….As 876 Recruits Graduate

By Our Banjul Bureau Chief, Ansumana Jammeh

Banjul:8/30/08-The president of the Republic of the Gambia, Yahya Jammeh, has on Friday 29th August, presided over the passing out ceremony of young soldiers held at the July 22nd Square in the capital Banjul.

    Delivering his speech, The Gambian president,Yahya Jammeh, warned the young soldiers to always answer to his calls and commands when ever the need arises.” You must be ready to serve the interest of my government, state and the people of the Gambia without ill-will or affection neither hesitation” said president Jammeh.

   The Gambian President, who was an ex-military junta, used the occasion to promote and decorate the best eleven intakes to the ranks of Lance –corporals. After the decoration of the young soldiers, the Gambian president said that he believes in awarding people based on their efforts and merits.

      The Chief of Defence Staff,CDS,Lang Tombond Tamba,said that as soldiers the guys and lades should  always  be willing to protect  and defend the territorial integrity  of the Gambia, both locally and internationally.

    He further advised the young intakes to always realize that they should protect the lives and properties of The Gambian populace. CDS Tamba explained that their establishment of military check points in all strategic positions in the country is aimed at cracking down the menace of arm robbery in the country.

  Prior to the statement of the CDS, ordinary Gambians have raised their voice over the increase rate of crimes in the country.CDS,Tombon Tamba,finally advised the young  soldiers to obey the commands of their superiors at all times.

   The epoch-marking event  in the history of The Gambia Army forces, was witnessed  by high powered security  at the July  22nd Square  in the Gambian Capital Banjul.