The Gambia is a small State with a population of just over one million and a land area of about 11,000 square kilometers. The country is flanked on her three sides by the Republic of Senegal where she can go eighteen times and on the fourth side by the Atlantic Ocean. Since the voyages of Adviso DA Cadamosto and Antonito usi Demare, this tiny West African Country has been a central part of the world in which we live. These Portuguese explorers sent by Prince Henry, the “armchair “navigator in the 1450s was further polished by the historic voyage of Mungo Park of the Royal Geographical society. The expensive trip of Mungo Park made him a target of wild waters until his ship sank around Karanataba in the Central Region where an obelisk rises today to remember him. There is conflicting information about his death after this perilous second journey of 1805.From then until now there is an enforced interest in this country of ours. From the discovery of Juffureh as the ancestral home of Alex Haley ,a descendant of Kunta Kinteh to the strategic status of the Atlantic Ocean as a near trip to Europe. The Gambia continues to play a pivotal role in world affairs.

Even with persistent lack of adequate Educational facilities by the colonialists and the first Republican Government of Dauda K Jawara, Gambians went against all odds to achieve quality education and today boast of their status in the most iconic stages in world affairs. Gambian professors and Doctors continue to play major important contributions in the world around us. They lecture in coveted universities and stand tall in world organizations like the

United Nations. From Sweden to London, From Copenhagen to Canada and from Arusha to New York; Gambians sit on the driving seats to direct the intellectual capacities of future leaders and decide the Political and judicial fate of world dictators and mercenaries.Oh, Gambia my Gambia.

Even though Gambians were denied Health care, adequate educational opportunities and relevant political and economic prosperity by the colonialists and the Jawara Government; Gambians used the greatest tool to their disposal improvising to go against all odds towards success in the world. After the British made us close our eyes and reside the paternoster [lords prayer] while they steal all our raw materials for their new factories during the industrial revolution, Gambians redoubled our efforts and claimed them back through thick and thin. It is very rare to go to any world body, any world agency that matters and any country in the world where Gambians do not appear as professors, Administrators and political powers.

This is a tribute to my country, the smiling coast of Africa and the cradle of ambitious people.