The President of the Republic, His Excellency Sheikh Prof. Alh Dr Yahya Jammeh returned to Banjul Monday morning from Taiwan, where he led a high powered delegation on his ninth visit to the Asian country. He was received at the Banjul international airport by the Vice President, H.E. Aja Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy, Cabinet Ministers, National Assembly Members, security chiefs and other foreign and local dignitaries.
Arriving from a long and hectic trip, the Gambian leader's response to questions posed by journalists at the airport tells an epic story of success worth any pain shed on this two days of mid air travel. The Taiwanese he said, have been looking forward to it just like the Gambians...
“It was a very tough one, because they made sure that they kept us busy and we visited many places and they also reciprocated to the letter the hospitality that was extended to them when they were here and wherever we went in Taiwan we were shown that we were welcomed but that is not even a pretentious welcome because all the students from The Gambia that are in Taiwan were telling us the same story that they were made to feel very much at home and the relationship between the two countries have been strengthened. So it was like visiting a neighbour, a neighboring compound that is of the same family with you, so it has been a very fruitful visit because the Taiwanese were looking forward to it and it has been a very successful one as well", says President Jammeh.
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Apart from the visits to various project sites in Taiwan, the Gambian leader also attended a graduation ceremony in which three Gambian soldiers and other nationalities from the West Africa sub-region passed out after years of intensive training in the Taiwanese military academy. Prof. Jammeh who is already a Doctor, again bagged another Doctorate Degree in Business Administration in recognition of the various strides in the education sector but also in recognition of the remarkable development registered under his stewardship.
“Every normal human being if you are awarded something, you are honoured you must also be honourable and grateful, so I have been very grateful about it. But I have received it on behalf of every Gambian because what we did here that led to the recognition, if Gambians were not firmly behind me and supported me in my development endeavours, I may not be able to have had any award, so it is not for me as Yahya Jammeh but it is for the entire Gambian populace. So I am proud of being a Gambian and I am proud of being the leader of The Gambia”, he said in an attempt to rededicate the prestigious award to the people that also look up to him for guidance and inspiration.
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Nevertheless, he was as well elated by the unique character and story told of the Gambian students in Taipei…
"I am really very proud of our students in Taiwan', he said, "because wherever we went we are told that not only did they behave extremely well but they are also very competitive in class and very serious with their classes".
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The Gambian leader went on to explain that he was told by the Taiwanese Foreign Minister that even when other students closed from normal lectures and go home, our students do stay extra hours to burn the midnight candle:
"so that shows the resilience of Gambians, not only are they in a foreign country but they are also competing with home based students, students of Taiwan and Gambians have done extremely well. And remember also that not only the Gambian students are there but there are so many students from their allies around various parts of the world not only in Africa but in the Pacific, the Caribbean and other south American states but Gambians students were singled out as one of the most extraordinary group they have ever received”.
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This according to the Gambian leader has earned The Gambia both name and prestige amongst Taiwan's allies, and for this reason the Asian country is demanding extra students from the ‘Smiling Coast'.
On Taiwan's scholarship policy, President Jammeh said it qualifies any foreign student an automatic sponsorship to the next degree programme.
“I think it is important because Gambians have registered the highest in terms of scholarship awarded to foreign students, based on their performance”.
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The long flight and the time difference were already taking their toll, but the Gambian leader patiently answered every other question thrown by members of the press. The last dealing with a trade opportunities seminar hosted by the Gambia's Foreign and Trade Ministers, President Jammeh said it details the incentives and investment opportunities that exist in the country.
"All what we can do is to market the country and it is up to the investors to decide and I hope that by virtue of our relationship with Taiwan they will come and invest in The Gambia. To put it short we leave everything in the hands of the Almighty Allah", he concluded with a bit of humour refusing to give in to further quizzes teasing him to reveal the surprise he has for the Muslim Ummah in this month of Ramadan, a period he would go the extra mile to make sure market prices are stable.
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By Alh. Abdou Njie
Press Officer, State House
President Jammeh qualifies his trip to Taiwan as successful 