CHEI!  I guess pigs can fly too. 

Jammeh wins Observer Personality Award 2001

President Yahya Jammeh was last Saturday awarded the Daily Observer 
Leadership Award 2001 at the paper’s 10th Anniversary dinner and dance held 
at the Palm Beach Hotel. The award was received by the vice-president, Isatou 
Njie-Saidy, who was the Chief Guest of Honour at the occassion. Last year, 
the nation’s leading newspaper decided to launch Personalities of the Year 
Award to deserving Gambians in different facets of the nation’s life: 
leadership, politics, business, sports, entertainment and society. Below is 
the citation for President Jammeh’s Award: LEADERSHIP PERSONALITY AWARD 2001 
This award is presented to H E the President Of the Republic Of The Gambia, 
Rtd. Col Dr. Alhaji Yahya AJJ Jammeh. In 2001 H E Jammeh completed his first 
five years as the first elected President of the Second Republic. This was a 
highly successful term characterised with crucial development projects in an 
atmosphere of peace and stability. 

1) Prior to the Presidential Elections of October 2001, President Jammeh 
lifted the ban on Decree 89 opening the gates for politicians in the First 
Republic to take part openly in the Presidential race. This was not only 
democratic but also a courageous decision. Nearly 90% of this category of 
politicians ganged up in different combinations against the young APRC 
government and presidential candidate. The rest is history - President Jammeh 
was returned to office for a second five year term with a landslide victory 
that was acclaimed by the entire international community and the citizens of 
The Gambia as the freest election ever conducted in The Gambia. The 
opposition candidates and the international community congratulated President 
Jammeh and declared that the elections were free and fair. The IEC as 
supervisors and the GRTS for equal media coverage were the innovations of 
President Jammeh to guarantee a free and unfettered functioning democracy.

2) Before his swearing-in for a second term in December 2001, our leader 
President Jammeh, in the spirit of national reconciliation granted an 
unconditional amnesty to former President Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara (AMNESTY 
STORY)

3) In the spirit of National Reconciliation, Hon Sheriff Mustapha Dibba, a 
doyen of Gambian politics, was admitted into the ranks of the APRC and today 
sits very high on the throne of the National Assembly as Honourable Speaker.

4.) Prior to all this and as a result of his own beliefs and convictions, and 
out of several other options and in keeping with Gambian values and 
traditions, President Jammeh gave former PPP ministers the best option of 
facing a commission of enquiry with absolute regard for the due process of 
the law. The results of the Akoto-Bamfo Commission are published in a white 
paper and available for D150.00 (US$ 8.00) at the NPSC.

5.) As a Patriotic Leader with a vision and a good heart and in the spirit of 
reconciliation and unity, most of the senior security and public officials, 
either detained or dismissed from office after the July 22nd takeover, were 
later released and some reinstated with full benefits. 6.) For spearheading 
the political and economic empowerment of Gambia women and youths as 
articulated in many different programmes throughout the country.

7) For strengthening all the democratic institutions in the country and for 
his unwavering commitment and adherence to the independence of the judiciary 
in The Gambia.

8) For his successful mediation efforts to restore peace to the West African 
subregion, for his passionate attachment to pan-Africanism and African Unity 
and his resolute commitment to world peace and order. 

Sheriff Dibba 
The speaker of the National Assembly Sheriff M Dibba won the Poltiical 
Personality Award. He was awarded for making the most spectacular political 
comeback in Gambian history and for his invaluable contribution to the upkeep 
of peace and stability and democratic process of The Gambia.

Halifa Sallah
National Assembly member for Serrekunda Central won the Society Award for his 
“invaluable contribution to raising the level of awareness of Gambians on 
their constitional rights and responsibilities”.

Alhaji O B Conateh (Fisco), veteran sports patron won the Sports Personality 
Award for his invaluable contribution to the development of sports in The 
Gambia.

Fatou Mas Jobe of the Standard Chartered Bank, won the Business Personality 
Award for being a worthy representative of her customers. 

Ossou Njie Senor Veteran Musician Ossou Njie Senor won the entertainment 
Personality Award for inspiring many Gambian musicians into active recording. 
During the dinner, many Observer staff were also awarded for outstanding 
achievements in the following categories: Best Vendors -Lamin Jatta and 
Solomon Minkah, (sponsor, Gamstar); Best Freelancers: Pa Malick Faye and 
Saihou Bah, (sponsor, AGIB); Best Staff Reporter: Ebrima Papa Colley, 
(sponsor, CBG); Best Compositor: Jainaba Baldeh, (sponsor, SCB); Most 
Disciplined Staff: Betty Quacco and Margaret Jones, (sponsor, Camelot); Best 
Manager: S B Danso and Ndiouga Sarre, (sponsor, IBC); Best Overall Staff: 
Alhaji B M Baldeh, Managing Director Daily Observer (sponsor, TBL). Awards 
were also given to 42 business companies in The Gambia. 

  

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