Students  of the University of The Gambia recently concluded a week-long nationwide tour.  

The tour sponsored by Africell,one of  the biggest GSM operators in the country  and  coordinated by Dr Saja Taal, was aimed at broadening students’ intellectual horizon as academics as well as sensitise the nation about the importance of the University. The week-long tour took students to Kerewan Health Centre, Armitage Senior Secondary School, regional governors  residences and the Rural Development Institute (RDI) in Mansakonko.  

During the visits, the team had seminars with stakeholders to brainstorm over the need for University education, the entry requirements and its prospects. In Central River Region, Alhagie Ganyie Touray, the governor of the region, gave the students a brief account of the history of commissioners of the region from 1937 to date.  

He noted that development cannot be achieved if students are not familiar with their own country.  He called on other students to follow such an initiative by the UTG, as  they are the future leaders of this country.  He also donated the students with a bag of rice, a gallon of oil and a ram.

In Lower River Region, Momodou Soma Jobe, the governor of  the region advised the students to serve the country in a patriotic manner and should not all expect to work in offices but rather be creative to venture into self employment schemes.  He also lamented the problems of civil servants in the rural areas.  He also emphasised the need for attitudinal  change.  

At the Rural Development Institute, matters relating to community development and the need to integrate RDI into the University was key in the discussions.  The tour which took the slogan ‘base before babylon’ was also aimed at injecting into the minds of the youth, the culture of education and self enterprising schemes as the solution to poverty eradication instead of the boat boy menace.