Ousman M.E. Sillah, commonly known as Daddy Ous, was born in Banjul on 12 July 1939 to the Late Alh. Modou Sillah and Ajaratou Bintou Cham.
During his earlier life, it is recounted that Daddy Ous went through normal upbringing in Banjul under the care of his parents, learnt the Quran then later proceeded to Gambia High School for his secondary education. He was later to become the first Headboy of what is today referred to as Gambia Senior Secondary School. He proceeded to Fourah Bay College in Sierra Leone and pursued an undergraduate degree and majored in Physics and Mathematics.
Daddy Ous was an exemplary sportsman and athlete who played foootball, cricket and tennis. He played for Fanthoms football club with his peers such as Musa Jobarteh, Baboucarr Kah, Kabba Jallow, Aziz Coker (cut-away), Ma Abdou Sanyang, Ex Magistrate Turner, Batty Sawe, Ebou Faye (Limba), Banni Forster, Amou Taal, Mam Barra Taal, Salifu Ndure, and many others. His nickname in the Fanthoms Football Club was Kocsis, after a famous Hungarian football player Sandor Kocsis. Being a deft left-footer, the pinnacle of his sporting prowess was marked when he was called-up from his school days in Sierra Leone to form part of the Gambia National Football Team that last won a competitive match against Senegal in the early 1960s. It is reported in certain quarters that Ousman Sillah was the captain of the Gambian National Team that last defeated Senegal in 1962 by 3 goals to 2, and the goal scorers on the Gambian side were Solomon Gomez, Eku Forbes and George Gomez. In fact the accolade “schoolboy international” could rightfully be attributed to Daddy Ous because of this feat. Daddy Ous would later serve as President of the Gambia Football Association between 1989 and 1990.
During his career in Government, Ousman Sillah served under the Gambia Police Force and held the high position as ADC to former President Jawara. He later left for the United Kingdom together with other colleagues in the Police such as Sydney Riley and Edu Gomez, where they pursued further education and all graduated to become erudite lawyers.
It is further narrated that Ousman Sillah was an ardent disciple of Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass, and was a close associate of his grandson late Imam Sheikh Assan Ceesay of Madina Bai Nyass. In fact, the narrative has it that Imam Sheikh Assan Ceesay made Ousman a "Mukhadam", by dint of his vast knowledge of the Holy Quran and the piety with which he practiced Islam.
His career as a lawyer is what Ousman Sillah became lately renown for, where he served both on the bar and the bench, became a Supreme Court Judge and had a brief stint as Acting Chief Justice. He served with distinction and was mentor to many in the legal fraternity. He was a firm believer in representing his clients in a professional manner to the extent that he served as attorney to many underprivileged members of society and those whom he felt were unfairly treated.
He is survived by wives Aji Ancha Gaye and Aji Fatou Joh, children Justice Kumba Sillah, Pa Modou, Andalla, Amie, Ya Fatou, Abdoulie, Sheikh Assan, Ya Sassoun and other siblings.
Daddy Ous was a great man, as fits the description by John Ruskin “ Greatness is not a teachable nor gainable thing, but the expression of the mind of a God-made great man”
May Allah SWT grant you Janatul Firdause Daddy Ous
By Ousman Musa Jobarteh
