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Tag: Gambia

  • Nigeria deploys troops for peace keeping in Gambia

    Nigeria deploys troops for peace keeping in Gambia

    The Armed Forces of Nigeria on Friday, announced the deployment of 197 personnel for the peace keeping mission in the Gambia.

    The Chief of Operations Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen. Boniface Sinjen made the announcement in Jaji, Kaduna State, at the graduation of troops of Nigerian Company 9 Economic Community of West African States Mission in The Gambia (ECOMIG).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), report that the 197 troops began Pre-Deployment Training (PDT) on May 4, at Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPKC) Jaji Kaduna State.

    According to him, the PDT is in line with the commitment of the Chief of Army Staff , Lt -Gen Taoreed Lagbaja and the Armed Forces of Nigeria in deploying quality peacekeepers in support of international peace and security.

    He said that the training had equipped them with the necessary tactical skills and knowledge required for peace support operations.

    “It  has prepared you for the protection of civilians and the accomplishment of assigned tasks under the ECOMIG mandate.

    “You have learned the importance of teamwork, leadership and cultural sensitivity as well as other factors that would ensure your success in the mission area.

    “You have been trained in the latest techniques and procedures for maintaining peace and stability in a complex environment and instilled with the values of discipline, respect for human rights and compassion for the people you are going out there to protect.

    “Your mission comes at a critical time, as The Gambia faces a period of
    uncertainty and instability, “he said.

    According to him, the country’s political crisis has affected the lives of many innocent civilians and their presence will sustain the existing peace and stability to the region.

    “Your role is crucial in maintaining peace, protecting lives and promoting sustainable development.”

    Sinjen  charged  the troops to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline and respect for human rights.

    He advised them to adhere strictly to the ECOWAS’ mandate, which guides your mission and ensure that your actions align with the principles of peace, stability and human rights.

    ”Remember that your conduct will not only reflect on yourselves but also on your country, the ECOWAS region and the international community.

    ”Additionally, your training has exposed you to the culture and religious diversity of The Gambia.

    “You are, therefore, expected to approach all interactions with sensibility and respect. Be mindful of the local customs, traditions and socio-political dynamics of the mission area.

    ”You must remain vigilant in the face of potential security threats and   avoid any actions that may be perceived as insensitive,” he said.

    He said that as peacekeepers in a sovereign nation, they must adhere strictly to the UN principles and guidelines for peacekeeping operations.

    “Respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of The Gambia and avoid any actions that may be perceived as interference in the country’s internal affairs.”

    He said the Armed Forces of Nigeria had zero-tolerance on sexual exploitation and abuse in line with United Nations’ policies.

    ”Therefore, any form of sexual exploitation and abuse will be met with severe consequences.

    “As ambassadors of the armed Forces of Nigeria and our great nation, you must uphold the esteemed values and enviable image of this country, “Sinjen said.

    Earlier, the Commandant of MLAILPKC, Maj-Gen. Ademola Adedoja, said the six weeks training had been intense, comprehensive, and was conducted in line with the Standard UN Core Pre-Deployment Training Modules.

    Adedoja said the PDT was to equip the earmarked unit with the requisite skills and knowledge to function effectively and efficiently in their deployment to the Gambia.

    He said as  part of their training, the troops were taken through crosscutting issues like Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, Conflict Related Sexual Violence, Conduct and Discipline as well as Protection of Civilians amongst others.

    “This graduation is a testament to the capacity and capability of the MLAILPKC as a United Nations accredited Centre to conduct quality training of prospective peacekeepers for deployment to multidimensional Peace Support Operations in fulfillment of her mandate.

    “The Centre has within the last six weeks been able to train, retrain and refresh the troops on requisite knowledge and expertise to succeed in a Peace Support Operation environment.

    ” It is my fervent belief that these men are better informed and equipped to perform their roles in the Gambia, “Adedoja said.

    He said the graduation ceremony once more showed the commitment of Nigeria and the Nigerian Armed Forces to global peace and security.

  • AFCON 2023: Tournament favourite, Senegal thrash Gambia 3-0, Cameroon, Guinea share spoils

    AFCON 2023: Tournament favourite, Senegal thrash Gambia 3-0, Cameroon, Guinea share spoils

    Senegal started off their title defense on a winning note after putting three goals past 10-man  Gambia national team.

     It took just five minutes for them to break the deadlock as Pape Gueye struck after good work from Sadio Mane. Lamine Camara then scored twice after the break – including a brilliant curling effort late on – to mark a solid start to Group C.

    Aliou Cisse’s side made the perfect start when Sadio Mane teed up an unmarked Pape Gueye, who rifled his shot into the bottom corner from inside the box.
    Gambia created some good opportunities in the first half with Musa Barrow curling a free-kick into the side netting while Ali Sowe headed over following a corner.
    Elsewhere at stade Charles Konal Banny In Yamoussoukro, the indomitable Lions of  Cameroon and the Syli national of  Guinea Conakry settled for a 1-1 draw.
    M Bayo opened scoring for the Guineans and the West Africans held on to it for the first 45minute but the
    Cameroonians equalized in the 51st minute to have a share of the spoils.
    The result meant that Senegal leads group C while Cameroon and Guinea are joint second on the log.
  • Four countries where Ogun state capital, Abeokuta can be found

    Four countries where Ogun state capital, Abeokuta can be found

    Abeokuta is the state capital of Ogun State in southwest Nigeria. It is situated on the east bank of the Ogun River, near a group of rocky outcrops in a wooded savanna; 77 kilometres north of Lagos by railway, or 130 kilometres by water.

    Abeokuta (“Refuge Among Rocks”) was founded about 1830 by Sodeke (Shodeke), a hunter and leader of the Egba refugees who fled from the disintegrating Oyo empire. The town was also settled by missionaries (in the 1840s) and by Sierra Leone Creoles, who later became prominent as missionaries and as businessmen.

    That Abeokuta is the only City in Africa with it’s name in more than two other countries

    Some of them are:

     Abeokuta in Ogun State, Nigeria which is the main City and the place where the descendants of Egbas go out from and found other Cities in other countries.

    Abeokuta in Central River region of Gambia.

    This place is situated in Fulladu West, Maccarthy Island, The Gambia, its geographical coordinates are 13° 22′ 0″ North, 14° 37′ 0″ West and its original name (with diacritics) is Abeokuta.

    The Gambia, country in western Africa situated on the Atlantic coast and surrounded by the neighbouring country of Senegal.

    The Gambia is a former British Colony and the official language is English but there are also several tribal languages including Mandinka and Wolof. Educated in English, most Gambian people are at least bilingual. The people of The Gambia are friendly and hospitable and life is taken at a very relaxed pace.

    Abeokuta, a tourist town in Jamaica with beautiful waterfalls and spring water.

    Abeokuta is a beautiful unspoiled natural Jamaican Attraction that has been a breathtaking and rejuvenating experience for guests locally and internationally.

    The town of Abeokuta, Nigeria, has been directly linked to Abeokuta in Jamaica for over three hundred years. This occurred when the first slaves taken to the Parish of Westmoreland were brought to this Plantation from Abeokuta, Nigeria. The Park occupies 13 acres of land on a hill that was the original Plantation Yard.

    Abeokouta in Benin Republic.

    It;s observed that there is a community latgely dominated by the Egbas the people of Abeokuta in neighbouring Benin Republic.

    The axis is largely dominated by the people of Abeokuta in Benin Republic and it often generate the name Abeokuta.

    All these places are founded by the egba people.

    There’s no other City or Town in Africa whose descendants go out and create a City in the image of their home….

     

  • JUST IN : President stops self, govt officials from foreign trips to reduce public spending

    JUST IN : President stops self, govt officials from foreign trips to reduce public spending

    Gambia’s President Adama Barrow has suspended himself and all government officials from foreign travel to reduce public spending, a government spokesman announced Saturday.

    Barrow signed an executive order “suspending all overseas travels by the president, the vice-president, cabinet ministers, senior government officials, civil servants and employees across all government institutions and agencies,” for the rest of the fiscal year, presidential spokesman Ebrima Sankareh said in a statement.

    Meetings where Gambian participation is compulsory and foreign trips entirely financed by external sources will be exempt

  • Gambian pastor, Abraham swindles Ibadan residents of phones, money

    Gambian pastor, Abraham swindles Ibadan residents of phones, money

    A Gambian Pastor, Owen Abraham, has allegedly made away with money, phones and valuables of residents of Aponrin in Agbowo, Ibadan who came for a crusade organised by him.

    It was gathered that he was led by God to come to Ibadan from Gambia for the crusade, Independent reports on Friday.

    Abraham on the last day of the three days crusade claimed that the Holy Spirit directed him to tell people to submit their phones and valuables, but later absconded with it.

    A victim, Mrs Grace Akintola said many widows went for the crusade because the Pastor promised to give each person a bag of rice and money, adding that Abraham also promised to empower students with scholarships.

    She said, He lured us into three days of fasting and prayer and was nowhere to be found on the last day of the crusade as all efforts to reach him proved abortive.

    Mrs Akintola, a widow while recounting her ordeal said, “The Pastor approached an Igbo lady in our area to assist him to gather widows and students, he said he wanted to help us.

    “Someone in my area invited me for the crusade, the crusader wear Pastor regalia, he said he will buy a house for one of us, he said the house is fully furnished.

    “He promised money to give to some people who attend the crusade, even politicians can not give out such money.

    “On the last day of the crusade, he sold a bottle of water for us at the rate of N4,800, he said perfume is inside the bottled water, and many people paid for the water.”

  • Gambia stun Nigeria’s Flying Eagles to reach Under-20 AFCON final

    Gambia stun Nigeria’s Flying Eagles to reach Under-20 AFCON final

    Nigeria’s Flying Eagles on Monday lost 0-1 to their Gambian counterparts in the semi-finals of the ongoing Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.

    The match which was played at the Cairo International Stadium saw the Nigerian side dominating the encounter with 62 per cent possession as against the Gambians’ 38 per cent.

    But they failed to hit target, and have consequently paid for it by missing out on the final match for an attempt at a record eighth title win.

    The Flying Eagles were too casual with play in the opening minutes of the game and were eventually punished for it after seven minutes.

    That was when Adama Bojang capitalised on a loose ball from a misdirected header in Nigeria’s defence to score.

    The Nigerian team did step up their play after going behind, dominating ball possession, creating all the dangerous plays, and putting the Young Scorpions on the back foot.

    But the poor connection between the wingers and the strikers made it difficult for the team to equalise, even with Gambia playing with 10 men for few minutes before the end of the game.

    Earlier, Senegal had thrashed Tunisia 3-0 to reach the final match of the competition in the other semi-final match at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia.

    The Teranga Cubs won the semi-final match emphatically after beating the Young Carthage to secure their place in the final.

    Two goals from new FC Metz recruit Lamine Camara and a sumptuous strike by Pape Diop were enough to send Senegal to the final.

    The three-time runners-up will now face The Gambia in the final on Saturday.

    The final match is scheduled to take place at the Cairo International Stadium.

  • Egypt 2023: Nigeria to face Gambia in semi-final clash

    Egypt 2023: Nigeria to face Gambia in semi-final clash

    The Gambian U-20 side made it to the semi-final of the ongoing 2023 Africa U-20 Cup of Nation after thumping South Sudan 5-0 on Friday.

    The result meant that the tiny west Africa nation will be featuring at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup slated for Indonesia in May.

    The Young Scorpions will face the Flying Eagles in a West African derby in the last four to hope for a palce in the final of the competiton.

    The semi-final encounter will take place at the Cairo International Stadium on Monday.

    The Flying Eagles booked their place in the semis after a hard-fought 1-0 win against the Hippos of Uganda on Thursday in Alexandria.

    The Gambians are unbeaten in the competition, while the Flying Eagles have lost once.

    Senegal will face Tunisia in the other semi-final clash on Monday for a place in the final of the tournament.

    Senegal, Nigeria, Gambia and Tunisia will fly Africa’s flag at the U-20 World Cup scheduled to hold in Indonesia in May 2023.

  • Just In: Gambia Vice President, Badara Alieu Joof Is Dead

    Just In: Gambia Vice President, Badara Alieu Joof Is Dead

    The Gambia Vice President, Badara Alieu Joof is dead.

    This announcement was made by the president, Adama Barrow who said he died after short illness in India.

    He took to his twitter page to make the announcement to the people of Gambia while expressing how sad the death of Badara Alieu Joof.

    Details shortly….

  • ECOWAS Commission condemns attempted Coup in the Gambia

    ECOWAS Commission condemns attempted Coup in the Gambia

    The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has condemned the attempted but foiled Coup d’état in the Gambia on Dec. 21, reiterating that ECOWAS’ rejection of an unconstitutional change of government.

    The ECOWAS Commission, in a statement made available to journalists, said that it was solidly behind the democratically-elected government of the Gambia. commending the leadership and personnel of the Gambia security services for foiling the illegal plot.

    The statement reads “The Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has received with utter dismay and shock the news of an attempted coup in the Gambia.

    “ECOWAS Commission strongly condemns the attempt to overthrow the democratically-elected government of the Gambia and underscores ECOWAS total rejection of all unconstitutional change of government in any member State.

    “ECOWAS Commission salutes the leadership and personnel of the Gambia security services for their adherence to their constitutional role and for foiling this illegal plot.

    “ECOWAS Commission stands firmly by the democratically-elected government of the Gambia and once again reiterates its total condemnation of the attempted coup plot.

    A statement from the Gambian Government on Dec. 22, disclosed that the Gambian Armed Forces (GAF) High Command, in a swift military operation conducted on Dec. 21, arrested four soldiers linked to the alleged coup plot.

    According to the statement, the arrested soldiers are currently helping the Military Police with their investigations.

    “The Gambia Government announces that intelligence reports have shown that some soldiers of the Gambian army were plotting to overthrow the democratically-elected Government of President Adama Barrow.

    “The GAF High Command, in a swift military operation, conducted on Wednesday, arrested four soldiers linked to this alleged coup plot.

    “Those arrested are Lance Corporal Sanna Fadera from the Gambia Navy as the alleged ring leader of the plot; Corporal Mbarra Touray from 1st Infantry Battalion, Yundum Barracks; Corporal Ebrahima Sanno from the Military Police, who is currently on study leave, and Sergeant Gibril Darboe from The Gambia Navy.

    “The apprehended soldiers are currently helping the Military Police with their investigations.

    “Meanwhile, the soldiers allegedly involved in the plot, either being pursued or on the run, are: Corporal Njie B from the State Guards Battalion; Warrant Officer Class 2 Jadama from The Gambia Navy and one Badjie from The Gambia Navy.

    “First names of Jadama and Badjie are yet to be established.

    “Investigations into this matter are continuing and members of the public would be accordingly informed of any developments as the situation unfolds.

    Citizens, residents and members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps are urged to carry on with their normal activities as the situation is under total control and there is no need to panic,” the statement read.

    Newsmen reports that ECOWAS Presidents in the just-concluded 62nd Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government on Dec. 5 in Abuja, reiterated their commitment to prevent every form of unconstitutional change of government.

    They pledged to address likely root causes of unconstitutional change of government in the region, especially tenure elongation of democratically-elected presidents.

  • Host Cameroon beat Gambia to reach AFCON semi-finals

    Host Cameroon beat Gambia to reach AFCON semi-finals

    Karl Toko Ekambi scored two second-half goals as hosts Cameroon beat The Gambia to move into the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.

    Toko Ekambi headed his country ahead in the 50th minute, glancing in from Collins Fai’s right-wing cross.

    It became 2-0 seven minutes later with Toko Ekambi finishing at the back post following Martin Hongla’s low delivery.

    Cameroon will play either Egypt or Morocco in the semi-final on Thursday, with the final next Sunday.