Nyang, 

There is no nepotism if one meets all the set criteria for a scholarship award; none whatsoever.  And remember, you are yet to provide anything to substantiate the claims of nepotism (as it relates to the children of ministers) on this scholarship issue.  It is only in Gambia that one can be accused without any evidence and asked to defend him/herself.  Sidi gave you a simple task, which is to name one son or daughter of minister who received scholarship and he will come up with evidence and name 10 that were of poor background.  Is that not good evidence to support his claim?   The onus is not on him to provide "evidence", but for you or those who believe in this myth to give him 1 and in exchange he will provide 10. Now it seems that coming up with 1 is a tall order for those who have been repeating this lie for decades.  

On technical assistance, commonwealth etc, you will do yourself great service if you go back and read the 3 kinds of scholarships that the author said were available under Jawara.  Although there is yet to be evidence that the sons of ministers were favored, you do realize that nepotism will not help a son or daughter of a minister who does not have the sponsors required academic qualifications; this was and is still a core requirement.  

Providing evidence may "not the be all and end all of what constitutes truth" but it is a pretty good start...no?  Seriously, coming up with one son or daughter of a PPP minister should not be this difficult.  We can talk about allocation of resources all we want, but the question remains - did the children of ministers get scholarships to the U.S and the U.K while the rest went to the University of Ibadan?  If yes, who?  

I actually hate to "drop names" but unless you mean to tell me that the likes of Ebrima Mbenga, Serign Cham or Halifax King (all excellent students) are undeserving of their scholarships to study in the U.S or U.K, I will say the onus is on you to find one underserving son or daughter of a civil servant that received a scholarship they were not suppose to receive.  

Thanks, 
Matarr

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