Members of the Students Union of The Gambia Technical Training Institute (GTTI) Wednesday met the vice president and minister of Women's Affairs, Her Excellency Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, at her office in Sate House to personally thank her for her efforts in facilitating their nationwide tour.They also presented to her and President Jammeh, an award of appreciation, for the support rendered to the institution in recent years.

Speaking to reporters shortly after meeting the vice president, Baboucarr Mbye Saidy, president of the Union explained that they came to State House purposely to thank the vice president for her commitment to their cross-country trip. He said that they initially tried all means to get some funds for the trip with students from the Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar.

“When we knocked on her door, she just said to us, I would help and within three days she communicated back to us,” he revealed, stressing that the vice president’s move was unprecedented. “We are very grateful and we cannot even go too far in thanking her and so we decided to bring a small token of gift of appreciation,” Mbye Saidy added.

He described their nationwide tour as interesting and successful, saying it has given the Senegalese students the platform to learn more about Gambian history, and also understand that so many things in this country are related to their own culture. “They came to realise that we are truly the same,” he added.

OGUNS from Ghana

In another engagement, VP Njie-Saidy Wednesday received one Chief James Nurudeen from the OGUNs Bead Museum in Ghana at her office in State House.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Nurudeen said he visited the country in order to help Gambian women in trade become exposed to the international market. He also said he has traveled to many countries and had seen many Gambian products and appreciates them in terms of quality and beauty. He added that his mission is to also help train Gambian women in trade and improve their products for the world market.

Haddijatou Jammeh of Banjul Women in Trade said they came to meet the vice president and inform her about how their work is ongoing, recalling that in the past they used to encounter difficulty as they were not well known to the world market. She said Nurudeen sometime ago met them at the Banjul Albert Market, and explained his intention of helping Gambian women.

Jammeh said they really appreciate Nurudeen’s gesture, while also disclosing that he helped train them for 10 days. She added that they want government to also help expose them to the world market for the benefit of their products.

Jola Kunda Firewood Association

VP Njie-Saidy also received the Jola Kunda firewood Association from Kiang West in Lower River Region at her office. Speaking to reporters shortly after meeting the VP, Dibba explained that they came to express their heartfelt gratitude to the Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh.

He said that the Association is a family set-up based in five villages in Kiang West District, namely Kuyang, Banta Su Gissay, Bankuling and Kenoto and that it has been existing since the first year of the July 22 Revolution.

He said that the family has been fetching firewood for the president as a token of appreciation, noting that if there is another way to appreciate the president, they would have done so. He said that is why they came to see the vice president and express their appreciation to the president.