Editorial,

A progressive society, is often said, does not drop from the sky; rather, such a society is planted, nurtured and forstered to bear fruits by a decent people; a people who act towards each other in the spirit of brotherhood and reserve the principles of humanity.  The process of engendering such a conscious people should also be everybody’s responsibility. Recently, our society has witnessed an unbearable increase in murder cases, which are quite often brutal in nature. Here and there and every now then  people are seen or heard killing their fellow human beings for no just cause.

The latest of such incident is the killing of a brother by a sister, which was carried on this paper yesterday.  We cannot comprehend how people get the guts to take the lives of other people much more the ones they share the same blood with. Such an act is indeed unfortunate and a cause for alarm. The Gambia referred to as the Smiling Coast of Africa did not emerge out of the blue;  emerged as a result of the hospitality of her people. The country stands out among many countries to be one where the culture of tolerance, civility and forbearance is preserved for all to enjoy regardless of race, tribe among others.

Furthermore, the maintenance of such an atmosphere has been the sense of direction of the country’s leadership. Nearly every day, in every engagement of the president, he preaches the culture of peace, descipline and harmony among the people. As Gambians, we should put all hands on deck to complement the efforts of the government in that respect. We should at all times remember that society is a system that becomes dyfunctional  when one part is at fault; from the family level to peer groups and to state level. It is a national obligation for each of us to ensure that social menaces like killing, rape and the likes are not permited in a country that has already earned credit for herself as the smiling coast of the continent.

We know that it is the responsinility of law enforcement units like the police to maintain an orderly society. However, the police cannot do it all alone. Every member of society has a fundamental role to play. Parents and guardians are also reminded  that descipline must be the underline principle in our homes. If our children and people that are under our guidance are trained to be descipline, tolerant and respectful, such social vices will be drastically minimised. It is an unpleasant news to hear that people have killed each orther, or acted otherwise of conventional society. Let us maintain vegilance and forster the spirit of unity and brotherhood in society.