Mr. Mambanyick Njie, former NRP Publicity Secretary who shifted allegiance to the ruling APRC prior to the September presidential elections, was yesterday appointed Deputy Permanent Secretary Department of State for Youths, Sports and Religious Affairs, The Point has been reliably informed.

Reacting to his new appointment, Mr. Njie said: “I am happy to have been taken by surprise by the president for appointing me to this post. I will do my best to safeguard the confidence and trust bestowed on me by His Excellency the President, Dr. Alhagie Yahya Jammeh, for the appointment.” He added that it is a big challenge for the fact that he is a “pacesetter” for the youth of this country.

In conclusion, Mr. Njie, who is 31 years of age, commented that his appointment is probably the first time a person of his age is being entrusted with such a position.

“I will make sure I will not disappoint the president. Disappointing him means disappointing the entire youth population of the country. I will work in complete harmony with my seniors and juniors at the department to achieve the desired results,” he enthused.

Mr. Njie previously worked with The Gambia Daily as a freelance reporter from 1999-2000.

Then from 2000 to 2001 he worked with Citizen FM Radio as News Broadcaster. Between 2002 and 2003 he also worked as a senior news broadcaster at Sud FM Radio in Banjul.

He latterly served as Publicity Secretary for NRP from 2003 to 2006.