Nigerians in The Gambia on Saturday inaugurated members of their association’s new executive at a grand ceremony held at the Kairaba Beach Hotel.

Giving a background of the association, Mr Mike Nwanna, President of the Nigerian community in The Gambia, said the association was founded in the 1950s by a group of elderly Nigerians who came to The Gambia.

He said the founders included Mr J.O Amusan, who was the first elected president of the association, the late Mr Thomas Baker, the late Malam A. Touray, Mr Okafor, Mr A. Akingbogun, Mrs Dorcas Gbenudae and Mr Peter Dara.

He also commended other elderly and eminent Nigerians in The Gambia who have been a big ‘tree’, by their relentless support, to the association and individual Nigerians in the country.

The association, he explained, was founded on humanitarian grounds devoid of tribal or religious prejudice with the aim of serving the interest of especially Nigerians in The Gambia.

He also highlighted some very important achievements the association has registered over the years, adding that the association would continue to work hard to always realise its objectives.

Speaking on the occasion, Her Excellency Mariam Mohammed, the Nigerian High Commissioner to The Gambia, commended members of former executive for registering significant and unprecedented achievements in the annals of the community.

She pointed out that The Gambia and Nigeria are sister countries where both citizens have the same roles to play in nation building.

She therefore assured the community of her Office’s full support and urged them to remain faithful to the association’s objectives and to be law-abiding nationals in The Gambia.

Her Excellency used the occasion to plead with the Director of Immigration of The Gambia to exercise patience over the issue of residence permits with respect to Nigerians.

Other eminent Nigerians who graced the occasion included Justice Agim of the Supreme Court of The Gambia, Magistrate Mboto, the Inspector General of Police, Musa Mboob, and the Director General of Immigration.