In memoriam Femi Adi Soempeno

IIJ Alumnae Femi Adi Soempeno of Indonesia passed away on May 9 aboard a Russian-made passenger jet that crashed into a mountain in West Java.

Femi Adi Soempeno

Femi perished along with 44 other passengers of the ill-fated Sukhoi Superjet 100. The twin-engine plane vanished from radar screens during a sales promotion trip and was afterwards confirmed to have slammed into Mount Salak.

Lessons from the Smiling Coast of West Africa

By Wole Olaoye

My grandmother, Hannah Dovonou of blessed memory, had a standard exclamation for any remarkable disclosure or happening. Instead of saying something like Waoh or My Goodness, she would simply exclaim “H-a-l-l-o!”

I am having my own “H-a-l-lo” moment right now in The Gambia, where a chapter of the Great Ife Alumni Association was launched last Saturday. This is my very first visit to this country. My earlier acquaintance with the Gambia was through a friend and classmate at the Post Graduate College of the University of Lagos in the 80’s, Alhaji Swaebou Conateh who is one of the foremost journalists in this country. More than a quarter of a century after those happy days in Akoka, it was indeed a great pleasure reuniting with my friend and sharing remembrances about those good old days when we still dared to dream dreams.

Training of Trainers workshop of Arabic Islamic (Madrassa) Teachers and Principals on the Use and Management of Statistical Data

High Table

PRESS RELEASE: Through ISESCO Funding, The Gambia National Commission for UNESCO jointly organised with the Madrassa Unit of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and in collaboration with the General Secretariat for Islamic Arabic Education (AMAANA) a Training of Trainers workshop of Arabic Islamic (Madrassa) Teachers and Principals on the Use and Management of Statistical Data

The workshop, which took place at the Regional Education Office in Region one from 23 to 26 May 2012 saw the participation of principals and senior teachers of several Madrassa schools in The Gambia, personal of the Planning Directorate of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and staff of the teacher training institution ( Gambia College).

AGRA to help implement new G8 Global Partnership Initiative on Food Security

PRESS RELEASE: The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) was given a key role in the G8’s next phase

NAIROBI, Kenya, 

The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) (http://www.agra-alliance.org) was given a key role in the G8’s next phase of a shared commitment to achieve global food security. The Scaling Seeds and Other Technologies Partnership, part of the new initiative focused on increasing agricultural food production in Africa, will be housed at AGRA and will focus on strengthening Africa’s seed sector. 

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/agra.jpg 

Reporters Exposing Somali Pirates and Domestic Violence in Afghanistan to Receive Prestigious Journalism Award

A Kenyan journalist investigating the Somali pirates and an Afghan broadcaster exposing violence against women will receive the 2012 Knight International Journalism Awards, the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) announced. The award recognizes excellent reporting that makes a difference in the lives of people around the world.    Kassim Mohamed is an investigative reporter covering Kenya and Somalia, a nation plagued by lawlessness and piracy. He has chronicled the ensuing chaos in great detail—and at great personal risk—for the Nairobi-based Star FM radio station and The Star newspaper.

”G8 New Alliance on Food Security and Nutrition: “A new chapter in North-South partnership"

MEDIA ALERT

”G8 New Alliance on Food Security and Nutrition: “A new chapter in North-South partnership"

Virtual Press Briefing by IFAD President Kanayo F. Nwanze

Kanayo F. Nwanze, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), will brief media on what the G8’s New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition could mean for countries in Africa

CAID Training For Youth Advocates

Children and Community Initiative for Development (CAID) organised a two-day training workshop  on   Advocating Youth and Children issues,  Held at the Girls Guide Training Centre in Kanifing from 18-19 May 2012.

The Executive Director of CAID, Mr. Ibrahim Ceesay, told his audience at the opening ceremony that the training and recruitment was designed for new-intakes to the Children Advocacy Newtwork (CAN), an advocacy based group under the auspices of  CAID.

The main aim of the training, as Ceesay highlighted, was to empower the participants with necessary skills and tools (leadership, advocacy, drama, child rights, public speaking, volunteer and activism), to be able to advocate strategically on all issues affecting children in The Gambia and promote mass information, education and communication that enable s children to express their needs and participate in making decisions affecting them at all levels.

GU Awarded UN status to accredit Participants for the Rio+20

I have the pleasure and joy to informed you that after prolong process, GU ( Global Unification, The Gambia), is awarded, one time status ( hopefully full time status soon) with ECOSOC and the United Nations Economic and Social Affair. Find the list of accredited organisation here: http://csonet.org/content/documents/AccreditationsAnnexI.htm

Aisha Keita and Jama Jack from The Gambia and Morocco Selected Among Africa’s Most Outstanding Emerging Women Leaders

Aisha Keita

Moremi Initiative for Women’s Leadership in Africa proudly announces the 2012 MILEAD (Moremi Initiative Leadership and Empowerment Development) Fellows. The 25 selected MILEAD Fellows are some of Africa’s most extraordinary young women leaders with the courage and commitment to lead and shape their communities and Africa’s future as a whole. The Fellows were chosen through a highly competitive selection process and criteria for their outstanding leadership promise, community service accomplishments, and commitment to the advancement of women in Africa.

Ms. Aisha is a young Gambian at the University of the Gambia in Political Science. Aisha’s experience as a girl child growing up in The Gambia and the many obstacles she had to overcome made her build  passion to become a  journalist to fight for the right of the younger generation more especially women, with the vision to create sustainable and conducive environment for young people in The Gambia and Africa as a continent.  Currently Head of News and current Affairs Unique FM Radio. She is also working with different organization both national and international level and occupying various positions, she is nominated as Communication and Networking office of Lend A Hand society as well Thing Young Women and Global Unification Gambia, all these are entrusted to her due to her level of understanding and passion she has for young people and women in The Gambia and Africa.

Africa Needs Ethical Leadership

By Mamadou Edrisa Njie

Just back from Dakar

Marie Angelique SAVANE, Sociologist and International Consultant, has said that Africa needs ethical leaders who are accountable to their citizens for sustainable development to be effective. She was speaking in an interview with our editorial assistant in Mbour – Senegal at the first national session of the LEAD Africa Fellowship training programme organized by the LEAD Francophone Africa Regional Programme Office.

Two Gambian Girls Follow in Fathers' Foot steps, Bag Science Degrees the Same Day from the Same University

Ngoneh and Musu  

Two Gambian girls were among  4,800 graduates of the 2012  academic year at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas, USA. 

The two,  Musukebba Conateh (alias Musu) and her younger sister Fatou Conateh (Ngoneh) are the daughters of  veteran journalist Swaebou Conateh of the News and Report Weekly Magazine, and Mrs Sukai Conateh, both of Dippakunda in Kanifing Municipality.

Each of the girls was awarded the bachelor of science degree at the same  graduation ceremony held in the University’s stadium, which was filled to capacity for the ocassion.

Ngoneh qualified as a Civil engineer at the School of Engineering and Environmental  Studies while Musu specialised as a respiratory therapist nurse from the medical school at  the KU Medical Centre (KUMC) in  Kansas City, Kansas.

Rural Bank Raises More Than A Million Dalasi

High Table

Over a hundred and fifty customers of Madina Sancha Village Saving and Credit Association (VISACA) converged at Madina Sancha for the Annual General Meeting 2012
In officially declaring the meeting opens the project Coordinator Rural Finance project,  Mr. Lamin Fatajo commended the community of Madina Sancha for their hard work, dedication, and commitment. According to Mr. Fatajo rural finance entails provision of financial services to low income earners (i.e. the active poor and the poorest of the poor). Micro finance is one of the common words in the twenty first century and it is now commonly referred to as “the provision of financial and non financial services to low-income clients.”

LEAD Francophone Africa Awards GYIN-Gambia National Coordinator A Fellowship

SOCIAL JUSTICE ACTIVISTS CUM JOURNALIST

Leadership for Environment and Development (LEAD) Africa Francophone has awarded Global Youth Innovation Network- Gambia (GYIN-Gambia) National Coordinator, Ambassador Mamadou Edrisa Njie,  its LEAD Africa fellowship programme COHORT 17, The Gambia.The fellowship will runs from 5-12 May, 2012. The official launching will be held at the Parc Zoologigue de Hannat in Dakar, Senegal. Other sessions will be held in Mbour.

LEAD Africa and the LEAD Africa Fellowship Program are part of the global LEAD network whose common mission is to inspire leadership and charge for a sustainable world.

African Union and UNESCO to Commemorate World Press Freedom Day on May 3RD at the AU Headquarters

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia,  World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) will be celebrated tomorrow, Thursday 3rd May 2012 under the theme: “New Voices: Media Freedom Helping to Transform Societies”. The event at the AU Headquarters is organised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in collaboration with the African Union Commission, some Associations of Journalists based in Ethiopia and the Ministry of Information of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia amongst other partner organizations.

MESSAGE FROM DR. JEAN PING CHAIRPERSON OF THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION  ON THE OCCASION OF WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY

MAY 3rd 2012

Jean Ping, AUC Chairperson

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - The African Union is celebrating this year, 2012, as the year of Shared Values. These values are accepted and shared by all member States of our Union. Among them, there is one which is a fundamental human right entrenched in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights: Freedom of Speech.

This value is of critical importance because it feeds democracy and consolidates good governance, which our world needs. 

Dr. Abdullahi Shehu

The Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) has further strengthened its partnership with the media geared towards cleaning West Africa of the twin crimes of money laundering and terrorist financing.

The sub-regional institution has recently brought together media practitioners from various media houses within and outside the West African region at a seminar dubbed World Press Conference held from 27-28 April in Dakar, Senegal to re-orientate them about their complementary roles in creating a sub-region devoid of these transnational crimes which can potentially undermine the economic growth of sub-region if not properly check on time.

Dr. Abdullahi Shehu, director general of GIABA said the objectives of the World Press Conference includes to acquaint the media professionals about regional initiatives on Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Financing Terrorism (AML/CFT) framework, especially the mandate of GIABA in its sustained efforts to combat the twin crimes in the West African sub-region.

Gambia: GOODBYE MY DEAR FANS: MY LAST ONLINE CONTRIBUTON ON GAMBIAN ISSUES!

By Prince Bubacarr Aminata Sankanu No, I have not taken an oath of secrecy requiring total break-up of direct unvetted communication with all and sundry! As the African saying goes, if you can influence or inspire at least one thousand people, you do not belong to yourself but to those thousand people. My cozy place in the hearts of my fans is more important to me than the Oscars, the Pulitzer Prize and other accolades.

Peru is latest developing nation to adopt climate change initiative

(Reuters) - Peru became the latest developing country to enact a domestic climate change initiative in the absence of a binding global pact, adopting a resolution on Thursday to lower carbon emissions in its fast-growing economy.

Commonwealth SG On His Visit To The Gambia

 Commonwealth Secretary General Mr. Kamalesh Sharma

At the end of his visit to The Gambia- the first by the Commonwealth Secretary General in eight Years- Mr. Kamalesh Sharma addressed the local press informing them of the issues discussed.

Speaking to journalists at the Kairaba Beach Hotel on Tuesday,24 April, 2012, Secretary General Sharma described his visit to The Gambia as an important one, reasoning that the “the Commonwealth has entered a new chapter in its history to reform and renewal, and The Gambia is a highly valued member with much to contribute and much to benefit in this new era”.

'Take A Loan And Say No To Withdrawal'

‘Take a loan and say no to withdrawal’ was the theme for this year’s Catholic Education Secretariat Credit Union ‘s (CESCU’s) 10th Annual General Meeting (AGM)  held on Monday, 14 April 2012 at the Saint Peters Lower Basic School Hall in Lamin.

The AGM enabled the board to share with members and other Stockholders a record of activities and salient information on  membership, financial  activities, savings, loans, constraints, and pronounced a way forward with great hope and determination.  

In her report, the Chairperson, Board of Directors, Mrs. Zono Jammeh, who is also the Principal of Saint Therese’s Upper Basic School, said savings is the  sure base upon which credit unions thrive; and the assurance of the survival of any credit union is pinned on healthy savings of its membership. 

Because the primary objective of establishing a credit union is to mobilise savings from members, she remarked.  Membership savings, according to her, as at 2010 stood at D8.4m compared to D10.7m in  December 2011 representing an increment of 27%. 

The idea of withdrawal, Madam Jammeh told her audience,  is becoming a major deficiency for the proper management of the union.  

Avoiding Risk For Poor Rural Households

Avoiding and managing risk is a prerequisite for poor rural households to move out of poverty, and it is thus to their livelihood strategies, ‘IFAD 2011 Rural Poverty Report’ revealed.

The report dubbed’ New realities, new challenges: new opportunities for tomorrow’s generation’ is  an in-depth study of rural poverty.

The findings in the report come from a collaboration among dozens of experts in the field of poverty reduction-both inside and outside IFAD. They also come from the poor rural people themselves.

At the household level, decisions about how to allocate and use cash, land and labour are a function not only of available opportunities.

'Election A Challenge, Kudos Only For Senegal' Hannah Forster

ACDHRS, Madam Hannah Forster 

The Executive Director of the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS), Madam Hannah Forster has said in her opening statement at the Non-Governmental Forum (NGO Forum) that only the Republic of Senegal must be congratulated for successfully concluded elections.

The ACDHRS boss was speaking at 25th NGO Forum, held at the Kariaba Beach Hotel from 14 to 16 April, 2012, preceding the 51st Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) in The Gambia.

Forster told the gathering of rights activists from different countries, and members of the diplomatic and consular corps in the Gambia, among others, that  after the minor attempt to upset the cart of constitutionalism by the former President Abdoulie Wade, the voice of the Senegalese people have been heard loud and clear reinforcing the constitutional framework towards the respect for democracy, for peace and human rights.

Gambia Hosts Course On Specialises Report Writing Skills And Presentation Techniques

Hon. Amadou  Colley, CBG 

A nine-day training workshop on specialized report writing skills and presentation techniques,  organized by  West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM), kicked off Monday, 16  April, 2012. 

In his  opening remarks, Hon. Amadou  Colley, the  Governor of  the Central Bank of The  Gambia, said the importance of effective communication in today’s economic and business milieu, and the unprecedented changes and transformation in communication, as as well as the need to keep abreast with global developments, had  compelled WAIFEM to add this course to its menu of pogrammes  since 2002.

They are aware that the response by the user institutions to WAIFEM’s call for nomination for the course has been overwhelming evidenced by its persistent over-subscription over the years. He added that effective communication does not only enable individuals, corporate bodies and the community to express their identity but, it is also the indispensable means for any meaningful collaboration. Most business decisions  involve the corporation and interaction of several individuals or bodies to realize common goals. 

Trust Bank Discloses Its 2011 Records

Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta is the Board Chairman of  Trust Bank

The 14th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Trust  Bank Limited was held at the Kairaba Beach Hotel, the AGM was an opportunity for members to receive and adopt the Annual report and accounts for the year ended 31st December, 2011; to declare dividends; to appoint new directors  and their remuneration; to appoint the Auditors; and also to authorise the board to determine the remuneration of Auditors.  

All resolutions were given a clear bid without any hitches from members.  Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta is the Board Chairman of  Trust Bank Limited.  

In his statement, he said the Bank has recorded another encouraging performance in the year 2011.