The Jama Hall of the Kairaba Beach Hotel in Kololi was the scene of much fanfare on Saturday evening as hundreds of well wishers, friends, fans and other prominent people turned out in their numbers to join the proprietress and chief executive officer of the I-Media Company to celebrate the 4th anniversary of the famous weekly Fatu Show, broadcast on the Gambia Radio and Television Services on Thursdays and Sundays.

The Saturday evening at the Kairaba Beach Hotel was a true celebration of success in broadcasting, and the event attracted the attention of prominent people across the board, including few ministers, celebrities, media practitioners including the top brass of the Gambia Radio and Television Services, and a UK-based Time Magazine, lawmakers, amongst others, under the banner of what many described as “Gambians supporting a Gambian initiative.”

The turnout was not merely a move to enjoy the evening entertainments powered by both sprouting Gambian and Senegalese musicians, but one to show great solidarity to Fatou Camara, the host of the Fatu Show for sustaining a weekly television talk show in the midst of many challenges to media work. Her show has since its launch in 2008, the same year after the birth of the I-Media Company, become a household name in the country, thus keeping people glued to their televisions on the aforementioned days. The show blends societal puzzles, current affairs and entertainment, and has since featured a number of inspiring Gambian and non-Gambian personalities. It is so far the biggest and consistent weekly talk show on GRTS.

The guests to Saturday’s celebration were specifically entertained to the maximum by the new Senegalese sensation, Aida Samba or Sambs, legendary Gambian-Senegalese based musician Musa Afare Ngum, Fatah of Senegal, Gibou Bala Gaye (Gee), Brokee (Sunkuto), Humanity Band (Stars), as well as Sally Mbenga and Group.

In the midst of much excitement, Fatou Camara took to the podium to address the elegantly looking audience, who awaited for her 4th anniversary statement. “Four years ago, I was confronted with the challenge to introduce a distinctive show on GRTS,” she stated. “With sheer determination,” she added, “with the support of so many people of goodwill, and with my decade-long experience in media, I was able to forge a viable partnership with GRTS that ushered in the Fatu Show”.

But in the words of Madam Camara, the anniversary was not only to observe their inception, but to allow the audience to take stock of their output and suggest areas where they needed improvement. “I must also use this opportunity to give credit where it is indeed due. The story of the Fatu Show, and the story of Fatou Camara, have been shaped and enlivened largely by one person, who has been an inspiration to thousands of other lives both within and outside The Gambia. He is our president, my mentor and guide, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh. The president has had a special influence on my life, as he’s had on the lives of thousands more, with his kind heart, magnanimity, generosity, and interest in the welfare of all Gambians, especially young people and the women folk. All the way, he has been there for me – from sponsoring my college education, to supporting the I-Media both morally and materially,” she said of the Gambian leader amidst big applause from the audience.

The I-Media chief further applauded President Jammeh for his logistics and material support to the 4th anniversary, saying: “It would not have been a success without his support.” Commending the GRTS also for their support and partnership over the years, Fatou Camara could not end her statement without thanking the sponsor of the Fatu Show, the Comium Company, one of the four GSM operators in the Gambia.

The deputy director general of the Gambia Radio and Television Services had earlier taken to the podium to address the audience. Malik Jones indicated his institution’s support to the Fatu Show, while commending Fatou Camara for sustaining it for the past four years.

What ensued was much excitement by the aforementioned Gambian and Senegalese musicians.