On Friday, 14 February, at the Maison de la Musique in Nanterre, the cities of Nanterre (France) and Pikine (Senegal) formalised their twinning. They intend to join forces to strengthen their collaboration in key areas such as education, culture, sport and ecological transition.

Two municipalities, one creed
Signed by Mayors Raphaël Adam (Nanterre) and Abdoulaye Thimbo (Pikine), this agreement enshrines a long-standing relationship between the two cities, initiated in 2011 and strengthened by their joint commitment within the Forum of Local Authorities of the Periphery (FALP). These two suburban metropolises share similar challenges: rapid urbanization, social inclusion, access to public services and tackling inequality. “This partnership is based on shared values of participatory democracy, social justice and citizen empowerment,” said the two mayors. Two former mayors of the city of Pikine were present at this ceremony including Alioune Badara Diouck.

New Alliance: New North-South Relationship
This twinning has a particularity: it is not based on a classical scheme where the richest commune plays the role of benefactor by providing solutions to all the problems of the other. With this signature, it is a win-win partnership between two municipalities to ensure long-term financing and to involve the people in public works. By establishing a formal framework for cooperation, Pikine and Nanterre will foster the sharing of experiences and promote a dynamic of sustainable and inclusive development.

Twinning, a network of concrete exchanges
This partnership, as the two elected officials have announced, will not be limited to a declaration of intent. Concrete actions are planned in several strategic sectors, notably in the field of culture and arts. This will lead to joint artistic exchanges and festivals. In the area of sport and youth, both municipalities are planning to run inter-city tournaments and youth exchange programs. Regarding access to rights and solidarity, increased support for women victims of violence and a strengthening of social policies are planned. Finally, in terms of ecological transition, the two cities intend to develop joint projects around waste management, renewable energy and combating climate change.

A symbol of friendship between peoples
Beyond the local issues, this alliance is part of a broader perspective: that of decentralized international cooperation. These two municipalities learn a lot from each other. This twinning reflects the need to forge links between cities around the world, enhancing their complementarities and building bridges between cultures and territories. “This union will contribute to the development of friendship and understanding between peoples, while contributing to the consolidation of peace,” said the mayors at the ceremony. The evening concluded with a concert by Senegalese artist Faada Freddy. With this partnership, Nanterre and Pikine affirm their will to work together for a future based on solidarity, innovation and respect for democratic values. A promising alliance that, beyond borders, demonstrates that the challenges of tomorrow are better met by more people.

When Johnny Hallyday died, everyone had something to say. Those who had seen the man at the exit of the Accord Arena and those who had never heard a note of his music. It was almost saturation. But among all of them, if there was one person who knew him both in life and on stage, it would be Jerryka Jacques-Gustave, his chorister. Curtain-raising for a top artist.
Johnny Hallyday aux Trois Mailletz
Jerryka Jacques-Gustave is no longer to be presented. Or perhaps it is. For if we have all, one day, heard his voice, it must be recognized that it is not always easy to associate a face and a name. It is the ravishing chorister martiniquaise, beautiful, thin, with a devastating smile, who stood behind the rock legend, Johnny Hallyday. You see now! Even though Johnny is no longer with us, Jerryka has never stopped making her voice resound in the Parisian concert halls, especially in the famous cabaret Aux Trois Mailletz.

Early artist
Jerryka Jacques-Gustave was not always in Johnny’s entourage. Former chorister of the latter, of which she was the conductor for four years, she knew how to seize her chance when an opportunity presented itself. Her career has not always been one of lights and rhinestones, however. It all begins for Jerryka in Fort-de-France. At the age of 12, she sang for the first time in the city’s cathedral. After a long break in music, her fate takes a turning point when she goes to Paris in 1983, at the age of 17. Disillusion! Parisians do not have the idyllic image that she had always imagined. Between studies of hairdressing and small jobs, she makes a meeting that will change her life: an unknown invites her to pose her voice in the studio. This opportunity leads her to the talented Édith Lefel and, above all, to Pedro Wognin, her mentor and future companion, who invites her home to Ivory Coast, a country that she will adopt as a second homeland.

Jerryka: piano bars at the Stade de France
In the late 1980s, Jerryka performed at Back Street, a piano bar that Johnny Hallyday loved. Ten years later, unaware of the turning point in her career, she is called to an audition with two other choristers. His heart leaped in his chest. The surprise is immense when she learns that she has just been selected to accompany the idol of young people during his mythical concert at the Stade de France. “We were taken to the Stade de France with Johnny, and there the real adventure began,” she recalls with emotion. As a chorister, she has to learn more than 51 songs and offer vocal arrangements. Beyond the challenge of such a responsibility, she sees it as an unforgettable opportunity that gives new impetus to her career.

Anecdotes about a generous and perfectionist Johnny
Jerryka remembers Johnny as an extraordinary artist who “…stands above the star…”. He was concerned about his audience and eager to push himself, […] always wanted to go above and beyond, to put himself in danger. He was getting on a helicopter, passing under a trap door… He was really putting himself in danger, but the show was so beautiful,” she says admiring. She also remembers a funny moment: one day, Johnny learns that she is organizing a dinner at her mother’s with some guests. He then, falsely offended, says, “I’m disappointed that I wasn’t invited.” Jerryka laughs again as he tells the story. Finally, he and Laeticia join the table, sharing a warm moment around the famous Caribbean crab family. Another memorable memory makes her smile: during a concert at the Olympia, a badly tied chorister loses her shoe in the middle of the performance. This one touches the ear of Johnny, who bursts with laughter and struggles to resume his song as the situation amuses him. Then comes the fatal moment she will never forget: December 6, 2017. Johnny Hallyday dies while singing in a cabaret. She then remembers a moment of tenderness: during a concert by Sylvie Vartan, where she was the chorister, Johnny had presented her to the public declaring that she was “one of the best”. According to her, the whole man is there.

Jerryka, between music and naturopathy
Jerryka Jacques-Gustave continues to sing at the cabaret Aux Trois Mailletz, where she amazes her small audience of regulars. But far from being limited to music, she also explores other horizons: she is a model for makeup and natural health educator, specializing in nutrition, naturopathy and phyto-aromatherapy. Jerryka’s singing with Johnny Hallyday was “a unique experience…that left a mark on her”.

Yamoussoukro, December 26, 2023- After an impregnation visit of the Charles Konan-Banny stadium in Yamoussoukro, Tuesday, December 26, 2023, the Prime Minister, Minister of Sport and Living Environment, Robert Beugré Mambé, said reassured. The stadium, he said, is ready to host Group C matches from Senegal, Cameroon, Guinea and The Gambia.

‘What we have seen is reassuring. Technically, from the equipment point of view, we are ready at the Yamoussoukro stadium. But we will remain vigilant until the end,” said Robert Beugré Mambé.

The Prime Minister called for on-call teams to be set up in all sectors. We will have specialists permanently because Côte d’Ivoire wants to be up to date, in all circumstances, with the expected benefits of this great country. We have given indications that vigilance is needed,’ insisted the Head of Government.

For this visit, which is part of the visits of infrastructure related to the CAN 2023, the Vice-President of the Republic, Tiémoko Meyliet Koné, accompanied by the Prime Minister and other members of the government, visited the host infrastructure, in particular the President’s Hotel where official delegations will stay.

CAN 2023 is scheduled from January 13 to February 11, 2024 in Côte d’Ivoire with 24 teams.

CICG