The Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, has urged the Top Model of Colour models from the United Kingdom to nurture peace and be good ambassadors.

The president was speaking yesterday evening at State House in Banjul, while receiving the TMC models, who are currently in the country for a major international modeling competition. Scheduled for December 5th at the Senegambia Beach Hotel, the major modeling competition which is organised by the Mahogany and Fabecs Promotions will feature 39 models including two Gambians.

President Jammeh inspired the models, calling on them to distance themselves from activities that will not pay them dividend. As young people, he stressed the need for them to set their priorities right so as to achieve their desired goals. He advised them to disassociate themselves from drugs and other destructive ventures, and for them to be determined in life and believe in the supremacy of God in whatever they are engaged in. Hatred, revenge and racism, the president advised the contestants, do not bear fruit, and that they should emulate what is good and avoid what is bad.

He informed them of the tolerant nature of the country, saying that The Gambia has more positive attributes than negative. Â"This is a country where you are not treated because of your race, but because you are a human being. In this country you will find people from all over the world who call Gambia their home. At no time will you be arrested by the police because you are white or because you are Indian, because of your religion or your nationality,Â" he told the TMC models, while urging them to take back home the countryÂ's positive attributes.

The president went on to commend the organisers for hosting this event in the country despite the fact the continent is being negatively portrayed outside. Â"If you live in the West or Europe, most of the stories you are told about Africa would scare you. But when you come to Africa, you will realise that 98 percent of what you are told is all false,Â" he told the contestants.

Speaking earlier, the minister of Tourism and Culture, Nancy Njie, commended the organisers for choosing the country for the event, describing the development as another milestone in the history of the country. The modeling competition, she said will boost tourism which is among the important sectors contributing to the socio-economic advancement of The Gambia.

The minister of Basic and Secondary Education, Fatou Lamin Faye, expressed similar sentiments, and urged them to keep nurturing peace in the world as young people. For her part, Fatima Jabbi, managing director of Fabecs Promotions, thanked President Jammeh for the support rendered to her and the entire organisers of the event. Solar Ayebade, chief executive officer of the Mahogany Promotions also commended President Jammeh for the support, while hailing the hospitality and warm reception accorded them since their arrival.

He told the gathering that the TMC competition have been organised in the UK over the years, noting that this is the first time that it is being organised outside the UK. Momodou Saidy, press officer at State House moderated both programmes.