His Excellency Professor Dr Alhaji Yahya Jammeh, president of the Republic of the Republic of The Gambia, last Saturday, joint thousands of people who converged at the July 22nd Square in Banjul, to celebrate the New Year.

The event, organised by the Gambian leader himself, and culminated into a grand musical jamboree, was graced by the vice president, secretaries of state, the speaker of the National Assembly, security chiefs, dignitaries, Gambian artists, with Sizzla Kalonji, the Jamaican reggae star, as the start of the night.

The event started with an inspection of ‘fanals’ by Her Excellency Vice President Njie Saidy; the speaker of the National Assembly;  and secretaries of state. After the inspection, vice president  Njie-Saidy, on behalf of the president, presented an amount of D40,000 each to the Blessed Sacrament Church of Kanifing and the Lamin Wayeto Fanal groups. She also presented D70,000 to Gambiz.

Soon after the ‘fanal’ inspection, President Jammeh arrived at the July 22nd Square with his daughter, Mariam Jammeh, by his side, both father and daughter waving at a jubilant and welcoming crowd. And soon a spectacular display of fireworks erupted from around the main entrance of the State House.

The Jamaican superstar, Sizzla Kalonji, gave a scintillating performance. Known for his love, care and concern for the welfare of Gambian children, His Excellency Professor Yahya the children who were present at the Square.  Yusupha Ngum, Ndey Cham, Twin Sisters, Martin Luther King, Sambou Suso, Yusupha Mboob,  king Ras Kuras, were just some of the Gambian artists who took to the stage to thrill the crowd.

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