By Kebba Ansu Manneh
Scores of media chiefs have expressed their remorse over the death of iconic US-based Gambian Journalist Pa Nderry Mbai who succumbed to death in the USA on Monday 22nd November, 2021.
The late journalist, broadcaster, TV and radio talk-show host was born in Touba Mouride Kunda, Niamina Dankunku District in the Central River Region (CRR) of the country before scaled through his educational career; he attended Dankunku Primary School and Kaur Secondary Technical School.
He started his Journalism career at the defunct Daily Observer Newspaper Company Limited and subsequently worked for The Point Newspaper and the Voice of America (VOA) News Network. In 2005, the iconic figure left for the United States of America where he obtained a political asylum, settled and established the Freedom Newspaper Company.
“The breaking news of Pa Nderry Mbai’s death is very sad and shocking because I knew him very well, we worked together. He started work at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Banjul before joining the Daily Observer Newspaper Company and later worked for The Point Newspaper for 5years,” said Pap Saine, Co-Publisher of The Point Newspaper.
He added that “in 2004, he left The Point Newspaper and went to America and did everything possible to become successful. He was a great man, committed, dedicated and an icon of the media.”
The Veteran Co- Publisher of The Point Newspaper disclosed that Pa Nderry Mbai is a rare breed in the media fraternity who always double checked his stories before publishing, adding that the late iconic journalist has done tremendously well to ending dictatorship in the country through the mighty of Freedom Newspaper and Freedom Radio.
“Is a lost to the media fraternity and to the Gambian people,” Pap Saine emphasised.
Babucarr Ceesay, Publisher and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Monitor Newspaper also added his voice on the demise of the fallen hero, as he reflecrted on the good old days when he, Pa Nderry and other journalists ventures out to hunt for news. “I know Pa Nderry M’bai for decades during my days at Foroyaa newspaper as a reporter. We were good friends even though we worked for different newspapers. We used to rove to hunt for news together with colleagues, JT Kujabi and Samba Sowe who were at the time working for News Citizen Newspaper of the late veteran journalist Baboucarr Gaye,” Monitor Newspaper anchor recalled.
“We moved between courts to cover proceedings, I could vividly remember when he used the pen name CD M’bai Mbassu when he was with the Daily Observer. He was a journalist who had a passion for the profession and believes in independence. He described M’bai Mbassu as the chief revolutionary of Gambian online journalism when he launched Freedom Radio/Newspaper, noting that the decrease was critical and refused to be bought with money,” he explained
Sainey MK Marenah, Publisher of Alkamba Times wrote a tribute to the demise of the Proprietor of Freedom Newspaper, disclosing that Pa Nderry Mbai is one of the few journalists who was a devoted anti-corruption and social justice fighter using the power of journalism to bring governments and institutions to account.
He added that Mr Mbai rigorously used both his Freedom Newspaper and Freedom Radio to amplify and criticised policies and the ills of the Gambia Government, especially in the Jammeh regime, noting that the demise of the fearless Gambian journalist caught many by surprise. “The expression of shock and prayers has been unstopping with eulogies that recall the strength of voice and pen for country bereft of his type of resolute and fearless journalism,” he disclosed.
“Pa Nderry was an ardent believer of the power of journalism to transform society,” Alkamba Times Publisher wrote in his tribute added that “His unpleasant encounter with the Jammeh regime that sought to silence him was persistent and difficult but he strived on to continuously spotlight and report the darkest stories emanating from the repressive administration until its fall.
“His daunting journalism traits and tactful story pitching quickly separated him from the rest with Mr Mbai threading the most challenging paths to inform his audience and readers.” Marenah affirmed that for many Gambians, the deceased is the voice of the people as depicted through a committed dedication to journalism, adding that his absence from the media landscape will leave a huge and irreparable void in Gambian journalism.
The board and staff of the Gambia Press Union (GPU) in their tribute extend heartfelt condolences to the entire Gambia media fraternity on the demise of journalist Pa Ndery Mbai.
GPU President, Mr. Muhammed S Bah said Mr Mbai will be remembered for his braveness and consistency in shining light on the ills of the government and government functionaries.
“Despite the threat on his life and harassment of his family in The Gambia, Pa was consistent in exposing malpractices and giving people access to information that was kept away from the public,” Mr Bah said.
GPU said the entire Gambian media join the Mbai family in The Gambia and USA mourning this untimely death of a dear colleague, brother and friend.
Momodou Musa Touray said it is “heartbroken. This is such sad news, a huge loss to Gambia and Gambian journalism. I worked with Pa Nderry for many years at the Daily Observer and I know how much he cared for people. He was on the side of the voiceless, and always spoke truth to power.
“Pa was a passionate and consummate journalist with an instinctive sense of news. He carried out his job without fear or ill. Pa, you were the best among us. You have so much more to give and contribute to the development of Gambia. Gone too soon bro. May Allah grant you the highest Jaanah. Ameen!