Says Senegalese Speaker Sall as Senegalese and Nigerian delegations arrive for the State Opening of Parliament

Macky Sall, the Speaker of the Senegalese National Assembly, and Honourable Tunde Akongun, Deputy Speaker of the Nigerian parliament, each accompanied by a high powered delegation yesterday arrived in The Gambia to attend the 2008 State Opening of the Legislative year.

Received at the foot of the aircraft by Honourable Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay, Speaker of the National Assembly, Speaker Sall of Senegal was accompanied by Madam Daba Camara, a National Assembly Member, Monsieur Mousa Diao No.1 National Assembly Member, Monsieur Elhadji Wack Ly, a National Assembly Member, Monsieur Ousman Sow Huchard, a National Assembly Member and Madam Seynabou Kor Tine, the Director of Communication at the National Assembly of Senegal.

Honourable Akogun of Nigeria was also accompanied by Honourable Ali Ndume, Honourable Johnson Agbolagba, Honourable Elizabeth Ogbubo, National Assembly Members, Mr Kayode Akinmade, Yusuf Shinkafi and Mr Atiku Ibrahim.

Speaking to journalist at his Ocean Bay Hotel in Cape Point, Speaker Sall expressed delight at the invitation to attend the state opening and to visit a dynamic colleague.

He said "I am proud to be here in a land of peace and tranquility more especially with its leadership, President Yahya Jammeh" he said. He then emphasised the good cordial relationship between the two countries noting that The Gambia and Senegal are one family. "Therefore it is a great pleasure for me to come to The Gambia" he concluded.