President Dr Alhaji Yahya Jammeh has, as part of celebrations marking the occasion of the 13th anniversary of 22nd July Revolution, bestowed awards on late Oustash Omar Bun Jeng and various other personalities in The Gambia for their outstanding and immense contribution towards the development of the country.  Among the awardees include Madam Maryam Muhammed, Nigerian High Commissioner to The Gambia, Chief Malick Mbye of Upper Saloum and Sheriff Sawaneh, a businessman.

Below we bring you the full, unedited text of the press release from the Office of the President, State House.

“His Excellency The President of The Republic of The Gambia, Alhagi Dr. Yahya A.J.J Jammeh Grand Master of the National Order of The Republic of The Gambia (GMRG) has the pleasure in approving the following awards and appointments in the Order of the Republic of The Gambia for 2007 on the Occasions of the 42nd Independence anniversary and 13th anniversary of the 22nd July Revolution.”

To receive the insignia of Commander of the National Order of the Republic of The Gambia (CRG)

1. Maryam Mohammed - Nigerian High Commissioner CRG (Honorary) 
To receive the insignia of Officer of the National Order of the Republic of The Gambia (ORG)

1. Sidi Mohamed Ould Sidaty - Mauritarian Ambassador ORG (Honorary)
2. Justice Emmanuel Agim - President, Court of Appeal ORG (Honorary)
3. Hussein Tajudeen - Tajco Ltd. ORG
4. Hassan Akar - Midland Trading ORG
5. Roger Bakurin - Chief Fire Officer ORG
6. Fatou Waggeh - (Executive Director, BAFROW) ORG
7. AJi Fatou Badjan - (Yai Compin - KMC) ORG

To receive the insignia of Member of the National Order of the Republic of The Gambia (MRG).

1. Farid Bensouda - Proprietor, Coconut Residence MRG
2. Pastor Forbes - Abiding Ward Ministries MRG
3. Yusupha Dibba - Permanent Secretary, PMO MRG
4. Bolong Sonko - Coordinator AU Banjul Summit. MRG
5. Alhaji Ousman Ceesay - Chief of Protocol, President’s Office MRG
6. Ustas Omar Bun-Jeng - Islamic Scholar MRG (Posthumous)

To be awarded the Medal of the National Order of the Republic of The Gambia (RGM)

1. Sheriff Sawaneh – Businessman RGM
2. Rose Marie Sinclair-UNV   RGM (Honorary)
3. Bala Musa Sanyang - Chief, Foni Brefet RGM
4. Essa Jobe - Messenger - (National Assembly) RGM
5. Dr. Ngogou L. Bah - Perm Sect Office of The President RGM
6. Alhagie Kitim Gibba - APRC Stalwart - S/kunda East RGM
7.  Chief Malick Mbye - APRC Stalwart - Upper Saloum RGM
8.  Alh. Musa Camara -Veteran Fula announcer, Radio Gambia RGM (Posthumous)
9.  Basiru Gassama - APRC Militant – Bakau RGM
10. Lamin Cham - Champion Sounds RGM
11. Baboucarr Bouy - Permanent Secretary, DOSE RGM

Meanwhile in his opening remarks on the occasion of the 13th anniversary of July 22, Ebrima J.T Kujabi, Director of Press and Public Relations Office of the President, said the word celebrate is appropriate because the entire story of July 22 revolution has been one of success, success and success.

He said that in 1994 the AFPRC promised Gambians a better life, a life of dignity, a life blessed with all the essentials that make a modern nation, noting that to a large extent they have done it.

“Today, I can say with pride and supreme confidence that July 22 has become a blessing to the majority of Gambians. Today the Jammeh government has registered quantitative and qualitative success in all sectors of our national life. We have lost count of the number of schools, hospitals, clinics, health centres, roads that we have been able to deliver to Gambians. We have lost count of the number of projects planned and executed for and by women, children and the disabled. We have lost count of the number of job opportunities that we have created for the youth. In sports, culture, tourism, energy, security, housing, diplomacy, higher education we have made incalculable progress. In the fight against drugs, human trafficking, discrimination, we have also registered commendable scores” he highlighted.