Ndow’s Comprehensive Senior secondary school last Friday held their graduation ceremony held at the school premisses,Pipeline. The occasion was graced by a big crowd comprising teachers, parents and students.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Karim Sonko, deputizing the secretary of state, for communications, information and information technology (DoSCIIT), who spoke on the topic, “The role of youths in information technology for national development.”  He therefore pointed out that very appropriate the world, our world, the current world in which youths form the bulk of the population, has swiftly reckoned unimaginable progress during the last few decades connecting people together through convergence systems of various forms of information and communication technology utilities. This breakthrough, he said, in ICT has really transformed the world into what the exponents of communication term as the global village.

According to him, the acronym ICT has become a household name in the country. In fact, he noted, one of the greatest achievements of the present government is venturing into the enormous potentials for economic growth that the sector has to offer. He added that, as a developing nation, the role of youths in ICT for national development is preponderant.” We know that the impact of ICTs in the socio-economic, political and cultural lives of people is increasingly transforming our societies, and the role of youths in the transformation is remarkable.

The youths are in the forefront of technology revolution and are often becoming leading innovators if given proper education training and good working environment, youths will be the engine and driving force for change in society”, he said.

Karim Sonko, Permanent Secretary , revealed that as part of their Silicon Valley initiative, the DOSCIIT plans to open multimedia centres across the country.  He indicated that this move will not only provide access, but also training opportunities for the communities on ICT. He outlined that government’s recognition of the fact that ICT can be the best tool for empowering youths is significant.

He further noted that, as youths, the wealth in their heads is more than the wealth in land. According to him, President Jammeh’s commitment to capacitize Gambian youth is a laudable initiative, as huge number of  youths continue to benefit from overseas training in recent times.

“The youths must focus more on intellectual development and utilize the opportunities ICT brings, instead of lavishing the much needed precious time on unproductive ventures and pleasures.  I strongly believe that if we demonstrate total dedication and commitment to Vision 2020 The Gambia will very soon move from the league of under developed nations to developed nations,” he concluded.

For her part, Ms F. Ampong, the principal NCSSS, said that, sooner or later, this pupils will be expected to take up positions in life, as a writer once wrote life is a stage where everyone must play a part”. “Whether you like it or not, you owe society a duty, your families will expect more from you, the communities in which you find yourself and the country at large will expect more from you, hence you have to sit up and reason as adult”, he said.

In his opening remarks, Mr Lawrence Bruce chairman, said that, the day is a wonderful, glorious time for all of them. “But as I look around, I see many faces of those parents, relatives and friends who supported you, who equally made the sacrifices to ensure that you had the time to devote to your education,’’ he said.