The destination was Banjul, The Gambia. The host is Modou Lamin Age-Almusaf Sowe, the youthful and energetic Gambian author with the support and leadership of Honourable Minister Bakary Badjie of the Ministry of Youths and Sports (MoYS) of The Republic of The Gambia. The event was Sowe’s book launch held at the Ebunjan theatre on 7th January 2022 where Sowe was presented with a plaque of African Literature Award for his contribution to African literature by the International Association of African Authors and Scholars-Professional Development Institute (IAAAS-PDI).
On the invitation of Sowe, we arrived safely from the United States on 5th January 2022 to an overwhelming welcome at the Banjul International Airport and to a friendly hospitality across The Gambia – “The Smiling Coast Of Africa.”
I will not do justice to Africa if I don’t write this story to encourage African youths with special reference to Gambian youths. I am impressed by their organized cohesive engagement, exemplary love for each other and to visitors and dedication to the nation. No wonder crime in The Gambia is rare because the youths are positively engaged and the Ministry of Youths and Sports is engaging them accordingly which makes Gambia a safe place for citizens and visitors.
Here comes Sowe. He is more than an author. He is a shepherd and a valuable asset to The Gambia in respect to youths engagement. He involves them in all he does. He respects them and they call him “Teacher.” Most Gambian youths do not have tertiary education but they have the knowledge of discipline and respect for values which is very essential to nation-building. They are tolerant and not fanatical. They are not tribalistic but believe in one Gambia. They are enterprising and believe in teamwork.
Honourable Minister Bakary Badjie who also received IAAAS-PDI Excellence Award As African Youths Champion Through The Development of Youths and Sports is doing a fantastic job at his Ministry and Sowe and others are helping him greatly. At Sowe’s book launch “Don’t Judge The Book By The Cover,” the Ebunjan theatre was full to capacity with the youths making up the highest number. I was impressed because they want to learn from any given opportunity and they were eager to listen to the speakers as we took turns at the podium. They remained calm and disciplined to the end of the event.
As I continuously observed The Gambian youths I became aware that they do not harbor religious sentiments or discrimination. Muslims and Christians are brothers and sisters. Most of them speak three languages of The Gambia – Mandingo, Wolof and Fula and that is remarkable too to eradicate ethnic boundaries. What else can a nation do than to make sure that her youths are engaged positively? This singular act of engaging the youths with an effective Ministry is Gambia’s achievement because crime is low, religious fanaticism is non-existent and visitors to The Gambia are safe from theft or intimidation. No nation should ignore the potentials of her youths but should encourage and engage them. African nations will be safer when people like Sowe are supported to do more just as the Ministry of Youths and Sports are doing in The Gambia under the leadership of Bakary Badjie.
Having lived in Nigeria and visited The Gambia for the first time, I can deduce that so many universities are not the answer to successful youths engagement. Nigeria outnumber The Gambia in tertiary institutions but the youths of The Gambia are more disciplined and engaged because their Government is supportive with an active grassroots Youths and Sports Ministry. African youths deserve to be provided with a visible support system to keep them focused, disciplined and self-reliant. I have not been to other African nations except Nigeria and The Gambia but my candid opinion is that engaging the youths of The Gambia is the reason crime rate is very low and safety rate is very high.
As we departed The Gambia airspace back to the United States I returned with priceless experience. Charles Uti, Ph.D., IAAAS-PDI General Secretary, who travelled with me, also shared great memories of the people and places of The Gambia. Other invited guests such as Dr. Wale Okediran, Secretary General of Pan-African Writers Association (PAWA); Mrs. Okediran, his wife; Mr. Louis Mensah, PAWA Treasurer; and lots more who attended the book launch echoed similar satisfaction about our visit to The Gambia.
The Organizing Committee (OC) of the book launch who were mainly youths also went extra mile to make sure we were excited throughout our stay including a tour to the sacred crocodile pool in Bakau and the snake farm in Kartong. I am indebted to so many persons during this trip but few are mentioned here: Honourable Minister Hamat Bah of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture for meeting with us; Mr. Mamadi Dampha; Hassoum Ceesay, Director General of National Centre For Arts And Culture; Dr. Cherno Barry, President of Writers Association of Gambia; Amina Sillah, Ph.D., Townson University; Mr. Yankuba Darboe, Commissioner General Gambia Revenue Authority; Ms. Fatoumata Bah of Bolongbala Film Group, a nice girl and actress who will play a major character in a book to be written!
The Africa International Leadership Institute (AILI), a project of International Association of African Authors and Scholars-Professional Development Institute (IAAAS-PDI) is ready to establish a campus in The Gambia in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Culture and in cooperation with Honourable Badjie and his team. This vision will empower African youths to study leadership skills in the institute. AILI curriculum is developed with the mindset for candidates to learn leadership skills first before seeking leadership position for individual development, organizational growth and nation-building which will also target youths development and encourage rounded learning culture and skills acquisition.
In conclusion, the AILI continental campus if established in The Gambia, will engage candidates and scholars with visionary leadership curriculum and long-term prediction to make the youths focused with aggregate reading skills and collectively transform them into great leaders because Informed Readers Make Great Leaders!
Chinedum Igwe, MBA Executive Director
International Association of African Authors and Scholars- Professional Development Institute (IAAAS-PDI) www.iaaauthors.org