Members of the Gamtel/Gamcel Staff Association and three other associations, yesterday called on Her Excellency, the vice president and secretary of state for Women's Affairs,  Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, at her office at State House in Banjul.

The delegation, led by the general manager of Gamcel -Foday Ceesay, made a presentation of four hundred and ten thousand dalasis (D410,000) to three institutions, namely Operation Save a Baby Initiative; the Presidential Medical Treatment Programme and the Women's Empowerment Initiative.

Operation Save a Baby Initiative received a cheque for two hundred and ten thousand dalasis (D210,000), while the Presidential Medical Treatment Programme received a cheque for one hundred thousand dalasis (100,000), thirty bags of rice, ten bags of sugar and ten drums of 20 litre cooking oil. The Women's Empowerment Initiative also received a cheque for one hundred thousand dalasis (100,000).

Alasan Gibba, president of the Gamtel/Gamcel Staff Association said the gesture was made in fulfillment of  their pledge to contribute to the development processes of the country. He thanked President Jammeh through Vice President Njie-Saidy for the patronage and support the Gambia Government has been rendering to the association over the years.

Aji Ramou Nyassi-Hydara, board head of Gamtel/Gamcel marketing, recalled a similar presentation made by the association to institutions, which she attributed to the "true inspiration from Vice President Njie-Saidy during their fundraising activities. To this end, she revealed that the underlining goal of Gamtel/Gamcel for this year is to enhance its customer base. In her reaction, Vice President Njie-Saidy commended the association members on behalf of President Jammeh for such a benevolent gesture "despite the difficult challenges" they have been faced with. She urged the members of the association to be committed to national duties.

Fatoumatta Jahumpha-Ceesay, speaker of the National Assembly, observed with delight that such gestures are becoming a tradition of the association. She commended the members for their hard work and foresight.

Dr Tamsir Mbowe, director general of the Presidential Medical Treatment Programme, said since the inception of the treatment programme, thousands of patients have benefited from  Gamtel/Gamcel Staff Association's support.

Edis and Sam cooperation
The next to call on the vice president were two young Gambian artists, Edrisa Jobe and Samuel Eleboye, who presented three items from their artistic works for onward transmision to the Gambian leader, Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, the Central Bank of The Gambia as well as the Judiciary.

The two artists were accompanied to the State House by Momodou S Joof, executive director of the National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC). The presented artistic works included a portrayal of a Dove, which is believed to represent peace and tranquility, for President Jammeh; a portrayal of a crocodile on the Gambian dalasi coin, for the Central Bank; and a portrayal of a measuring scale, representing justice, for the Judiciary.

Speaking at the occasion, Edrisa and Samuel said the gifts were their contributions to the development of The Gambia's arts industry. They thanked the vice president for according them the opportunity to showcase their talents. The vice president, Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, described the works of the two artists as development in effect. Since The Gambia's transition period in 1994, VP Njie-Saidy said, Gambians  have been effectively demonstrating their talents. She implored the young artists not to look low upon their profession.

Chief Justice Abdou Karim Savage, speaking at the occasion, harped on the importance of the artistic works of the two young Gambians. He observed that the judiciary has been playing a tremendous  role in the maintenance of peace and tranquility in the country.
Basiru Njie, deputy governor of the Central Bank of The Gambia, commended the two artists for their artistic works. Making reference to the crocodile on the Dalasi coin, he said that the reptile symbolises strength.

Brikama Youth and Sports Association (BYSA)
The third group to call on the vice president were members of the Brikama Youth and Sports Association (BYSA) who also made a presentation of twenty-five thousand dalasis to four groups in the country.

The BYSA members were led to the State House by the secretary of state for Youth and Sports, Sheriff ML Gomez and Pa-Malick Ceesay, executive secretary of the National Youth Council (NYC). The association presented an amount of ten thousand dalasis to the Jammeh Foundation for Peace, and another cash amount of five thousand dalasis each to the The Gambia U-17 team, Brikama Health Center and the Brikama Council of Elders (Bulunda).

Superintendent Lamin King Colley, president of BYSA, said the gesture was made possible thanks to the profit they realized from their fundraising show with Assan Njie, a Senegalese musician. According to him, the monies were meant to strengthen and enhance the financial capacity of the beneficiaries. Regarding the money given to the Brikama Health Center, Colley said it was their contribution towards the completion of ongoing construction of a mortuary.

According to Sheriff ML Gomez, SoS for Youth and Sports, his department is undergoing transforming, and it aims to ensure excellence and leadership among young Gambians. He called on elders to be pacesetters, which, he said, will make young people become confident and grow up to be responsible people. He commended the association's members for the gesture, describuing it as inspiring for other young people.
In her reaction, Vice President Njie- Saidy thanked the association's  members for creating such a vibrant association in the country. According to her, the presentation shows their commitment to national development. She called on Gambians to realize that the country belongs to them, urging them to emulate their elders.

Dr Mariatou Jallow, secretary of state for Health and  Social Welfare, and Dr Ardy Sarge of the Jammeh Foundation for Peace both commended the members of BYSA for the gesture.

This Generation Group
The forth to call on the vice president were members of This Generation Group, who were also led by Pa Malick Ceesay of the National Youth Council. In a short interview with journalists shortly after their audience with Vice President Njie-Saidy, Amadou K Jallow, executive director of the group, said their call on the vice president was meant to formally introduce themselves to the government.

He said the group comprises of young people who are dedicated to the promotion and participation of children and young people in national development effort. He noted that particular emphasis is placed on issues such as education, health, illegal migration, sports, and child right issues, among others. According to him, they also came to seek the vice president's advice.