Gambia: NYSS, URR Authorities Hold Consultative Meeting

The day-long sensitisation meeting was designed to familiarise the board members of NYSS to stakeholders in the region and also to build their capacities on the functions and mandate of NYSS.

The interactive session was witnessed by the governor of URR, Alhaji Omar Khan and The Gambia's Ambassador-designate to Sierra Leone, Cherno Barra Touray, who doubles as the chairman of the Board of Directors of NYSS, the chairman of Basse Area Council and the regional youths and sports coordinators, among others.

In his welcoming remark, the governor of the region, Alhaji Omar Khan underscored the importance of the meeting, noting that it will avail them the opportunity to know more on the mandates of NYSS. Over the past years, he said, NYSS has registere tremendous achievements in building the capacities of young people of the country and also giving them a start of capital.

He thanked President Jammeh for his foresight in establishing such kind of important institution that will positively and economically engage young people in national development. According to him, cognizant of the fact the importance the government of the Gambia attaches to the development and moulding of young people of the country, it is important for them to utilize the opportunities provided to them.

For his part, Nuha Y Jammeh, the executive director of NYSS harped on the importance of the sensitization forum. He explained that the aims of their tour was to meet the local authorities of the length and breadth of the country to discuss with them on the mandate and function and also to highlight on some issue that are of paramount importance in the development of NYSS and young people of the country and also to visit their skills centre country wide.

He urged local authorities in the region to pay their 10% counterpart contribution to NYSS to ensure that they embarked on development of young people. "The government of The Gambia cannot do all the finances that are required, therefore it should be a holistic approach and collaborative efforts from partners and other development agencies to contribute in the development of young people as they are the future leader of tomorrow," he added.

He revealed that currently about 200 young people are being deployed in the skills training centres of the length and breadth of the country and are purchasing training. He said that as the populace of young people in the country is increasing, it is significant importance for young people to venture in to skills training.

For his part, Cherno Bara Touray commended the URR stakeholders for their stance in the promotion and development of young people in the region. He further enjoined other speakers by urging them to pay their 10% counterpart contribution, taking into account that they can also engage and change the mind of young people by ensuring that they participate in the development process of the country.

He further urged authorities in the region to reactivate the regional NYSS committee and to put in place new committee that will function effectively and can give feedback to the management of NYSS on the day to day affair of young people in the region.

The Chairman of Basse Area Council, Omar Sompo Ceesay harped on the significant of the meeting, while describing it as timely. He said young people of the country have a very important role to play in national development; therefore it is indeed great importance for stakeholder to build their capacities. The Regional Youths chairman, Alhaji Muya Baldeh gave the vote of thanks on behalf of the youths.