The National Coordinator of the National Enterprise Development Initiative (NEDI) Pa Malick Ceesay, has expressed appreciation to the Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh for conferring on him the insignia of Member of the National Order of the Republic of The Gambia (MRG).

The letter reads:

It is with a profound sense of gratitude and appreciation that I am writing this letter to Your Excellency to thank you from the bottom of my heart for conferring on me the insignia of member of the order of the Republic of The Gambia (MRG). This award has come as a welcome surprise to me, my colleagues and my entire family. I feel deeply honoured to be the recipient of such a prestigious award. By this award Your Excellency has shown recognition for my small efforts and this has inspired me to commit myself more to the noble task of building this great country under Your Excellency's exemplary leadership.

Your Excellency, I share your vision to transform this country into a highly developed country and this vision has been my guiding light. With this award I shall continue to be guided by your vision in all that I say or do. I know you love The Gambia and are committed to its advancement. From 1994 to date, you have proved your skeptics wrong by commissioning many development projects in all regions of the country. Time and space will not permit me to list these development projects but Gambians know very well what I am talking about. Anyone who has eyes to see will testify to your great concern for the welfare of all Gambians. All those who choose to deny the overwhelming evidence of your development-oriented leadership are certainly guilty of denying the testimony of their own eyes.

I would like to appeal to you to ignore such detractors and continue the good work you are doing. We know the difference between diamond and dung and will not exchange Your Excellency for anything. We know only you and we need only you. Please continue to lead us and guide us towards the road to progress that only you know. We cherish you and will continue to support you. Your Excellency's vision for this country has been translated into numerous development projects which have transformed all aspects of life. Gambians now enjoy a standard of living that was only a dream before Your Excellency assumed the mantle of leadership. All genuine and patriotic Gambians are aware and grateful for such development projects.

We are certain that Your Excellency is the answer to our prayer for good leadership and development. We will continue to rally behind you and support you in all your endeavours because we know that morning, afternoon, evening and night you are engaged in national construction and development. I want to use this opportunity to congratulate Your Excellency on the recent 22nd July celebrations which was done in grand style. This year's celebration marks 16years of progress and development for our dear country and her people.

We are very grateful for Your Excellency's concern and love for the people of The Gambia which has been manifested in numerous development projects that have erased the hardship and suffering we faced before you assumed office. You have given us a lot and we are very grateful for all that you have done for us. We know you have more development packages in store and will rally behind you 100% in order to benefit from these projects. As we witness this historic celebration of an entire nation's coming of age I want to take this opportunity to call on all Gambians to rally behind Your Excellency for more development in all aspects of life. With Your Excellency the future is always bright.

Your Excellency, the youths and women of The Gambia enabled me to serve them in various capacities both locally and internationally by giving me their encouragement and support. Even when I was redeployed from the national youth council to my present position young people have continued encouraging and supporting me. I am very grateful for this. It is due to their collaboration that I have been able serve my country to the best of my ability. Without this encouragement and support it would have been difficult if not impossible for me see through my duties and responsibilities.

On that note, I wish to reiterate my profound gratitude and appreciation for choosing me out of many Gambian youths to be the recipient of this prestigious award (MRG). May the Almighty Allah grant Your Excellency long life, good health, strength and foresight to continue guiding The Gambia to higher heights.

Pa Malick Ceesay (MRG)

National Coordinator- NEDI