Sabally to Gambian youth: Do not give up on your country

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By ALIMATOU S BAJINKA

Former Secretary General and Presidential Affairs Minister, Momodou Sabally, has expressed hope in young Gambians for their key role in the development of the country.

Sabally a youth leader cum politician made these remarks at the Flag Up Gambia launching on Sunday, at the American Corner.

The former Secretary General under the regime of former President Yahya Jammeh called on the young people not to give up on their country.

The Flag-Up Gambia is a youth-led initiative that seeks to promote the values of the Gambian flag, teach and inspire Gambians on a sense of patriotism for national peace and development.

Since its inception in 2018, they have embarked on donation and raising the Gambian flag in public and private institutions including tertiary institutions, public schools, repainting of zebra crossings, clean ups, awarding and recognizing living legends.

“If there is anyone who should give up on this country that should be me, but that would not happen in a billion years. I believe in this country today more than ever, I know today more than ever that the Gambia would continue to thrive and we would live to reach the promise land,” Momodou Sabally said.

The former Secretary General envisioned a day when the Gambia would become a new and greater nation, while challenging young people not to give up in the fight for their country for it is a worthy cause.

“We would reach that destination where every Gambian child would have world class education, good health care treatment and good roads and can live in communities free of gutters and mosquitoes and that every Gambian child can walk at night and go to a library or store without being afraid that they will be abducted and raped. We can have that, it is not rocket science,” he stated.”

Explaining the importance of youth participation, Sabally told the young people that the organisation is about their entire existence, and their culture, which is important to preserve.

“This is our country no one else would come and develop it for us and if you are looking up to us the old ones, we have so many things to think about. But you have the privilege right now of getting breakfast, lunch and dinner then use your brain to study,” Sabally told Flag Up Gambia.

He asked them to learn, get involved in civic activities to better prepare themself for their role as young people is key in development.

He also applauded the young people for conducting activities they to preserving the environment.

The former Secretary General said he is proud of the young people of Sanyang and Gunjur who are always cleaning the beaches, gutters, and planting trees when the elders are collaborating with the Chinese to destroy the sea shore.

He also commended the people of Banjul for cleaning the beaches, the streets and are still planting coconut trees in the beaches to preserve the natural resources.

“I know there is something special about this country, wherever you are in The Gambia from Kartong to Koina, you belong to this beautiful and bountiful country and we are here to celebrate the Flag of that country,” he concluded.

The Flag Up Gambia was finally registered as an organization, and launch at the American corner at Kairaba Avenue.