Mr Bolong Sonko, the General Coordinator at the AU Summit Secretariat, and Mr Mustpaha Njie, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Taf Holding Company, have been named joint awardees for The Gambia News and Report weekly magazine’s Man of the Year, 2006.

This is the first time in its 14-year history for two nationals to be given the award.

In a letter conveying the news to Messrs Sonko and Njie, Mr Swaebou Conateh of the Dippa kunda-based Gambia Communication Agency and Baroueli Enterprises, the publishers of News and Report weekly, states that their criteria for selecting “Man of the Year” is based on the following considerations:

1. The person selected must be someone who, through his/her work, profession or personal endeavour, is judged to have contributed the most to the public welfare and to advancing the country’s development in the interest of all Gambians.

2. He or she must have contributed significantly in enhancing, in a direct and tangible form, the social and economic status of Gambians as a whole.

3. He or she would have put in place for posterity facilities and or infrastructures and other achievements that can serve as a lasting memorial of his/her contributions to national development.

The letter further states: “ Your case also illustrates possibilities for individual citizens who care enough about their country’s standing in today’s world and points to the importance of individual strength of character and high principles.

“You have shown , by your conduct and example, a high level of personal sacrifice, discipline, administrative management and diplomatic / technical skills, especially having regard to the kind of pressure generated by the limited amount of time you have at your disposal to accomplish the assignment.

“By so doing , you have reserved to yourself the high regard and admiration which won to your side the unreserved applause of many Gambians when accommodation arrangements for the [2006 AU] summit proved a resounding success.”

Like some other prominent leaders of the past, the letter stated, the story of the two men will remain for all Gambians an important example of good leadership to serve as a point of reference in terms of civic responsibility and service to the nation.

“We take this opportunity to salute you for what you have been able to achieve in the annals of our country’s history. We know your courage, sacrifice, steadfastness and highly commendable contribution are bound to remain a source of inspiration now and for generations unborn,” the letter concluded.

Previous Man or Gambian of The Year named by the paper were Amadou Samba, Pa Sallah Jagne, Dr Ebrima Samba, Dr Lenrie Peters, Lamin Waa Juwara, Isatou Njie-Saidy, Bai Lamin Jobe, Mrs Harriet Ndow, Imam Karamo Touray, Hassan Jallow, Ousman B. Conateh (Fisko), Muhammed Jah, Deyda Hydara and Pa Sallah Jeng.