Tribute : ‘OJ was man of people’

He was always affable and congenial; his sonorous voice and the direct and unequivocal manner in which he communicated with others both in public and in private portrayed a man imbued with stupendous confidence and courage.

His personal charisma combined with his finely honed communicationskillsand his pre-political career service and engagement in rural communities across the country over many years, eventuallyearned him nationwide recognition as a prominent second- generation post- independence Gambian politician.

OJ capped a memorable political career with consistent show of grit and intestinal fortitudethroughoutthe troubled days of Yahya Jammeh’s rule and during the tumultuous interregnum following Jammeh’s fall. His unwavering loyalty and commitment to his Political Party, the PPP, through thick and thin were exemplary and instructive.

This man of courage and determinization also possessed a soft heart. In the aftermath of Jammeh’s rule and in spite of the personal infliction he suffered during the course of that rule, OJ   chose forgiveness over unfettered vengeance in the larger interest of judicious national healing.

May Allah grant him mercy and elevate his station as those of the guided.

Dr. KM Bayo