Your Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government, The Vice President and Members of Cabinet of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Your Excellencies, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Representatives of ECOWAS and other International Organisations, Members of the Press, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am immensely filled with joy and gratitude for the kind invitation to participate in the official commissioning of this magnificent edifice, appropriately named: The Julius Maada Bio International Convention Centre. It is my singular privilege and delight, therefore, to most cordially congratulate Your Excellency, Dr. Julius Maada Bio, and the people of Sierra Leone at large, on this landmark achievement. With great honour, I say this on behalf of the entire Government and People of the Republic of The Gambia.

Distance and national duty do not frequently permit our physical presence when such occasions of note take place in sister states, which makes this event a rare opportunity for me to be here with you. As such, while eagerly looking forward to the forthcoming regional community engagement with other colleague Heads of State, it is my pleasure to share these words of solidarity and goodwill with you. Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, This Convention Centre stands out as a fitting monument to Sierra Leone's vision, ambition, and confidence in its future. One can safely and boldly conclude that it is a testament to the visionary leadership and statesmanship of President Bio. No wonder, the centre proudly bears his name.

This edifice vividly imposes itself to symbolise what is attainable when leaders dedicate their lives to their nations and toil not only for the present, but also for the coming generations that will inherit the legacies and institutions left behind for them. For The Gambia, the occasion carries a unique significance. Sierra Leone and The Gambia are bound not merely by geography and membership of ECOWAS, but equally by a shared history that is remarkably marked by resilience, resourcefulness, and an unwavering commitment to democracy, peace, and regional integration. Our two governments and peoples have stood together in both good and difficult times, similar to our togetherness here to jointly celebrate this moment of pride.

A convention centre of such magnificence far exceeds being a mere physical structure. Among other things, this is a special public space to generate and share ideas, knowledge, experience, and expertise. It is, likewise, an avenue for constructive diplomacy, a venue for commerce, and a platform from which Africans can convincingly present their viewpoints to the world with dignity. I am confident that the centre will proudly host insightful dialogues to influence our region's future, moderate negotiations to secure our shared progress and prosperity, and hold many more colourful celebrations of success. Through this initiative, Sierra Leone is investing in its people and its future, while accommodating the greater good of the whole West African community. We welcome the centre as a new media structure to advance our common agenda. As we mutually continue tackling the region’s challenges headlong, infrastructural developments of this magnitude must remind us of what is possible when a nation invests boldly in expanding its capacity to organise people, host events of national and international prominence, and lead when called upon to do so.

Within the spirit of the broader ECOWAS framework and the fraternal bonds between our two sister states, The Gambia takes pride in this accomplishment. This spirit is one of kinship, friendship, and collegiality, which makes it obligatory for us to rejoice over each other’s successes. May the Centre serve for ages as a beacon of unity, a catalyst for investment and development, and a home for great minds to shape the destiny of our sub-region. Once more, I congratulate you all and wish the Republic of Sierra Leone continued progress, peace, and prosperity. God bless our Community, and God bless the African continent. I thank you for your attention.