In a bid to say thank you to all its partners, donors and individuals that have contributed immensely to development of the National Youth Council and the advancement of youths the council is about to organise a national youth award.

This was disclosed by the Executive Secretary of the council Mr. Pa Malick Ceesay at a press conference held at the NYC conference hall in Bakau. NYC, according to Mr. Ceesay, is the umbrella body of all youth organisations in the country and is tasked with the responsibility of coordinating and overseeing all youth activities in the country as well as to advise Government on youth matters.

Among those to be awarded is President Jammeh, who for the first time in the history of The Gambia created the National Youth Council by an act of Parliament, successful registered youth organizations, individuals, partners and donors.

“Youth composes of a large percentage of our population and therefore need to be empowered,” he said.

The National Youth Award is the first of its kind in the history of NYC and will be held on the 9th of February 2008 at the Joint Officers Mess in Kotu. He thanked Africell for funding the National Youth Award.

The NYC Executive Secretary revealed to journalists that his office visits youth organisations on a quarterly basis to analyse their constraints and assess their progress. He encouraged youth organisations to register at his office for their own benefit. On the last National Youth Conference and Festival NAYCONF Mr. Ceesay said that significant achievements have so far been registered and his office is planning for a successful NAYCONF this year to be held in North Bank Region.