AECE Celebrates 43rd Independence Anniversary

The Association of Early Childhood Educators (AECE)-The Gambia, on Saturday, March 8th, 2008 celebrated the Gambia’s 43rd independence anniversary, with over 96 nursery schools taking part in the celebrations in a grand march past at the independence stadium in Bakau.

The celebrations this year was much colourful as nursery school children from wisdom nursery school were made infant president, first lady, body guards and other invitees were drawn from other nursery schools as well.

Abdou Salam Sowe, a nursery 3 student at wisdom nursery school in Serekunda Bartez, was made the infant president whilst Ida Camara, a nursery 3 student from the same school was also made the infant first lady of the president.

Below we re-produce the full text of the infant president’s independence speech:

Alhamdulillahi Rabil alamiina

Alhamdulillahi Rabil alamiina

Alhamdulillahi Rabil alamiina

Your Excellency, The Vice President

Honourable Secretaries of State

Members of the Diplomatic Corps

Religious leaders

Fellow Gambians

Boys and Girls

I welcome you all to this year’s independence celebration. It is 43 years since we gained our independence from great Britain.

43 years ago our grandfather’s fought hard for our independence. Thanks to their hard work, we the children of the Gambia celebrate this day with pride.

We as Gambians should work together so that we can built a better Gambia.

Boys and girls you should respect your parents, teachers and study your books and have good morals. In so doing, the Gambia will continue to become the home of peace, progress and prosperity.

My government knows that children are very important to national development. Education for all and free medical care will continue

I thank the teachers, parents and all who have helped to make this day a success.

thank you very much, Al sama deeh.

At the end of the March past the infant president hosted a reception which was attended by infant secretaries, of religious diplomatic corps etc at the stadium conference hall representative SOS for basic education, director of education reg. one Anna John Ceesay and other dignitaries attended the reception.