The President, Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh has underscored the significance of sharing and caring in the advancement of humanity. He made this statement on Monday during the presentation of thirty fellowships by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International to various individuals including the President himself and his family.

According to the club, President Jammeh has contributed US$55,000 making him so far the largest contributor not only in The Gambia but in the sub-region which magnanimous gesture ranked him among the foundation's benefactors.

The Gambian leader received three awards; namely the Major Donor Level 3 Diamond Crystals and Benefactor Pin.

Her Excellency the First Lady, Madam Zineb Jammeh also received the Three Diamond Necklace together with a Paul Haris Fellow and her two children received each a Paul Haris Fellow.

Other recipients included some Cabinet Ministers; the IGP, Ensa Badjie and other civil servants.

President Jammeh underscored the importance of Rotary International noting that they have demonstrated that they are one noble organization that is out purely to save humanity from suffering. He reechoed the statement of the Rotary International president that "the Rotary is not an army of marching troops but is an army of marching philanthropists that are out there to help humanity".

He commended both the Rotary clubs of Banjul and Fajara for their exemplary services towards humanity noting that if we are not doing useful services to humanity it will be very difficult to please Allah the Almighty. President Jammeh said, reflecting on the statement in the holy Qur'an and the Bible that sharing is one of the fundamental principles and pillars of being a human being. "What you do to humanity is going to determine your going to heaven or hell," he emphasized.

President Jammeh later gave fifteen Paul Haris to Rotary clubs of Banjul and Fajara each from his own side. He added that the sky is the limit and assured that with the two clubs, he will make our district the best district in the history of Rotary.

Speaking earlier, Mr Aki Allen, assistant governor, said that they are really touched by the profound generosity of President Jammeh for sponsoring 30 people as Paul Harris fellows.

Mr Allen said the Rotary motto convey the humanitarian spirit of the foundation. The mission of the Rotary Foundation he said, is to enable Rotarians to advance world peace through the improvement of health, support of education and the alleviation of poverty. He said the foundation however is not a profit corporation, but supported surely by the contribution from Rotarians and friends of the foundation who share its vision of a better world.

He added that any amount contributed to the foundation is spent on humanitarian, educational and cultural programmes and their operation.

He thanked President Jammeh for his continuous financial and moral support to the worthy cause.

Speaking after the ceremony in an interview with reporters past assistant governor, Rotarian Oumou Taal, explained that Paul Haris mean someone who is committed to his community in helping humanity, making sure that poverty is eradicated in the world and humanity lives in peace and understanding.

She said being a benefactor means a very big step towards Rotary Foundation and these are the people that care about the work that Rotary is engaged in.

Madam Taal described President Jammeh as the highest fellow towards contributing to the Rotary when we talk about African presidents. This she said has earned him the benefactor pin which means that he has contributed to one programme of Rotary that is securing the future of Rotary; that is "Rotary tomorrow".

By Alhagie Ceesay