Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, vice-president and secretary of state for Women’s Affairs, has strongly encouraged the formation of the National Women’s Federation, purposely to augment the capacity of women organisations and groups, as well as to enable government to provide more meaningful support to women’s groups through an umbrella body.

The Vice-President made this statement during the launching ceremony of the Spanish-African Women’s Empowerment Project held at the Paradise Suites Hotel in Kololi.

The project, placed under the banner of President Jammeh’s Women Empowerment Initiative, jointly funded by The Gambia Government and Spanish Government "The magnificent project that we are here to launch today is another meaningful step towards providing the necessary environment, infrastructure and facilities for our women to learn and acquire skills, access resources and finance, network at the local and international level and harness their collective potential to create and develop a vibrant platform for business and production.

The project was born about two years ago, out of the genuine aspirations and needs of Gambia Women and out of an extensive consultative process, which I was privileged, to join during the National Women’s Council and Women’s Bureau silver jubilee," VP Njie-Saidy said.

"At that historic meeting with all major stakeholders in my office in 2006, I strongly encouraged the formation of the National Women’s Federation purposely to augment the capacity of women organisations and groups, as well as to enable government provide more meaningful support to women groups through the Federation," she recalled.

"Those of us who would recall discussions at that five-hour meeting, would also remember my pledge to have more women serving in our diplomatic missions and promotion of female officers of the security force.

We have since been eager to fulfil that pledge, and today, The Gambia has an increased number of women in our diplomatic service, with even more heading their missions. Several female security personnel have also been promoted to the ranks of Commander since the Silver Jubilee.

 At the local level for the first time we have started seeing women fill key positions as Vice Chairperson of Area Councils, Deputy Governor and in fact more interestingly women are more than ever contesting elections and are winning, evident in last Local Government Elections.

I am particularly encouraged by the fact that the all-inclusive project has a specific component targeting rural women and girls who form the majority, vis-à-vis how they can overcome some of the domestic factors constraining their socio-economic development and ensure food security all Gambians," the vice president told the women gathering.

Commenting on the world commemoration of the International Day of Rural Women, coupled with the current world food crisis and global financial turmoil, VP Njie-Saidy highlighted that governments have a duty to protect and assist rural women with educational opportunities, political access and market environment that favours a return on their investment of equipment, seeds, and labour.
On that very special day, she went on to say that the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, in his message said: "when we empower rural women, we enhance the well-being of their children, their families, their communities and ultimately, their countries."

"The Spanish African Women Empowerment Project will indeed do just that. It will support amongst others the building of a processing and storage plant as well as the National Women’s Multi-Purpose Complex.

It is also worth mentioning that recently a feasibility study was conducted and twenty-five women’s gardens were rehabilitated with the objective of ensuring an increased and improved quality and quantity of horticultural produce to avoid loss.

Additional resources have also been mobilised to build the market complex which will house two hundred outlets, a supermarket, restaurant, a cinema hall as well as other out-door facilities as highlighted in the presentation," Vice President Njie-Saidy assured the gathering.

 "I am indeed proud to inform you that the Government has provided the land which is an investment on its own for the women and as well as financial contribution towards supporting the gardens and provision of labour saving devices and this is just the beginning," she indicated.

Regarding the operational modalities, VP Njie-Saidy encouraged the leadership to continue to solicit technical advice from the relevant departments of state, particularly the departments of state for Finance and Economic Affairs, Justice, Local Government and Lands, Trade Industry and Employment as well as Tourism, adding that the project is a multi-sectoral project and that, it will not only advance the cause of women but it will also uplift the status and image of the country.

The Complex, she said, will no doubt bring about the much-needed increase, and improve investment particularly for women. Other related benefits include timely repayment and management of micro-loans, for if you provide credit to women who are challenged with marketing of their products, it is obvious that they will have problems of timely repayments. Therefore the active participation of the financial service providers is a step in the right direction.

However, I would like to mention that once the facility is built, it should be properly managed and not allowed to fall in the wrong hands and be derailed from achieving the expected outcomes.

Indeed, we have witnessed a few unfortunate cases where Gambians were provided with such facilities and they failed to deliver the goods. That must not happen. Let me single out the invaluable contributions of the outgoing members of the National Women’s Council, who must be commended for their rewarding and productive service to the women of this country.

I have no doubt in my mind that they will continue to offer their support and advice to the council, and share their vast experience with new members. I congratulate the new members of the council and I have no doubt on my mind that they will continue the good work.

As we launch the Spanish African Women Empowerment Project under the banner of my Government’s Women Empowerment initiative, it is important to recount the invaluable role and position of Gambian women in fostering national development, and identify some of the challenges that continue to impact negatively on our efforts to advance the cause of women in ensuring that the objectives of the project effectively addresses their problems.

As previous speakers have attested, the story of our country’s women is one deeply embedded in the unique virtues of labour, perseverance, and excellence in the various sectors.

From agriculture and education to business, politics, decision-making and the arts. In government, the record number of qualified and competent women in positions of responsibility is glaring.

Women own a substantial percentage of business especially in the tourism industry. Constituting about 50% of our Labour force, Gambia women continue to lead in the production of the country’s major staple rice.

Furthermore, women dominate the horticultural sector and are actively involved in livestock farming and petty trading in the informal sector.

To crown these and many other laurels, she said, women have the fundamental duty to serve not only as mothers and household keepers, but also as bona fide breadwinners for many families. Indeed, we are particularly encouraged by this proud and solid track record that is dotted with daunting challenges.

In all these sectors, women are confronted by an acute lack of access to the basic agents of production and productivity such as land, credit, capital, information and the necessary market infrastructure to reap the fruits of their labour as indicated by the out-going chairperson of the National Women’s Council.

The use of low level technologies in production and the absence of adequate business knowledge and skills continue to hamper the efforts of women to excel in their noble undertakings, which the Spanish African Empowerment project therefore seeks to address.

As a government, she noted, we will continue to take the necessary steps, even take an extra mile, to lend our support to the women of The Gambia. ‘‘Personally, I am on record recognising at any giving opportunity, the life inspiration I have drawn from the hard work and exceptional enterprise of our women folk.

I shall not relent in committing my attention and the special attention of government, to championing the cause of women and working towards increasing our success in the following key areas;

the inclusion of women in the functional structures of government especially in decision making level; girls education, with particular focus on parity at all levels, the drastic reduction of maternal and child mortality and morbidity;

the protection and promotion of women’s rights with legislative instruments that do not only guarantee protection, but stipulate stringent penalties for those who perpetrate violence against women. And, let me use this opportunity to state once again, that my government will not, and shall never tolerate Rape and other forms of abuse directed against women.

Perpetrators will be tracked down to face the full and uncompromising force of the law. This is one way we can eradicate centuries-old afflictions marring the psychological, spiritual, physical and socio-economic advancement of more than half of our productive population,’’ she reiterated.

She concluded by thanking the Government of the Kingdom of Spain for providing the funding for this ambitious project.

‘‘I also wish to thank the office of the Vice President and Department of State for Women’s Affairs, the out-going Women’s Council, the Women’s Bureau, the Silver Jubilee Organising committee, and indeed all Gambian women for their immeasurable contributions to the initiation and launching of this project.

Let me also pledge once more, that my government will continue to render the needed support to make the project succeed in all its objectives. I urge the project beneficiaries coming along with the project, and to work together collectively towards meaningfully transforming the lives of the women folk.

This way, we are all assured of the brightest future for Gambian women.’’

The cheapest way to remain alive is to die for others to live.

Those who live for self are forgotten once they die but those who live for others never die. Dieing for others to live simply means providing solutions to people’s needs, making laudable contributions to your society and making to happen for others what will add to their joy.

If you look back into history, you will discover that majority of the people who have influenced our societies positively in the past, practically laid down their lives for others to live.

So, life is not about your possessions but your dispositions, it is not about what you have but what you make others to have because true prosperity is not in acquiring riches but in making others rich. History has it that the first 150 universities in America including Harvard, Stanford and Yale, were founded not by the government but by some Christians.

Do you think the names of such individuals would ever be forgotten in that nation? No! They have lived their lives for others, so their names have refused to die.

Live Your Life For Others!

Jesus said, “He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.” (John 12:24).

Until you begin to live for others you don’t know what it really means to live.
Many people never want to be involved in anything that will not come back to them, anything that will not pay them directly they will never do it.

You need to understand that what you are remembered for is not the money you have but your relevance in the lives of people around you through positive influence.
What you spend you lose, what you keep others will spend.

Only what you give to your generation remains your eternal reward. You don’t need to pray for money. If your heart is panting after meeting the needs of people, money will keep coming your way.

Some people are only happy when they buy cars or build houses. There is no crime in that, but while you are enjoying your money, don’t forget to put joy in the lives of others around you.

Are people with you enjoying what you are enjoying? Are your workers and the people in your community blessed the way you are blessed? What of your family members? Are they wearing rags while you are wearing good clothes? You are in the city drinking ‘packaged water’ and your relations in the village are drinking gutter water.

 Then when they die you spend five hundred thousand or one million to bury them. That is hypocrisy! Why not use that money to drill a borehole to provide clean water for them so that their lives can be preserved?

Some rich people maintain the servitude of others by giving them little amounts of money from time to time in the name of welfare. Giving them money but never giving them jobs, so that they won’t become independent.

If you give somebody two thousand dalasis monthly for 12 months, that is 24 thousand dalasis. Why not give him that 24 thousand naira in bulk so that he can start something with it and be independent to live a dignified life?

If such a person starts a business, it will give hope and sustenance to his family as well as provide employment for him! You have bought enough cars, now do something that will last for others, do something that will keep speaking after you are gone!

Gal.5:6 – Love is what makes faith produce results.

Be Love Motivated!

Love is what makes it possible to live for others.

And what is love? It is selflessness.

Selflessness means not looking for what to gain, rather what others can gain from you.

This was what took Jesus to the cross.

The greatest love ever known to man was manifested on the cross – Jn.3:16.

You know why people are selling fake drugs? It is because of selfishness; wanting to
make money by all means even at the expense of somebody else’s life. How can you build a house from such business and expect to enjoy good sleep?

People go every length to cheat, lie and commit all kinds of atrocities because of selfishness. A contractor is given two million to execute a project; he spends four hundred thousand and puts the rest in his pocket.

Most pastors use the pulpit to deceive people. They would ask them to give offerings for projects that are never executed.
It is love that makes it possible for you to extend yourself and become a blessing to people.

Pastor Israel Etim is the senior pastor of Winners Chapel International, The Gambia. He can be contacted on : 9917917 or 4461577

First Family Acknowledges women’s support

The Gambian leader, President Dr Alhaji Yahya Jammeh, and his wife, Madam Zineb Yahya Jammeh, have expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the speaker of the National Assembly,

Fatoumata Jahumpa Ceesay, and other Njekeys for their contributions towards the naming ceremony of Baby Muhammed Jammeh.

This was revealed in a statement issued to the press. The release reads:
His Excellency The President Alhaji Dr Yahya AJJ Jammeh and Her Excellency. the First Lady Madam Zineb Yahya Jammeh, convey their deep gratitude and sincere appreciation to the Group of Njekeys led by the Honourabl Speaker of the National Assembly, that presented their financial contribution as, is customary, towards the naming ceremony of Baby Muhammed Jammeh.

This gesture is indeed a very genuine manifestation of love and appreciation towards the first family.
His Excellency and family are deeply touched, encouraged and strengthened by this display of unflinching loyalty, support and solidarity by the Njekeys in particular and, Gambian women in general.

The first family prays that Allah the Almighty showers His infinite blessings of peace, prosperity, good health and happiness on those wonderful sisters and cousins called Njekeys.

The first family further wishes to assure Gambian women that, Allah willing, they, the first family, will live up to their expectations and take this country to the highest pinnacle of socio-economic development

The group of Njekeys consists of the following:-
1. Africell Female Staff Association
2. SSHFC Female Staff Association
3. NAWEC Female Staff Association
4. Hon. Fatoumata Garba Jahumpa
5. Central Bank Female Staff Association
6. Prisons Female Officers
7. Nigerian Women Association (Gambia Branch)
8. Mrs. Katty Joh Samba
9. Mrs.Fatou Sinyan Mbergan
10. Mrs. Ida Faal Jobe Dollar
11. Mrs. Sirra Wally Ndow -Njie
12. Aja Fatou Mbye (Chairperson Women’s Council)
13. Mrs. Ida Fye Hydara (Executive Director Women’s Bureau)
14. Immigration Female Officers
15. Manhago Pantuffan
16. Jeshwang Women Constituency (C/o Hon. Haddy Jagne)
17. SoS Hon. Fatou Lamin Faye
18. Sos Hon. Marie Saine Firdaus
19. Mrs. Mammy Yankuba Touray
20. High Commissioner Angela Colley
21. Mrs. Neneh Macdoll Gaye
22. Mrs. Ftou Dr. Mbowe
23. Hair Nest Salon (c/o Mrs Deba Loum Taal)
24. SoS Hon. Fatim Badjie Janneh
25. Mrs. Fatou Jassey Kuyateh (PS-Office of the VP)
26. Police Female Staff Association
27.Hon. Mrs Tina Faal
28. Mrs. Binta Jammeh Sidibeh (APGWA)
29. Aji Jack Cham
30. Aji Ndey Conteh Jallow
31. Aji Ndye Awa Khan Ceesay
32. Aji Fatoumata Jah
33. GNA Officers Wives (C/o Sirra Tamba)
34. National Assembly Female Staff Association
35. Aja Nyimasata Sanneh
36. Tallinding Medina Harr Yalla
37. SoS Hon. Nancy Njie
38. Mrs. Aisha Neneh Bala Gaye
39. Mrs. Kombeh J. Kaira
40. Mrs. Adu Lette Sey
41. Mrs. Fatou Jammeh (KMC)
42. Aja Fatou Bah (Imam) Banjul
43. Soldiers Wives (GNA)
44. Councillor Aja Ndey Jatta (Western Region)
45. Mrs Ida Sain Conteh
46. Mrs Chan Khan Jallow
47. Ms Fatou Ndong
48. Aji Ramou Talla Joof
49. Aji Amie Jatta (KMC)
50. Aji Saffie Debbie Touray (KMC)
51. Aji Fatou Fullanding Nyang-Mballow
52. Aja Oley Touray (KMC)
53. Aja Demba Daffeh (KMC)
54.Mrs Fatou Njie Fofana (LRR)
55. Aja Ara Jatta and Group
56. Sera Deema Group
57. Agape Preparatory School
58. Mrs Fatou Touray (Gamtel)
59. Mrs Sambou Suso (Griot)
60. Aja Bintou Marong
61. Aja Ndey Sainabou Jeng
62. Mrs Yama Njie (KMC)
63. Mrs Aisha Ndow Saine.

The secretary of State for Youths and Sports, Sherrif Gomez has warmly hailed President Jammeh for contributing immensely to the development of sports in the country.

He was also highly appreciative of the president’s contribution to the  landmark achievement of the national Scorpions in holding the Senegalese Lions of Teranga to a 1-1 draw in Senegal.

SoS Gomez’s sentiments were expressed in a letter sent to the Gambian leader. The full text of the said letter is reproduced below.
Your Excellency, October 11th 2008 marked the climax of our Darling Scorpions CAF/FIFA football campaign in which they went on top of Senegal resulting in the latter’s elimination, a feat that the Gambia could not achieve for 46 years.

Your Excellency, it is my belief that the contribution of this feat in galvanising national pride and self esteem, belief, confidence, esprit the corps, the feel good factor and resultant national unity is immeasurable.

It is for this reason, Your Excellency, that I personally want to take this opportunity on behalf of the Department of State and on behalf of the entire youth and sports fraternity to formally recognise, commend and stand in ovation to Your Excellency, for your personal, financial and spiritual contributions towards bringing back the belief that “we can” - that has alluded us for the past 46 years.

While the Darling Scorpions made history, it is no doubt a clear testimony of your Excellency’s inspirational leadership and personal qualities that harnessed the national effort necessary for such a success.

The department of state, the GFA, the Darling Scorpions and indeed the entire youth and sports fraternity joins me in prayers that the Almighty Allah guide and guard Your Excellency, the supreme coach, to make The Gambia a positive force to reckon with, the world over.

Kombo South scout troupe on recently embarked on a massive cleansing exercise at Gunjur central and Gunjur Market respectively as part of their contribution towards the development of Gunjur.

Speaking to The Point, GSL Kombo south scout troupe, Saidou Bojang, said that Kombo South scout troupe was form in 1986 with the aims and objectives of contributing to the development of The Gambia. He revealed that the cleansing exercise was organised to promote and improve good environmental sanitation. He further revealed that this exercise will be staged in other parts of the village in future and he called on people in Gunjur to always keep their environment clean.

For his part the Scout Master Arabic section, Faburamah Demba, said that Kombo South Scout Troupe will contribute immensely to environmental sanitation and he said that Kombo South Scout Association is still alive and will contribute towards he development of the country. He appealed to members of Kombo Scouts to be committed and hard working in the realisation of their dreams.

As part of their contribution towards the development of The Gambia Police Force, Lamin Saidy, a Gambian, and Radelf Bernard, a Jamaican, last Thursday presented 200 handcuffs and four touch lights to The Gambia Police Force.

The presentation was government officials including the Secretary of State for Interior, Mr. Ousman Sonko, the police advisers FRI Jammeh , The DIG Modou Gaye, the police spoke person ASP Sulayman Secka, National Assembly member Hon. Colly and Jatta  Baldeh,  commissioner of administration.

Speaking at the presentation, the Inspector General of Police, Essan Badgie, said that the donors are true patriotic citizens of The Gambia most especially Lamin Saidy who made the thing possible. IGP Badgie pointed out how many Gambians are in the  Diaspora and they have succeeded in what they are doing, “but they don’t render help like these two people”.

He affirmed that handcuffs are very important in policing Job because they allow you to control your defaults or to help you to transporting prisoners from one location to another. Turning to the issue of the touch light, IGP Badgie noted that the touch lights would be very helpful to their traffic officers who are on the highways to save the lives of others.

Speaking earlier, the police adviser, Famara R.I. Jammeh said Gambians living an aboard need to emulate this two people. He said to be the good Gambians, it doesn’t matter whether you are living in the country or outside the country. He added that what matters is commitment along with dedication and love for your country. He therefore thanked the donors for their timely gesture promising them that the donating items would put into to good uses.

As part of his contribution to the development of Gunjur, Seedy Ali Janneh, a native of the village residing in Sweden, has established a radio station in Gunjur. Mr. Janneh is also the Imam of Cuttburg Mosque in Sweden.

The name of the station is Gunjur Radio Jannehkoto F.M. 101.1FM in stereo.

Speaking in an interview with The Point at his office in Gunjur, the managing director of the radio station, Modou Touray, said the radio began transmission on the 19th of March this year.

He stated that the radio station is a private one and that they are still on a test transmission.

He further revealed that Gunjur Radio Station Jannehketo is the only radio station in Kombo South.

Mr. Touray finally called on businessmen, donors, companies, philanthropists and NGO’s to advertise with them so that they can realise their dreams and aspirations.

He called on anyone wishing to sponsor a programme to call 4486388, 7712802, 4486259 or 6462194.

As part of its contribution to the development of The Gambia Police Force, the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDEA) last Wednesday presented 55 mattresses to the Police Intervention Unit at Fatoto, CRR.

The presentation ceremony was held at the police headquarters in Banjul.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Mr. Essa Badjie, the Inspector General of Police, said that The Gambia Police Force and National Drug Enforcement Agency have long been very closed partners in the fight against drug abuse, trafficking and other related matters.

He said their partnership has been further strengthened in recent times, hence this latest valuable donation. 

IGP Badjie pointed out that the police have realised that they cannot work in isolation and noted there’s a need for all of us to put our hands together to ensure a crime free Gambia.

The police boss explained that these materials donated to his institution would go a long way in supplementing their push to provide a conducive and comfortable working environment for their personnel especially those living in the rural areas. “ I Assure the NDEA of our continued co-operation and collaboration with them at all times in the drive to fight crime and maintain peace and security in The Gambia.

 Speaking earlier on, the Executive Director of the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDEA), Mr. Bun Sanneh, said that this token of appreciation is part of the agency’s contribution toward the development of The Gambia Police Force.

He said the NDEA and the Police are two sister security forces geared towards the fight against the drug trafficking in The Gambia.

He therefore stressed that the NDEA and Police are all the same in terms of nation building as they are both moving in the same direction.

“What matters is hard working but trying to differentiate the two security forces”, he said, adding that the National Drug Enforcement Agency is here to stay in order to fight against Drug trafficking.

“We are directly operating under the ministry of interior to fight against Drug trafficking,” he said.

 FRI Jammeh, the police adviser, the deputy IGP Modou Gaye, ASP Slayman Secka, Public Relations Officer of Police and Edward Sambou were all in attendance.

How can Muslims contribute in Promoting Peace in the 21stcentury?

As defined above, globalization is based on secular materialistic philosophy whose main target is to marginalize religion, especially Islam and Muslims. But as we said earlier, globalism as consciously designed is different from globalism as unconsciously unfolding.

The Tijaniyyah mystic Order describes the Prophet in their system of invocation as “the Opener of what was closed). The positive forces of globalism must be read against the back ground of the Prophet being the opener of what was closed (al-Fatih li ma Ughliq). As a result, neither ignoring the forces of globalism nor adopting it lock stock and barrel will be the solutions. So, given the problems outlined above, in order for Muslims to promote peace, the writer would suggest the following:

1- Embarking on a process of restoration of Muslim self-dignity and self- Integrity. This is because an internally weak and hopeless individual cannot effectively promote peace. The way to do that is to cure our disease of loss of adab by valuing knowledge and the learned, respect hierarchical authority and revitalize and develop ethics of disagreement as were established by our upright ancestors

2- As the Prophet showed us a gentle, calm rational respond to the provocation of an aggressor. The Qur’an says: and when the foolish addresses them (with bad words) the y reply back with words of salam (peace), al-Furqan 25: 63

Such an approach necessitates perfection of the art of debate and dialogue. I emphasis perfection here for a simple reason that in order for one to engage in effective and productive dialogue, one needs to read extensively to be intellectually well-equipped to know the strategies and tactics of those with whom he dialogue, especially if we know that dialogue according to the Prophet never mean compromising one’s fundamentals and especially when we also know that the other party does not just dialogue but they dialogue based on a strategy of the world mind game for which they have been highly equipped

Based on the Qur’anic and prophetic method of the necessity of the balance of powers, Muslims can also contribute to peace by seriously getting ready for deterrent engagements of self-defense. The Prophet showed us that demands of the flesh satisfying vices like greed must be curbed. The greedy if not forcefully deterred will continue to prey on the weak. So, constant readiness for defensive war can contribute to the world peace. It was in this vein that the Prophet warned us of wahan (extreme love of this world and fear of death to preserve dignity)