Preparation for the forthcoming National Youth Conference and Festival (Nayconf) is gaining momentum, as more partners extend gesture to the National Organising Committee (NOC).

Few government parastatals and other institutions have opened the floodgate for contributions towards a successful Nayconf 2006 in Brikama, Western Region.

Latest donations of D75,000 and D25, 000 respectively, came from the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) and the Social Security and Housing Finance Cooperation (SSHFC). The National AIDs Secretariat, made a record donation of D863,700, and an additional donation of D274,700 for publicity for the Nayconf.

Food items, including rice, cooking oil, sugar, among others, were also donated by Africfood. Reports reaching the Youth Matters, held that the Cuban Embassy in Banjul, has pledged to shoulder all the medical supplies and medical manpower during the Nayconf. Various media outlets, including the print and the electronics, have also pledged airtime and cash donations for the Nayconf.

Pa Malick Ceesay, Executive Secretary of NYC, urged other development partners, including the private to support the cause of young people in order to achieve national aspirations. Mr Ceesay then lauded the gesture from the GPA, SSHFC, NAS and Africfood, describing it as a measure of their concerns for the young people of our country.

Nayconf flag
A nationwide tour of the Nayconf flag, on Monday started at the National Youth Council (NYC) Offices at the Independence Stadium in Bakau, ahead of the countdown towards the much anticipated national youth event in the country.

The flag-bearing the NYC logo- was then taken round various institutions, including the Daily Observer Company and the West Africa Network for Peace-building Offices, Africel, among other business organisations and institutions in the municipality.

The flag -expected to be taken around various regions- was handed over to the Mayoress of Banjul, Mam Sait Njie by the Mayor of Kanifing Municipal Council, Mr Francis Gomez. It would be taking around Banjul for four days, before been handed over to other regions.