Gambia pays last respect to veteran newscaster, Alhagie Sarjo Barrow

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Alagie Sarjo Barrom a veteran broadcasters and journalist has been mourned by Gambians with pouring tributes immediately after his demise on Sunday, December 22, 2019 up to the time of his interment at Brusubi, West Coast Region, on Monday, December 23, 2019.

His funeral attracted thousands of people including cabinet ministers, journalists, religious leaders, family, friends, fans and neighbours to pay their last respect to the departed soul .

President Adama Barrow who is currently attending the 56th session of the ECOWAS authority of heads of state and government summit in Abuja, Nigeria was quoted as saying in a facebook post: “I learnt with shock, the death of veteran broadcaster, Alhaji Sarjo Barrow.”

He described Sarjo as a phenomenal son of the land who served the national broadcaster for 30 years.

He also said Mr. Barrow is a patriot whose legacy should serve as example and inspiration to us all.

“I extend condolence to his family, friends and fans on behalf of my family and the government and prayed for his soul to rest in Jannah.”

Ebrima Sillah, Minister of Information and Communication Infrastructure termed the deceased as a library that is burnt for good, saying the loss to the nation is irreparable.

Alhagie Abubacarr Darboe, journalist and lecturer at the University of The Gambia said Alhagie Sarjo Barrow’s demise is indeed an astronomical loss to the entire media fraternity both in the Gambia and beyond.

“His illustrious career spanning over four decades inspired an entire generation. He ran his race well and will now be remembered among the ranks of legends like Uncle Suwaibou Conateh, Kebba Dibba, Ebrima Sanyang among others.”

Ebrima Baldeh, former journalist at GRTS now in the United States, said the elders (mentors) are leaving one by one; the young ones will certainly find it extremely difficult to fill the void.

“Such is life, we have to get used to death but the reality is that we can’t get used to death. I can vividly recall during my foray in what was then the talks studio at Radio Gambia, studying the art of presenting local news; I was wowed with the spirit of camaraderie among the old guard,” Baldeh stated.

He recollected that at the end of the news presentation, Sarjo Barrow found time to crack some jokes.

“He used to call old colleagues like Musa Camara (who was my trainer) all sorts of names like “Jato” (lion) or “mokendo” (a good person). The last time I interacted with Sarjo Barrow was in April 2018 during the declaration of results of the local government elections at the TV.”

Sainey M.K. Marenah, journalist and head of communication at the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC), in a brief tribute said Mr. Barrow, a native of Kudang is a household name in The Gambia and among the most prominent Journalist the country has ever produced. He added that Sarjo served Gambia Radio and Television Service (GRTS) for more than 30 years.

Assan Sallah, former editor at Daily Observer now resident in Germany said the 66-year-old veteran newscaster who began his career in 1979 has dedicated his entire life to the journalism career in The Gambia and worked for GRTS many years before his retirement in 2017..

“The late journalist also worked at the private TV station called Star FM until his demise,” he recalled.

Yusupha Darboe, DHK Radio who can be best described as one the prominent mentees of Sarjo during his time at Star FM radio said: “You are gone uncle Alhagie Sarjo Barrow but we will never forget you in our daily prayers. I thank Allah for giving me the opportunity to work under you dad.”

Basidia M Drammeh eulogized Sarjo as a golden voice that has reverberated across the length and breadth of the nation for about four decades.

Bubacarr Komma, Gambian journalist in Germany, mourning the death of his devoted colleague said: “For decades, he has rendered outstanding services to journalism in Gambia. His voice was so sharp in a unique way, deliciously, spiky, crystalline and true. His dialogue or style of broadcasting is so precise and understandable.”

He also recalled Sarjo’s famous radio programmes like the Saturday World New, History of Manding Empire, settlement of people and surnames and many more.”

Fatou Janneh M’bai of GRTS also called the demise of the famous Mandinka local newscaster as an irreparable loss to The Gambia and its people.

“You have served your country with distinction,” extolled.

Buba Gagigo, a young journalist at Senn FM, said he was one of the lucky journalists to interview Sarjo Barrow who told him everything about his journalism career.

He said Sarjo would just call him to give his voluntary advice.

Sheriff Kijera of the Gambia Center for Victims of Human Rights Violation said the day of Sarjo’s death was a sad day for the country as a great man has fallen, thanking the deceased for the selfless service to the nation.

Saying adieu to Alhagie Sarjo Barrow, thousands extend their heartfelt condolences to his family and the nation, praying for Allah’s mercy on his soul so that the highest place in paradise be his eternal abode.