For the benefit of this column, Lovelines, readers who have been sending text and email to ask for the meaning of love, it is important to know that love goes with trust.

Going through the English dictionary, the word love is defined as strong affection, feeling of love, making love, wooing, and a variety of related but distinct meanings in different contexts and expressions.

But one of the American psychologists, Zick Rubin, if I may borrow from him tries and defines love by the psychometrics. He says three factors constitute love they are “attachment, caring and intimacy.”

If we are to go by these three words, I will say the essence of love is a topic that needs frequent debate because different parts of the word can be clarified through identifying what is not ‘love.’ Looking at it critically, love is commonly differentiated or compared with apathy (hate). As a less sexual and more emotional and intimate form of romantic attachment, love is commonly compared with lust; and as an inter-personal relationship with romantic overtones, it is also compared with friendship.

Love usually refers to interpersonal love; that emotion you feel as a person for another person. So also, love involves caring for or being identified with a person or thing that involves yourself.

Bertrand Rusell describes love as a condition of “absolute value,” while Thomas Jay Oord, a theologian described love as “act intentionally, in sympathetic response to others, to promote overall well-being.”

Going further, Thomas A Kempis said “love is swift; sincere; pious; pleasant; generous; strong; patient; faithful; prudent; long-suffering; manly; and never seeking her own; for wheresoever a man seeks his own; there he falleth from love.” The above is very commonly used in this column.

Okay, many young ladies and gentlemen often say “I love him or I love her, but he/she doesn’t love me”; “I love him or her too much but our parents are the obstacles”; “what can I do to make him/her love me or know that I love him/her.” As often said, love is something that develops and grows in your mind when you are attracted to someone or someone is attracted to you. It is a feeling from the heart because love doesn’t hate, fight, irritate, and so on.

“To love is to suffer. To avoid suffering one must not love. But then one suffers from not loving. Therefore to love is to suffer, not to love is to suffer. To suffer is to suffer. To be happy is to love. To be happy then is to suffer. But suffering makes one unhappy. Therefore, to be unhappy one must love, or love to suffer, or suffer from too much happiness.” That is what Woody Allen said. This supports Kempis words that love is “…patient; faithful; prudent; long-suffering;…”

(To be contd)

The U-17 team of Guinea-Bissau have arrived in Banjul yesterday and are currently lodged at the Friendship Hostel, ahead of a friendly match against the Gambia U-17 side over the weekend.

Both teams will be engaged on Saturday as part of testing their level of preparation for the first round qualifying matches of the 8th African U-17 Championship Algeria 2009 scheduled for the last weekend of August.

Guinea Bissau made it to the first round stagesof the qualifiers after defeating Mauritainia1-0 in both legsin the preliminary round of the African U-17 Championship earlier in April.

Guinea Bissau willbe meeting Guinea Conakry in the first leg of the qualifiers in Conakry on the weekend of August 29 2008.

The same weekend , Gambia U-17 side will be meeing Sierra Leone in the fist leg in Banjul.

Sierra Leone gained automatic qualification to the first round following the withdrawal of Liberia in the Preliminary round stages..

The second leg matches are slated for two weeks later in which Bissau willplay host to their counterparts, while The Gambia will travel to Freetown.

Jetty Van Dersluis, a dutch national has dragged her friend (lover), Lamin Samba Danso, an accussed person, before Senior Magistrate Kumba Sillah-Camara of the Bundung Magistrates Court on Tuesday, over unpaid loan in the sum of D1919,995.60 she acknowledged him sometimes back.

During the cross examination  Mr Mboge, Counsel for the plaintiff, asked her to explain what has transpired between her and Lamin Samba Danso. According to Jetty who is temporarily staying at Brikama, she met Lamin back  in July year 2007 at Kololi as a tourist driver "he was my friend." Lawyer Mboge asked her about   the type of friendship and she answered "love relationship."

She continued that during the course of their friendship, she has loaned Lamin Samba Danso some money which he supposed to pay back when he start working. All these monies were sent to him through Western Union Money Transfer as she was residing in her home country, Holland.

According to the Western Union Money Transfer receipts tendered as exhibits in the court, Jetty has been transferring money to Samba since November 2007 till February 2008. The defendant has no objection to this.

While the plaintiff said that the money transferred to Lamin was  meant for buying of (commercial) vehicle parts, such as gear boxes and so on  and house rent, with the promise that the money  will be paid back in  monthly installments by the defendant  when he start working (with the vehicle).

Till date in spite of her continuous request for the money, nothing is remitted to her. The plaintiff added that Lamin bought a  car but she did not see it, probably he is hiding it from her.

Meanwhile the case was adjourned till 11 August 2008  for continuation

Lovelines

I am in love with a certain girl, but I don’t trust her. Each time you see her, she is always in the middle of boys.

Ishmaeel

I don’t think you love her as you said. If you do, as a lover, tell her that you dislike seeing your girlfriend in the midst of boys all the time. You may not be able to stop her instantly, because she is used to it, but gradually, she might change. You might as well realize that she has more male friends than female friends. But it is probably because of the area she lives. Good luck!

She treats me like a brother

Lovelines

I love a girl but she treats me like a brother. I don’t know what to do.
 
L-boy

Well, it is left to you to play the game with maturity. Play it step by step. Be caring, loving, and kind to her. Penetrate her gradually, and make yourself relevant and romantic to her. To catch a monkey, one has to behave like one. Before you know it, she will be crazy about you. Good luck!

I met another girl in his house

Lovelines

I went to see my boyfriend but I met his other girlfriend there, despite having been in love for a good 3 years. She told the girl in my presence that he had been in love with me for a long time. The girl then asked him: "is she your girlfriend?" and he replied in the positive. What should I do now?

Yuppy-baby

Well, you have to be patient and see his reaction when you meet with him on your next visit. The fact that he told his new girlfriend in your present about your relationship connotes some form of respect for you. If he did not talk about the girl in your next visit or apologize for what had happened until you decide to leave, enquire about it yourself.

He will surely give you an explanation. After making out a meaning from the explanation, tell him you love him, and that since he would not be ready to share you with another man, you too would not want to share him with another woman. Warn him that if he is tired of you, he should let you know. If there is anything that the other girl will offer him that you have not been able to give him, he should let you know. Do all these in a respectful manner, and give him time to think about it.  Good luck!

I was disappointed

Lovelines

It was a disappointing discovery, when I found out that my girlfriend’s best friend was successful in snatching my love, match-playing a girl I have been in love with, for one year now, to one of her boyfriend’s friends. I love my girlfriend dearly. She probably did this so that both of them would be free to go to her boyfriend’s house. After she had succeeded in her mission, she came to reveal to me what she had done. When my girlfriend knew that I was aware of everything she was shocked, and came to me crying, denying that  she actually did it. What can I do?

Alfusainey

Pity you! You can still give her another chance to prove her innocence, so that you can rest assured that it is her friend who is really doing the connection. If it is really from her mind you can’t change her. But since she has cried and denied it, consider her appeal. Try to renew your love for each other, and at the same tell her to watch the type of friends she moves with, as it was her friend who did this and came back to you to report it. Think about it as a guy. Good luck!

Religion palaver

We have been dating for 6-month, but now that I have proposed to marry her after she had finished her education, her parents turned down the proposal because we are of different religion. But we are deeply in love and we don’t want to lose each other. What do we do?

Jeremiah

There is not much more you can do but to be patient and let the girl decide what she want for herself. You may as well convert to her religion. In case none of you is ready to convert to the other’s religion, you have the alternative of calling it quit. Try as much as possible to avoid a controversial marriage. Good luck!

I am dating a married man against the advice of my friends

Lovelines

I am a 24-year-girl, dating a married man. My friends warned me against the act, saying that he is fond of using girls and dumping them. I didn’t listen to their warning because he showed me so much love and care that no man had ever done. When he realized that I am madly in love with him, he changed totally. He doesn’t answer my calls anymore. He hardly replies to my SMS text messages. The worst thing happened on my birthday, when he refused to wish me happy birthday. I want to let go of him but deep inside my heart I still love him. I don’t know what to do.

Ajaratou

Stop crying over a spoilt milk! Say to hell with a ‘deep love’ for someone that hurts your feelings. Nowadays many married men like to exercise their stiff body on the aerobic body of fresh ladies outside. They are ready to spoil ladies with everything and behave like platonic lovers just to have what they want - "sex", and nothing more. Because they feel that their wives in the house are old cargoes. You have to put him behind you and curse the very day you fell in love with him. That is the only way you can cast away his love from your heart. Stop thinking about him, look for a man or boy you can chat with as a friend. All this is to help you quickly forget about him. You can find a reliable guy that you can always trust and chat with from time to time over the phone; this will make you forget about him in jiffy. Good luck!

Her friends say bad things about me

Lovelines,

We are both teenagers in love. My problem is that her friends always say bad things about me. Because of this she wants us to call off the relation.

‘Rana

Try as much as possible to make her realize how deeply you both love each other. Tell her to forget about the hearsay or rumors that her friends carry about you. If she really loves you, she ought to study you to know the type of person you are, as to whether all bad things they  tell her about you are true or not. Surely everyone has his or her own shortcoming. My advice, however, is that you should desist from indulging in love activities and face your studies. If you have good grades, ladies will start flocking around you like the way ants follow sugar. Good luck!

He is not ready to marry

Lovelines

I have been dating a guy for the past 9 months. But anytime I come up with the issue of marriage or making children, he chooses to remain  mute. However, he does everything for me without hesitation. 

Bombeh

Well, all you need to do is to have a heart-to-heart discussion with him. Try to find out from him if he is ready or not, whether he wants you as a wife or just for a bedmate. Then it will be up to you to make a decision on the basis of his answer. In case you do not understand what I mean give me a call for more explanation. Good luck!

What should I do?

Lovelines

The parents of a lady I have been dating for 3 years refuse to leave their daughter for me. I sent my father to ask for her parents’ consent to marry her. Everything went fine. They went on to fix a date that she was supposed to come to my home. Surprisingly, before that day came, her parents called me to say that they had postponed the ocassion indefinitely. What can I do now, should I marry another girl?

Sarr

There are many things I would love to know about this. First, what was the reason given for this action. Secondly, what did your fiance say about it? Thirdly, what action or step have you taken to know what might have led to this sudden postponement by your would-be in-laws. Moreover, what action have you taken to see that this lady is given to you? And if you have ever taken any step since this unexpected postponement what was the outcome? Tell me, are you sure that both of you dearly love each other? I will not advice you as to whether to marry another girl or not. What is your father’s response on this matter? Bring more light on this to enable me say something. For urgent answer, make a call to Lovelines. Good luck!


I have never been in a relation before

Lovelines

I am a gal of 20 who has never had any boyfriend or be in a relation before, because of my studies. But now that I have finished my examination, my best friend is forcing me to get into a relationship.

Lucy

I will like to feel proud of you for been able to choose your studies as your lover up to this time. But one thing that will surely make me to do so is if you are able to wait till you are ready. Many young girls think that if you do not have a lover you are ‘local’, meaning unaware. If you are ambitious, boyfriend or girlfriend will not be the issue for now. The best advice for you is that if you have not started the game, try to hold on untill you are able to know what you really want from a relation and the type of relation you want. But if you have started before the time you sent this text, try to control yourself because it requires a genius character to make love than to command armies. Love always blocks senses, especially when you are new in it. I do not say you shall remain without love or been loved, but wait untill the time it will really come from your mind to have a boyfriend. You should not allow anyone to push you into it. Try to call me if this sounds unclear to you. Good luck!


We don’t love each other

Lovelines

I am confused as my mum is forcing me to marry a man who does not love me, neither do I love him. I have done all I could to love him but to no avail. To add more pepper to injury, I later realized that he is seeing another girl, yet my mum wants the marriage to go ahead because the guy is my cousin. This guy does not even care about me.

Natoma

I do not know if you have ever tried to see if it will work out between the two of you. I can understand from your note that you have done all you could to love him…" Whatever the case maybe make your mum understand that, she who carries it knows how heavy it is, because it is you who want to marry this man not your mother. If you go into this relationship with force, you will not last there long.  Try to make your mother understand that you have tried your best and it did not work out. Ask her if she could stay where she was not wanted or if she would be happy where her spirit detested. She can only control you but not your mind. As far as you know that both of you do not loveone another, it is better you both sit down to talk and look for the best way to discharge each other for a better future. Good luck!

I am interested in her

Lovelines

My cousin is attracted to me so much that, I ended up loving her. She resides abroad. She was here last year, during her stay, she learnt  through our relatives that I want her as a wife. I am wondering about this because I do not see any changes in the way we socialize. Do you think this girl will accept my love proposal? and how do you think I can present myself before her, since she is not in  town. Should I wait till she is back for another holiday? Note that I want her only for marriage.

Salsa

Delay is sometime dangerous. Since you know that she is aware of your intention towards her, it is better  for you to give her a call and express your feeling to her. The question of  whether she will accept you or not,…" it is for Allah to answer, but I know if you present yourself well and if the girl has not yet hook with someone, she might accept you, when she notice that you are interested in her. Moreover, since you do not talk to her yet. You can call Lovelines for guidelines of how to toss her on the phone. Good luck!
 

This girl wins my heart

Lovelines

I am married to a young girl of 17years while I am 29. I came across another girl that won my heart but she is just a friend for the time being. Also there is friendship existing between her and my wife. What is your advice?

Turefu Dealer

I will advise you to keep off from this girl. You have a teenager girl already and I know this girl may be your wife’s age mate because they are friends. Beside, at your age, if you start engaging in promiscuity there would hardly be any everlasting love between you and your wife. There is the possibility that, you might meet a well mature lady than your wife who could caused you to forget her. If your wife gets to know that you are cheating on her ,it might warrant her to take to your footsteps,and any day you find out, I know it is going to resolve into a divorce. To protect your marriage, it is better you let go this girl. I do not advise you to keep girlfriends, if you want respect for your family. Don’t eat your table but around your table. Think of this. Good luck!

Mrs Esther John Audu, the Nigerian High Commissioner to The Gambia, yesterday, paid a courtesy call on Hon Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay, the speaker of the National Assembly, at her office at the National Assembly building, Banjul.

During the meeting, Speaker Jahumpa-Ceesay, informed Mrs Adu that The Gambia, as a member of the Commonwealth, has a unique Assembly which unites all members and has established joint friendship associations with other sister assemblies. She spoke of the existing cordial relations between The Gambia and Nigeria. She added that this has been invigorated by the attendance of the minority and majority leaders of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to the state opening of the parliament.

She also briefed the High Commissioner on the progress in transforming the National Assembly and in ensuring that both the opposition and ruling party parliamentarians are united as well as the membership.

Momodou Sanneh, the minority leader and NAM for Kiang West, paid tribute to the speaker, saying “she is a leader who brings us together and deserves credit for that,” he said, adding that they will give all necessaary support to the commission.

Netty Baldeh, the NAM for Tumana, made similar remarks and welcomed High Commissioner Audu to The Gambia.

In her response, High Commissioner Esther John Audu, who was accompanied by Mr Obase Okongon, the head of Chancery, thanked the speaker for the good work she has been doing, saying “I have been admiring you from a long distance”. She also expressed her admiration with President Jammeh’s ‘Back to the Land Call’ and urged Gambians to support him. She assured of her readiness to work with the Assembly

On behalf of His Excellency Alhaji Dr. Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh, President of the Republic of The Gambia, the Government and people of The Gambia, I welcome you all to The Gambia, the Smiling Coast of Africa. I hope that during your brief stay among us, you will find time to enjoy the beauty of our country and the friendship and hospitality of our people.

It is indeed an honour for The Gambia to play host to this important, historic meeting on slavery and racism. It is probably the very first time that our continental organization, the African Union, or indeed its predecessor, the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) has convened a gathering of continental and  diasporan African experts to deliberate on a subject which has had a severe negative impact on the lives and livelihood of Africans and people of African descent, the world over.

Africans were the victims of the trans-Atlantic slave trade which lasted some four hundred years, and to this day, they continue to be the main  victims of racism and xenophobia. And there is no  gainsaying the fact that slavery and racism have taken their toll on the lives of Africans. Their effects on the African social, economic and political fabric have been debilitating and enduring to this day. It is therefore fitting, albeit long overdue that as a people, we should come together to craft a common position on the subject of slavery and racism and their continued drag on the self-actualization of Africans wherever they may be.

Convening the meeting on Gambian soil is of great significance and symbolism. It was the River Gambia - from which our country derives its name - that was used to penetrate the African continent and to hunt down, enslave and export our people to the Americas and the Caribbean. From the Fourteen Hundreds up to the late Eighteen Hundreds, hundreds of thousands, if not millions of Africans were captured, chained, fettered, flogged, branded like cattle, caged like wild animals and kept in holding pens on several stations along the River Gambia.

The enslavement of our people was graphically depicted in ROOTS, the epic story of Alex Haley’s Kunta Kinteh, who was captured and taken into slavery in America, from the village of Juffure on the River Gambia. In fact, every other year, we in The Gambia organize an "International Roots Homecoming Festival" to which both people of African descent and  non-Africans are invited, to relive that dark period in the history of race relations, so that we learn from it and allow that experience to positively influence our understanding of ourselves and of each other. This year’s Festival came to an end just a few days ago.

European nations were the main perpetrators of this crime against humanity. Between them, they were responsible for the capture and enslavement of more than 13 million Africans and the death in transit, or in the process of  enslavement, of some 4 million more. The trans-Atlantic slave trade was the largest forced migration in human history and has come to be acknowledged as the most  violent abuse of human rights as well as the greatest crime against  humanity ever recorded. It disrupted Africa’s political and social systems, de-populated large areas of West Africa, arrested our social and economic development and caused the underdevelopment of the continent. To this day, Africa has not recovered from the effects of this  criminal trade, which now exists in the form of social and economic inequities, bigotry, hatred,  prejudice and  structural and racial violence.

Not only did the slave trade cause untold misery,  suffering and damage to Africans, it also led to the  colonization of the continent and the institutionalization of racism especially in the Americas and in certain parts of the African continent itself. And even after the formal abolition of slavery, the practice of slavery has endured in different forms through the many acts of racism that have affected the lives, and caused the death of millions of Africans on the continent and beyond, as well as through the emerging and growing phenomena of human trafficking, sexual  slavery, child prostitution, etc., of which Africans continue to be the main  victims.

The racist trans-Atlantic slave trade has been classified in  international law as a crime against humanity, and in the same league as the holocaust, apartheid, genocide, ethnic cleansing, etc. It is no secret that the Jews, the Japanese, the Native Australians the Native Americans and every other group against whom such crimes were perpetrated have all received some form of restitution or an apology, or both. Why have Africans and people of African descent remained the only victims of these crimes, that have not as much as received an official word of apology, not to mention reparations, for the death and destruction caused by this crime committed against them?

As Americans observe the bi-centennial of the abolition of slavery in the United States this year, and as the United Nations prepares for a mid-term review of the United Nations Durban  conference on racism, let us as a people rise up together and for once make it known to the whole world that we have not forgotten our history, and that we shall never forgive those who have wronged us, for as long as they refuse to ask for that forgiveness and offer to make amends.

It is my sincere hope that in the course of your  deliberations you will come up with a set of strong, clear guidelines that will help our leaders to evince an unequivocal, common position on slavery and racism, a  position that will hopefully set in motion the process of reconciliation, restitution and healing, over the greatest crime against humanity ever perpetrated in all of human history

As we prepare for the forthcoming review of the implementation of the Durban Declaration in 2009, let us refresh our memories on some of the salient points agreed in that Declaration. The Declaration calls, among other things, for the "provision of effective remedies, recourse, redress and  compensatory and other measures at the national, regional and international levels", in order to  mitigate the severely negative effects of slavery, the slave trade and racism.

I dare ask, what have we, Africans and people of African descent done so far to begin   implementing those provisions of this Declaration? Should we not – as indeed the Declaration requires - now begin doing what ever it may take to ensure that we secure redress for all our people for all the  centuries of violence, oppression and abuse that they have suffered as a result of slavery and its after-effects, racism and xenophobia?

I would like to believe that these are some of the questions that have brought you all to Banjul on this day.

I have no doubts that you will consider them with all the seriousness they deserve and without fear, or an iota of apprehension as to the rightness of this cause.

I thank you for your kind attention and now declare the meeting open.

Lovelines

I am a gal of 27 dating a non-Gambia for 5 years. We deeply love each other. He has being truthful to me but I do not know his family.

Jemmy

If you truly love each other and you do believe what he has been telling you about himself, there is no problem. To know his family, start communicating with them through phone and email by exchanging photographs for a start. So far he knows your family let him aware that you are interested to know him more and wanted to visit his family if you are ready to marry each other. Although if he is not buoyant enough it might be difficult for him to arrange for the trip but demand for that and hear his reply. Good luck!




We break over a flimsy argument

Lovelines

There is a girl I pursued for two years before she finally accepted me about a year ago. I lost interest on her and break the relationship after a flimsy argument we had, she still love me. However, my relatives and friends advised me to go back to her.

Darboe

Do you still love her as well as she love you? Why don’t you follow your heart and trace the direction it takes you because you know the bone of contention between you. It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye. Good luck!




She wants to build friendship with me

Lovelines

I am 23 she is 22 we have a platonic love that last for 4-month. Problem, because she told me she does not love me any longer. Few weeks she come back to me and said she wants to build friendship with me. Since then she started visiting me every night with lot of calls. What can I do?

Edbajie

What to do is in your mind they are two, but you lack the courage to choose from it. I can not chose it for you because you know the type of friendship she want to build with you, whether a mere or intimate friendship that will lead you back to where you stop. So you know what you want from her. It is a matter of accept or disregard her desire. Good luck!




Her marriage lasted 3-month

Lovelines

I have a fiancé but her mother did not give us go ahead to marry. Instead of me she chose another man for her daughter. They got married out of her will but the marriage did not last more than 3 months. Surprise, the mother now tipped me to remarry her. What next to do I don’t know, yet the love between us is alive.

‘Bally

It is rather unfortunate that most times we do make mistake in our life especially parents when it comes to their children love life. Hence the love between two of you is still like hermatan fire and you are ready to forget about what has happened since it is not the will of the lady, go ahead and marry her. But if you know that you will feel disgust about everything that has transpired between two them either now or in future when you think about it, please stay away. Good luck!




Is reconcile the answer?

Lovelines

I have a fiancé but her mother did not give us go ahead to marry. Instead of me she chose another man for her daughter. They got married out of her will but the marriage did not last more than 3 months. Surprise, the mother now tipped me to remarry her. What next to do I don’t know, yet the love between us is alive.

‘Bally

It is rather unfortunate that most times we do make mistake in our life especially parents when it comes to their children love life. Hence the love between two of you is still like hermatan fire and you are ready to forget about what has happened since it is not the will of the lady, go ahead and marry her. But if you know that you will feel disgust about everything that has transpired between two them either now or in future when you think about it, please stay away. Good luck!

Mrs Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay, the Speaker of the National Assembly last Friday received Mr Richard Shih, the new Taiwanese Ambassador to The Gambia at her office at the Assembly building in Banjul.

Accompanied to the Speaker’s office by Mr Tom Lee, Counsular at the embassy, the meeting was immediate after Mr Shih presented his letter of credence to President Jammeh.

Receiving the diplomat, Speaker FJC thanked him for the immediate courtesy call noting that it is another plus to strengthening the already existing relations between the National Assembly and the Taiwanese embassy. She saluted his predecessor, Dr Chang describing him as a good friend of the assembly. She highlighted the significance of the visit as in accordance with Section 79 of the Constitution which dictates the foreign policy and also inline with President Jammeh’s foreign policies.

Speaker FJC then recalled the various support of the the National Assembly towards Taiwan citing “we have passed several resolutions in support of Taiwan because we believe in President Jammeh’s foreign policy. We have done a lot in support of Taiwan to be admitted to the WHO as well. We also believed that all the cirterias set by the WHO and other UN bodies have been met by Taiwan and are still denied of their sovereign rights”. She then described the Taiwanese economy as the 8th in the world and a better example of a good economy.

She further acknowledged Taiwanese support towards the eradication of malaria in Africa and the tremendous support to the National Assembly over the years. “We have a long standing relations and a friendship committee. We want you to continue from where your predecessor stop in cementing the ties. Just not long agao that we enjoyed a US$ 7000 from the embassy to renovate the assembly lounge.

We also enjoyed several exchange visits to Taiwan and we hope it will continue and also to receive Taiwanese parliamentarians in The Gambia. We will also like to have study tours” she said. She then briefed Ambassador Shih of the membership in the assembly and the various standing committees and acknowledged President Jammeh’s readiness to build a state of the art National Assembly in The Gambia.

For his part, Mr Richard Shih expressed delight at the warmed welcome accorded him at the assembly. He promised to concrete the already long standing relations between the two nations and the two legislations.

He assured of his willingness and commitment to deliver as expected and face the challenges but quickly seek the support of the Assembly to realise his objectives. He observed the similarities between the two nations and assured of working closely with the assembly.

Fabakary Tombong Jatta, Majority leader and NAM for Serekunda East expressed delight at the people and government of Taiwan and recognised their suppport to The Gambia. He stated that The Gambia has enjoyed a lot from Taiwan in several key social sectors and assured that they continue to support and recognised Taiwan.

“It is only because of international politics that the people of Taiwan has been denied of their fundamental rights of being a sovereign state but The Gambia will continue to support Taiwan in all bids” he said. He then recalled the ever pleasant relations between the National Assembly and the embassy saying “Count on our fullest support.

We will stand firm by you to see how to overcome the challenges” he said. He then briefed Ambassador Shih of the dynamic leadership of Speaker FJC noting that since her assumption to office, the administration and operational nature of the state of the assembly has been transformed.

At the end of the ceremony, Speaker FJC presented to him the names of the NAMs-Taiwanese friendship association. In return, Ambassador Shih also presented a gift to Speaker FJC.

Lovelines,

I want to be single after a futile two years relationship but guys will not let me be. Please I am confused.

Fatoumatta,

To remain celibacy requires total determination because guys will not allow you to be hence you are still very young as par your age to take such decision. All you need to do is to try as much as possible to study the types of guy you date. Be very sure of the type of friendship they want from you comparing to what you wanted from your man to avoid going into any futile relationship. Good luck!