By: Fatou Krubally
The Abraxas Job Placement Centre in Bijilo, Sunday opened its doors for business with calls for national cooperation, self-reliance, and expanded opportunities for young people taking centre stage.
Veteran politician Halifa Sallah delivered a reflective address at the ceremony, describing education and skills development as essential pillars for national progress. He said knowledge remained “the eyesight of the mind,” stressing that societies advance when citizens are equipped with learning, values, and practical skills.
Recalling historical efforts dating back to the early 20th century, Sallah pointed to Gambian leaders who engaged colonial authorities in 1919 to push for the training of local teachers. He said such early struggles laid the foundation for institutions that continue to shape education and opportunity today.
Sallah also emphasized that while governments carry responsibility for providing services such as education and healthcare, citizens must step in where gaps exist. According to him, development is best achieved when communities contribute directly to improving their own conditions. He added that the true measure of a society lies in the dignity of life its people enjoy, from housing to education and opportunity.
The Abraxas initiative, he noted, reflects more than job placement services. It represents a broader effort to strengthen cooperation and shared responsibility in national development.
Chief Executive Officer of Abraxas Job Placement Centre, Baboucarr Ngum, described the launch as a milestone in promoting youth employment and skills development. He said the centre is designed to guide young people through structured training, including career counselling, discipline, and workplace ethics, before linking them to job opportunities.
Ngum said more than 300 youths had already benefited from earlier phases of the programme. He added that the centre also supports small businesses, particularly women entrepreneurs, through affordable workspace and training support. In addition, it houses a multipurpose hall and community radio platform intended for dialogue, training, and public engagement.
He further called for a shift toward self-reliance, saying Abraxas is built on the principle of “solidarity, not charity.” According to him, empowering young people locally can reduce migration pressures by creating meaningful opportunities at home.
The ceremony, which also featured cultural performances and a planned concert, underscored the centre’s ambition to combine skills development with cultural expression. Organisers say the facility will serve as a hub for entrepreneurship, training, and community engagement.
As speeches concluded, the message remained consistent: development rooted in cooperation, self-belief, and shared responsibility is key to shaping a more stable and opportunity-driven future for Gambians.