The
Legacy Gambia, a youth-led non-governmental organization, over the weekend
rolled out the maiden edition of ‘The Mainstream’, a public debate seeking to
avail young people a platform to constructively and professionally debate on
socio-economic issues.
The
official launching held on 16 July 2016, at the American Corner in Bundung,
drew participants from the Gambia College, University of The Gambia and
students from various schools and institution in the Kanifing Municipality,
Banjul and West Coast Region.
Speaking
at the ceremony, Saikou Suwareh Jabai, executive director of The Legacy, said
the idea is to provide an educational forum where young people from all walks
of life could share opinions and knowledge on a range of issues around them
thereby paving the way for positive social change.
Jabai
outlined that ‘The Mainstream’ is to be held at least monthly and therefore
calls on the participation and support of the public in ensuring the longevity
of the programme.
He
said ‘The Mainstream’ promises to create a great platform for social cohesion,
learning and sharing of divergent views and opinions and widening horizons of
young people on specific local and global issues.
The
Program Manager, Muhammed Lamin Dibba, in his address, said The Legacy aims at
working with young people in enhancing their development to help them succeed
in their respective dreams and walks of life.
‘’We
provide the right instruction, equipment and facilities for young people to
enhance their abilities, artistic talents, adventure skills and their
development at large,’’ he said.
Dibba
stated that the concept was born out of their passion and strong desire to
complement the Gambia government’s efforts in ensuring that young people attain
their full potentials to be productive assets for national development.
In
the first public debate staged, four participants took rounds to face-off on
two most globally trending topics.
Omar
Dibba and Omar ‘Champion’ Cham squared off on how ‘‘African countries should
exit the International Criminal Court (ICC)’’ and in the second showdown, Omar
Malmo Sambou went head-to-head with Sheikh Omar Sillah on ‘‘Barrack Obama has
failed Africa’’.
The
quartet exhibited some great eloquence and incredible oratory skills cementing
their arguments and leaving the audience to judge for themselves.
The
audience was accorded the opportunity to contribute to the debate, while some
took turns to commend the organizers for initiating the programme.
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