By: Arret Jatta
The National Youth Parliament (NYP) is set to play host to the first-ever National Youth Award on 8 June 2024.
The event, to be held at the Sir Dawda KairabaJawara International Conference Center, is aimed at celebrating the youth, who have distinguished themselves in various domains.
Speaking in an interview with this reporter, the Deputy Speaker of NYP cum the chairperson of the Organizing Committee, Hon. Ndegen Jobe, said despite constituting 60% of the population and their efforts towards national development, youths are not celebrated enough.
“The Gambia boasts a vibrant and dynamic youth population actively contributing to various sectors and driving positive change within their communities. However, despite their remarkable achievements and relentless efforts, young people often go unrecognized and overlooked in traditional award ceremonies, which predominantly honor individuals outside the youth demographic. This glaring gap in acknowledgment not only diminishes the morale of young achievers but also stifles their potential for greater impact and influence,” she stated.
“In response to this critical need for recognition and empowerment, the National Youth Parliament-The Gambia is proud to introduce the inaugural National Youth Award. This groundbreaking initiative is borne out of a collective commitment to celebrate and honor the exceptional achievements of young Gambians across diverse fields, ranging from climate activism and good governance advocacy to entrepreneurship, sports, and leadership,” she added.
Hon. Jobe explained that two special awards; The Youth of The Year and Friends of Youth alongside 18 more awards are up for grabs. Other awards, she went on, are the Climate Action Award, The Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Award for Democratic Governance, The Sise Sawaneh Award for Peacebuilding, the Agriculture Award, The SankungSillah Award for Entrepreneurship, The Biri BiriAward for Sport, The Fatim Badjie Award for Tech, The Alieu Jaiteh Award for PWD, The P.S Njie Award for Youth in Politics, Creative Art Award, The OusuNjie Senior Award for Performing Art, The JahaDukureh Award for SGBV Advocate of The Year, The F.r Bruno Turpan Award for Education, The DeydaHydara Award for Media, The Fatou Saine-Gaye Award for Vocational Skills, The Sambujang ContehAward for NYP, Youth Organization of The Year, The Youth in Security Award, and The Humanitarian Award.
She urged young people to nominate people, who are “really” doing their best or even themselves if they feel they are worthy of the awards.