Jaliba Kuyateh, the country's king of Kora, has been named as the Man of the Year 2009 by The Gambia News and Report Weekly Magazine, a press release from the Weekly Magazine revealed.

Below we reproduce the full text of the release.
Jaliba Kuyateh of Brikama, the well known Kora player and leader of the Kumareh Band of Brikama, has been designated ?Man of the Year 2009? by The Gambia News and Report Weekly Magazine, the first musician to receive the award.

In a letter conveying the news to Jaliba Kuyateh, Mr. Swaebou Conateh of the Dippakunda based Gambia Communication Agency and Baroueli Enterprises, the publishers of the News and Report Weekly Magazine states that his selection was because of the way he has, with a modern educational background, developed his own brand of the music of the Kora to a level never known for this brand of music, standing out as the most innovative, the most creative and fascinating player of the instrument in today?s Gambia and the sub-region. Been known to perform the rare feat of singing and playing the Kora simultaneously, and can be acrobatic while playing the instrument, sometimes even using his teeth or leaning all the way down as he plays it, and that watching him in action, is a spectacle one cannot easily forget. With your overwhelming stage presence, you flawlessly swing around, jump up and down and dance rhythmically while at all times in full control of the Kora as you play it.

Put his prolific output as a musician towards espousing, cultural values through populist songs replete with words of wisdom and guidance as well as progressive causes for national unity and development, such as women?s affairs, education, health, gender empowerment and the environment. Attained high regard in both official, non-official and international circles, and we believe you have become the nation?s musical voice and now rank first in national terms. Over the years, you have also endeared yourself to audiences in various parts of the sub-region, as well as in Europe, Asia and America.

Despite his crowded schedule and the popular demand for him and the Kumareh Band, he still remains the most available player in The Gambia today, continuing to support many worthy causes as he plays to audiences in school halls, cinema halls, village gathering, stadiums, playgrounds and wrestling arenas, and charging very minimal fees or virtually nothing for a performance.

Consequently, the management of The Gambia News and Report is satisfied that he has met the following criteria for selecting "Man of the Year":
1) The person selected must be someone who, through his/her work, profession or personal endeavour, is judged to have contributed the most to the public welfare and to advancing the country's development in the interest of all Gambians.
2) He or she must have contributed significantly in enhancing in a direct and tangible form, the social and economic status of Gambians as whole.
3) He or she would have put in place for posterity facilities and/or infrastructures and other achievements that can serve as a lasting memorial of his/her contributions to national development.
The letter further states that the management of The Gambia News and Report is therefore satisfied that Jaliba Kuyateh has met the criteria set out above having already:
1) Won many awards and honours including the UNICEF Ambassador for Children, and the Panafest (Pan African Festival) award as well as the award received from the Senegalese First Lady, Madam Vivian Wade, as musical ambassador.
2) Through the years, you have travelled far and wide to meet your many fans in the USA, the UK, Germany, Sweden, France, Norway, Italy, Senegal, Guinea Bissau and Mali, among many other places.

On your choice as Gambia's UNICEF Ambassador for Children, you stated that you felt "very proud and glad to be UNICEF's ambassador", and promised that you would continue to fulfill your "obligations to the children of The Gambia and the entire world".
The letter adds that, "in view of the fact that;
1. Your case also illustrates possibilities for individual citizens who care enough about their country and points to the importance of individual strength of character and high principles.
2. You have shown, by your conduct and example, a high level of personal sacrifice, scholarly discipline, management and other skills.   
3. By so doing, you have reserved to yourself the high regard and admiration, which won to your side the unreserved applause of many Gambians. "And since we believe that, like some other prominent leaders of the past, your story will remain for Gambians an important example of good leadership, to serve as a point of reference in terms of service to the nation". We take this opportunity to salute you for what you have been able to achieve in the annals of our country's history.

We know your courage sacrifice; steadfastness and highly commendable contribution are bound to remain a source of inspiration and exemplary conduct to our citizens now and generations unborn. "The management of The Gambia News and Report Weekly Magazine being thus satisfied that you have met the requirements to be designated the magazine's Man of the Year 2009, now congratulate you most heartily on your selection and designation. Congratulations on your well merited recognition.  

END
(Previous "Man or Gambian of The Year" named by the paper since 1992 were Amadou Samba, Pa Sallah Jagne, Dr Ebrima Samba, the late Dr Lenrie Peters, Lamin Waa Juwara, Isatou Njie-Saidy, Bye Lamin Jobe, Mrs Harriet Ndow, Imam Karamo Touray, Hassan B Jallow, Ousman B Conateh (Fisko) Muhammed Jah, late Deyda Hydara, (posthumous) Pa Sallah Jeng, Bolong Sonko and Mustapha Njie (joint winners), President Yahya Jammeh and Dr Isatou Touray).