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Yunus Saliu

Banjul, Gambia
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About Yunus
Yunus Saliu is a seasoned journalist and publisher with a deep-seated passion for covering cultural traditions and festivals in The Gambia, West Africa. His reporting has shed light on the Kamanjo Saikouba Badjie Cultural Butusab Group, bringing attention to their supernatural performances and the rich cultural heritage of the Jola people. Through his work, Saliu underscores the significance of preserving Gambian culture and addresses the challenges cultural groups encounter in sharing their art forms with wider audiences.

As a reporter, columnist, and the mind behind DTourisphere—an online platform focusing on tourism, culture, heritage, and entertainment news—Saliu has contributed to various sections of the Daily Observer newspaper, including Diplomatic Suites, Crime Watch, Panorama, and Tourisphere. His Tourisphere column is particularly dedicated to tourism and culture in The Gambia, offering insights into the sector's dynamics and developments.

Saliu's engagement with the tourism industry is extensive. He collaborates with tour operators, the Gambia Hotel Association, and educational groups visiting the Smiling Coast of Africa. He maintains a close relationship with the Ministry of Tourism and Culture and its satellite institutions, such as the Gambia Tourism Board, National Centre for Arts and Culture, and the Gambia Tourism and Hospitality Institute. His freelance work includes covering various tourism activities for publication. Additionally, he has served as a committee member of the annual Akwaaba African Travel Market Exhibition in Nigeria, further cementing his role as a key influencer in the Gambian and regional tourism and cultural sectors.
Languages
English
Services
Feature Stories Interview (Print / Radio / Podcast) Fact Checking
Skills
Business Entertainment & Celebrity Cultural
+2
Portfolio

Flex Fuzion Entertainment strengthens women's rights in dance sector

22 Mar 2024  |  thepoint.gm
Flex Fuzion Entertainment and Dance Academy, through Afriq Divas, is strengthening women's rights in Gambia's dance sector with a project funded by the African Culture Fund. Ndey Fatou Jabang, CEO and founder, highlighted the organization's efforts in challenging stereotypes, promoting dance as a career, and creating employment for women. The academy has trained over 500 individuals and recently held a 3-day training for 30 women on rights and legal issues. A certification ceremony and Afriq Divas's 10th anniversary were celebrated at the Ebunjan Theatre, attended by the US Ambassador and other dignitaries. Jabang emphasized the diverse talents of female dancers and their success in establishing dance brands despite societal challenges.

Nigerian tourism expert talks about uniqueness of Gambia at WTM

09 Nov 2023  |  thepoint.gm
Uko, a Nigerian tourism expert and organizer of the Akwaaba Travel Market, highlighted the unique appeal of The Gambia as a tourist destination at the World Travel Market (WTM). Despite not being a shopping destination, The Gambia has a special connection with tourists, particularly Nigerians. Uko emphasized the importance of African countries, including The Gambia, to participate in WTM to promote tourism. He noted the growing interest in African destinations among Nigerian tour operators and encouraged continuous efforts to attract sustainable tourism from Nigeria.

Tourism Ministry showcases Destination Gambia at 17th WTM Summit

08 Nov 2023  |  thepoint.gm
The Gambia's Ministry of Tourism and Culture showcased Destination Gambia at the 17th World Travel Market (WTM) Summit, emphasizing the importance of the event for promoting tourism. The summit, a key annual gathering for tourism ministers, featured stakeholders such as the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority, Gambia International Airline, and the Gambia Tourism Board. The UK market was highlighted as crucial, with over 40% of tourists to The Gambia coming from there. The Gambia already has flights from the UK through The Gambia Experience and TUI UK, with more expected. The Nordic market was also noted as essential, with historical ties to Swedish tourism in The Gambia.

Destination Gambia wins UNWTO Video Competition

06 Nov 2023  |  thepoint.gm
The Gambia won the UNWTO Tourism Video Competition in the Africa category with their entry 'Welcome to Gambia'. The competition, held during the UNWTO General Assembly in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, recognized member states' videos that effectively communicated the positive impact of tourism. The competition had two categories: Tourism and the Decade of Action, focusing on the tourism sector's advancement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and Exceptional Stories of Sustainable Tourism, highlighting the social impact of tourism. Other winners included Panama, Philippines, Georgia, and Oman.

Gambia’s Top Resa IFTM 2023 maiden appearance showcased in Paris

03 Oct 2023  |  thepoint.gm
The Gambia made its first appearance at the 45th edition of the Top Resa IFTM 2023 in Paris, led by Tourism Minister Hamat N.K. Bah. The event, which ran from October 3 to 5, 2023, allowed the delegation to promote Gambia's tourism offerings. Key discussions included the domestication of the Banjul-Dakar route, with Air Senegal committing to reduce ticket prices. The trade show, organized by Reed Expositions France, is a significant platform for tourism professionals, attracting 170 destinations and 30,000 attendees.

NCAC DG Eulogizes Mbye Gaye for Representing the Best in Wolof Folkloric Music

12 Jul 2023  |  thepoint.gm
Hassoum Ceesay, the director general of the National Center for Arts and Culture (NCAC), praised the late Mbye Gaye for his exceptional contribution to Wolof folkloric music. Ceesay highlighted Gaye's unique style, vast experience, and willingness to advise upcoming artists. Mbye Gaye was involved in various NCAC festivals and was a prominent figure in the Banjul music scene during the 2000s alongside artists like Koto Ngum and Faya Ngum. Ceesay, on behalf of the NCAC, extended condolences to Gaye's family and fans.

NCAC embarks on inventory of Banjul’s Historic Built Heritage

29 May 2023  |  thepoint.gm
The National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC) has initiated an inventory of Banjul's historic built heritage, funded by UNESCO-Paris. This project aims to support urban heritage conservation and potentially include Banjul in UNESCO's World Heritage Tentative List. The inventory includes significant landmarks such as the National Museum and McCarthy Square. Hassoum Ceesay, Director General of NCAC, acknowledged the importance of the project for Banjul and the country at large.

Gambia Chronicles Illustrious Vice Presidents from First Republic

27 Jan 2023  |  thepoint.gm
Hassoum Ceesay, a historian, details the history of vice presidents in The Gambia starting from the First Republic under President Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, who appointed five vice presidents. The Second Republic saw a suspension of the vice presidential role after Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh's coup, with vice chairmen of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council instead. In the Third Republic, President Adama Barrow has appointed four vice presidents. The late Badara A. Joof served as the 10th Vice President until his death on January 18, 2023. The vice president's role includes ceremonial, parliamentary, and executive functions, and the position has been recognized as significant in a democratically-elected government.

Gambia attends UNWTO global conference on linking tourism, culture & creative industry

14 Nov 2022  |  thepoint.gm
The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) hosted a global conference focused on the intersection of tourism, culture, and the creative industry, which took place from November 14 to 16, 2022. The Gambia was represented by a delegation led by Honourable Hamat N.K. Bah, including Aboubacarr Camara, the director general of The Gambia Tourism Board, and Hassoum Ceesay from the National Centre for Arts and Culture. The conference served as a platform for stakeholders to discuss the potential of cultural tourism and the creative industries, explore innovative policies, and identify investment opportunities. Aboubacarr Camara highlighted Destination Gambia's marketing strategies, particularly in the Nigerian market.

Gambian Cultural Heritage goes digital symposium underway

20 Oct 2022  |  thepoint.gm
The Gambia's Ministry of Tourism and Culture launched a digital archive at a three-day symposium, with Minister Hamat N.K. Bah expressing delight at the project's potential to enhance visibility, access, and preservation of cultural heritage. The archive will be accessible online on a paid basis, with formal research permission. The initiative is supported by the University of Hamburg and the Gerda Henkel Foundation, among others. The symposium features international scholars and aims to promote scholarly pursuits among Gambian youth. Key figures such as Prof. Schreiber, Dr. Katrin Pfeiffer, and Hassoum Ceesay delivered speeches, and the late Bakari Sidibe, founder of the archives, was honored.

Gambia tourists total air arrivals registered 15% increase in 2021

12 Sep 2022  |  thepoint.gm
Gambia experienced a 15% increase in air arrivals in 2021, with 102,460 visitors compared to 89,232 in 2020, marking the first rise in tourism since the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite a 35% decline in traditional markets, non-traditional markets saw an 89% growth. The winter season, from November to April, is the peak period, though it saw a 32% decline in 2021. However, November and December showed significant increases of 221% and 121%, respectively. The summer months also registered over 100% growth. Aboubacarr Camara, managing director of the Gambia Tourism Board, and Adama Njie, director of Marketing, expressed optimism for the upcoming 2022/2023 winter season, with positive feedback and increased scheduled flights.

Hon Bah cautions Beauty Pageant’s organiser against pitfalls of the past

05 Jul 2022  |  thepoint.gm
Honourable Hamat N.K. Bah issued a warning against the repetition of past pitfalls associated with the Miss Gambia Beauty Pageant, such as unfulfilled prize promises and sexual exploitation. He emphasized the protection of participants and the importance of confirmed parental permission. Bah paid tribute to past beauty queens and organizers, noting the pageant's rich history since 1964. He acknowledged the event's 20-year hiatus due to scandals and funding issues, and challenged the National Centre for Arts and Culture to maintain the pageant's image as a national event. The pageant is seen as having potential as a tourism product, cultural event, and reflection of Gambian womanhood.

Ebunjan Theatre hosts Maiden schools’ competition on Comprehensive Health Education

28 Jun 2022  |  thepoint.gm
The Ebunjan Theatre hosted a maiden schools' competition on Comprehensive Health Education organized by the Curriculum Research, Evaluation and Development Directorate under the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education with support from the International Development Research Center. The event included 24 schools from Region 1 and featured drama and poetry to educate students on sexual and reproductive health topics. Professor Pierre Gomez, Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, praised the initiative, which aligns with government policy on inclusive education. The competition aimed to bridge the communication gap in sexual health education and promote wellbeing among students. Gambia Senior Secondary School won the senior secondary school category, while New Covenant won the upper basic school category.

The Mystical Powers of Butusab Dance in The Gambia

07 May 2018  |  DTourisphere Gambia
The article by Yunus S Saliu discusses the Kamanjo Saikouba Badjie Cultural Butusab Group, a Gambian cultural group known for their 'Butusab' dance, which showcases the performers' claimed supernatural abilities to resist knife and bullet penetration. The group, formed in 1998 and registered with the National Centre for Arts and Culture, is based in Foni, West Coast Region, and is active in promoting Gambian culture and heritage. The Butusab dance is a tradition among the Jola people and is believed to be a gift from the gods, requiring initiation and secret knowledge. The article also touches on the cultural significance of the dance, the role of women in the performances, and the annual Kansala Trust Cultural Festival in Foni, where the group performs. The group seeks assistance for transportation to spread their culture and heritage more widely.
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