By Arfang M.S. Camara
The Association of Nigerians in the Diaspora based in the United Kingdom (ANDG) on Thursday donated learning materials to the New Yundum Lower Basic School.
The presentation ceremony which was held at the school ground was witnessed by staff and management of the school together with the regional directorate of the school.
The donated learning materials include 7,790 exercise books, 4,032 pencils, 1,480 ruler; 2,550 pens and 3,600 sharpeners amongst others.
Lamin Fatty, head master of New Yundum Lower Basic School expressed delights to the Association of Nigerians in the Diaspora based in the United Kingdom for such a magnanimous gesture to his school.
“We are very grateful for choosing our school to make such an important donation. I have no doubt that this donation will go a long way in helping both the teachers, parents and school to provide quality education for students.”
He added that the donation will also help his school to register great success in efficient service delivery through conducive learning and working conditions.
Bakery Tambedou, representative of the Regional Education Directorate thanked the ANDG for donating a magnificent learning materials to New Yundum LBS.
He noted that though it is the responsibility of their directorate to provide learning for teachers but they (government) cannot do it all alone, while calling on other philanthropists, NGO and individuals to emulate ANDG.
According to him, The Gambia and Nigeria have a long standing relationship, noting that Nigerians are always known for their interventions in the country in the areas of education.
“These donated materials will go a long way in helping the students in their education and as well reduce some burden on some of their parents.”
Dr. Sam Chima Ochulor, president Nigerian Community in Gambia thanked their counterparts in the Diaspora for such benevolence intervention in the educational sector of The Gambia.
Dr. Ochulor, who is also representing the Nigeria High Commissioner, said he always feels so much each time seeing their fellow Nigerians giving back to the Gambian community, while stating the important partnership between Nigeria and the Gambia.
“Before Gambians were known to be sending students to Nigeria for learning while Nigerians came to Gambia for teaching. But now Nigerians are both coming here for teaching and also learning as well.”
He went on to expressed believed that the donated materials will go a long way in helping both the teachers and students of New Yundum, while also advising the students to make best use of the materials.
Speaking on behalf of the benefactors, Alfred Oye of the Association of Nigerians in the Diaspora based in United Kingdom (ANDG) said they formed their association after a group of friends who lived in the Gambia before had a meeting and decided to come as group to helping the Gambian community.
“The main reason for forming this association is to help the Gambian communities. This is because The Gambia afforded us the best hospitality compared to the various countries we travelled to before.”
According to him, the materials are a tiny gesture from them to say ‘thank you so much’ to Gambia for the times they came and spent in the environment.
“This is just the beginning as we aim to continue doing this and other gestures yearly or from time-to-time in the country. Our main aim of forming the association is to give back to the Gambian society.”