Alhaji Demba Sanyang, the paramount chief of The Gambia, has been awarded an honorary diploma in management and leadership for his "extensive and excellent services" to communities and in social development by the Banutu Business College (BBC) in Lamin village.

The paramount chief was bestowed this honour together with the Alkalo of Lamin Village, Mbemba Bojang at the colleges first graduation ceremony in recognition of his efforts and services rendered to the community.

Kalilu Sanneh, a police officer studying at the college, also benefited from a scholarship grant to further continue his studies at the BBC, which has a strategic plan to start to a bachelors degree programme by September. There are plan to also introduce masters programme.

The proprietor of the college, Dr Ba-Banutu Gomez, who is also an associate professor at the Western State University in Connecticut, USA, also awarded two scholarships to two deserving graduates to the bachelors degree level.

According to Mr Samuel Jackson, the director of the BBC, there curriculum is based on international standards and they do not require external examinations as such.

The college, according to Mr Jackson, is not profit-oriented based, as its objective is to provide and produce quality students.

The student leader at the college, Mr Bori Saidy, thanked the professor and the tutors at the college for their foresight and dedication to students development and called on all high school graduates to consider joining the BBC diploma programmes.

Mr Saidy also made an appeal to the elders of Lamin Village to allocate land for the college, so that they can develop the college further for the benefit of the village.