Back and Next - Back and NextFJC receives Youth OAU Gambia chapter top brass
Monday, April 20, 2009
The speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay yesterday received the senior officials of the Youth Organsation for African Unity Gambia Chapter at her office at the Assembly Chambers in Banjul.
The members were at the speaker’s office to thank her, as chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee, for presenting the motion - for adoption by Members of the National Assembly - for the observation of every 25th May as a national holiday. The officials also thanked National Assembly members (both sides of the House) for unanimously adopting the motion.
The 25th May national holiday was a declaration made by the 53 Heads of State of the African Union at its 31st Ordinary Session in 2001 in Lusaka. Receiving the youth officials, Speaker Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay said the adoption of the motion by the Gambia’s National Assembly is in fulfillment of their legislative duties. According to her, despite being a small nation, they want to show the whole world that there is democracy, rule of law and good governance in this country. She observed that having young people like the members of the Youth Organsation for African Unity with such pan-African initiatives, pushing for African integration, clearly manifests that there is a bright future for the country and the continent as a whole.
She then called on everybody to come out and observe the day. “We should not only take the day as a public holiday but people need to know the importance of the day in all senses. We should observe it [through various] activities,” she said.
She described the proposed agenda set by the youth organisation for this years celebrations as vital particularly the illegal migration aspect. According to her, there is no reason why Gambian youths should embark on illegal migration. She urged the organisation to engage youths across the country in order to discourage them from embarking on such dangerous journeys. She also urged them to sensitise parents about the dangers noting that there are lots of local opportunities youths can benefit from in this country.
Speaker Jahumpa-Ceesay also assured them of her continued support. She then pledged 250 T-shirts to the organisation for the observation of the day. Amat Jawara, communication and public relations secretary of the organisation, saluted the National Assembly for the bold step in adopting the motion, noting that that is what they had been advocating for over the years. He expressed his orgainsation’s readiness to work closely with the National Assembly to make sure their ambitions are achieved. He also expressed hope that other countries will follow the Gambia suit as according to him, the Gambia’s National Assembly has made history through this move.
Fakuru Momodou Sillah, coordinator of the oragnisation, also thanked the Assembly. He recognised the numerous assistance rendered to them by President Jammeh. According to him, it is part of their duties to restore hope among Africans, so as to make the young people stay in the country and desist from the dangerous routes to Europe. He dilated on some of their activities geared towards discouraging youths from such trips, adding that they will sensitise more youths to utilise the local opportunities available.
For his part, Hon. Momodou Sanneh, minority leader and NAM for Kiang West, described the association as an important body. He recognised the personal efforts of the speaker towards the adoption of this resolution saying “the move came entirely from her. In fact, at the beginning, most members did not know the background of the day but due to her position as chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee, she explained in detail the overall objectives of the move to the best understanding of all members”.
According to him, Speaker Jahumpa-Ceesay has been demonstrating her love for African integration as manifested over the years during State Openings of the National Assembly by inviting various sub-regional speakers. Other speakers included Hon. Cherno Jallow, NAM for Upper Nuimi and Momodou M5 Jallow, NAM for Upper Fulladou West. Dr Oluganda, a Gambian musician and member of the association, entertained the meeting.
It could be recalled that the National Assembly, during the recently concluded sittings, considered and approved the motion to confer powers on His Excellency, the president of the Republic, Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya AJJ Jammeh to declare 25th May each year a public holiday throughout The Gambia.
The powers conferred on the president by the National Assembly are constitutional powers vested in them (the National Assembly) under Section 102 Sub-section (e) of the constitution which reads: “In addition to the other powers conferred on the National Assembly by this constitution or any other law, the National Assembly may advise the President on any matter which lies under his or her authority” and section 76 sub sections (2) of the constitution which reads “In addition to the powers conferred on him or her by this Constitution, the president shall have such powers and responsibilities as may be conferred on him or her by or under an Act of the National Assembly, and the laws of The Gambia Vol. IV chapter 31:01”.
The members were at the speaker’s office to thank her, as chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee, for presenting the motion - for adoption by Members of the National Assembly - for the observation of every 25th May as a national holiday. The officials also thanked National Assembly members (both sides of the House) for unanimously adopting the motion.
The 25th May national holiday was a declaration made by the 53 Heads of State of the African Union at its 31st Ordinary Session in 2001 in Lusaka. Receiving the youth officials, Speaker Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay said the adoption of the motion by the Gambia’s National Assembly is in fulfillment of their legislative duties. According to her, despite being a small nation, they want to show the whole world that there is democracy, rule of law and good governance in this country. She observed that having young people like the members of the Youth Organsation for African Unity with such pan-African initiatives, pushing for African integration, clearly manifests that there is a bright future for the country and the continent as a whole.
She then called on everybody to come out and observe the day. “We should not only take the day as a public holiday but people need to know the importance of the day in all senses. We should observe it [through various] activities,” she said.
She described the proposed agenda set by the youth organisation for this years celebrations as vital particularly the illegal migration aspect. According to her, there is no reason why Gambian youths should embark on illegal migration. She urged the organisation to engage youths across the country in order to discourage them from embarking on such dangerous journeys. She also urged them to sensitise parents about the dangers noting that there are lots of local opportunities youths can benefit from in this country.
Speaker Jahumpa-Ceesay also assured them of her continued support. She then pledged 250 T-shirts to the organisation for the observation of the day. Amat Jawara, communication and public relations secretary of the organisation, saluted the National Assembly for the bold step in adopting the motion, noting that that is what they had been advocating for over the years. He expressed his orgainsation’s readiness to work closely with the National Assembly to make sure their ambitions are achieved. He also expressed hope that other countries will follow the Gambia suit as according to him, the Gambia’s National Assembly has made history through this move.
Fakuru Momodou Sillah, coordinator of the oragnisation, also thanked the Assembly. He recognised the numerous assistance rendered to them by President Jammeh. According to him, it is part of their duties to restore hope among Africans, so as to make the young people stay in the country and desist from the dangerous routes to Europe. He dilated on some of their activities geared towards discouraging youths from such trips, adding that they will sensitise more youths to utilise the local opportunities available.
For his part, Hon. Momodou Sanneh, minority leader and NAM for Kiang West, described the association as an important body. He recognised the personal efforts of the speaker towards the adoption of this resolution saying “the move came entirely from her. In fact, at the beginning, most members did not know the background of the day but due to her position as chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee, she explained in detail the overall objectives of the move to the best understanding of all members”.
According to him, Speaker Jahumpa-Ceesay has been demonstrating her love for African integration as manifested over the years during State Openings of the National Assembly by inviting various sub-regional speakers. Other speakers included Hon. Cherno Jallow, NAM for Upper Nuimi and Momodou M5 Jallow, NAM for Upper Fulladou West. Dr Oluganda, a Gambian musician and member of the association, entertained the meeting.
It could be recalled that the National Assembly, during the recently concluded sittings, considered and approved the motion to confer powers on His Excellency, the president of the Republic, Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya AJJ Jammeh to declare 25th May each year a public holiday throughout The Gambia.
The powers conferred on the president by the National Assembly are constitutional powers vested in them (the National Assembly) under Section 102 Sub-section (e) of the constitution which reads: “In addition to the other powers conferred on the National Assembly by this constitution or any other law, the National Assembly may advise the President on any matter which lies under his or her authority” and section 76 sub sections (2) of the constitution which reads “In addition to the powers conferred on him or her by this Constitution, the president shall have such powers and responsibilities as may be conferred on him or her by or under an Act of the National Assembly, and the laws of The Gambia Vol. IV chapter 31:01”.
Author: by Alhagie Jobe
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