The Gambia recently joined the rest of the world to celebrate the historic election victory and inauguration of the 44th president of the United States of America (USA), Barack Obama, who is also the country’s first African-American president.

The Obama weekend was organised by Afric Afriq Promotions last Saturday 24th January 2009 at its head office on 50 Garba Jahumpa Road, South Atlantic, Bakau New Town. The weekend programme brought together senior government and private sector officials such as Honourable Fatoumata Jahumpa Ceesay, speaker of the National Assembly; Mrs Sira Wally Njie, deputy managing director of the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC); Madam Mami Minteh, wife of SoS Yankuba Touray; Honourable Haddy Nyang Jagne, National Assembly Member for Jeshwang; Aunty Jobe of The Gambia Petroleum Company Ltd; Alex Dacosta, senior communication officer of PURA; Jegan Grey Johnson, communication officer of UNICEF; Jali Saikou Saho, a renowned Gambia kora player; media practitioners and a host of other dignitaries.

The merry-making was characterised by extensive entertainment ranging from traditional to modern music, viewing of documentaries on the historic struggles made by African-Americans towards achieving their liberty, especially on the famous Black Panther 10 point program,which spelt out the essential needs of the black community in the USA.

Abdul Aziz Willan, coordinator of Afric Afriq, formerly called Saraba Night Club, in a chat with Arts and Culture shortly before the nightlong party came to an end, described the election of Barack Obama as historic and worthy of celebration by all Africans and non-Africans alike.

“If the whole world can celebrate the victory and inauguration of President Obama, why not The Gambia as the bastion of liberation struggles. It will take 100 years for Americans to have another Obama. We strongly believe that his victory is for all, we look forward to working with him. The weekend is specially dedicated to Obama’s achievement,” Aziz Willan said.

 MS Cham, assistant to Aziz Willan said Obama’s victory is a source of pride for all. “Obama’s victory is the climax,” Cham said. Honourable Fatoumata Jahumpa Ceesay, speaker of the National Assembly also joined the list of people in describing Obama’s victory as historic. The speaker vividly recalled a prophecy made by the Gambian leader, President Jammeh, who during one of the July 22 celebrations said that the world will be led by an African and Africans will get to the highest positions in the world.

According to Fatoumata Jahumpa Ceesay, this prophecy of  President Jammeh’s has been fulfilled by the election of Obama as the first African-American president. She noted that Africans have more to achieve, saying this is the beginning, there is more to come. FJC, as she is fondly called, extended gratitude to Afric Afriq for organising the Obama weekend.