back to school and acquiring higher education standards would bode well for his success as a singer, according to the rap artist who successfully worked on a release intended to coincide with the 14^th Anniversary celebration of the July 22 revolution two weeks ago. He said musicians should be keen on knowledge which they could use to help chat and influence the direction society was going to take in these trying times when ignorance and lack of wisdom was causing conflicts and untold quandaries for the teeming masses of the world’s population.

“My other immediate ambition is to plan press releases’ to keep my fans as cheerful hostages to a combination of good lyrics and sensible sound bytes. I am on the verge of releasing something new for them in the not be patient he told this medium,” he told Entertainment.

Speaking to Entertainment recently, Egalitarian said that he just returned from a concert tour that took him to Benin, Togo and Mali where his electrifying performance had endeared him to thousands of adoring young people. He was one of two musicians invited to the tour to help bring home to many the facts about child rights and their implications for not only children but also the adult world where such issues are often sadly misunderstood forgotten or neglected. Egalitarian also had positive words for the country’s leader President Jammeh who he described as an unwavering pan Africanist with a corrective agenda that looks beyond his country. He expressed appreciation regarding President Jammeh’s decision to invite Aura- Artist to celebrate the July 22 Revolution in the truest spirit of African brotherhood.

Name: Lamin Y Ceesay

Date of birth: 12 October, 1986

Organization : Demo Youth Association (DYA)

Position : Vice president

Educational background : Kudang primary School, Bansang Junior Secondary School, St.Stephens Institute of Technology, Gambia Telecomunication and Multimedia Institute (GTMI)

Qualification : Certificate in Commercial Studies, Computer Softwares, English proficieny, English in speakers of other languages (City and Guilds, London), and awaiting Cisco certificate.

Gambian personality : ..................

Ambition : Youth and business activities

Hobbies: Football, reading and watching movies

Advice to youth: Always to work towards one’s successes,because God helps those who help themselves. You donot sit and fold your hands. There is always a hope as long as one is alive.

Dislikes: Discouragemnet and selfishness

Reasons behind success: Happiness and dedication

The Gambia Experience and their guests from the UK, last Thursday donated an amount of D352,600.00 to six (6) schools in the rural areas.  The beneficiaries are Jarra Barrow-Kunda Lower Basic, Jiffarong Lower Basic, Kudang Lower Basic, Panchang Basic Cycle School, Buduk Lower Basic and Niana Senior Secondary School.

Jarra Barrow Kunda Lower Basic School received D69,000 for the transformation of staff quarters, while Jiffarong Lower Basic School, Kudang Lower Basic,  Panchang basic cycle school  received respectively D88,400, D48,000, D61,500 for the renovation of classroom blocks. Buduk Lower Basic School was granted an amount of D40,500.00 for not only fencing the school garden but also providing equipment and materials to the said institution. And last but not least,  Niana Senior Secondary  School D45,200.00 for the renovation of kitchens and sanitary facilities.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Joice Stavroulakis, Gambia Eperience Resort Manager,  explained that they annually embarked on this immense initiative, noting that their ambition is to enable Gambian schools to tackle their day-to-day activities. She also added that they normally receive donations from the United Kingdom.

According to her, they requested that the regional educational officers should be monitoring the projects and that the officers or the headmasters will inform them when the work is complete.  Conscious of the fact that such a project requires the necessary transparency, she outined that photographs of the site during and when the project is completed will taken and forwarded to them. for their guests to see where and how the monies have been allocated.

For his part, Dr Pap Sey, deputising for the Secretary of State for Basic and Secondary Education,  said that this is a very good contribution to the educational sector noting that the Gambia Experience and their guests are not out only to make money but also to contribute to the country’s national development.  “We hope our guests will continue to come and  support efforts geared towards  national development,” he said.

Dr Sey seized the opportunity to call on the school Heads to be as professionals as expected and advised them to make good use of the money.  He assured them that they will identify officials to monitor them in order to make sure that the donors have accurate feed-backs.  Mr Lamin Manneh, of the Gambia Experience, was tasked with the responsibility to gather information and keep the records updated.

Chris Allwight, alias, Muhamed, Founder of the Gambia Schooling Fund, a charitable organisation, who is currently sponsoring over 360 students, many of whom are orphans, has said he now intends to expand and strengthen his organisation’s support to other development sectors.

Mr Allwight made this revelation in an interview with the Daily Observer, at his office in Brikama Sanchaba, Kombo Central, Western Region. He disclosed that he has now finally settled in the country, to contribute his quota to national development. He cited the love he has for the country since his first visit in the country in 1988 as a tourist.

Mr Mohammed said after his first visit to the country, he formed the Gambia Schooling Fund, and has been actively helping the poor and needy, by taking care of their education.

Mr Allwright, alias, Muhamed then hailed President Yahya Jammeh for the rapid development his government has undertaken, describing him as a man who is full of ambition and vision.

“This inspired every one, especially me, to come and finally settle in The Gambia to work hand-in-hand with him in supporting and contributing to the welfare of the nation,” he said. 

He further pointed out that, he has a lot to contribute to the welfare of the country, emphasising that he has got the approval of President Jammeh, to build a Psychiatric Clinic in his own allocated land in Brikama Sanchaba, a project that will be run, in partnership with the government, who will be providing nurses and other logistics. 

“The project which will be funded to a tune of D15 million Dalasi, will have a capacity of 50 bedrooms, toilet, conference rooms, among others. We will also provide a vegetable garden which will help the patients to have a sense of purpose,” he noted.

Allwright also reiterated his desire to build and operate a supermarket, the primary aim of which is to help the poor to purchase basic commodities at reasonable prices.

“For example, if a bag of rice costs D600, I will sell it at D500. Such will apply to all the other commodities in stock at my supermarket. The project will be non-profit making and I will never allow other people to come and buy, go and sell it outside at a higher price. I will also try to create employment opportunities for Gambians, that is why I’m installing a Photo Lab at Brikama, which will decrease the unemployment rate. Many other projects are also in the pipeline,” he concluded.