Following the successful holding of the January 25th legislative election in which the ruling APRC scored a landslide victory, the Gambian leader, Yahya Jammeh, acting under the provisions of section 88(b) of the constitution as amended in 2001, on Friday nominated Mrs. Fatoumata Jahumpa-Ceesay, commonly known as FJC, as the new Speaker of the National Assembly. FJC’s nomination is contained in a press release from the Office of the President on Friday, 2nd February, 2007.

The same release went further to name other nominees as members of the National assembly. These include Mr. Seedy Njie (NAPSA), Mr Seyfo Bala Musa Sanyang, Chief of Foni Berefet, Ms. Tina Faal and Ms Oley Sey.

In a brief interview with The Point yesterday afternoon, FJC expressed thanks to President Yahya Jammeh for her nomination and the confidence thus reposed in her. “It is challenging and I will continue to be loyal to the president,” she said, while assuring the president of her unfailing commitment.

Mrs Jahumpa-Ceesay also used the occasion to appeal for co-operation from her fellow members of the National Assembly, saying that the responsibility to carry on the business of the Legislature is a shared one. “We are all one family and together we shall make the National Assembly the best not only in The Gambia but the rest of the world.”

A trained journalist, Mrs Jahumpa-Ceesay also underwent training in Human Rights procedures, Conflict Resolution. She has also been renowned for her activism in the Women and Child Rights affairs. In pursuance of this, FJC runs an NGO named Family Rights Advancement Protection (FRAP).

48 years of age, FJC is the daughter of a veteran politician, Mr I.M. Garba Jahumpa. She joined politics in 1989 when she was elected first female deputy mayor in the city of Banjul. From 1997-2002, she served as the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Office of the President.

From 2002 to 2007, she served as a nominated Member of the National Assembly. Mrs Jahumpa-Ceesay also served as the first ever woman Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament.

Meanwhile in a related development, all the elected and nominated Members of the National Assembly would be sworn in on Thursday, 8th February, 2007 at the National Assembly Chambers according to media reports monitored by this paper.

The swearing in ceremony is expected to be presided over by the Hon. Chief Justice of the Gambia, Abdoukarim Savage.