Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, vice president and secretary of state for Women's Affairs, yesterday received in her office at State House, officials of the Association of African Public Relations (APRA) and the Senegambian musician, Musa Affia Ngum.

Speaking to reporters shortly after their audience with Vice President Njie-Saidy, Kate Bapela, president of the APRA said they were at State House purposely to show their appreciation to the vice president for the support she and the entire Gambia government rendered them during organisation of their conference held last Tuesday, May 26, 2009. "Our meeting with the vice president," Bapela said, "was part of our resolutions," and she went on: "APRA believes that it is time for organisations to come together and implement strong programmes for development."

She also disclosed plans to establish a degree program in Public Relations at the University of The Gambia. Musa Ngum and his son, Yusupha Ngum, also called on Vice President Njie-Saidy at her office. After their discussion with her, Musa Affia Ngum told reporters that his discussion with the VP was centered on the way forward for the empowerment of the country's musical industry.

Their discussion, he said, also touched on a CD cassette he has prepared alongside the Army Band, which he said will be released soon. Ngum added that he has also conveyed birth day wishes to the Gambian leader, Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, through the vice president.