First President Jawara Honoured at Maiden Academic Skills Recognition & Awards Ceremony
First President Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara
By Fatoumata Jaiteh
Take M Transformation Organisation on Friday, 29th November 2025, held its maiden Academic Skills Recognition and Award Ceremony (ASRAA) 2025, marking a significant milestone in its mission to promote academic excellence, character development, and transformational leadership in education.
The event was held at the Babucarr O. Joof Conference Centre in Brikama and was attended by students, educators, awardees, and their families and served as a platform to recognise and celebrate individuals and institutions whose dedication and contributions have positively impacted education and human development across various fields.
Take M Transformation Organisation is an educational and human capacity-building initiative committed to nurturing academic skills, values-based leadership, and holistic development among learners and educators. Since its establishment, the organisation has focused on empowering students, strengthening institutions, and recognising excellence as a catalyst for national development. The ASRAA initiative represents one of its flagship programs aimed at inspiring growth, integrity, and lifelong learning.
The ASRAA ceremony seeks to honour individuals and institutions who have gone above and beyond in their respective fields. By celebrating exceptional students, educators, institutions, and individual contributors, the initiative aims to motivate learners and teachers alike to continue striving for excellence, innovation, and meaningful societal impact.
The ceremony opened with a vibrant cultural and dance performance by the Longman Methodist School Cultural Department, showcasing the richness of culture and creativity, and setting a celebratory tone for the occasion.
Several awards were presented to recognise outstanding achievements and contributions:
The Character and Values Award was presented to Awa Manneh, a student of Longman Methodist Preparatory School, for exemplary conduct and moral leadership.
Individual Awards went to Mr Momodou Sheriffo Barrow, General Manager of Youna Enterprise, and Mr Bakary Manneh, CEO of Kaira Consultancy, in recognition of their contributions to education and development.
The Pillar of Learning Award was awarded to Mr Bakary Manneh, CEO of Kaira Consultancy, and Mr Mohammed S. Kandeh, Director of Yakanu LBS and Dan Vinc Technical Senior Secondary School, for their unwavering support to learning advancement.
The Mountain of Success Award was conferred on Madam Fatou Fatty, recognising her excellence in education and impactful contributions to student success.
Platinum Awards were presented to Madam Suwaibatou Bah and Madam Eglah Smith for their outstanding leadership and service in education.
Exceptional Students Awards were given to Ida Jarjue, Isatou Cham, Olaniyi Ridwanullah, Awa Janneh, and Fatoumata Camara, students who demonstrated excellence in learning, leadership, and intellectual curiosity.
The Man of Every Season Award, Take M’s most prestigious honour, was presented posthumously to the late H.E. Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, The Gambia’s founding father, in recognition of his unwavering integrity, statesmanship, and lifelong commitment to education and nation-building. The award was also presented to Mr Momodou Sheriffo Barrow, an educationist, for his consistent service and dedication to societal development.
Institutional Awards were presented to schools and individuals who demonstrated meaningful co
The Educators Awards went to Mr Muhammed Santigie Kandeh, Director of Yakanu School; Madam Suwaibatou Bah of The Swallow Center for Emancipating Education; Madam Eglah Smith, Head of Longman Preparatory School; and Madam Fatou Fatty, Deputy Head of Almadina School.
The ASRAA 2025 ceremony concluded with a renewed call for stakeholders in education to uphold excellence, integrity, and innovation. Through initiatives like ASRAA, Take M Transformation Organization continues to position recognition as a powerful tool for motivation, inspiration, and sustainable educational transformation.
