Young People Should Be Focused and Steadfast Says VP, as She Meets Yap Executive

The Daily Observer (Banjul)

Sheriff Janko

21 June 2011

The vice president and minister of Women’s Affairs has challenged the young people of the country to be steadfast and focused, especially in this Internet age.

Her Excellency Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy was speaking Monday at State House, during a meeting with the executive of the Youth Ambassadors of Peace (YAP) who were at State House to brief her about their forthcoming Fifth International Youth Summer Camp on Peace that will take place from 15-30 2011 at the Gambia College Brikama Campus. She commended YAP for the move and assured them of government’s support, while expressing optimism that other well-meaning Gambians will also support their initiatives.

“Once you are on track you will have the assistance you need. I just want to encourage you to keep up the good work,” she said, while enjoining them to beware security wise, as youths are the soft spot others use to inculcate wrong ideas. She added: “Watch out what you look on the internet and I think that message should be passed on the young people because these days, there are a lot of useful information, but at the same time there are a lot of garbage.” VP Njie-Saidy.

VP Njie-Saidy buttressed on the importance of the forthcoming Camp, saying it will create a forum where the hidden talents will be uncovered and brought to the fore. “There is need to uncover talents and bring them to the fore,” she added. She finally commended YAP on behalf of the Gambian leader and thanked all the partners who have been supporting them over the years.

Speaking earlier, Lamin Sanyang, the president of YAP dwelled on the work of the YAP, stressing that it was due to the dynamic nature of peace building that they decided to go from Youth Ambassador of Peace to Peace Ambassadors. “Looking at peace building, it is dynamic as it is changing every now and then and we think it is not ideal to confine ourselves at a corner and calling ourselves Youth Ambassador of Peace,” he said, adding that they recognised the efforts of the Gambian leader in promoting peace.

He explained that the forthcoming International Youth Summer Camp will enable youths to acquire knowledge skills needed to develop an aptitude for peace building as well as discuss issues affecting them. He added that it will also avail them the opportunity to map out strategies and came up with means of resolving them.

Fabakary Kalleh, the executive secretary of YAP said that over the years YAP has trained a number of youths on leadership skills and other youth empowerment initiatives. Kalleh disclosed that they have been working with partners in a bid to curb disaster risk reduction (DRR) in the hinterland of the country. He further disclosed that YAP recently launched a new project called ‘Tycoon’, an initiative targeting young people to save as well as loan money among themselves.

Isatou Bittaye, the vice chairperson of YAP, who gave a brief explanation of the International Summer Camp, said the forthcoming event is important as it will teach the young people leadership skills, and will also encompass academic lessons on topical issues such as human rights, peace and conflict management, leadership, governance and democracy, as well as entrepreneurship and development, among a host of others. Bittaye said some of the countries that have confirmed their participation at the event include Indonesia, Tanzania, Senegal Guinea Bissau and Sierra Leone.

Modou Nyang, the chairman of the social and protocol committee echoed similar sentiments. Marcel Mendy, the executive secretary of National Youth Council (NYC) hailed YAP for the move, acknowledging that it is inline with the idea of the Ministry of Youth and Sports to start what they intend to call a summer school camp.

He said: “Because we realised that more often than not young people have spoken about but not really for a good reason particularly when there is summer time. Young people particularly at that time are left with little or virtually if not nothing to do, and as such they are being exposéd to so many vices that could have a negative impact on their lives.”

Mendy further described YAP as an active young group in the country that is working tirelessly and ready to empower the young people of the country. The NYC executive secretary finally urged them to keep up the good work; he also urged them to seek advice from the necessary officials so as to be perfect in whatever they do.

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