Reference
is invited from the article published on the point newspaper on Wednesday,
December 20, 2017. “NaYConF as a huge waste of resources”. “Left to me alone
NaYConF should not be a weeklong event, but only two days where youths can come
together and discuss issues affecting their development to avoid waste of
resources,”
I
was very staggered, flabbergasted, bowled over, perturbed and provoked beyond
all human endurance as a Gambian youth, when I read a nasty, hateful,
malicious, malevolent comment by the Governor of Upper River Region, Fatou
Jammeh-Touray with the intention of tarnishing the image of NaYCONF in order to
suppress the voice of the youth.
According
to Mr. Lamin Darboe, the Executive Director of National Youth Council “the
biennial event, NaYCONF is meant to bring young people from all over the
country and beyond to share their experiences and dilate on issues that affect
their lives. The theme for NaYCONF 2017 is “New Gambia: Challenges and
Opportunities for youth”. Is the Governor saying that the event is of no
importance to the welfare and the advancement of the youth?
The
last time I checked this year’s NaYCONF event was poorly managed as a result of
inadequate accommodation and food which you are to be blame since was held in
your region.
Governor
I doubt if you were scrutinize as per your leadership skills and educational
background before given this position. Please be informed that a leader who
treat the youth of her nation badly is an agent of conflict
and a threat to peace at large. The youth are the future leaders therefore they
need to be supported to realize and achieve their dream as it is the only way
we can make our country great.
As a
good leader since you knew that the event was a waste of resources. You could
have took the floor to address the issue and gave recommendations for further
events. Leadership is the ability to
provide direction, implementing plans, and motivating people.
Please
be reminded that leaders help themselves and others to do the right things and
at the right time in an effective and efficient manner. They set direction,
build an inspiring vision, and create something new. Leadership is about
mapping out where you need to go to "win" as a team or an
organization; and it is dynamic, exciting, and inspiring.
Yet,
while leaders set the direction, they must also use management skills such as good
organization, time management, interpersonal and relationship-building skills,
delegation, forward-planning and strategy, communication, problem-solving,
administrative and financial skills to guide their people to the right
destination where they want to be, in a smooth and efficient way.
I
think you really need to be schooled as per the aims and objectives of such an
event in order not to repeat your mistake again. In another note I will advise
you not to respond to a question that you don’t understand as such will rick
your leadership.
NaYCONF
is special in its work as a champion for young people, empowering them to
participate in decision-making processes. As young people will be the ones
living with the decisions made today, they should help shape them but with
leaders like you I doubt if such will be a reality?
Youth
conference provides us with a platform in which we can discuss together, openly
and frankly, the many realities, challenges and opportunities facing young
people in today. Young people are the future of The Gambia let us take this
opportunity to work together and build a future for a Gambia we want that
embraces and empowers all young people.
The
conference plays an important role in strengthening youth advocacy and
engagement efforts. It is also a time for the young people of The Gambia to
come together as a team, share knowledge, and benefit from the rich diversity
that makes The Gambia the last place of hope on earth.
In
conclusion madam Governor I hereby request for you to apologies to the Gambian
youth so we can recognize you as part of our leaders. It is believed that young
people are, not future leaders but present. And as leaders they are capable of
not only taking smart decisions about their future but also being the driving
force to deal with challenges currently faced by the world at large.
By:
Saidina Alieu Jarjou
Political
Activist
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