Banjul — It was another glorious day when prominent people in The Gambia joined the Yorouba community to celebrate the 6th Oodua Day anniversary on Saturday 14th of Nov, 2009 at Friendship Hotel, Bakau.

In his welcome address, the Yoruba community president, Abolade Moshood Abolly, thanked those who have been supporting their community programmes both morally and financially since its inception. He enjoined other prominent people to support the community in order for them to continue their good will gestures to the Gambian society. Some of the remarkable things registered by the community, he mentioned are: giving of scholarship to needy Gambian students, from lower basic to senior secondary school, providing temporary accommodation and giving of soft loans to the registered members of the community.

Speaking at the ceremony, the director general of West Africa Insurance Institute (WAII) Dr. Price Mike Ikupiliti, said the purpose of the Oodua Day is to strengthen understanding, commitment, unity and peace among Yorubas in The Gambia and to showcase their rich culture.

The Nigerian high commissioner to the Gambia, H.E. Madam Esther John Audu, who is also the patroness of the Yoruba Community in The Gambia, congratulated the community for the tremendous achievement registered so far in terms of giving scholarship to the needy students, loyalty to the nation and contribution towards the national development.

She added that other communities should emulate the Yoruba community in order to help Nigeria as a whole. The Nigerian high commissioner said she is very pleased with the way and manner in which the Yorubas have been committing themselves, adding that Yoruba people have been very peaceful. The grand patron of the community then encouraged them to keep up the momentum.

During the occasion, the honourary Chieftancy titles were bestowed on prominent people such as Alhaji Chief and Aja Chief Nuru Adams, Chief Bernird and Chief (Mrs) Yemisi Nwosu, Chief Tajudeen A. Alimi and Barr Chief Sumbo Akimbo. the patronship of the community was also given to Mr. Bodunde A Adegboye of Capital Express Assuracne. Certificates of merit were also given to the most outstanding members of the community.