The Stella Maris Parish at Bakau has beaten record as they have been the first Catholic Church to celebrate Confirmation and First Communion on the feast of Pentecost. The Confirmation in the Church makes Catholics strong Christians and soldiers of God to be able to stand strong in faith and defend their faith by either becoming priests, Brothers or Sisters. With the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the young receive a lot of gifts that they are to share with those that need it. Some receive the gift of speech, and some are forced to join their church choir, lectors or one of the many functions of the church. First Communion children also for the first time get into the spirituality as Christ now lives within them. They learn to love Christ by going for confession and joining the Mass Servers to help on the Altar. Ten of the young lads received their Confirmation and eleven received their First Communion by his Lordship Bishop Robert Ellison on Pentecost Sunday barely ten days after Jesus’ Ascension.

Bishop Ellison said in a few moment he would be confirming candidates. “Some times going for visa at any embassy one has to get recommendation letter from someone who knows you, writes it and signs it putting seal on it to authenticate the truth. The person who recommends must be genuine to send a recommendation.” Bishop Ellison said.

The jammed packed church rejoiced and sang well to the delight of the twenty one candidates, and visitors. Bishop Ellison further said, “When we say today you are seal with the Holy Spirit, signed with the Sign of the Cross. Let us not shy away from the Cross because you cannot proclaim true Christianity without taking up your Cross.”

Bishop Ellison said the Holy Spirit has gifts and the spirit is living in us so we are holy people. Shortly before Jesus died, He said, “I will send you a comforter who will remind you of all I have said and done that he will lead you.” It is that Holy Spirit you are going to receive.”

Bishop Ellison said there are all sorts of services to be done bit you have to discover which is good for you. When we look at the Gospel of John Chapter 20 verse 20, Bishop Ellison said, John and Mary went to anoint Jesus’ body but they met nothing he had gone up. The disciples saw him later and he said to them, “Peace be with you as the Father as sent me so am I sending you, receive the Holy Spirit.”

During the celebration, Bishop Ellison blessed the new presbytery of the Holy Family Church. A good number of the congregation went out in procession to the new presbytery and bless it. The Mass continued and the confirmation was done.

Parents and well wishers rejoiced after the programme. Salim Mboge said, “Now I am a Christian, I am strong and I should live my life in Christ.” Ivita Eribo said, “God has done it for us. This is a beginning of a great start in our Christian life and with the help of our parents we shall remain faithful to Christ’s noble call. He is always with us and not far from us.” Abraham Obeika and other confirmed candidate, expressed thanks to the Sisters at Shalom and his parents and thinks that the confirmation will lead them to heaven as they work hard towards doing what God wants. We shall be close to God and we shall remember what we learnt and remain in Christ as soldiers. The little children receiving their First Communion read the prayers and sang quite well with the help of one of the Novices, Bibian Sambou. Thy read their prayers in English and Aku. Parents went home to enjoy the rest of the day.

Meanwhile, other churches continue their Confirmation and First Communion.

In what could be seen as a confirmation of the speculation since Mr Lamin Waa Juwara’s apparent rapprochement with the ruling APRC party last year as his appointment into the Interim Management Committee of Brikama Area Council rightly or wrongly suggested, Mr. Lamin Waa Juwara has finally remorselessly declared his preparedness to defect to the APRC party.

The leader of the opposition National Democratic Alliance Movement (NDAM) party made this declaration on Sunday at a mass political rally held in the village of Katamina, Niamina West, in the Central River Region as President Jammeh’s Dialogue with the People tour progressed.

Lamin Waa Juwara, who has long held the reputation as one of the most virulent and potent critics of President Jammeh’s regime, had also been the Propaganda Secretary of the main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) for years before forming his NDAM party.

To say that his defection to the ruling APRC party was a work in progress might be an understatement, although it was since last year that he was selected by President Jammeh to be part of the Brikama Area Council Interim Management Committee few months prior to the Local Government elections.

Addressing the rally, Mr. Juwara disclosed that he had had a change of heart since the day he was nominated by the President to serve as a member of the Brikama Area Council Interim Management Committee which, he added, was more than honour to him.

According to Waa Juwara, he has been observing the way politics of this country has been prevailing and had become convinced that he has the same ideology with President Jammeh. Consequently, he said, he decided to join the APRC for the interest of the country.

“I went into politics for the interest of the country. And if I see anyone doing good for the country, I should join him for the development of our country,” he said.

Mr. Juwara, a political scientist, expounded that there are two types of politics- politics of confrontation and that of co-operation. He indicated that he believes in politics of co-operation and that that is why he decided to join APRC.

Waa revealed that all the other political parties in the country believe in politics of confrontation, which prompted him to divorce with them.

For his part, President Jammeh maintained that he did not hate the opposition. He was however quick to add that what he would not accept is politics that would hinder the advancement of the country. “Whatever name they want to call me, they can. I don’t mind anything. No white man can fool me. I am not one of those that they can fool,” the President contended.

Speaking earlier, Yankuba Touray, Secretary of State for Fisheries and Water Resources, who is also the APRC National Mobiliser, indicated that Waa Juwara’s defection would no doubt strengthen and consolidate the party.

Meanwhile, earlier on Saturday at a meeting in Brikamaba in the Central River Region, as many as 22 supposed former UDP supporters also announced their defection to the ruling APRC party.

The National Assembly yesterday considered and approved the confirmation of appointment of Mr. Alagie Sowe as Ombudsman and Mrs Elizabeth Renna and Mr. Ebrima A. Mbye as deputy Ombudsmen following their appointment by His Excellency, the President, Alhagie Dr. Yahya Jammeh, with effect from November 1st 2007.

Moving the motion before deputies, the Vice President, Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy, said these persons are of good character and service to our community as shown by their Curriculum Vitaes (CVs).

According to the Vice President, section 2, sub-section 3 of the Ombudsman act, the appointees shall hold office for a period of five years and shall be eligible for reappointment. These appointees shall hold office for a period of five years and shall be eligible for reappointment. This appointment is in accordance with section 164 (1) of the constitution of The Gambia.

Mr. Alhagie Sowe replaces Mr. Junaidi Jallow.

Reacting to his appointment, Mr. Alagie Sowe, the new Ombudsman, expressed his delight at the appointment: “I appreciate it. It is a big honour for me. The position is a high position with big responsibility and indeed very challenging.” Mr. Sowe however assured the challenge, he would do his utmost to live up to expectation.

Mr. Sowe had previously worked at the Department of Co-operative as Director/Registrar of Co-operative Societies until 1994 when he retired. He was afterwards retained on contract for about three years as Director and later Adviser. In 2002, he took up appointment with Banjul City Council (BCC) as Marketing Manager, in which post he served until 2004.