By Yunus S Saliu
In an organised symposium by Kaba Communications in honour of one of the Gambia illustrious quiet and gentle philanthropists, Sulayman Junkung Sawaneh on Wednesday, 25th May, and was described as a good patriot with large heart.
Mr Sawaneh, a Gambian Denmark based, was praised for his humanity gesture as different speakers deliberated on the theme for the symposium – The importance of true patriotism as a catalyst for national development, at the symposium held at the YMCA hall, MDI Road, Kanifing.
Kalilu Jaiteh, a childhood friend of Sawaneh from Jabba Kunda whom they have been together for over fifty years affirmed that his (Sulayman) philanthropic work as he could remember started over three decades ago when he visited Mile II where he first donated radio/tapes with speakers to inmates and later televisions also. “He didn’t stop at Mile II as he continued the donation at Jeshwang and Janjanbureh Prisons while other items to the inmates included bed nets; shoes; soaps; toothpastes and tooth brushes, bed sheets among other essential items.”
His philanthropic works touched different areas, which include hospitals, schools across the country to make donations of items, medications, solar panels and accessories, medical items among other and as well assistance to individuals.
Neneh Freda Gomez, a former contestant in the last National Assembly election applauded Mr Sawaneh and alluded to his goodwill gestures, saying “the symposium in his honour is a well-deserved one as it is very important to celebrate people alive for their good deeds.”
She disclosed that the Denmark based philanthropist started in 1991 “but a lot of people don’t know about it because it is not show off gestures. It is been happening under very difficult and tight circumstances and now that we found ourselves in this new democracy, it is important we bring it to limelight for people to embrace and know that this is a thing that we can do, thus, is an important gesture and act.”
To the citizens, Ms Gomez opined, if we have non-citizens coming to the country to donate, invest or build, and support why not Gambians who own this country “because no one can do it better than us (ourselves).”
The day been the African Liberation Day celebration, she noted that the theme for the symposium is apt, therefore, “each an everyone of us should think of what we have done for our country how much have we contributed to ship in the type of country we want for ourselves, children, grandchildren and yet to born children.”
She concluded that as an individual she is been really touched by Sulayman’s way of living, life and everything he does in the country since 1991 to date, “as walking with him through the length and breadth of this country has really inspired me to do a lot as well in my own capacity as human being and patriotic bona fide citizen of this country.”
Patriotism for me when I think about it is service and what you do to change situation of individuals through giving back to the country and its citizens, so once we are united depend and uphold the sanctity of the country, promote the good things that are happening in the country we are being patriotic and even by reciting the National Anthem of the country is patriotic because you believe in it because we have the best National Anthem which is not just by words but also prayers for the country and the whole world at large.”
A former National Assembly member, Honourable Sidia Jatta, who’s a special guest speaker at the forum lauded the organizer initiative but encouraged and suggested that they should reorganize a bigger forum to further discuss the theme – The importance of true patriotism as a catalyst for national development because it concerns everyone.
He dilated on the theme saying there is a big problem in the country which not everyone knows because it is not everyone that is patriotic to the country as “we talk about it (patriotism) but do not exist in our head, thus you can hardly find anybody who is committed to the word.”
Talking about patriotism, he made references to Cuba and few other countries who have developed within their knowledge and as well increased it to educate their people saying “without knowledge we cannot go anywhere in this world. And to develop unless we believe in the fact that it is only knowledge that we help us to move forward.”
Sulayman Junkung Sawaneh said with irrespective of individual background in terms of geographical location, ethnicity and political affiliation, there is need for every citizen to have a sense of belonging towards the development of the Gambia.
Adding that the problem in the country is people’s attitude towards each other and if not changed, it will yield nothing but backwardness and hatred among the people. “Because, as Gambians, what we are saying is different from what is in us and our country cannot develop if we are divided in our thinking and ideology,”
