Martin Luther King aka Mr "Do Deh Ham", The Gambia's indisputable up-coming music composer, writer, singer and instrumental programmer is now set to boost with his musical promos after being in undercover for almost 10 years.

He is another sprouting Hip-Hop talent who has the potential to make it in the international music scene. He is well known for his hot stage appearance which earned more fans among the youth folks. In most of his shows, his versatile skills together with his hardcore voice is just great.

His career in music dates back as far as his primary school days not as a singer, but as an instrument player before learning how to sing. At the age of 13, he joined a live band playing the flute and drums and while going to Junior and High Schools. MLK was also a member of the famous Gambia National Scout Band for sometime.

According to Onegambia.com, Martin is now a diploma holder in Business Information Technology (HND). He graduated from Gambia Senior Secondary School in 2003 after which he enrolled at the International Business College (2006) where he obtained his diploma.

He later took the A+ Computer course at the QuantumNet Institute of Technology. He is now employed as an IT Analyst and Assistant Control Manager at the FIG Bureau De Change Ltd. He has only released a very few of his numerous tracks in the past 3 years some of which are often played in radio stations in the country including Like Black Youth Man , Hello Mamia and “DO DEH HAM” which became a hit all over the country in less than a month. MLK's video clip of "HELLO MAMIA" a special song he made for his beloved mother Joanna Joof, which also featured one of the best actresses in The Gambia, Amie Cherry, won the Hop-Hop Song of the year at the Gambian Talents Award 2008 launch at Jama Hall.

The young star is a rap genius, as his creativity and the way he artistically weaves his lyrics has made him stand out of the bigger crowd. He has a unique style of blending African local instruments with modern ones topping it with messages of his name sake, Martin Luther King. Such songs of liberty have portrayed him as a true African and a proud son of the Smiling Coast . Many people are eager to see - Martin Luther King’s album" after hearing the smash boom track “DO DEH HAM” .

The boy is working hard on his first album which is expected out soon in the market.

Twelve distinctions have been registered by a number of students at the University of The Gambia’s (UTG) Economics and Management Sciences Department in the external examination in diploma nd higher diploma in sales and marketing, administered by the London Centre of Marketing (LCM).

Reports reaching the Daily Observer indicated that three students obtained distinction or pass in all the modular courses for the diploma and higher diploma in sales and marketing. The trio - who were awarded individual modular certificates as well as an overall certificate for full pass at the level, are Bakary Sanneh and Kemo Khan and Amadou Jarju.

Other students, who obtained distinctions at the diploma level are Alhagie K Cham, Binta Khan and Zubaida Alturky and Mamadi Sowe. Mboru Drammeh and Hamadi Sowe obtained distinction at the high diploma level.

According to reports from the London Office of LCM, the UTG presented a total of 28 students or 77 modules out of which 12 distinctions were registered. “The students took 8 modular courses for the diploma and higher levels together and there was no modular course that a distinction was not registered by the UTG’s students, which was indeed an impressive performance, thanks to the excellent coordinators and lecturers.”

“These results are an indication that the UTG is not only offering relevant, quality and affordable academic education, but also it has developed capacity to offer outreach programs as well as professional and skills qualifications to satisfy the national needs and demands,” said the UTG Economics and Management Sciences Department in a dispatch sent to the Daily Observer.

“Regrettably, there were 4 and 2 students who failed to secure passes in the modular courses that they have registered for at the diploma and higher diploma in sales and marketing levels respectively for the March 2008 LCM external examination.

Meanwhile, the university also recently registered 15 students for the upcoming June 2008 LCM Exam. All the papers for such examination are set and marked in London, United Kingdom. The UTG will be having its next intakes in June/July for the diploma, higher diploma and professional diploma in sales and marketing which would run for six months,” the reports concluded.

The International Business College (IBC) in Kanifing recently awarded certificates and diploma’s in business management, marketing and tourism to 80 graduating students at a ceremony held on the school premises.

In an exclusive interview with The Point Mr. Malick Nyan, one of the outstanding students who was awarded a double diploma in business management, marketing and tourism, said he was elated at having completed the vigorous training.

As well as acquiring the higher diploma certificate Mr. Nyan simultaneously wrote a book about The Gambia revolving around significant events in history up to the present day.

Mr. Nyan is currently seeking employment and hopes to be able to use his qualification to its fullest in the future. He finally thanked all the staff and students at IBC for their help in achieving his goals.

STATISTICIAN AND EQUIVALENT POSITIONS

Applications are invited from suitably qualified Gambians to fill the following vacant positions at the Gambia Bureau of Statistics (GBoS)

Post 1: Statistician: National Accounts (1 position)

Educational Qualifications

University degree in Statistics or Economics (at Masters level or a first degree with at least one year’s post qualification work experience)

Work Experience

Professional experience with at least one year’s work experience in the field of statistics

Personal competences

Good organisational and problem solving skills

Team player who can work effectively and constructively with different people and institutions and deliver results

Strong user/client orientation

Excellent interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills

Good IT and computer literacy skills

Post 2: Statistician: Producer Price Indices (PPI) (1 Position)

Educational Qualifications

University degree in Statistics or Economics (at Masters level or a first degree with at least one year’s post qualification work experience)

Work Experience

Professional experience with at least one year’s proven responsibility in the field of statistics

Personal Competences

Good organisational and problem solving skills

Team player who can work effectively and constructively with different people and institutions and deliver results

Strong user/client orientation in the production of business statistics

Excellent interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills

Good IT and computer literacy skills

Post 3: Statistician (Government Finance and Monetary Statistics) (1 Position)

Educational Qualifications

University degree in Statistics or Economics (at Masters level or a first degree with at least one year’s post qualification work experience)

Work Experience

Professional experience with at least one year’s proven responsibility in the field of monetary statistics

Personal Competences

Good organisational and problem solving skills

Team player who can work effectively and constructively with different people and institutions and deliver results

Strong user/client orientation in the production of business statistics

Excellent interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills

Good IT and computer literacy skills

Post 4: Statistician: Agricultural Statistics  (1 Position)

Educational Qualifications

University degree in Statistics, Economics or Agriculture (at Masters Level or a first degree with at least one year’s post qualification work experience)

Work Experience

Professional experience with at least one year’s plus proven responsibility in the fields of statistics and surveys

Personal Competences

Good organisational and problem solving skills

Team player who can work effectively and constructively with different people and institutions and deliver results

Strong user/client orientation in the production of agricultural statistics

Excellent interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills

Good IT and computer literacy skills

Post 5: Statistician Household Surveys (1 Position)

Educational Qualifications

University degree in Statistics or Social Sciences (at Masters level or a first degree with at least one year’s post qualification work experience)

Work Experience

Professional experience with at least one year’s proven experience in public statistics

Personal Competences

Good analytic skills with proven ability to manage information effectively

Sound organisational and problem solving skills

Team player who can work effectively and constructively with different people and institutions and deliver results

Strong user/client orientation

Excellent interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills

Good IT and computer literacy skills

Post 6: Statistician Education Statistics (1 Position)

Educational Qualifications

University degree in Statistics and/or Social Sciences (at Masters level or a first degree with at least one year’s post qualification work experience)

Work Experience

Professional experience with at least one year’s proven experience in the field of statistics

Personal Competences

Good organisational and problem solving skills

Team player who can work effectively and constructively with different people and institutions and deliver results

Strong user/client orientation

Excellent interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills

Good IT and computer literacy skills

Post 7: Statistician Health Statistics (1 Position)

Educational Qualifications

University degree in Statistics and/or Social Sciences (at Masters level or a first degree with at least one year’s post qualification work experience)

Work Experience

Professional experience with at least two years proven responsibility in the fields of health statistics

Personal Competences

Sound management and leadership skills

Good problem solving and negotiation skills

Team player who can work effectively and constructively with different people and institutions and deliver results

Strong user/client orientation in the production of demographic and social statistics

Excellent interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills

Good IT and computer literacy skills

Post 8: Statistician Vital Statistics (Future appointment)  (1 Position)

Educational Qualifications

University degree in Statistics and/or Demography (at Masters level or a first degree with at least one year’s post qualification work experience)

Work Experience

Professional experience of at least one year in the field of Statistics with proven competence in data processing and analysis

Personal Competences

Good analytic skills with proven ability to manage information effectively

Sound organisational and problem solving skills

Team player who can work effectively and constructively with different people and institutions and deliver results

Excellent interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills

Good IT and computer literacy skills

Post 9: Statistician Environment Statistics (Future appointment)  (1 Position)

Educational Qualifications

University degree in Statistics and/or Demography (at Masters level or a first degree with at least one year’s post qualification work experience)

Work Experience

Professional experience of at least one year in the field of Statistics with proven competence in data processing and analytic capacity

Personal Competences

Good analytic skills with proven ability to manage information effectively

Sound organisational and problem solving skills

Team player who can work effectively and constructively with different people and institutions and deliver results

Excellent interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills

Good IT and computer literacy skills

Post 10: Librarian (1 Position)

Educational Qualifications

Relevant university degree for example General Studies, Information Management and Library studies (at Masters level or a first degree with at least one year’s post qualification work experience)

Work Experience

Professional experience of at least one year in the field of Information management, library or archiving work with proven ability in data management and analysis

Personal Competences

Good analytic skills with proven ability to manage information effectively

Sound organisational and problem solving skills

Team player who can work effectively and constructively with different people and institutions and deliver results

Excellent interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills

Good IT and computer literacy skills

Post 11: IT Programmmer/Analyst  (1 Position)

Educational Qualifications

University degree in Statistics and/or Information Technology (at Masters level or a first degree with at least one year’s post qualification work experience)

Work Experience

Professional experience of at least one year’s proven ability in the fields of data processing with sound enquiry/investigation skills and experience

Personal Competences

Sound organisational and problem solving skills

Team player who can work effectively and constructively with different people and institutions and deliver results

Strong user/client orientation to the delivery of IT services

Excellent interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills

Good IT and computer literacy skills

Post 12: Geographic Information System (GIS)/Cartography Specialist (1 Position)

Educational Qualifications

University degree in Statistics and/or Geography and/or Demography (at Masters level or a first degree with at least one year’s post qualification work experience)

Work Experience

Professional experience of at least two years with proven responsibility in the fields of GIS

Personal Competences

Sound organisational and problem solving skills

Team player who can work effectively and constructively with different people and institutions and deliver results

Strong user/client orientation to the development of GIS

Excellent interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills

Good IT and computer literacy skills

Post 13: IT Technician (Hardware and Maintenance)    (1 Position)

Educational Qualifications

University degree/diploma in Information/Computer Science or equivalent

Work Experience

Professional experience of at least one year with proven experience of providing support to IT hardware and users

Personal Competences

Good organisational and problem solving skills

Team player who can work effectively and constructively with different people and institutions and deliver results

Excellent interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills

Good IT and computer literacy skills

Post 14: Website Manager  (1 Position)

Educational Qualifications

University degree in Computer Science

Work Experience

Professional experience of at least one year with proven experience of IT networks and website development and management

Personal Competences

Sound organisational and problem solving skills

Team player who can work effectively and constructively with different people and institutions and deliver results

Strong user/client orientation to the development of Information Technology

Excellent interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills

Good IT and computer literacy skills

Post 15: Information Technician (Helpdesk)  (1 Position)

Educational Qualifications

University degree/diploma in Information/Computer Science or equivalent

Work Experience

Professional experience of at least one year with proven experience of providing support to IT software and users

Personal Competences

Sound organisational and problem solving skills

Team player who can work effectively and constructively with different people and institutions and deliver results

Strong user/client orientation to the development of Information Technology

Excellent interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills

Good IT and computer literacy skills

Post 16: Archivist (1 Position)

Educational Qualifications

University degree in ICT or equivalent (or a higher diploma with one year’s work experience)

Work Experience
Professional experience of at least one year’s proven experience in the fields of Archiving/e-information storage and access

Personal Competences

Sound organisational and problem solving skills

Team player who can work effectively and constructively with different people and institutions and deliver results

Strong user/client orientation

Excellent interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills

Good IT and computer literacy skills

Post 17: Human Resource Officer (Performance Management)  (1 Position)

Educational Qualifications

University qualifications in Human Resource Management or equivalent relevant qualification

Work Experience

At least two years human resource management work experience

Personal Competences

Good organisational, management, problem solving and negotiation skills

Team player who can work effectively and constructively with different people and institutions and deliver results

Excellent interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills

Good IT and computer literacy skills

Post 18: Accountant (1 Position)  (1 Position)

Educational Qualifications

Academic qualifications in Professional Accounting and/or Public Finance

Work Experience

At least one year’s public accounting work experience

Personal Competences

Good organisational and problem solving skills

Team player who can work effectively and constructively with different people and institutions and deliver results

Excellent interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills

Good IT and computer literacy skills

Post 19: Procurement and Logistic Officer  (1 Position)

Educational Qualifications

Professional qualifications in administration and/or transport management

Work Experience

Professional experience of at least two years with proven responsibility in the fields of logistics/transport management 

Personal Competences

Sound organisational and problem solving skills

Team player who can work effectively and constructively with different people and institutions and deliver results

Excellent interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills

Good IT and computer literacy skills

Detail job description for the above positions can be collected from the Gambia Bureau of Statistics at

GBoS Building
 
Kanifing Institutional Layout

 Kanifing

Applications should be made in writing and all applications including copies of certificates, transcripts and C.V. should be sent to:
                                            
Statistician General 

Gambia Bureau of Statistics

GBoS Building

Kanifing Institutional Layout
 
Kanifing

and should reach him not later than Friday 8th February 2008.

Only applicants who meet the minimum requirements will be short listed for interview.

The word "diplomacy" is derived from the ancient Greek “diploma”, meaning an object folded in two—a reference to the documents through which princes granted permission to travel and other privileges. Today the word is understood to mean formal relationships between states.

Diplomacy has been practiced since ancient times, though its function has greatly changed. But there is evidence of diplomacy practiced as early as the 14th century BC in ancient Egypt, and records dating to the 9th century AD have been found in West Africa. Records of treaties between the city-states of Mesopotamia date from about 2850 BC.

Diplomacy is a method of influencing foreign governments through dialogue, negotiation, and other measures to address aspirations.

The relationship between Banjul and Taipei is premised on common aspirations of universal justice and development through a framework of bilateral cooperation. And since the resumption of relations in 1995, the cooperation has continued to yield dividends to an enviable point amongst the comity of nations.

President Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh’s five-day visit to the Asian-Pacific island state should be viewed as a major leap towards deepening the cooperation that embraces crucial economic sectors – education, health and agriculture - of The Gambia. The deployment of Taiwanese Technical Mission in Taipei shows the level of seriousness Taipei attaches to these relations.

Owing to the commitment of President Jammeh and President Chen, the scope of cooperation has been expanded in recent years to take on board infrastructure and construction, and humanitarian assistance. There has been more emphasis on the importance of science and technology, which is crucial towards laying a solid foundation for the realisation of the Silicon Valley vision. Gambian students and senior government officials are being sent to undergo studies and training in Taiwan through generous scholarships.

This multi-dimentional diplomacy has seen the championing of Taiwan’s quest to secure United Nations membership and its affiliated bodies by The Gambia in the comity of nations. Convinced that the continuing isolation of the 23 million islanders is a flagrant violation of human rights and the very fundamental charters that the UN exists to uphold, The Gambia has maintained consistency and resilience in championing the  just cause of the Taiwanese people.

In re-examining the relationship, the cooperation should be trickled down to people-people cooperation which is essential in engaging local NGOs operating in The Gambia to support the statehood of Taiwan.

Democracy, it seems, is not universally recognised as a mark of distinction, even by other democracies; the China-Taiwan competition for diplomatic allies suggests that international relations are still defined by strategic and geopolitical interests of states (and now purely by econonmic interests of nations that need to invest in Communist China).

During the period of Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) rule, Taiwan placed an emphasis on maintaining the greatest possible number of allies. Diplomatic performance was judged according to the number of allies the country could secure. But do numbers really matter? These diplomatic myths need to be debunked. The crux of allied diplomacy is the intensity of the chorus of voices of support at international gatherings.

This zero-sum approach resulted in Taiwan maintaining between 21 and 31 allies in the 1990s. When the DPP came to power in 2000, the situation remained largely unchanged — although the party did introduce some creative ideas, such as the incorporation of humanitarian assistance and increased support from non-governmental organisations.

Strategically the emphasis on a successful diplomacy is by capitalising on areas where a country is good at most and best.

Taipei must focus on areas in which it has an advantage over Beijing; such as humanitarian assistance, high-tech industry and democracy. Taipei needs its allies to reinforce its claims on independent statehood and to widen its scope of international interaction.

Looking at its economic development, Taiwan embraced the trend of trade liberalisation early on. Its per capita income drastically rose from US $150 in the 1950s to US $13,000 at the present time, and Taiwan has become the 16th largest economy in the world. The New York Times even published an editorial entitled "Taiwan: Too Big to Ignore" in 1990.

The international community must realise that the continuous isolation of Taiwan because of Beijing’s opposition is unjust and must end. The international community must realise that it’s at its peril in isolating Taiwan, as this represents self-denial to the pool of wealth and experiences that the island-state can share with other countries. Its isolation is against fundamental human rights and serves only the interest of Beijing.

The Gambia strongly believes that democratic Taiwan should be admitted to the UN and its affiliated bodies without hindrance. The 23 million people of Taiwan can only be best represented at the UN by their own people and not Beijing.

Lamin Sarr, born and educated in Brikama, and has coached football since 1994, is now the assistant coach of our Senior national team. Sarr, whose previous coaching jobs include Technical manager and head coach for Justice FC, Head Coach for Western Division football team in the National Youth Conference & Festival, assistant national Coach of the U-23 squad in Zone II in Conakry, and Assistant Coach for the Senior national team, has a bright future in coaching.

Lamin Sarr born on May 11, 1964, is a holder of CAF and UEFA zonal diploma for coaching instructors.

In  2003, he obtained a certificate of appreciation for the Regional Education directorate of Upper River Region for his outstanding services rendered to that region.

Coach Sarr’s numerous achievements include: obtaining a certificate on FUTURO II FIFA and Coca-Cola Education Programme, Certificate on Basic Coaching, Certificate on sport administration course, certificate on FIFA and Olympic Solidarity advanced soccer Coaching course.

He was named the assistant Coach of the Senior National team in 2006. Since then he has served in this position in the team and recently together with Spanish Coach Jose Martinez has led the Gambia to a respectable performance in the Ghana 2007 Qualifiers.

Sarr is also part of the coaching staff tasked with another assignment to lead The Gambia to the Amilcar Cabral Zone II tournament scheduled for November 30 to December 10, a championship The Gambia has not won in all these years of participation.

Apart from coaching, Sarr has served as a Police officer in the Gambia Police Force from 1983 to 1994. He attended Brikama Primary school and Brikama Secondary Technical School respectively.

The Gambia U-20 Head Coach, Peter Bonu Johnson, will leave Banjul tomorrow, August 30, for Canada to pursue a six-month intensive diploma course in football coaching.

Coach Johnson, a former national player, is going under the scholarship of the Gambia National Olympic Committee.

Upon completion of the course, Bonu will graduate to become one of the most exposed local coaches, after having already benefited from a lower, but a similar course, in Budapest, Hungary, a few years back.

Professor Ba Banutu-Gomez, the proprietor of the newly built Bantu Business College, has called on all Gambians outside The Gambia to stop focusing on politics, and instead focus on developing the country regardless of any political ideology one may have, adding that if the country is the centre of our hearts and thinking, we can work together even though we may have different political ideologies.

On the occasion of the inauguration of the College, Professor Bantu-Gomez said, “It is indeed expensive to invest on quality education, but we feel The Gambia deserves a quality business college to help citizens better their lives and their families”.

“I challenge any Gambian, if you care about your own people, your own country, then you should come back and invest in your own country, not only in education but in any form.
“It’s with great pleasure that I am finally ready to return home and engage in national development and sustainability at this stage in the history of our beloved country, The Gambia. I feel energized, excited and more committed than ever, to return home and work directly with my fellow citizens. This great opportunity for me and my wife has served as a variable for motivation to return home,” he added.

He made this statement at the grand opening ceremony of Banutu Business College at Lamin village, Kombo North.
Professor Banutu-Gomez revealed that Banutu Business College “plans for Academic year 2005 to 2009 is to enter the education market and offer Bachelor of Science Degree in all the disciplines in our programmes. By the academic year 2009 to 2010 we will offer Masters Degrees and PhD Programmes here in The Gambia,” he added.

“We believe in marrying and theory and practice and Banutu Business College is a Teaching and Research college. Banutu Business College is being established to provide quality business education based on North American Education, for students in The Gambia,” he stated.

He revealed that the college would initially embark on Diploma, Advanced Diploma and Associate of Science Degrees in the following subjects: Leadership and Management, Accounting, Office Administration, Finance and Banking, Human Resources Management, Tourism Management, Management Information Systems, Entrepreneurship, Marketing and Sales, Public Administration, Gender Business Development, Economics,  and International Business.

In conclusion, Professor Gomez called on all foreign embassies to work with them to assist their students and faculty for Visas when the need arises for them to attend academic conferences or to present research papers.