Programme manager of the National Youth Council, Alagie Jarju, said at a press conference to update the media on plans for the event: “The National Youth Council is mandated by the NYC Act of 2000 to organise a national youth conference and festival every two years. This year we are to organise Nayconf, which is the biggest gathering of youths across the country and over 2,000 young people will come together for a period of ten days, during which they will issue a resolution that will impact on the lives of young people in The Gambia.
“As a council it is part of our mandate to advise the government on matters affecting young people in this country and Nayconf is not an exception. As of now, the issue affecting us is illegal migration. We will make use of every forum to make sure we discuss this issue because young people are migrating from this country every day. Young people should know that they can make it in this country, without migrating to Europe. We are not discouraging anyone not to leave the country but they can use a legal way.”
Lamin Marong, head of marketing and publicity committee of Nayconf 2014 said: “We are all aware that Nayconf will be staged at Jarra Soma in LRR from 14 to 22 December with 1,800 young people from within and outside the country, expected to participate. It is our responsibility as the marketing and publicity committee, to create the awareness and raise funds for this year’s Nayconf. This year the budget is estimated at D4.9 million.”
As a committee, we are not bringing any foreign artistes as far as fund raising is concerned but our Gambia-based artistes who are also international will perform. The gala dinner will be held at the Paradise Suites Hotel on November 8 with Jaliba Kuyateh, the king of kora, as the main artiste and tables will be sold at different prizes. We are targeting 150 [sponsors] for the gala dinner. The flag tour will commence on Monday 23 September, touring ministries, partners and organisations. Later in October the tour will continue in the regions.
He revealed that government has pledged D1 million for the event while United Nations system in The Gambia has expressed its willingness to contribute.
“Already, the UNFPA Banjul office has given D300,000 as part of its contribution to the hosting of the event. Expectations are high on the side of UNDP. Gamcel promised to take care of the publicity budget”, Marong revealed.
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