Honourable Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay, the Speaker of the National Assembly, has described President Jammeh’s birthday as "a day of joy".  

Speaking to the Daily Observer yesterday ahead of the anniversary on Sunday, May 25th 2008, Speaker Jahumpa-Ceesay reflected back to July 22 1994, when President Jammeh was only 29 years old and he and his colleagues put their lives on the line to change the destiny of this country and undertake the momentous task of national development that is here for us all to see 14 years later.

According to her, the Gambia has achieved a lot under the Jammeh administration compared to his age. "We Gambians are lucky for such a peacemaker, developer and a great leader like President Jammeh. Therefore, his birthday should be a day of joy for all" she said. She cited the unprecedented developments registered by the Jammeh administration in the priority fields of education, health, agriculture among other sectors of national development. She then described President Jammeh as a peacemaker, visionary, developer and great Pan-Africanist whom every Gambian should be proud of.

Who is President Yahya Jammeh?

President Yahya Jammeh was born on the 25th May 1965 in  Kanilai, Foni Kansala district of the Western Region of The Gambia

He is married to Fisrt Lady Madam Zineb Yahya Jammeh with two children namely Mariam Jammeh and Muhammad Jammeh.

Educational background

President Jammeh began his primary education in Kanilai Primary formerly St Anthony’s school from 1972 – 1976. He later proceeded to Saint Edwards Primary School in Bwiam from 1976 – 1978 and passed the Common Entrance Examination and attained a government scholarship.

He later began his secondary education from 1978 –1983 at the Gambia High School and in  1983, passed the General Certificate of Education (GCE 0' Level) with Credits in Geography, English, French, Biology and Physics and passes in Chemistry and Oral English.

Military career

After a successful education background, President Jammeh was enlisted and joined the former Gambia National Gendarmerie on April 1 1984 and promoted to Private to Sergeant on April 1 1986. In December 1987, he was promoted to Cadet Officer and later commissioned in September 1989.

During his career in the Gambia National Army, President Jammeh served in several unit. From August 1984 to April 1986, he was at the Special Intervention Unit and from April 1986 to December 1987 at the Mobile Gendarmerie Special Guards Unit.

From December 1987 to August 1989, he served in the Gendarmerie Training School (School of Presidential Escort) before serving at the Mobile Gendarmerie as Officer Commanding from January 1991 to June 1991.

From June 1991 to August 1991, served at the Military Police Unit of The Gambia National Gendarmerie as Officer Commanding before heading to the Gambia National Army from August 1991 to July 1994 as Officer Commanding, GNA Military Police, Yundum Barracks.

Overseas trainings

Following his breakthrough in the security force, President Jammeh from September 1993 - January 1994 attended Military Police Officers Basic Course (MPOBC) at Port McClellan, Alabama, USA and obtained a Diploma in Military Science (Military Operations).

He also earned several promotions: September 29, 1989 promoted to Second Lieutenant: February 1, 1992 promoted to Lieutenant: November 17 1994 promoted to the Rank of Captain along with other AFPRC Members: August 28, 1996 Promoted to the Rank of Colonel.

Special assignments

Due to his loyalty and dedication to duties, President Jammeh was in 1990, the Special Security Officer for visiting Heads of State of the ECOWAS Summit at Kairaba Beach Hotel:  August 1990, Officer in-Charge of ECOWAS Peace Conference for Liberia at Kairaba Beach Hotel: 1993 Special Officer In-Charge of close protection of visiting ECOMOG Field Commander: February 23 - 24 1992 Officer In-Charge of close protection of Pope John Paul II and entourage and Officer In-Charge of VIP security in State functions including Heads of State.

Honours

Following his successful career in the security force and serving diligently, President Yahya Jammeh in November 1993, was appointed Honorary Citizen of the State of Georgia, USA, then appointed Honorary Lt. Col. ADC, Alabama State Military, USA on the 27th January 1994.

In 1995, he was decorated with the highest Libyan Insignia -Grand Commander of The Order AL-FATAH, decorated with the highest Chinese Insignia -The Order of Brilliant Jade with Grand CORDON of The Republic of China in 1996, awarded the 1997 Pan- African Humanitarian Award by The Pan-African Foundation and The World Council in 1997 before been nominated Man of The Year by the American Biographical Institute in Raleigh,North Carolina, USA, in the same year.

In 1998, he was awarded the Gold Record of Achievement for 1997 by The American Biographical Institute in Raleigh, North Carolina,USA, followed by his appointment as Honorary Admiral, Alabama State Navy by the Governor of The State of Alabama in September 1998 before the November 1998 awarded of the Grand Order of Bravery by the Libyan Leader Colonel Muammar Gadaffi.

In December 1998, President Jammeh was also awarded the Islamic Worldwide "Grand Prix" by The Cheikhna Cheikh Saad Bouh Foundation of Dakar, Senegal, awarded the Doctor of Civil Laws Degree from St.Mary's University, Halifax, Canada in February 1999, before been appointed in March 1999 as the Deputy Governor of American Biographical Institute Research Association (ABIRA) North Carolina, United Stated of America.

In March 1999, he was awarded the 2000 Millennium Medal of Honour from the American Biographical Institute of the United States of America and nominated Outstanding People of The 20th Century by the International Biographical Institute, Cambridge, England in the same year before been nominated in April 1999 as the 1999  Platinum Record for Exceptional Performance by the American Biographical Institute,raleigh, North Carolina,USA. In April 1999, he was also awarded the World Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Biographcal Institute,Raleigh, North Carolina, USA and in September 1999, decorated with Libya's Highest Honour,  the African Medal by Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gadaffi before been decorated in July 2000 with the Orders of The Distinction of Liberia and Grand Croix dans l'Ordre National du Lion in March 2001.  
    
Offices held

President Jammeh also held a number of offices in the civil service. In July 22, 1994, became the Chairman of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council and Head of State before retiring from the Army in on the 8th September 1996.

He was then elected First President of The Second Republic of The Gambia on the 27th September 1996 and on  October 18, 1996,  became President of the Republic of The Gambia. From September 1997 to November 2000, became Chairman of the Inter-states Committee for the Control of Drought in the Sahel (CILSS) elected during the 12th Conference of Heads of State and Government of CILSS held in The Gambia in September 1997.   

In November 2001, President Jammeh was also elected the 1st Vice Chairman of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) during its 9th Meeting of Heads of State and Government held in Doha, Qatar before becoming the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of West African Monetary Zone 2005.

The Management and staff of the Observer Company wishes Your Excellency, a happy birthday and many more to come!