In what can be described as another gesture of magnanimity, the Gambian leader has awarded scholarships to two young students to pursue further studies in Venezuela.

Considering education as the engine of development, President Yahya Jammeh has spared no efforts in extending largesse through scholarship packages. The beneficiaries are all members of the National Patriotic Students Association (NAPSA), and they will each pursue a six-year degree course in Medicine in the Bolivarian republic.

Modou Alieu Jallow and Mustapha G Njie, science students who were executive members of NAPSA, are set to leave for Venezuela on the 29th of this month. Speaking at a farewell ceremony organised by the association, last Monday, at the KMC in honour of the departing students, Seedy SK Njie, acting national coordinator of NAPSA, described President Jammeh as a leader who is totally dedicated to the development of the youths.

According to him, under the leadership of President Jammeh, thousands of Gambian students have either directly or indirectly benefited from scholarships to pursue courses, both locally and internationally. He then added that President Jammeh is a true revolutionary leader. He therefore urged all Gambians to rally behind the president and help him in his crusade to realise the goals of Vision 2020 and the Silicon Valley project.
He urged the departing students to be serious with their education, calling on them to maintain discipline and to abide by the laws of the land they are going to.

For his part, Modou Salieu Sowe, chairperson of NAPSA, thanked their departing members for their relentless service in uplifting NAPSA to higher heights. He thanked the president for awarding the scholarship to the NAPSA members, whom he advised to serve as good ambassadors of The Gambia in Venezuela and to take their academic work seriously. He urged them to be patient as they are going to a different land where they will face challenges and hurdles from all directions.

Mustapha Saine, co-coordinator of NAPSA, thanked the president for the love and care he has for the young people of the country.  He urged the departing students to endeavour to raise the Gambian flag high whilst in Venezuela.  He also advised them to take their studies seriously in order to come back and contribute to the development of the country. Apparently overwhelmed by President Jammeh's gesture, Modou Alieu Jallow and Mustapha G. Njie, the recipients, both thanked the Gambian leader for his support. They gave assurances about their resolve to raise the Gambian flag higher.

For his part, Pa Malick Ceesay, executive secretary of the National Youth Council, advised the duo to be hard working and take their academic work seriously. Other speakers included Sulayman Jallow, Modou Sanyand, Jestina Harding and Aminata Ceesay, all of whom urged their colleagues to be committed to their work and not to forget The Gambia and NAPSA in particular.