In his tribute to Omar Jallow(OJ), Mr. Essa Mbye Faal asserted that OJ bridged the gap between the rich and poor. He Faal joins other political leaders to pay tribute to a National icon who diligently served the Gambia in various capacities including minister of Agriculture in both the Jawara and Barrow administrations.
“I grew up as a great fan of his. He bridged the gap between rich and poor, availed himself to all, and did the same things as ordinary folk. This made him a man of the people.”
Mr Faal said OJ, was one figure that was known throughout our beloved land and revered and admired by many. His achievements in our country he added, are quite stellar and his political skills were legendary. “He will surely be missed by all.”
.”He was quite outspoken and direct, often speaking his mind and telling the truth to power. As a young international civil servant, I worked for the United Nations as Deputy General Prosecutor in East Timor in the early 2000s. There I met him and had regular personal contact with him as he also served there as an adviser to the Ministry of Agriculture. During our regular lunches and dinners, he would share his vision for a better Gambia. That was the beginning of my political education. What often came out in our conversations was his honesty, passion, and commitment to Gambia and all things Gambian.”
“During that time and the years to follow, I always wondered how come OJ was such a staunch critic of the Jammeh government and made huge and costly personal sacrifices to challenge the regime’s excesses. It was at the TRRC where I had the honor of leading him to present his evidence that I realized the profound and deeply personal interaction he had with the government. He bravely stood up to the massive human rights violations meted out against not just himself but all Gambian victims. He was a champion of human rights, a fighter for justice, and a protector of the downtrodden. “
Mr. Faal pointed out that, after his unrivaled contribution in the ousting of the Jammeh government, OJ was accommodating and even magnanimous and charitable to those who violated his rights.” I recall how he so casually forgave Capt. JALLOW who assaulted him during his first out of 35 detentions. Even more surprising is that he also called for justice for other victims, not himself.”
