Vice President Muhammadou Jallow officiated the swearing-in ceremony for the 15th batch of the National Youth Service Scheme (NYSS) on October 8, 2024. This batch consists of 200 young people from across the country’s administrative regions, including 106 females and 94 males.
The induction, held at the Independent Stadium in Bakau, marks the official entry of these young Gambians into national service, symbolizing their dedication to the country’s development. Vice President Jallow praised the corps members for their commitment to serve and highlighted the critical role of youth in shaping the nation’s future.
Bakary Badjie, the Minister of Youth and Sports, emphasized the importance of youth in socio-economic development and called for strategies to create more employment opportunities. He mentioned that the government has initiated various programs aimed at fostering skills and character development among young people, urging corps members to focus on their training and achieve good grades.
Abass Bah, the Executive Director of NYSS, explained that the skill acquisition training aims to provide young individuals with opportunities to develop skills in areas of their choice from different institutions.
The ceremony featured vibrant cultural performances that celebrated the rich diversity of The Gambia, with family members and well-wishers proudly witnessing the corps members take their oaths, pledging to serve the nation with integrity.
Newly sworn-in corps member Fatoumatta Baldeh expressed her enthusiasm about the journey ahead, stating, “This is a great honor for me and my fellow corps members. We are ready to serve our country, and we look forward to the experience and the impact we can make.”
Justice Na Ceesay Sallah-Wadda, representing the Chief Justice, administered the oath of allegiance to the corps members in a solemn moment.
