The speaker of the National Assembly, Hon Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay, on Thursday, received the executive members of the Public Relations Association of The Gambia (PRAG), in her office at the National Assembly building in Banjul.

Speaking at the meeting, Alex DaCosta, the senior communication officer of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (Pura), who is also the secretary general of PRAG, said the purpose of the meeting was to  officially inform the speaker of the association’s decision to adopt her as their honorary president and adviser, and President Jammeh as their chief patron for their annual continental association conference to be held in The Gambia in 2009.

For his part, Raymond AK Njai, the president of PRAG, congratulated the speaker on her new appointment as the president of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region and told her of their desire to revitalise the association.

“PRAG is a member of the Africa Public Relations Association (APRA), a continental association which is composed of national associations or individual practitioners. Every year, APRA organises conferences on topical public relations issues. The paper presentations and exchanges at these conferences provide a learning platform and an opportunity for networking among public relations groups. APRA is currently studying the South African model of accreditation with a view to adopt it for its members,” Mr Njai explained.

The PRAG boss also informed the speaker that the annual continental association conference will be held in The Gambia in 2009, precisely around 25th May 2009, which would coincide with President Jammeh’s birthday.

Mr Njai also highlighted some of the objectives of his association, saying that PRAG has a lot of ideas to share with the tourism sector to ensure vibrant tourism, among other issues.
He called on the government, NGOs, the media and the general public to support the association in order to successfully host the 2009 annual continental association conference.

In her response, Hon Jahumpa-Ceesay expressed delight to receive the executive and assured them of her full support at all times.

“I will support you morally and financially. I will tell all the National Assembly members to contribute towards the success of the 2009 annual continental conference scheduled to take place in this country,” Speaker Jahumpa-Ceesay told the PRAG executive members.
As a pioneer member of PRAG, the speaker advised the PRAG executive to network among themselves and also cooperate with the press, adding that the National Assembly is press-friendly.

Hon Fabakary Tombong Jatta, the majority leader and NAM for Serrekunda East and Hon Netty Baldeh, NAM for Tumana, told the PRAG executive that they have done the right thing by choosing the speaker as their honorary president and adviser, considering her leadership qualities, among other issues. They also assured the PRAG executive of the National Assembly’s support at all times.

As the swirly dust surrounding the week-long July 22 activities settles, more congratulatory messages on the 14th anniversary of the July 22 Revolution has continued to reach President Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh at State House, Banjul.

Gambian Consulate in Berlin

Andreas-Jorg Bartel and Dieter Weber of the Gambian consulate in Berlin, Germany, have congratulated President Jammeh, who led the revolution on 22nd July 1994, on this year’s anniversary.

They acknowledged numerous achievements under Dr Jammeh’s leadership.

“Not only the visible success in infrastructure like telecommunication, highways and air transportation, but more [so] your efforts in health, education and democracy,” they stated.Both of them expressed their resolve to join the president in his efforts to further develope The Gambia and extended their best wishes to him and his family.

Gambia Police Force

Ensa Badjie, the Inspector General of Police, has also congratulated the president on behalf of the entire members of the Gambia Police Force.
“It has been a wonderful, gracious and magnificent period for the security services especially the Gambia police force. We thank Your Excellency for the support, contribution, encouragement and motivation you have been giving and continue to give us that have greatly facilitated our entire operations,” he stated.

He then added: “Your Excellency, may I seize this opportunity to pray for your good health, long life and strength to enable you to sail this beloved nation to your most desired destination. This, I am sure will benefit the entire Gambian and even non-Gambian people. I pray for your family’s good health and long life so that they can continue to support your endeavours to make this country the Silicon Valley of Africa.”

“May God the Almighty shower his blessings unto you, your family and government so that we will continue to enjoy the fruits of your vision, hard-work and development for this beloved nation. Long live your Excellency, long live The Gambia, and long live the Gambian people,” the IGP concluded, and then extended the assurances of his highest considerations.

AAPG

In a similar message, the Aid Agency for Gambian People (AAPG) at Churchill’s Town, also congratulated President Jammeh on the 14h anniversary of the July 22nd celebrations.“May Allah the Almighty grant you long life, peace and prosperity in all your endeavours. May Allah the Almighty guide and protect you and your family and the entire Gambian people,” stated Mrs Mariama Janneh, the president of the association.

Association d’aide de Peuple

Malaim Biyai, the president of the Association d’aide de Peuple, has also joined others to congratulate Dr Jammeh on behalf of his organisation.
“All Gambians know the essence of this day which was the day your Excellency salvaged The Gambia from the difficult times of the former regime. We are all so grateful and thus join the APRC and Your Excellency in celebrating this great day,” Malaim Biyai stated.

“As your Excellency is always grateful to Allah, we are in turn asking Allah to bless and provide you with all the strength and will in your capacity as our president. Please accept Your Excellency the assurances of our highest consideration,” the association’s president concluded.

Mrs Gimbi Cham

Mrs Gimbi Cham of Banjul also joined others in felicitating President Jammeh on the occasion. Mrs Cham lauded Dr Jammeh’s numerous undertakings, including the HIV/AIDS breakthrough and its impact on the lives of patients and health sector.

“I have to tell you how much I admire you. Your work for Gambian unity, your achievements, your altruism and your concern for all are but uncommon. I am very proud that you continue to show how a leader brings his people together and solves problems they are facing to advance a nation. You are a real light to many of us if not all Gambians,” Mrs Cham stated.

She then added: “Your Excellency, you are a remarkable president who, after having assumed the mantle of power, stood for social justice and fairness throughout a hard and difficult time. The Gambia knows it has a great leader who is revered [by] people of all dimensions and origins. You are an inspiration, a man of extraordinary generosity, dignity and courage. You have typified this in your tenure to date and you never wavered; never flinched in the struggle for what you believe and thought was good and right for the country. In doing this, you never lost faith in your spirit and its ultimate capacity to do good.”

“I have never had time with you, but to anyone fortunate enough to meet you, as I see with those [who] do so in the nightly news on GRTS which I always follow closely; you radiate such warmth and kindness that such meetings and sessions become unforgettable.

You are always in my thoughts and prayers with profound respect and great admiration because of the nature of person you are. There is and shall be such an outpouring of good feelings for you always because of what people can see and sense in you - Mr President. You are a man of true and profound heroism, a shining example of what a teacher and a courageous leader should be,” she acknowledged.

“In history, you will and shall be a hero for ages because you stood for us at a time when the future of The Gambia was deeply bleak,” she observed.

President Ma Ying Jeou of the Republic of China (Taiwan), has congratulated his Gambian counterpart, President Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, on the occasion of the 14th anniversary of the July 22 Revolution, on behalf of the people and the government of Taiwan.

In a message to the Gambian leader, President Ma expressed admiration of the Gambian leader and hailed the warm relationship between Banjul and Taipei.

“With your brilliant leadership, the Republic of The Gambia has developed at a very fast speed for the past 14 years, and the people of The Gambia are much better off than they were ever before. I am confident that with your capable guidance, the nation will continue to make progress in many fields in the years to come. We are proud to be your partner of progress,” Ma stated.

“I also take this opportunity to reassure you that we have always treasured the brotherhood that our two nations share, and are determined to see to it that it grows from strength to strength for the common good of our peoples,” the Taiwanese added, assuring President Jammeh of his highest consideration. He also extended best wishes to Dr Jammeh for his personal well-being and the continued prosperity of The Gambia.

Gambian Embassy in Doha

Meanwhile, Antouman Saho, the Gambian ambassador in Doha, Qatar, also extended his congratulation to Dr Jammeh on behalf of his family, staff and the Gambian community in Qatar.

“I avail myself of this opportunity to pray to the Almighty Allah, to grant you and your family long life and good health. May Almighty Allah guide you and guide your actions, shower blessings of peace, progress and prosperity on the government of Republic of The Gambia and Gambians as a whole. May He (Almighty Allah) spare us to witness yet another occasion,” he prayed, while assuring the president of his highest consideration.

Gambian Embassy in Saudi Arabia

Lamin Kiti Jabang, the Gambian ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has felicitated Dr Jammeh on behalf of his embassy staff, the Gambian communities in all the countries under his accreditation, members of his family and himself.

“Your government’s adoption of policies, standards and pratices has put The Gambia on the road to emerge as an econmic and political heavyweight. It is through your development-oriented leadership that today, every Gambian has a binding faith in the values, principles and the future of our nation. Your unbreakable commitment to the UN and AU peace-keeping operations for the promotion of peace in our sub-region, Africa and beyond has also earned you recognition and position of respect in the comity of nations,” Ambassador Jabang stated.

“I pray to Allah the Almighty to bestow on you good health so as to press ahead with your lofty endeavours to lead The Gambia towards further development, prosperity and to bring peace and stability to our sub-region and Africa in particular, and the promotion of global peace in general. May we all live to celebrate many more of the successes of the second Republic in the usual peace and tranquility the Almighty Allah has always showered on The Gambia,” he concluded.

Gambian Embassy in UAE

For his part, Mambury Njie, the Gambian ambassador to the United Arab Emrates, has also extended his warmest congratulation on behalf of the staff of the Gambian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, the Gambian community and on his own behalf.

“Given the wonderful transformation the country has gone through during the past 14 years, Gambians and friends of The Gambia will continue to cherish and support Your Excellency’s good aspirations for the country. My staff and I will continue to contribute to Your Excellency’s vision and mission in propelling The Gambia to be a model country in Africa,” Ambassador Njie assured.

“May the Almighy Allah continue to support and give you all the wisdom, courage and the required resources to realise your vision for The Gambia. May the Almighty grant Your Excellency long life and good health,” he prayed, while expressing his highest consideration.

Gambian Embassy in Rabat

In the same vein, Ousman Badjie, the Gambian ambassador to Rabat, Morocco, also congratulated the president on behalf of the staff of his embassy, together with the Gambian community in Morocco, Tunisia and Cyprus.

“From July 22nd, 1994 to date, The Gambia has recorded unprecendeted, accelerated socio-economic development under your wise guidance, foresight and able leadership. We wish you continued success and Allah’s guidance at the helm of affairs. We pray that the spirit of July 22nd continues to guide us under your dynamic leadership towards the attainment of our Vision 2020 for more meaningful development and prosperity for our motherland,” Ambassador Badjie prayed.
“May Allah bless you, your family, the government and people of The Gambia,” he further prayed, while renewing assurances of his highest consideration.

Guinea Bissau Embassy

Maria Munira Jauad Ribeiro, the ambassador of Guinea Bissau to The Gambia, said the “July Revolution bears the great result considering its rapid reasonable achievement in the area of socio-economic development of your beloved country,” Ambassador Ribeiro stated in a message to the Gambian leader.

“On behalf of the government of the Repulic of Guinea-Bissau, staff of the embassy, Guinea-Bissau community resident in The Gambia and on my own behalf, I would like to express my best wishes for the well-being of the people of The Gambia in celebrating this important event and may this historical date bring many in returns not only to The Gambia but also to the entire African continent,” the ambassador said and then expressed the assurances of her highest consideration.

Buried Hill

Roger A Haines, the chairman of the Board and chief executive officer of Buried Hill, had this to say: “In celebration of the 14th anniversay of the July 22nd Revolution, I would like to pass on my congratulations, and those of all the staff of Buried Hill and would like to wish you, your government, as well as all the people of The Gambia peace and prosperity and a very happy anniversary. In appreciation of your leadership and your government’s continued support, may Allah continue to protect and guide you and the entire people of The Gambia for many years to come.”

Cherno Barra Touray, the Gambian ambassador to Guinea Bissau, has congratulated President Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, ahead of the 14th anniversary of the July 22 Revolution, which would be celebrated next week Tuesday.

In a message sent to the president, Ambassador Touray also extended best wishes on behalf of the staff at the Gambia Embassy and the entire Gambian community in Guinea-Bissau.

“The date 22nd July, 1994, is significant in our historical calendar for the reason that it is the end and the beginning of the first and second republic of The Gambia respectively, and marked in earnest the beginning of The Gambia’s unprecedented, accelerated socio-economic development. The Gambia’s electoral system is free, fair and transparent.

Therefore, it’s unique and is a model on the continent of Africa. It is the foundation stone of The Gambia’s political stability and good governance that blessed The Gambia with continuous peace, security and development,” the ambassador stated.

He then added: “Your Excellency, all these achievements resulted from your great leadership of commitment and determination to work sincerely for the interest, well-being and progress of The Gambia and her people. The love you have for this country and its people has [been] manifested under your exceptional leadership and this type of leadership [are] like Eagles; they don’t flock [together] but [are] found one at a time. Therefore, you deserve to be called the eagle of the sub-region. Gambians are aware and appreciate your concern for their plight.”

“Your Excellency, you are nationally and internationally vindicated for your past continuous calls and advices [for us] to go back to the land to feed ourselves. It is now a reality that the era of cheap food, crops, grants, etc is gone and may not likely come again. No wonder, Your Excellency, agriculture has ever been one of your main priority areas for development.”

Ambassador Touray then thanked the ruling APRC Party and the government for achievements recorded by The Gambia in the past 14 years. He also prayed for “long life, good health in order to enable you to accomplish your aspiration and vision for The Gambia. Finally may Allah the Almighty continue to bless you and your family (Amen)”.

Ensa Badjie, the newly appointed Inspector General of the Gambia Police Force (GPF), has described the police inspectors as the most important cadre in the structure of the police force.

IGP Badjie made this statement on Monday afternoon, at the end of a four-week inspectors’ development course at the Police Headquarters in Banjul. He congratulated the 40 police inspectors for successfully completing the course.

According to IGP Badjie, the inspectors represent the link between senior and junior officers, and this is the reason why they were chosen as the first target group to benefit from the course, which aims at enhancing the human resource capacity of the GPF.

He noted that the course was formulated and organised to equip the police inspectors with the essential skills and knowledge, to enable them to perform their various roles and responsibilities effectively, as supervisors and middle level managers. He advised them not to underestimate their roles and responsibilities as station officers, unit heads and supervisors, amongst others.

IGP Badjie then challenged the inspectors to perform their duties as expected, adding that the GPF will endeavour to organise a similar training programme for its officers and staff, in order to improve its human resource base.

For his part, Mamour Jobe, the commissioner of the Police Training School in Yundum, said the development course entails 49 topics which were facilitated by police instructors and lecturers.

He described the course as effective and expressed hope that the participants will utilise the knowledge acquired.

FRI Jammeh, the adviser of the GPF, expressed similar sentiments.

The 40 police inspectors were drawn from all the regions of the country and were presented with certificates at the end of the course.

The first batch of 25 Gambian graduates of the petroleum elite programme in Taiwan will be absorbed by the Department of State for Energy and the Gambia National Petroleum Company (GNPC), according to government officials.

The graduates arrived in Banjul on Sunday afternoon, after successfully completing a four-year degree programme in petroleum engineering at the National Taipei University of Technology in Taipei, Taiwan.

Uphill task

The performance of the group has been levitated as outstanding; thus, leaving behind an unpolluted academic legacy that has driven confidence in hearts of authorities both in Banjul and Taipei to extend the olive branch, for more Gambians students to undergo university programmes in ICT and other fields in the Asian-Pacific island state.

It had been a hellish challenge for the young Gambia graduates, some of whom had grizzled and moaned at the troubles the programme presented during the first few semesters. But with unwavering determination and vigour, they emerged with glory.

Shortly after their arrival, the students were hosted to a reception and a press conference held at a restaurant at the Banjul International Airport, presided over by Ousman Jammeh, the secretary of state for Energy.

In his address to the graduates, who were joined by their families and loved ones, SoS Jammeh formally welcomed the group home on behalf of President Jammeh - the initiator of the programme - and the government of The Gambia. He congratulated the graduates for their steadfastness and valour to succeed, despite the numerous challenges they had faced.

For SoS Jammeh, the graduation marks the beginning of a new chapter, which will require yet more determination to accomplish.

“You have been very good ambassadors, you are the pioneers and you have made it. We hope that others will emulate you,” he told the shining graduates, fresh from the academic world.

What next?

The Energy secretary of state informed the press conference that although the young graduates had spent four years together and returned home in unison, they would not be working in the same offices. “Arrangements have been made for some of you to work at the GNPC and my own department. I will be coaching some of you who would be working in my department,” he elaborated.

Maintaining that a good number of the graduates will be absorbed, SoS Jammeh disclosed that some of them would go on attachment for more practical experience, which is crucial to the oil industry.

“We are going to work closely together so that we can make the best use of these talents. There are concrete plans in place. It is a challenge,” he said, urging them to live up to expectations, as there is no room for foot-dragging. He also informed the ceremony that efforts are in progress for the oil exploration to begin in 2009.

For his part, the Taiwanese ambassador, Richard Shih joined SoS Jammeh in commending the graduates for their performance. He told the gathering that it was because of their remarkable performance that another batch was sent to undergo an ICT programme in Taiwan. He said another batch of 25 Gambians will also leave for Taiwan to undergo a programme in civil engineering.

The Taiwanese ambassador thanked the graduates for upgrading the level of soccer in Taiwan, adding that they were part of the university soccer team that won the championship last year.

“After four years of hard work, it’s time to harvest,” he told the graduates, urging them to be good ambassadors of Taiwan in The Gambia.

Fafa Sanyang, the commissioner of Petroleum, said the graduates will be assisting the Commission and the GNPC in geological matters, negotiating licenses, work programmes, amongst others. “We are growing up with the industry. And if there is any offshore activity, you would be deployed,” he said.

Commissioner Sanyang disclosed that they cannot assure “100% technology” for the country’s young industry, saying that you can be an “engineer and perform in management positions”.

Isatou Jallow, one of the graduates, expressed gratitude on behalf of her colleagues and expressed their preparedness to contribute to national development.

In his statement, Momodou Badjie, the managing director of GNPC, paid tribute to President Jammeh for initiating the programme. Mr Badjie also thanked all those who have in one way or the other contributed to the success of the programme.

The group has been granted a one-month long leave and are expected to start work on August 1.

The ceremony, which was chaired by Sheriff Faye, the assistant commissioner of Petroleum, was also attended by Abdoulie Sallah, the secretary to the Cabinet and Ebrima Camara, a permanent secretary at the Office of the President.

The Serrekunda Central Red Cross Drama Group under The Gambia Red Cross Society, has congratulated Major General Lang Tombong Tamba, the newly promoted chief of Defense Staff, who is the father of the group.

In a dispatch sent to the Daily Observer, the group expressed joy and happiness in congratulating the country’s first military officer to hold such a high command.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, the Executive and the entire membership of the Serrekunda Central Red Cross Link, we congratulate the father of the Serrekunda Central Red Cross Drama Group and Board member - Major General Lang Tombong Tamba for his new title.

“We wish him good guidance and protection of the Almighty Allah. May Allah bless and continue to grant him long life and happiness. Wish you everything that you wish for yourself and the Gambian Army and the country.”

“Long live the Gambia and the President of the Republic of The Gambia.”