Today marks 20 years since the Daily Observer, the most authoritative, reliable, and widely read newspaper in The Gambia hit the newsstands with a mission of educating, informing and enlightening the people of this country so that they can develop a positive conscience to partake in national development. 

20 years on, this paper is waxing stronger than ever before, thanks to the able, efficient and dedicated staff and the encouraging support received from the proprietor, the board and the readers.

Ever since we began this journey, ‘Forward with The Gambia’ has always been our slogan. This is because we practice the journalism that views the media as a tool to be utilised towards ends that will uplift human wellbeing and societal advancement; and not a tool for mass social distraction. This explains why, since inception, this paper has remained the country's largest and leading news provider.

Twenty years on, the Daily Observer has undergone spectacular transformation in editorial content, layout and design. It would be recalled that some three years ago, we deployed reporters to all the regions of the country. 

This came out of our strong conviction that a developed society is an informed society and an informed society is an enlightened society. Our decision to extend coverage to every nook and cranny of the country was also meant to ensure that people at the grassroots become part of the news.

Considering the tremendous development that the country is witnessing under the current leadership, the Daily Observer considers it a national obligation to follow the development trend and report events as they unfold. 

We are therefore proud to be associated with informing people within and outside The Gambia about the significant strides this country has made towards materialising our national development aspirations.

The 20th anniversary of the company in the opinion of our young and dynamic managing director, Pa Malick Faye is an indication of the commitment and dedication to service of the staff ranging from the director to cleaners both present and those who have once served the company with sincerity and sacrifice. It is also a testimony to the trust and confidence the proprietor and the board bestow on the young people who are steering the wheel of the company.

MD Faye has acknowledged that without this trust confidence,the company would not have come this far. He also alluded to the cordial working relationship among staff of the company as the fuel driving the company to success.His words: “Here at the Observer we see each other as brothers not as colleagues. 

This is why we have been able to innovate together to produce the best for our readership. The very fact that young people are driving this company makes it even more encouraging to be part of the Observer Family. We thank the proprietor and the board for that trust and readers and clients for keeping us in business.”

Talking to a pool of dedicated reporters about what the birthday brings for the company, a smiling Faye said: “We are all testimonies to the improvements that have taken place so far, development is gradual and be rest assured more big time projects are in the offing.”