A
book entitled ‘Mission of an African woman on a mission’ was on 22 December
2017, launched at the Ebujan Theater hall in Kanifing.
The
book was authored by Madam Oley Dibba-Wadda, born in United Kingdom to Gambian
parents.
She
was the first woman to head the Pan African Institution (Association for the
Development of Education) in Africa and was awarded Inspiring Woman of
Excellence in The Gambia in 2012 and Women Leadership Award in Mauritius in
2013.
Dr.
Nana Grey-Johnson, speaking on the occasion, said the memoir of an African
woman on a mission shows all the critical steps that it takes a book to be
called a book.
He
said that the book contained the life history of Madam Oley since her childhood
up to the stage she is presently and some of the challenges she has been
through.
According
to him, the book shows a sense of comfort, a sense of determination, a sense of
personality and a sense of growth as well as the struggles that one may go
through to make their dreams come through.
He
noted that the book also indicated that parents punish their children not
because they like to do so but to correct them, adding that the book explained
the strict warnings that parents gives to their children, especially when it
comes to mid-night parties.
He
disclosed that page 81 of the book shows how a father and his daughter forgive
each other face to face.
Dr.
Nana Grey-Johnson recounted how education could be a solution to one’s problem.
The
author, Madam Oley Dibba-Wadda, said her zeal is to share all that she is with
the youths. “My life is to give and share all that I am and all that I have to
humankind,” she said.
Madam
Wadda disclosed that when she started to write, the more she wrote the more
ideas came to her like a dream.
She added that the only difficulties she face
in the process of writing the book was when she was editing the book as the
book portrays the way she was lived with her mum and the rest of their family
members.
“The book takes me to places where I have been
to. Some young girls always inspire me and always tell me that they want to be
like me,” she said.
The
author of the book said she did not write the book to find money but the
purpose was to share her blessing with its readers.
The
guest of honour at the occasion, the Vice President, Madam Fatoumatta
Jallow-Tambajang, said The Gambia is one family and anybody who lives in spirit
lives a happy life.
Madam
Fatoumatta Jallow-Tambajang added that as she was a field worker and gender
activist, her ambition was to promote gender equality and to support the
youths, especially women.
She
said in life every human being needs to be honest and open to people in life,
adding that in life no mission is completed until the day you die.
Mr.
Bey Malleb Wadda, described his wife as a coach to the society as she is always
ready to share her experience with others.
He
added that Oley, his wife is a responsible woman who always grabs any
opportunity that comes on her way.
He said Oley together with him have gone
through a coaching training course and their ambition is to guide youths,
especially children on how to make a way through in their lives.