The Rural Development Institute (RDI) in Mansakonko in the Lower River Region (LRR) last weekend, graduated 23 students at a ceremony held at the institution's conference hall.

The graduating class successfully completed an intensive two-year training course on Integrated Rural Development. The graduation ceremony was attended by parents, government officials and a cross-section of the Mansakonko community. Speaking at the ceremony, the deputy permanent secretary at the Ministry of Local Government and Lands, Landing FS. Manneh, noted that his ministry would continue to support the development of RDI through the Department of Community Development, so that the institution in partnership with the University of The Gambia can offer higher certificates like Diploma, Bsc in Development Studies and Social Sciences.

According to him, since the inception of the institution in 1979, it has been involved in training community development assistants, adding that its products have registered success in both government and non-governmental organisations over the years. DPS Manneh went on to acknowledge the intervention of the CDDP project, BCC and KMC among others for patronising the institution, noting that government alone cannot do all. He seized the opportunity to call on others to come forward and assist RDI and also challenged the graduating students to be serious, respectful, honest, accountable and transparent in their work when employed.

Manneh further urged the graduating students to say no to corruption and illicit drugs, which he said can be detrimental to them. Speaking earlier, the deputy governor of the Lower River Region, Wally Sanneh, applauded the graduating students and noted that the occasion is another significant milestone in the annals of the Rural Development Institute. He noted that the government under the leadership of His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh has created the enabling environment through the Vision 2020 and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), adding that access to quality education in the country is no longer a problem.

Deputy Governor Sanneh seized the opportunity to call on students to grab the opportunities created by the government and make a difference in life. He advised the graduating students to develop a sense of compassion and love for their country, adding that their tutors have laid a very good foundation for them to build on and make headway in life.

Baboucarr Gaye, the principal of the institute, in his annual statement, informed the gathering that there is no failure among the graduating class, adding that 11 out the 23 graduates are female. He expressed confidence that the graduates when employed, would perform to expectation since RDI has been putting a lot of emphasis on standard since its inception in 1979. The institution, he added always strive very hard to ensure that its products are not square pegs in round holes.

Principal Gaye pointed out that the reason for this is that his administration does not want to produce graduates who would not be able to meet the development challenges that lie ahead of them. Gaye then appealed to the authorities and other institutions to support the institution in order to enable the school administration execute its work with efficiency.

He also expressed gratitude to the Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh for extending generosity to the institution during his 'Dialogue with the people's tour' in 2009 by donating twenty thousand dalasis (D20,000) to the students for a party and one hundred thousand dalasis (D100, 000) for their feeding. The president, he went on, also provided them with 20 brand new computers and promised to refurbish their dining hall.

Falalo Touray, the regional agricultural director in the LRR, who was the guest speaker, also joined the rest of the speakers to applaud the outgoing students for their good work.  He also urged them to be discipline and be good ambassadors wherever they find themselves.