BYC launches Regional Organizing Committees ahead of NYACONF

By Sailu Bah The Banjul Youth Committee has launched their regional Organizing committee that will be leading the delegates going to the National Youth Conference and Festival taking place at LRR, Soma in December 2014. The launching ceremony was held at the Banjul City Council (BCC) on Tuesday 30^th September 2014, and the occasion was graced by representatives of the National Youth Council, BCC, BYC committee members, the ROC selected committee members, Youth Groups and the Media. Chairing the Occasion Mr. Momodou Lamin Fofana, Banjul Sport Coordinator, said that the occasion is very important. He added that the Regional Organizing Committee (ROC) will be responsible for spearheading, facilitating and coordinating delegates going to represent Banjul to the NAYCONF. “The committee will be responsible for the affairs of the delegates going to participate in the NAYCONF 2014 in LRR,” he explained. He said that about 1, 500 youths will come from all the regions in the country and within the Sub region of Africa to witness the event. Sulayman Bah, BYC chairperson in his statement said NAYCONF is a biennial event which started since 2001 in the Upper River region. “NAYCONF is a Biennial event which is meant to bring young people from all over the country and beyond to share their experiences and dilate on issues that affect their lives,” said Mr. Bah, the BYC chairman. He said the theme for this year’s NAYCONF is “Youth Entrepreneurship and Sport Development”, adding that this theme is very important because engaging youth to develop Entrepreneurship will help in creating employment for the young people. “Youths are involved in sports, therefore if they are helped to develop in that domain, it will be very much significant to the country,” he noted. He explained that NAYCONF has five broad activities, which he said are, Youth Conference, Youth Exhibition, Cultural Manifestation, Sports and prize awards. He said that the expected number of participants in Banjul will be about 200 participants who would be representing Banjul in all the activities in the NAYCONF and the estimated budget is about D700, 000 to be raised. He said that the regional organizing committee consists of key stakeholders and individuals in youth development work. Deputizing the Mayor of Banjul, Emmanual Williams in his launching statement said that he is honored to associate himself to this important event. “Today we are here to witness the launching of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of Banjul for the 11^th Edition of the National Youth Conference and Festival 2014, which is slated to take place at Soma in the Lower River Region,” he noted. He explained that the LOC is established to take charge of the responsibilities of mobilizing funds and coordinate all activities in preparation for NAYCONF, and added that they should ensure the successful participation of the Banjul Youth at the forthcoming NAYCONF 2014 in L.R.R. “Personally I have no doubt in my mind about the capability of the members who are selected to serve in the LOC. I want to assure my council’s continuous support to the cause of young people of Banjul, as a council, we will do everything possible to make sure Banjul is well represented in all forms,” assured Mr. Bah. Muhammed Sailu Bah, in his vote of thanks, thanked everyone for their participation and the council as well. “I am urging all delegates to take up the responsibility and participate fully in this event,” urged Mr. Bah.]]>