Young cadet officers, other secure Taiwan Defence Scholarship

Two young cadet officers of the Gambia Armed Forces and a top military officer were yesterday awarded scholarship by the Ambassador of Taiwan to The Gambia, courtesy of the Taiwan Defence Scholarship Program 2010.

The beneficiaries included Cadet Officer Modou Lamin Suwareh and Cadet Officer Momodou S. Bah.

The former is going for a four-year Bachelor degree at the Army Academy in Taiwan, while Bah would also pursue a Bachelor degree in Air Force Academy, Taiwan. 

The third beneficiary is Brigadier-General Sakou Seckan, who is going for a programme at War College in the National Defence University of Taiwan. 

The young officers and their senior on Wednesday received their awards from the Ambassador at a farewell party hosted by the embassy.

Speaking at the occasion, the Ambassador of Taiwan to The Gambia H.E Richard Shih congratulated the beneficiaries for their achievement.

According to him, the overall goal of the scholarship is to develop human resources, cultivate military leadership and promote military cooperation and ties between Taiwan and its allies, including The Gambia. He said that the two countries are more than partners, but brothers and sisters.

"As at now there are over 120 Gambians studying in Taiwan and the number would surely increase as very soon another batch of thirteen to fourteen would also leave for Taiwan," he disclosed.

The Gambia, he said, has always been supportive to Taiwan at the international arena, and as a result they would also do their best to assist the country.  He encouraged the prospective students to work hard while in Taiwan.

He revealed that already there are three Gambian cadets studying in Taiwan. 

For his part, the Chief of Defence Staff Lt. General Masanneh Kinteh thanked the government and people of Taiwan through Ambassador Shih for their continuous support to the Gambia Armed Forces.

The gesture, he said, would consolidate the efforts made by the Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces H.E President Jammeh in building a more professional and qualified army.

He expressed hope that the students would live up to expectations.

The Permanent Secretary for Defence Harry Sambou told the beneficiaries that they should count themselves lucky as they are chosen from many. He challenged them to integrate into the Taiwanese society and make the best use of their stay there.

Present at the ceremony were the deputy CDS Brigadier-General Yankuba Drammeh and Chief of Naval Staff Brigadier-General Sarjo Fofana.

The vote of thanks was delivered by Seckan who promised that they would measure up to expectations.