Nema
Jula Kunda Coalition, in a meeting with the new agriculture minister,
vehemently condemned tribal politics and called for united force towards
national development.
The
association, comprising at least 200 members, on Monday had a meeting with the
agriculture minister, Omar Jallow, alias O.J, to adopt him as the honourary
father of the association.
The
adoption ceremony was held at the minister’s family house in Pipeline, Kanifing
Municipality.
The
delegation of the association, headed by the executive members, said the
association was set up to campaign for a change of government which eventually
contributed to the victory of the coalition led by Adama Barrow in the 1
December 2016 presidential polls against the ousted President Yahya Jammeh.
Mr
Jammeh, who earlier on accepted defeat, later on rejected the results but was
pressured to leave the country; he currently lives in exile in Equatorial
Guinea.
One
after the other, executive members of Nema Jula Kunda Coalition including
Fatoumatta Jaiteh, Bintou Manjang and Kalilu Kanteh, explained that the
association was set up for the purpose of nation building.
They
appealed for assistance for the association saying it would be great if they
could have relevant projects to enable them participate more effectively and
meaningfully in national development activities.
They
said the association group comprises various tribes and therefore gives no
chance to, and says no to tribalism, and condemns tribal politics.
“Our
association comprises various tribes and therefore we say no to tribalism,”
they said.
The
minister, Mr Jallow, expressed gratitude for the regards vested on him by the
group, and assured them of his offices’ support.
He
said God said Heaven is under the feet of a mother, meaning people should
dearly respect and value women.
“O.J
is today because of the women,” he said, adding that women have contributed in
no small measure to his political successes, especially during his
parliamentary contests in Serrekunda in the PPP regime, the first government of
The Gambia after independence.
The
minister spoke against the elements of tribalism in Gambian politics, pointing
out that if it was only tribalism he would not have won elections in Serrekunda
East.
He
expressed disappointment with Lawyer Ousainou Darboe’s plans to contest
parliamentary elections under the United Democratic Party (UDP), instead of the
coalition.
Mr
Jallow said he would go against anyone who wants to contest against the
coalition, be it UDP or PPP supporters.
He
called on politicians to work towards national development and avoid selfish
politics, saying people should work together towards achieving the common
objectives.
Uthman
Jeng, a freelance photographer described the agriculture minister as Gambia’s
real action-man for “he has always stood for the needs of the people”.
“I
know O.J for over 30 years now but only for being a good man,” he said, adding
that the Nema Jula Kunda association makes no mistake in choosing O.J as
father.
Illiassa
Jatta, PPP/coalition member, said the initiative taken by Nema Jula Kunda
Coalition manifest that they are all one.
Amie
Njie, treasurer of the association, in giving the vote of thanks, commended Mr
Jallow for the warm welcome accorded to them and assured him that they would
always rally behind him whenever he needs their participation.
