By Lamin Njie
President Adama Barrow has said that it is every Gambian’s responsibility to shun divisive politics and tactics.
The President stated this on Saturday while presiding over the 11th convocation ceremony of the University of The Gambia. Over 600 students on Saturday converged at QCity to take part in the graduation ceremony which officially marked the end of their academic odyssey at the country’s biggest learning institute.
President Barrow speaking at the event said he believed the overall goal of acquiring a degree is to help transform society using the knowledge and skills acquired from university education.
“Therefore, the burning question in the hearts and minds of all graduands today should be, ‘What constructive change will I bring to this Nation and the world at large now that I have earned this new qualification?’,” the president said.
“You are no doubt the potential experts, future leaders and next generation of solution providers in various aspects of national life. I therefore challenge you individually and collectively to do everything possible to contribute your quota in building a strong nation that can stand high and be proud among the community of Nations.”
Saturday’s convocation ceremony was themed, ‘Citizen Participation in Nation Building in The New Gambia.’ The president said it “simply means a constructive process of engaging all citizens in building social cohesion, economic prosperity, and political stability in an inclusive and democratic way.”
“Government and its structures and all citizens have a stake in and a duty to actively and effectively participate and improve the process of nation building. In other words, all hands must be on deck to bring about the desired changes,” Mr Barrow said.
Speaking further, President Barrow the moment was also a good time that Gambians remind themselves of their collective responsibilities.
“We must defend our hard earned democracy. As citizen we must have that strong spirit of nationalism and citizenship, love and defend our country and sacrifice personal interests for the common good at all times,” the president said.
“In short, it is the responsibility of every Gambian in the New Gambia to: respect, support and defend the Constitution and its ideals; promote, participate in and defend democratic processes; respect the rights, beliefs and opinions of others and to live in unity and harmony; render selfless national service when and where required; participate fully in local community activities and issues with a view to improving people’s well-being; work conscientiously in whatever position we find ourselves and give necessary support to government institutions and agencies in the maintenance of law and order, peace and stability; sustain our hard earned democracy by holding government accountable to protect and preserve common wealth and public properties; and shun divisive politics and tactics and respect the country’s economic policies, avoid all acts of sabotage and dishonesty; and pay our taxes and support government execute its programmes.”
