By: Musa Ndow

The president of the Republic, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh, Monday disbursed the sum of D237, 500 (two hundred and thirty seven thousand and five hundred dalasis) to six people that won the two-category presidential quiz.

The development came barely less than three weeks after the presidency invited the general public to participate in the quiz.

Question one was; “From 1994 to date, in which year, and where, did H.E the president make the shortest statement and why? The answer to this is: “On August 8th 1994 at the first rally in Banjul then McCarthy Square. There was a heavy downpour, which damaged the P.A. System and the rain become very happy as soon as His Excellency stood to speak.

Question two was: “Name the first AFPRC public project.” Its answer is: “Sett-Settal now called Operation Clean the Nation. It started in Banjul then Bakau and later Brikama. It was during this programme that the AFPRC realised that Bundung highway was completely non-existent and traffic was a nightmare. This led to directives for it to be rebuilt immediately thereby becoming the first road project of the AFPRC.”

The competition got 161 entries that were analysed by a three-member panel in the Office of The President, which recommended the best correct answers. The winners of Question 1 are: Bernard Mendy of St. Peters Junior and Senior Secondary Technical School, 1st winner; Edward Preirra of Pirang Senior Secondary School, 2nd Winner; Awa Gaye of Kanifing South, 3rd Winner; whilst winners for Question 2 are: Saffiatou Colley of Humanity First Institute for Information and Technology, Gambia branch, 1st Winner; Saffie Davies of Stratford College of Management, 2nd Winner; and Ebrima Jallow of Gambia Senior Secondary School.

Presenting the prizes to the winners, the vice president and Women’s Affairs minister, Her Excellency Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, congratulated them as well as all those who participated in the quiz.

“I want to congratulate you for the answers to these questions. The president wants to give a chance to everybody in The Gambia and wants to motivate everybody,” the VP said, while recalling the numerous competitions staged by the president for people to showcase their talent. She also remarked that these competitions also serve as a platform for participants to sharpen their minds, something she said is very important.

Speaking earlier, the secretary general and minister of Presidential Affairs, Momodou Sabally, also thanked the winners for their participation and encouraged them to take part in more initiatives of this nature. “From the questions and the history behind it, it has shown us that we have come a long way and I am sure this is not the end of it. So keep your research going,” he enjoined.

Other speakers at the ceremony included the ministers of Environment, Parks and Wildlife, Fisheries and Water resources, Fatou Ndey Gaye and Mass Axi Gye respectively.

Saffiatou Colley and Bernard Mendy both spoke on behalf of the winners.