Reveals Plans to Support Women and Youths

It is an indisputable fact that The Gambia and the Federal Republic of Nigeria have enjoyed longstanding bilateral relations. That’s why it is no surprise when a titanic Nigerian-born Aju revealed during her audience with The Gambian Vice President this week, that she is in love with The Gambia and that she is poised to invest in the beauty ,sports and entertainment sectors of the country with the primary and purposeful aim of advancing the course of youths and women .

Journalist Alhagie Mbye now reports.

Mary Jane Ajuluchkwu aka Aju, a Nigerian-born song queen based in God’s own country, the United States of America, who is currently in The Gambia on a weeklong visit, on Wednesday paid a courtesy call on Her Excellency, the Vice President, Dr. Aja Isatou Njie-Saidy at a ceremony at the Paradise Suites Hotel, in Kololi.

Briefing the Vice President on Aju’s visit, Mrs Adu Lette-Sy, Director of African Beauties Modelling Agency, said that Aju is in The Gambia to organise an array of development-oriented programmes geared towards promoting the welfare of women and youth in the country. “The reason she chose the country is that she has The Gambia in heart and because I’m running this agency trying to encourage the young talented girls to become professional models and to further their education to university level so that they can have a fall back if they want to change their career,” Mrs Sy stated.

For her part , Aju, who doubles as the Chief Executive Officer of AJU Promotions and founder of POYWSA International, said that it is an honour for her to meet the Vice President . She went on to reveal that her love for The Gambia started in 2000, adding that since then she has always had the nostalgic feeling to come to her ‘home’ and support the youths and women.
“ My love for The Gambia started in 2000. I picked up a magazine and saw an article on The Gambia and I just keep dreaming about this country. I asked my manager to bring me to this country but at first he didn’t want to release me. But later he released me and when I came here in February 2006 I performed during the State Banquet and the treatment I was given was unbelievable. People here are nice and friendly.”

Dilating on her plans for The Gmabia, Aju said that arrangements are at advanced stage to get a basket ball tournament organised in The Gambia in order to bring basketball coaches from North Carolina University so that they can hand pick some of our youths who are talented in basketball to go to the university to study and play basketball. She said that she was also interested in organising soccer tournaments as well as fashion and talent shows in The Gambia.
In his speech at the ceremony, Mr Momodou Joof, Executive Director of National Centre for Arts and Culture, welcomed the Nigerian-born artist to The Gambia, describing the two countries as great friends.

He said: “The Gambia and Nigeria share very cordial relations and there are many areas in which the two countries co-operate. There are many Nigerian teachers and doctors in the country so you are here to join the family.”

The NCAC viewed that the dividends of Aju’s programmes for The Gambia, if all goes according to plan ,cannot be quantified. “Her plans are significant because in The Gambia we have a youthful population, and a youthful leadership who have tremendous concerns for our young people for they are making sure the youths are moulded in a way that tomorrow they will take the mantle of leadership of this country.
So if we have someone like Aju , whose aim is to advance the cause of youth and women of the Gambia, then certainly the person needs support from quarters of youth, women and also at the official level”.
Assuring Aju of his institution’s support , Mr Joof called for a sectoral collaboration to ensure that Aju’s plans are released.

In her speech, the Vice President Dr Aja Isatou Njie-Saidy said ; “we have the singular honour and pleasure to welcome Aju to The Gambia for the second time; after all, I won’t say your second home but your first home”.

The Vice President went on to say that the world is a global village and we are all global citizens saying humanity is one. “We should try to make the world a better place and that it is not only politicians that can do that ;we feel that private sector members of the civil society and individuals in their own rights have duties and responsibilities to ensure that this happens.

For Madam Njie-Saidy, women and youths need attention, adding that their plight must be addressed because they make the bulk of the population.

She therefore patted Aju on the back for her foresight in trying to empower Gambian youths and women assuring her of Gambia government’s full support. She also commended Mrs Adu Lette-Sy and other eminent Gambians who are helping our youths to explore their talents in modelling.

The ceremony, which was attended by prominent personalities including Dr Henry Carrol, Acting Solicitor General, models, and Aju’s Fan Club in The Gambia, was chaired by Ida Faye-Hydara, Executive Director of Women’s Bureau. Aji Ida Kombeh delivered the vote of thanks.