Months of preparation have almost come to an end; the youth of this country will soon be assembling to discuss pertinent issues affecting their lives.

The National Youth Conference and Festival (NAYCONF), a biennial event, has turned out to be some sort of an assembly for Gambian youths, not only offering them an opportunity rarely heard of in the region - giving them a chance to voice out their concerns to those that matter, but also offering opportunity to the decision makers to get ideas about how to help what is actually the base of the country's major work force.

This is part of a whole effort aimed at empowering the youth folks, preparing them for the inevitable leadership role they are poised to take up. It has been the goal of the leadership of this country for the past decade; and it is part of a vision born out of genuine intent of making a superpower of a nation out of a small geographical piece of land.
 
If you are conversant with development trend of this country within the past few years, you will understand what we are getting at. President Jammeh's development aspirations have all along been tied to an obsessive urge for a stronger, competent and well educated youth core. This is tied to his and general belief that with a youthful population like ours, equipping the youth with the requisite skills is the only way forward.

Now what every Gambian should be asking themselves is this: 'what have I done towards this effort? This question is important because it will open up a sincere sense of debate within the individual.

We have seen many contributions from many people, but how many of these contributions came in spontaneously? It was either the president said or did something which made someone put in something.