The President of the Republic, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, continues to receive more goodwill messages at State House.

The latest of such messages came from the leaders of Qatar and Italy, the president of MK International Inc, the speaker of the National Assembly of The Gambia, a former secretary of state for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology and the Methodist Church of The Gambia.

Bellow we reproduce the full text of the messages as they are received from the Office of the President at State House in Banjul.

The message from His Excellency Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar wrote, acknowledging receipt of President Jammeh's Mawlud message earlier sent to him.

The message reads:
Your Excellency,
I would like to thank you for the kind greetings on the blessed occasion of the Mawlud of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).

While reciprocating your sincere felicitations, I take this opportunity to express our heartfelt wishes for Your Excellency's personal well-being and further prosperity and progress of the brotherly people of The Gambia.

Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Emir of Qatar

The president of Italy, His Excellency Giorgio Napolitano, also wrote to President Jammeh to acknowledge receipt of the condolence message he sent him earlier.

The message reads:

Recently, Italy had gathered around the families and citizens of the Abruzzi at a time of pain and suffering. Most of all, we received solidarity from every corner of the world, from nations near and far. This participation in our mourning was for us a great comfort. Through messages and statements, we received a testimony of friendship that gives us hope and confidence.

On behalf of the Italian people, I wholeheartedly thank you for the expressions of solidarity that were sent. Italy knows that it has many friends around the world. We will not forget that.

Writing from the National Assembly in Banjul, the Speaker Hon. Fatoumata Jahumpa Ceesay extended a congratulatory message to the Gambian leader on his recent conferment of the Islamic title of Sheikh.

The message reads:
Your Excellency,
It is with great pleasure, joy and honour that I write on behalf of both sides of the National Assembly and staff and indeed on my own behalf to extend our sincere congratulations to your Excellency, President of the Republic of The Gambia on your recent title 'Sheikh' conferred on Your Excellency by the Supreme Islamic Council of The Gambia in recognition of your invaluable support and contribution to Islam.

We in the National Assembly are very proud of your achievements as your leadership continues to show a glaring example for the rest of the world to follow. As this award is added to your list of accolades, we pray that Allah in His infinite grace and mercy continues to guide and give Your Excellency the strength to continue to serve humanity.

Please accept Your Excellency, the assurances of our highest consideration and esteem.

Hon. Fatoumata Jahumpa-Ceesay, Speaker of the National Assembly

Another birthday wishes for the president came from the president of MK International Inc., Hae-Jung Jung, who is also the director general of Korea-Africa Association and co-chairman of Asia-Africa Business Council.

His message reads:
Excellency Mr President,
Congratulaions and congratulations for a million times for Your Excellency's birthday. We, all MK family members cross our fingers for your long-life and prosperity with your lovely people and country, Republic of The Gambia.

Hae-Jung Jung Ph.D President of MK International Inc.
Director General of Korea-Africa Association (KOAFA)
Co-chairman of Asia-Africa Business Council (AABC).

Crispin Gray-Johson, former secretary of state for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, wrote to congratulate the president on the conduct of his recently concluded 'Dialogue with the people tour'.

His message reads:
Let me first congratulate you on what, by all accounts, was a highly successful 'Dialogue with the people tour'. It was crowned, as it were, with the very good news that the joint UN/ECOWAS investigation on the deaths of Ghanaians in The Gambia had completely absolved The Gambia and its leadership of any direct or indirect responsibility for this unfortunate incident.

I for one, am very happy with this outcome, considering my own efforts to initiate and move the process forward. As we bring closure to this saga, we should all continue to be vigilant so as to prevent Your Excellency's detractors from using even the most innocuous of occurrences to try to bring The Gambia into disrepute, as they so strenuously did with this incident.

Finally, let me on behalf of my family and on my own behalf, extend heartiest birthday wishes. We pray for God's continued guidance, for health, strength and wisdom for you to steer the affairs of the state towards higher heights.

Accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.
Crispin Gray-Johnson, Banjul 

The Methodist Church, under the leadership of Reverend Norman Grigg, also wrote to the Gambian leader, extending greetings and prayers to him.

The message reads:
We bring you the loyal greetings of the first Conference of the Methodist Church The Gambia as it meets for its sessions at the Jaama Hall, the Kairaba Beach Hotel on this day.

At an inaugural service held yesterday, May 24th 2009, at Trinity Methodist Church, Serrekunda, the Deed of Foundation and the Deed of Church Order were signed by the President of the Methodist Conference of Great Britain and Ireland, the British Methodist President-Designate and Mrs Nwabueze Nwokolo - the three representatives designated by the British Methodist Church - and by four representatives of our Church in The Gambia granting autonomy to the Methodist Church The Gambia and today we are meeting in the first sessions of the autonomous Conference of our Church.

This was an historic occasion, as throughout the 188 years of Methodist presence in this country we have always been an Overseas District of the British Methodist Conference, now, with our new status, we have our own Conference, which from today will be the governing body and the ultimate authority of our Methodist work and witness in The Gambia.

The first act of the Conference's business session is to affirm our allegiance to the Republic of The Gambia and to re-affirm our loyalty to you as our president. On behalf of the Conference, we express our profound gratitude for your wonderful support and help to our Church in enabling us to celebrate this Foundation Conference weekend. Your hugely generous financial donation was received with delight by us all and we acknowledge our heartfelt appreciation for the practical help that this gift made to the quality of our weekend celebrations. Not only did you make this generous gesture but, despite your multitude of commitments at this time, you honoured us by being ably represented at our Conference service and events by your Minister of Youth and Sports, 

Hon Sheriff Gomez, the Accountant General Mr Gabriel Mendy, the Solicitor General Dr Henry Carrol, and the Judicial Secretary, Mr John Belford. We were also honoured with the representatives of the Honourable Speaker.

Your Excellency, your presence and that of the Judiciary and the Legislature was a great honour for our Church, and we thank you immensely for the magnificent statement of support, respect and encouragement made by this high level of representation. We humbly and gratefully offer our appreciation to you for your thoughtfulness and graciousness in honouring our Church in this way.

Please accept our thanks and our prayers for you and your family - may God grant you good health, strength, wisdom and discernment to carry out your onerous duties, enabling the continuing peace guide all the people in this land of which you are the leader. As we offer you thanks and our loyal greetings, may we also take this opportunity to wish you a very happy birthday.