Ex-GFF president Bajo’s glowing tribute to VP Bakary K Jammeh
Former Gambia Football Federation president Lamin Kaba Bajo has paid a glowing tribute to his first vice president Bakary Jammeh alias Baks.
Both football officials left office last weekend after 12 years, in respect of a term limit they introduced.
Though the duo met at the start of that mandate, Mr Bajo said their relations dated back to 1978 when as rookies they met at Muslim High School.
As the duo come to the end of their football leadership mandate, Mr Bajo wrote the following tribute:
“Alhaji Bakary Kebba Mama Tamba Jammeh (aka Baks) was a young skinny tall and smart young boy I met at the then Gambia Muslim High School (now Muslim Senior Secondary School) in the summer of 1978 when we both passed the common entrance examination and reported for enlistment.
As faith would have it, we converged in the same class, Form 1G, and throughout the five years journey at the school, we became closer to each other by the day. This relationship went beyond the five years we spent in the school.
After graduation, we chose different paths; he pursued his passion for accounts that landed him in MRC as head of finance and administration at a very tender age. I abandoned my passion for science and pursued my luck in the uniform by enlisting into the Gambia National Gendarmerie where I served for ten years and rose through the ranks and reached the rank of captain.
All this while, the relationship between us grew stronger, and we always found the opportunity to converge for one reason or another.
After voluntarily resigning from the MRC, due to his desire to pursue a progressive career, he joined the Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation (SSHFC) where he had the opportunity to pursue an MBA in the UK.
Yes, ELTON Oil Marketing Company was his next stop. Again he had to voluntarily resign from the SSHFC to join his brother in-law to set up the company where he served as the main man in the company lending every support to Mr Edi Jobe, the founder and CEO.
All the above responsibilities aside, Baks consistently remained a household name in Gambian football, serving in many positions in different football clubs. His promotion to the position of Secretary General of the legendary Real de Banjul was the climax of his career in football administration. The outcome of his contribution to the survival and success of the club is glaringly evident.
The day I appeared in the meeting of the then Team Momodou Musa for the first time in 2014, it was the presence of Baks that gave me the courage and confidence to accept the offer to lead the team. I never regret that decision.
Since that day, my friend never even for a second abandoned, undetermined, sabotaged or misled me. He had always been there for me with utmost loyalty and respect. He ensured that he took every bullet and often missiles for his friend.
Baks, I have ever been aware of the undeserved pain and suffering that you have taken for me. You appeared to be the devil and the rest of us as angels, but you never abandoned me. I know all, buddy. Most of the caricatures, labelling and accusations were based on mere perceptions and speculations; and some people’s resistance to your thirst and zeal for perfection and regimentation – Perfection!! And nothing else.
Behind the scenes, you voluntarily offered your knowledge to prepare official documents which would have cost the federation tens and hundreds of thousands of dalasis if they were to be given to a consultant.
What about offering your landed property as collateral to enable the federation to secure loans from the bank to avoid disruption of the Senior National Team’s international competitions?
Yes, today we are all celebrating the unprecedented developments we brought to the game in the country but with all honesty and sincerity we all know how much each of us contributed. Alas, the credit is for all of us. Let’s all celebrate.
For you, serving football was beyond part time or volunteering but a passion and mission. Boy, relax with your head high up in the skies and say yes, I have done my part. Your personal hard work is reflected in the current structure of the federation and the efficiency and competence of the staff whose recruitment and minoring you greatly contributed to.
As we have stepped out of the federation, we confidently tell the new executive whose head was a beneficiary of your mentorship and guidance as you had a direct supervisory responsibility over him over the period under review that the ground is very well leveled for a smooth take off. I wish them well.
President Kemo has always had high regard and respect for you and I am confident that he will employ the little he learned from you. After all he has ever been your brother.
Finally bro, my deepest apologies for all the pain, negative publicity and insults you endured over the period. You were indeed a friend. Yes, we had our differences and disagreements over issues but at the end of day we agree in the best interest of the game, players, stakeholders, investors and the fans. Hence, the remarkable results we achieved together.
Abaraka Jammeh Jilanka
Sara Jimang
Jammeh Musa”.
