Gambians
and other nationals in The Gambia last Friday converged at the Arch 22nd in
Banjul to celebrate the 22nd anniversary of the 22nd July Revolution.
The
celebration, attended by foreign dignitaries, was characterised by a march-past
of the various security units, school children, institutions, women’s groups,
among other activities.
At the celebration, some security officers
were awarded with a sword of authority by the Gambian leader and a 21-gun
salute was also witnessed as usual.
Speaking
on the occasion, President Yayha Jammeh said 2016 marked the 22nd anniversary
of “the glorious 22nd July Revolution”.
The
historic and momentous occasion of the glorious 22nd July Revolution, which
took place 22 years ago, was being marked to reflect on the great achievement
it had brought to The Gambia in all development sectors since 1994, with the
aim of continuing its development stride.
President
Jammeh said the occasion was also a moment to let the people reflect on the
symbolism of the 22nd anniversary, which marks 22 years of the revolution that
kick-started on 22nd July 1994.
He
said the revolution had a lot of achievements and positive lessons for
individuals, and the collective, which should reinforce people’s belief that
with the guidance and support of the Almighty Allah the revolution would
continue to strive to meet the needed developments of The Gambia.
“In
responding to the numerous challenges that pave our collective effort to attain
our economic development, my government implemented numerous strategies and
information that have contributed immensely to the attainment of development
aspirations, in agriculture, education, health, energy, women empowerment,
right of the women and children, improved road and transport infrastructure
among other laudable achievements that we continue to celebrate with great
pride,” he said.
President
Jammeh also said despite the numerous gains registered by his government in
areas such as food self-sufficiency, they would continue to develop the country
as they have a long way to go.
“Today
being a Friday 22nd July, which is unprecedented, I would like to take this
opportunity to thank everyone and remember all those who were with us from 1994
to date.”
He
said 22 years is a long period of time along the way, and “there are people
that have answered to the call of the Almighty Allah and they are not with us
today”.
He,
therefore, called on all at the occasion to stand up and offer a minute of
silent prayers for the departed souls and “patriotic citizens” associated with
the July 22nd Revolution since at a very difficult time of the struggle.
He
said many were saying that the revolution would not last for three days, some
said three weeks, others said three months, and “today it is 22 years thanks to
the Almighty Allah”.
He
also said the British rule could not achieve a quarter of what the July 22nd
Revolution had achieved, after 31 years of the First Republic, when they had
the support of everybody.
He
said with the Almighty Allah on their side, “nobody can kill” the 22nd July
Revolution because it is guided by the Almighty Allah and nobody can do
anything about it.
“On
this particular point, I want to thank all those who stood with us from day one
and continue to stand with us in solidarity with mutual respect,” he said.
He
said The Gambia would never be colonised twice and it shall never be enslaved
twice, and those “so-called powers that wanted to colonise us have failed”.
He
said: “I love challenges and I believe in Almighty Allah. I want to thank you
the Gambian people and also the Gambian women and children who have been very
supportive of the 22nd July Revolution.”
He
commended Gambian women for they have always been at the forefront of the
revolution, saying he was proud of them for their participation in national
development.
He
said as regards the promotion of women and youth empowerment, The Gambia is
exceptional in Africa, in particular.
He
said one of his most difficult tasks was getting people to change attitude
towards national development endeavours; lackadaisical attitudes he said had
been nurtured over the past 400 years.
This
is a disease that had been chronic in the people for four hundred and
thirty-one years, he added, saying it was not easy to eradicate it in a short
period of time, “but thanks to the Almighty Allah, today we have achieved that
most important aspect in change of attitudes”.
President
Jammeh also applauded The Gambia as the only nation, despite of your colour,
tribe and race you can walk around 24 hours day and night “nobody will harass
you”.
“So
in this country we believe in the Almighty Allah,” he said.
