The trial of former Nominated Member of the National Assembly Oley Sey and Abdou Rahamani Bah, the coordinator of SulaymanJunkungJammehNursery School in Abuko, resumed yesterday at the Banjul Magistrates’ court before Magistrate Lamin George.

At yesterday’s hearing, Lawyer Lamin Camara, defending, applied to the court to summon the Director General of Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS) to provide the court with the video-tape of the presentation ceremony of the money in question as well as make available the reporter who covered the event.

He noted that it would be helpful that the court be provided with these as he termed them as material evidence.

He said both PW1, in the person of Yankuba Colley, the Mayor of the Kanifing Municipal Council and PW3 specifically mentioned before this court that those who were present at the handing over ceremony included the GRTS crew.

He added that is why it is important for the tape to be produced before the court since the entire handing over proceeding was said to be recorded by the GRTS.

However Cadet Inspector Keita, prosecuting, objected to this application, adducing that counsel was relying on section 117 of Criminal Procedure Code, but noted that the question here is whether the tape is available and hence told the court that the counsel’s submission was not genuine.

The presiding magistrate, Lamin George, said that after carefully listening to both sides he found that the defence’s application was not relevant and consequently overruled the application.

The case has been adjourned to 22nd October 2008 for continuation.

At least 1,000 people from various parts of the Central River Region North recently witnessed the laying of the foundation stone for Jamaly Cluster Health Centre in Jamaly village in the Sami District CRR North.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Governor of CRR, Alh. Ganyie Touray, spoke at length on the importance of health, adding that health is the number one priority in President Jammeh’s development agenda.

He then commended the Methodist Mission for collaborating with the government to provide the community of Jamaly with a modern health centre. He also commended the efforts of Mr. Ousman Njie a native of the area.

He then urged the community of the area to be supportive during the course of the construction work.

For his part, the Chairman and General Superintendent of the Methodist Mission, Mr. Norman Gregg said this is a partnership between the Methodist Mission and the Government. Mr. Gregg added that the Methodist Mission will fund the construction and the provision of medicines while the Government will provide the doctors and Nurses.

He commended Mr. Ousman Njie, the project coordinator, Chief of Sami Seyfor Morro Jawla and the Alkalo Demba Njie for the providing the land for a site. He said without their support there would be no success.

Seyfo Morro Jawla, Chief of Sami, saluted President Jammeh and the Methodist Mission for their foresight and good initiative. He added that this health centre will not only serve the people of Sami but the country at large. He commended Ousman Njie for spearheading the project and described him as a patriotic citizen.

Other speakers included Demba Njie Alkalo and Sheriff Hydara a Marabout.

The programme was chaired by the Rev. Father Malanding Mendy.

The Institute For Excellence Achievement (IEA), on Sunday, held a debate on the theme: “Productive Mindset of a nation, society and individuals”. The ceremony was held at the IEA’s headquarters along Kombo Sillah Drive, Churchill’s Town.

Speaking at the occasion, Eddison Bella, coordinator of IEA, who spoke at length on the theme, said a society that is composed of individuals who have develop efficient habits and a creative spirit  and attitude is more likely to develop and sustain a collective productive mindset. Mr Bella said that such a society enforces rules and an effective policy  that reflects on possible future scenarios.

According to him, this requires creativity and spiritual guidance.

Mr Bella went on to say  that the application of human intelligence in order to produce services that are beneficial to mankind requires the use of the talent of private individuals in order to achieve collective goals. He explained that lack of basic principles to guide the society can drive people far away from developmental perspectives.

In conclusion, he emphasised that justice must prevail in any community and nation for development to flourish.

He then warned that failure to ensure the preponderance of law in society might end up creating an environment where development is stagnated.

‘‘Our university, therefore, is not an exception to this and the only way we can realise this very important component of the university function is to support and nurture initiatives like this,” he said.

Mr Camara concluded his speech by imploring the government, especially the state department responsible for higher education and research, and other bodies, to support the university administration and the students both morally and financially in this noble venture.