As 132 others get honoured

The National Youth Council (NYC), on Saturday awarded President Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh with the most outstanding accolade at a well-attended National Youth Award held at the Joint Officers Mess in Kotu.

The first-ever award ceremony also saw the council honour 14 other personalities and 48 institutions, including 11 media houses and the British High Commission in Banjul.

Established by an Act of parliament in 2000, the youth council also awarded certificates to 58 recognised and registered youth organisations, notably the Youth Ambassadors for Peace and the Youth Crime Watch, Gamba chapter.

Presiding over the ceremony on behalf of the secretary of state for Youth and Sports, Ebou Joof, permanent secretary at Department of State for Youth and Sports, applauded the youth council for what he described as a brilliant idea to show gratitude to those who have contributed immensely to the development of young people.

PS Joof described the youth as the future leaders and invaluable resource to the development of any country, adding that any meaningful contribution from partners to address their needs and aspirations should be a welcome development which runs to complement the government’s efforts.

He used the platform to inform partners about the forthcoming National Youth Conference and Festival (Nayconf), which is scheduled to take place in Farafenni, North Bank Region.

“The year 2008 is dedicated to the youth and I would like to call on all development partners, individuals, private sector and the UN system to scale up their commitments to the development of young people”, he urged.

He then reaffirmed his department’s commitment to the cause of youth empowerment and development, adding that they hope to improve the lots of youths by working in tandem with esteemed partners and all other stakeholders.

Pa Malick Ceesay, executive secretary of NYC, expressed hope that the award ceremony will ∆leave an indelible impact on the operation of youth groups in the country, indicating that this marks the fulfillment of the mandate of the council as stated in the NYC Act 2000.

“Youths constitute a significant portion of our population. As future leaders, they need to be empowered”, he stressed.

The NYC executive secretary then praised Africell for sponsoring the award and thanked them for their commitment to the welfare of Gambian youths.

Ms Amie Mbye, female representative and vice-chairperson of NYC, echoed similar sentiments.

Bakary Badjie, chairperson of Kanifing Municipal Youth Committee, gave the vote of thanks.