By Amadou M. Jadama
Youth Mainstreaming for Positive Change and West African Association against Illegal Migration Saturday signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU.
The signing ceremony was held at the Gambian Mall in Tipper Garage.
Yusupha Darboe, the YMPC president said his youthful association and WAAAIM are advocating for a couple of things.
“We believe that if we collaborate, we can achieve a lot, that is why we are here today to signed this MOU. Our organisation is focusing on few things; youth empowerment, and also tribalism because we all know that our country is heading to somewhat that path. So we the youths should work together to ensure that does not happen in our country. That is why we formed this organisation,” he said.
According to him, they are also advocating for gender equality and a halt on illegal migration.
“So we deem it necessary in that area to partner with WAAAIM in order to find ways to address the menace of illegal migration.”
He also said the doors are open for those who wish to join their association.
Also speaking, Reverend Thomas Dzikum, general secretary for WAAAIM, told the gathering of WAAAIM, adding they are also a non-profit making entity.
He also said most of WAAAIMs executive members are all living in The Gambia.
He advised both sides to join hand in gloves in order to achieve aims and objectives.
Dr Francis Osuji, chairman for WAAAIM, said the importance of young people taking part in the organisation’s affairs cannot be over-emphasised.
“That is why we deem it necessary to form WAAAIM. WAAAIM is not for some groups of people, rather it is for everybody and for any organisation involved in youth upbringing. We want to bring young people closer to our organisation because they are the targeted ones.”
Mr Osuji also hailed WAAAIM for the admirable role it continues to play, with sensitisation visits to different schools on the dangers of back-way or irregular migration.
“We are planning to meet with ECOWAS and discuss some of these issues with them,” he stated.
YMPC is a non-profit making organisation designed to enlighten young people about their roles in socio, political and economic development of the Gambia.
It is also here to inculcate a sense of patriotism in the mindsets of the young people in other for them to be constructively responsive on issues affecting the nation, discouraging all forms of tribalism, identity politics and ethnic stereotyping among other issues.
WAAAIM of course, also works to discourage all forms of irregular migration.
