The Gambia National Youth Service Scheme's Nyaniberi farm has been approved  by the ECOWAS Ministers of Youth as a training centre for West Africa, Daily Observer can reveal. The decision came following a meeting of ECOWAS Ministers of Youth, held in Abuja on October 3, 2007 in which a youth training programme to be executed at NYSS' Nyaniberi farm was discussed.

Simon Taro, Director of Youth and Sports Development Centre at the ECOWAS Commission was reported to have written to The Gambia National Youth Service Scheme, through the Department of State for Youth and Sports, conveying the council of Ministers' approval.

The training programme supports actions undertaken by ECOWAS member states and aims at offering young entrepreneurs in the areas of agribusiness, forestry and breeding.

However, the 2008 programme which is expected to start in June, according to reports will bring together about 36 participants from  ECOWAS members states and will take into account other economic areas such as mechanics and plumbing.

Reacting to the news, Mr Musa Mbye, Executive Director of NYSS expressed delight with the approval of the training programme, noting that it will serve as a catalyst in helping NYSS achieve its cherished dreams of developing the human resource base of The Gambia. While commending ECOWAS for the confidence bestowed in The Gambia and NYSS in particular, he assured  that NYSS will never be found wanting in any of its responsibilities.