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Gambia News : ‘ordinary africans, not leaders, should spearhead african unification dreams’
Hon. Elizabeth Renner, speaker of The Gambia National Assembly has called on people to make real actions towards the realization of the United States of Africa, noting that the clamour by African heads of states, including His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhagie Yahya AJJ Jammeh for a united Africa should be supported by people of different nationalities through their actions.
The speaker made this remark over the weekend while speaking at the inauguration of new executive members of the Nigerian community in The Gambia. The event was held at the Jerma Beach Hotel.
According to Mrs. Renner, achieving a united Africa should be practically supported by African people who she said should love one another and eschew all avenues that could create internal strife and disaffection. She noted that if the dream is left to only the heads of states, it would only remain as a dream and Africa would continue to be divided among itself.
The speaker also said that people who have ventured outside their native countries have a duty to remain as one in their resident countries, irrespective of their tribes and ethnicities. She said that it is important also that they obey the laws of their resident countries.
The speaker who commended the Nigerian community in The Gambia for its activities at bringing together all Nigerians in the country said this is an important task as there could be many other Nigerians who need the community more than ever.
“Gambia is your home as long as you abide by the constitution and law of The Gambia, as long as you integrate into the society and further the development goals of His Excellency, the President,” she told the gathering.
Mrs. Renner further said that the Gambian leader has continually highlighted the fellow-feeling between the two West African countries, describing them as brothers and sisters, advising Nigerians living in The Gambia to also further the mutual interests between the two countries.
Also speaking, the Nigerian High Commissioner to The Gambia, Her Excellency, Mrs. Esther John Audu related the mission's appreciation to President Jammeh and Gambian people for the warm welcome they have always accorded Nigerians whom she described as peace-loving and law abiding people.
According to the High Commissioner, Nigerians in The Gambia must continue to be hard working, challenging them to see the development of The Gambia as an important part of their daily activities. She asked them to be role models to the society in which they function.
She also congratulated the outgoing executive for their efforts while challenging the new executive to be up and doing in their various tasks.
She concluded by thanking The Gambian government once again for allocating a piece of land to the Mission in order to build the Nigeria house.
Earlier in his acceptance speech, the newly inaugurated chairperson of the community Sir Paul Odimmegwa reiterated his commitment to further the development goals of His Excellency President Jammeh, noting that his administration will work hand in glove with relevant Gambian authorities to ensure that Nigerians contribute to the lofty ideals of the Gambian state.
Speaking to a loud applause, Odimmegwa said his policies and activities would focus among other things on the waiving of residential permits for Nigerians in The Gambia. “Here I seek the cooperation of the High Commission in complementing whatever efforts we shall be making.
We shall seek the assistance of the Federal Government through the High Commission in making this a reality,” he said.
He said while his administration would have zero tolerance for crimes of any sorts among Nigerians living in the country, the community would collaborate with The Gambia Police to fish out the criminals in their midst. “They should move right now out of The Gambia or we move them,” he said, promising to 'support, encourage and protect' all Nigerians in the country who are engaged in legitimate businesses.
According to the president of the Nigerian community in The Gambia, his administration would make concerted efforts to promote international relations among all ECOWAS communities residing in The Gambia. “The primary objective of this association shall be to drive home the practicability of some essential ECOWAS treaties that are just on paper with no hope of ever coming to be executed.”
Speaking further, Odimmegwa said another objective of the body will be to complement the efforts of His Excellency Sheikh Prof. Dr. Alh Yahya AJJ Jammeh in his pan-Africanist effort of eradicating poverty on the face of the African continent.
Of President Jammeh's pan-Africanist convictions, Odimmegwa said: “At the last United Nations Assembly of Heads of State, he was a lone voice in the wilderness condemning the merciless exploitation, acute injustice and blatant marginalization of our continent. We shall mobilize out grassroots people to support such visionary ideal of a true pan-Africanist of our time.”
He then expressed appreciation to the Nigerian mission in The Gambia for its support to the community.
The ceremony was attended by many diplomats and high ranking personalities including the Chief Justice Emmanuel Agim, Lord Justice Hon. Esther Ota, and Paramount chief Alhagie Dembo Sanyang among others.
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- It is very possible to form a united states of africa, we africans must come together put our differances a side and work together. Unlike other continent, the african state is landlocked and thus should be easy to have an afro train by 2050
(Posted on March 30, 2010, 10:22 AM Amina Mohamud Duale)
- By 2050, 1 in 3 Africans will be Nigerian. I hope they all will not be crooks/conmen.
(Posted on February 5, 2010, 6:17 PM David Riddington)
- It all start with the masses, we must learn to overcome our differences and be tolerant with each other, all governments must also ceased favouring one group over another withing their borders, until this is archieve, i cannot see it happening.
(Posted on February 4, 2010, 11:24 PM Abdou R Jobe)
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