The President of the Gambia Prof Dr Sheik AJ Jammeh on Saturday 11th October presented plots of land to some top Nollywood stars and Ghanaian Actress Jackie Appiah. The Beneficiaries include Francis Duru, Segun Arinze, Monalisa Chinda, Patience Ozokwor, Eucharia Anunobi, Ejike Asiegbu, Tony Umez, Ngozi Ezeonu, Kanayo O Kanayo, Chika Okpala (Zebrudaya), Harry B Anyanwu, Chinedu Ikedieze, Osita Iheme, Rukiat Masud and Ghanaian sultry Actress Jackie Appiah.
Speaking through his vice president Dr Mrs Isatou Njie – Saidy who represented him at the presentation held at the Presidential palace in Banjul. The President said as part of his belief in pan africanism, our values and heritage which Nollywood has helped to showcase on the world stage.
He said he’s rewarding and encouraging the stars to come and make the Gambia part of their own. Nollywood and Ghollywood have been able to capture and tell our stories better than any outsider can do. Africans relate to your stories and same with those in the diaspora and the carribeans and around the world. He urged the stars not to rest on their oars but take it as a big challenge to do more and add value to what they are already doing. You are great African ambassadors he said and you must continue to achieve and surpass what you have today you have made us proud. He told them to See themselves as Gambians and take advantage of the land offer and build homes for the future.
In his response, leader of the group, Mr Francis Duru thanked President Jammeh for his generosity and expressed his colleagues gratitude and how humbled, Overwhelmed and honoured they are to receive the plots of land. Mr Duru and his colleagues pledged to work hard to create opportunities for emerging and budding Gambian stars. We are just a call away he said. We shall work hard to build and encourage emerging new stars from the Gambia.
