The President Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh on Tuesday met with four young talented musicians from the sub-region who called on him to thank him as well as seek for his blessings and support. The musicians, Pacotille from Senegal, Lady Felisia from Sierra Leone, Omar Konateh from Mali and Anastacio Kandety of Guinea Bissau were led to State House by the Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture NCAC Momodou Joof.The musicians took part in the just concluded first ever sub-regional youth music festival held in Banjul over the weekend at July 22nd Square. The event was organized by the NCAC in partnership with UNESCO to promote unity and understanding among young musicians in the sub-region.

Speaking on the occasion President Jammeh underscored the crucial role of musicians in society. He however advised them to do their work with sincerity and respect. The Gambian leader further advised the young musicians to have faith in Allah and to strive to be original and avoid imitating others, saying … "if you imitate someone you will end of failing". He also thanked the organizers saying the initiative was 'wonderful'.

The Justice and Youth Ministers Marie Saine Firdaus and Sheriff Gomez respectively praised the Gambian leader for the importance he attaches to the preservation and promotion of arts and culture as well as youth empowerment. They told the young musicians that they have a crucial role to play in the drive to integrate the continent. Minister Firdaus further advised them to form a network of young musicians in the sub-region to enhance their contributions towards the integration process.

The Director General NCAC Momodou Joof said the musical festival was a resounding success. For their part, the visiting musicians thanked Gambians for the warm reception accorded them. They also paid tribute to Sheikh Professor Jammeh for his achievements as well as the importance he attaches to arts and culture. Lady Felisia further said that the continent's musicians have the potentials to portray a positive image of the continent, lamenting that the western media is only showing the negative things on the continent. She said they can also urge African leaders to empower women. The secretary to cabinet Dr Njogu Bah chaired the ceremony.