The demise
of a public figure is always an occasion when we see and hear comments about
the life and times of the person.
Public office or public service is a public trust.
People must therefore take public office seriously, and give one’s stewardship or tenure one’s best shot.
People do take the oath of office to do one’s job without fear or favour, affection or ill-will; the oath of secrecy; and, the oath of allegiance to the Republic of The Gambia.
What gives this exercise added weight is the fact that it is our custom is to be sworn-in with the holy books.
Yet we have heard a lot, in recent times, about abuse of office, and we do live with what some would consider the abuse of power, on a daily basis.
Happenings in today’s world should provide lessons, to all thinking persons, that whether it is here or in the hereafter, it is obvious that all persons will be held to account.
The holders of public office and persons holding office in the public service should be aware that there will be accountability.
Our national laws and regulations are meant to be respected; not treated with disregard.
It is evident that the news media is daily recording the actions or behavior of people and institutions, that then become public knowledge.
One should beware, therefore, that there will be public accountability – even if this will happen posthumously, when we are in the grave.
We should be concerned about what people will say about us – what we have done in this world, whether good and bad – when we are no longer in office.
We must be mindful of our legacy; of what the history books will say about us; and, of the judgment of posterity!
“People do take the oath of office to do one’s job without fear or favour, affection or ill-will; the oath of secrecy; and, the oath of allegiance to”
anonymous
