President Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh has spoken of his impression of the Senegalese Mbalax musician, Alioune Mbye Nder, describing him as a 'true friend' of The Gambia.

Dr Jammeh made this remark at the Cabinet room in State House, when the musician paid a courtesy call on him, accompanied by board members of the Jammeh Foundation for Peace JFP, after thrilling Gambians over the weekend as part of a fundraising gala and show.

According to The Gambian leader, Mbye Nder's offer to perform for the Foundation without charge is a clear manifestation of his love for The Gambia. He added that the Senegalese musician was exceptional because he put humanity above money. "He has performed satisfactorily and Gambians are grateful," the president said of Mr Nder.

And he went on to say that despite the musician's gesture, the foundation thought it prudent to give him something as a compliment. He then assured the musician of his support in reciprocation of his good gesture.

Speaking earlier, Fatou Lamin Faye, secretary of state for Basic and Secondary Education, said Mbye Nder had earlier on expressed his intention to associate himself with the activities of President Jammeh, disclosing that she had received a telephone call from the musician offering to take part in the July 22 Beauty Pageant, when he had learnt that it was an initiative of the Gambian leader. But due to time constraints, SoS Faye said, that was not possible.

She assured the musician that his name will be indelible in the history of the Foundation, which she described as a body providing worthwhile services to the populace, thus justifying any association with it.

Ardy Sarge, a board member of the foundation, disclosed that from 2005 to date, they have distributed over D17M to 58 organisations through the proceeds realised from Banjul - Amsterdam Challenge. He added that the Foundation has spent over D4m in educational fees alone for Gambians, locally and overseas.

Commenting on the rationale behind the fundraising, Mr Sarge expressed their desire to reduce the burden on the president who, according to him, provides 90% of the funds of the Foundation.

Mr Mbaye Nder himself was quite delighted to be part of the whole initiative. This he said in no uncertain terms, informing the gathering that he would like the president to adopt him as a younger brother because the president has all the qualities it takes to make a role model. He said he was honoured to be associated with the Foundation, emphasising that their stance was a noble one. He also sought the president's blessing and prayers for in the run-up to the upcoming Kora awards to be held in South Africa, in which he (Nder) will be participating. The winning prize for that award stands at 1 million dollar.

Bai Matarr Drammeh, also a board member and vice chairman of the fundraising committee, disclosed that they had decided to give 10M CFA to Mbye Nder, to reciprocate his goodwill gesture. He thanked Africell, the Mauritanian community and all those who made the fundraising a success.

Present at the ceremony were secretaries of state and the secretary to Cabinet, Abdoulie Sallah.