The University of the Gambia (UTG) Monday held a public lecture on the variation in the predicative system of the Western Manding varieties at the Gambia College Auditorium. Professor Dennis Creissels, a lecturer from the University of Lyon in France, delivered the lecture.

Speaking at the gathering, the vice chancellor of the UTG, Professor Muhammadu MO Kah, said culture and language are critical in human development, and that people are today living in an era in which any of the languages can be digitised and used in many ways. He told the students that they must take the leading role, in order to effect that change and development today.

Prof Kah told the gathering that the target of the UTG is to answer to the bigger society needs, adding, "we are happy and honoured to receive Professor Creissels. I hope that you will all come to realise that a mother tongue is quite important". He also challenged the history students at the UTG to be making researches in order to set historical facts, stressing that learning is far beyond earning certificates and diplomas. "I hope that with the lectures, all of you will begin to gather huge interest in linguistics," he added.

Professor Creissels told the gathering that Manding language in general is very special in West Africa, where it has maintained completely positive varieties.

On his part, Seedia Jatta, the former National Assembly member for Wuli West, who coordinated the coming of the visiting professor, urged on the students to make best use of the lecture.