The
National Youth Council (NYC) has received a brand new pickup vehicle from the
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), as part of their support to youth
empowerment in The Gambia.
The
donation of the Toyota Hilux pickup to the National Youth Council was to
support programme implementation on Youth and the Demographic Dividend.
Receiving
the keys on behalf of the NYC, Hon. Henry Gomez, Minister of Youth and Sports,
said the expectations of youths on the new government are really huge, and
urgent actions and results are required.
He
reaffirmed his ministry’s commitment to continue working with UNFPA to deliver
for the country’s youths.
“If
we said no to ‘back way’ let us also asked ourselves what are we going to do
for them. Many are in Libya; who knows what they are facing there, and also in
Italy.”
Minister
Gomez added: “We are so grateful, and we will do our utmost best to keep the
vehicle in order, because such gesture doesn’t come every day”.
Kunle
Adeniyi, the UNFPA country representative, said the National Youth Council has
been one of their implementing partners, and they have continually been
providing support to them to serve the young people of the country to achieve
the demographic dividend.
“We
are providing this vehicle to help in programme implementation and delivery of
service,” he said.
Momodou
Lamin Ceesay, MoYS permanent secretary, said UNFPA has been a strong partner of
the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
“We
can mention a lot of things that UNFPA has done for the ministry and youths. I
want to renew our appreciation of all that you have been doing for us over the
years. I want to assure you that this vehicle will be well kept, and put into
good use so that NYC can deliver on its mandates.”
Muhammed
Lamin Bah, chairperson, Banjul Youth Committee, expressed his appreciation to
UNFPA for their support.
He assured the UN agency that they would take
good care of the vehicle, and it would be used for its intended purpose.