The people of the North Bank Region last Sunday, joined the rest of the regions, to observe the country’s 44th Independece anniversay, at the region’s administrative headquarters in Kerewan, North Bank Region.

Activities to mark the celebration commenced with an inspection of the Guard of Honour by the North Bank governor, Alhagie Edwan Seckan, followed by a march pass of the security forces, school children, the scout band, the Green boys and girls as well as voluntary and civil society organisations. Shortly after the usual activites, Alhagie Edwarr Seckan, the governor of North Bank Region, read the Independence Day message on behalf of the Gambian leader, Professor Alhagie Dr Yahya Jammeh.  

This was then followed by perforamances by the various cultural troops. To mark the day, Ebrima Kajuna-Sonko, the UDP candidate who contested against Cherno Cham, the National Assembly member for Lower Nuimi Constituency, defected to the ruling APRC party.  The governor of the region, Alhagie Edwarr Seckan welcomed  Ebrima Kajuna-Sonko to the party.

Permanent secretaries, National Assembly members from the region, Salifu SK Jaiteh, honourary consular of Cyprus in The Gambia, chiefs, councillors, religious leaders and a delegation from the neighbouring country of Senegal attended the celebrations.

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The people of Upper River Region last Sunday, February 22, joined the rest of the regions in the country to celebrate the 44th Independence anniversary of The Gambia at the Basse Mini Stadium in the Upper River Region.

The ceremony began with a march pass by school children, security forces, scout band as well as civil society organisations. The theme for this year’s celebration is “peace and stability.” In his message read on behalf of the Gambian leader, Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya AJJ Jammeh, the governor of the region, Alhagie Omar Khan, dilated on the theme of the celebration. He urged his people to also strengthen their resolve as a nation, to strive to achieve more economic independence.

To the school children, Governor Khan urged them to endeavour to be discipline, respectful, law-abiding as well as hardworking, both at school and at home. According to him, these would inevitably mould them to become honest, productive and responsible citizens tomorrow. He also enjoined the youths to play a more active and supportive role in the promotion of peace and security as conditions for stability as they are the future leaders of tomorrow.

Governor Khan then advised his people to mark the the day with a sober reflection of what they can do together to protect the sacred virtues of social cohesion and peaceful co-existence. The event was graced by the National Assembly members in the region, security chiefs, local government authorities and a cross section of the community.