Aja Dandang Sanyang, a resident of Janjangbureh in the Central River Region,who is said to be the oldest woman in the country has written to the president of the Republic, thanking him for the generous gift handed over to her recently.

The letter reads:
Your Excellency, my entire family members and I have the greatest pleasure to extend to you our deepest appreciation and profound gratitude for the generous gift you sent to congratulate me on the occasion of my centennial. I felt deeply honoured when the unexpected gift was honorable presented to me by two State Ministers, the Central River Region Governor and the Chief of Janjangbureh informing me that the magnanimous gift came from my dearest husband H.E. The President Dr. Yahya AJJ Jammeh. I would like to assure you that your invaluable gift could not have come at a better time. It was indeed very timely for the fact that it reached me when I was thanking the Almighty Allah for allowing me to witness my centennial celebration. It is indeed gratifying to see myself being recognized the honoured by my Head of State whom I admired and love so much in my heart.

Your Excellency, although I am very old and confined by old age in my bedroom but I am fully aware of all the meaningful development your government have undertaken and accomplished since you took leadership of this country sixteen (16) years ago. My decision to name you my husband is based on the fact that I cannot reward you in no other way because of you relentless services and genuine commitment to making our nation a better place to live in peace, security and progress, as well as, ensuring a brighter future for us and posterity. To list all you government‘s historic achievements would certainly cover too many pages. However, among many other developments of historic significance is the construction of Sulayman Junkung Bridge that connected Janjanbureh Island to its Southern Mainland thus ending the isolation and the long social and economic decline of the community.

Your Excellency, I profusely thank Almighty Allah for giving me a very long life enabling me to see, sing and dance on the magnificent bridge constructed by you over one of the world. Knowing that small river from childhood, an uncountable number of valuable lives and properties were perished in it for too long. My dearest husband, I salute you from my heart and congratulate you for your bravely and heroic courage in appeasing the fearful spirits of Sankulay Kunda River. Undoubtedly, the new Sulayman Junkung Bridge is a remarkable feat of engineering and a source of pride for all Gambians.

Finally, allow me to extend to you sincere greetings from my entire extended families in Janjanbureh, Kombo and elsewhere abroad. We send you and your family our immeasurable thanks and gratefulness and pray that Allah showers His bountiful blessing on you, to guide and protect you from the evil intentions of vicious opponents. May Allah also give you more wisdom and strength enabling you to move this country reach safely and successfully to where you want it to be. Bes rest assured of my continuous support and prayers until the day I will answer to the call of my creator.

Your Excellency, please accept the assurance of my highest esteem.

Aja Dandang Sanyang
Dandang Sanyang Jammeh
Janjangbureh