The 2008 biennial National Youth Conference and Festival (Nayconf) commences today, in Farafenni, North Bank Region. The event is expected to be graced by both national and international delegates, as well as stakeholders in youth development.

The theme of this year's edition is: "Invest in youth now for sustainable development". President Jammeh himself, who is the brain behind this mega youth gathering, is expected to formally declare the event open.

Speaking to the Daily Observer, Mambanjik Njie, permanent secretary, department of state for youth and sports, urged Gambians to view Nayconf as a national event. He made this remark during a dialogue with regional authorities at the office of the governor of Lower River Region in Mansakonko.

He then said that youth empowerment could no longer be left back in the development agenda of the president of republic, and added that to attain the aims of Nayconf every body has a role to play to reduce some of the challenges young people of the country are encountering.

For his part, Pa Malick Ceesay, executive secretary of the national youth council, said investment in activities of young people by anyone is no mistake and would never cause the downfall of that individual or institution.

The event, which had been scheduled to be officially opened on Tuesday, was shifted to Thursday for some technical reasons. Delegates from both national and international levels were expected to arrive in Farafenni Yesterday. It could be recalled that the 2006 youth gathering was hosted by Western Region in Brikama. Since then, little has been heard about the implementation of the resolutions.

And over the years, many young people have complained that the event is making less or no impact on them. Some suggested that funds that are raised for the event should have been put into sustainable projects where young people can access employment. However Members of the national organising committee of the event argues that this year's event will be different.

Alagie Kebbeh, chairman of the National Youth Council, who is also chairman of the event's national organizing committee, said that the expected success for this year's Nayconf cannot be over emphasised.