The Secretary of State for Youth and Sports, Sheriff Gomez, yesterday officially handed over the flag of the National Youth Conference and Festival (NAYCONF) to the Mayor of Banjul, Samba Faal, in Banjul.

This year’s event will be hosted in Farafenni in mid December.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony in Banjul City Council, Secretary of State Gomez, said the flag will go across the country and it will be received by the mayors and governors before it reaches its final destination.

He stated that his department has contributed D1m towards the event.

He called on the private sector and individuals to contribute towards the success of this year’s event.

In receiving the flag at his BCC office, Mayor Samba Faal thanked Secy Gomez and the national organising committee for the effort they are putting into the event.

Mayor Faal has assured the organising committee that BCC will live up to expectations with regard to the NAYCONF.

The occasion was graced by a cross section of the Banjul community.

The National Youth Conference and Festival (Nayconf) 2008 flag will begin its tour of regions and municipalities today. The traditional flag, which will visit all the regions in the country during its tour, will start its journey from Banjul City Council to Kanifing Municipality before heading to the various regions starting from Western Region.

According to the 2008 Nayconf National Organising Committee, the flag relay is meant to inform the general public of the impending biannual youth event, which is scheduled to take place between December 16 to 24, in Farafenni, North Bank Region.

This year’s event is expected to gather over 1,500 young people and stakeholders from The Gambia and the sub-region. They will share experiences and dilate on issues that affect their lives.

The week-long event, which is organised under the auspices of the Department of State for Youth and Sports, is also another avenue for the grooming of young talents in different sporting disciplines.

Gambian music lovers and entertainment enthusiasts have for years yearned and prayed for a local artiste who can raise high the flag of The Gambia, as well as rub shoulders with the best on the world stage.

If Jaliba Kuyateh’s name continues to ring a bell like other artistes such as Youssou Ndour, Salif Keita, many believe that Pa Omar Jack will also, in a near future, propel Gambian music into a new dimension. The big crowd that stormed, last Saturday, Alliance Franco-Gambienne (AFG)  will not forget the wonderful performance he did on stage.

In other words, all those worried music lovers can now have a sigh of relief.Thanks to Brussels Airlines and Alliance Franco-Gambienne (AFG) for providing a platform for Gambian artistes to express their talent,

As a professional artiste who is already on the way to stardom, Pa Omar Jack is about to release his second album. ‘‘Anyone who has had the opportunity to see Pa Omar Jack live in action will attest to the fact that he is not only ready to take the local music industry by storm, but is also capable of mounting a stage anywhere in the world and would compete favourably with internationally-acclaimed music stars’’ confessed Pascal Rezzouk, Director of AFG. A young, energetic artiste who really need to get the general support of Gambian music lovers.

A contingent of 18 police officers of The Gambia Police Force, on Monday afternoon, left Banjul for the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Liberia.

A farewell ceremony was held at the Police headquarters in Banjul, before the contingent left for Liberia.

Speaking at the ceremony, Benedict Jammeh, inspector general of The Gambia Police Force, advised the officers to keep the Gambian flag high, adding that The Gambia is well recognised in terms of peace, tranquillity and development.

‘You should understand that you are representing The Gambia, so, when you go to Liberia, make sure you respect the people’s culture and perform well as expected. I have no doubt that you will be professionals in executing your duties,” IGP Jammeh told the contingent.

The IGP also advised the officers not to forget their families and advised them to invest their monies into their families and themselves.

Momodou Gaye, deputy IGP, congratulated the offices for their selection to represent The Gambia in such an international mission.

He told the contingent that they are sent to perform their duties in this international mission as expected and not to enjoy themselves.

Deputy IGP Gaye implored the offices to excel in their mission, adding that this mission will not only give them financial development that will change their lives, but it will alsogive them experience in executing their duties.

“Whatever you do, it will reflect on the Gambia, so, protect the good image of the country,” Deputy IGP Gaye concluded.

For his part, Famara R.I. Jammeh, police adviser, advised the officers to take the mission seriously. He further advised them to follow the principles, policies and procedures given to them.

Famara Jallow, commissioner of operations also expressed similar sentiments.

The 18-man contingent will replace the 29 men presently in Liberia, and are expected to return after one year.

It could be recalled that another contingent of 22 officers from The Gambia Police Force on  November 29, returned to The Gambia.

Jatta Baldeh, commissioner of Police Administration, chaired the ceremony whilst Superintendent Edrissa Jobe, the contingent’s group leader delivered the vote of thanks.

All roads tomorrow lead to the High Court of the Gambia in Banjul where Female Lawyers’ Association-Gambia (FLAG), would have on display food stalls and other gourmet installations for the food-loving public.
Dubbed Bake Sale, the event would see the selling and serving of cakes, pizza, pies and many more dishes that can tantalize even the most discerning palette.

As a way of reminding members of the bar, friends, families and the general public, this is just one of FLAG’s major events to raise funds for the association as well as to excite the senses.

Tomorrow’s celebration of food and other good things of life would begin at 12:30pm and as part of the event, members of FLAG would be at hand to offer free legal consultation while they look forward to your attendance.

FLAG consists of women that are involved in advocating, enhancing and empowering women and children.