By Mama A. Touray
Following the death of the Gambia’s Vice President, Badara Alieu Joof in the early hours of Wednesday, President Adama Barrow has declared has delcared a seven-day national mourning effective 18th January 2023.
The late Vice President Joof died in India after a short illnes, the illness which is not known to the public.
A statement issued by the government Mouthpiece & Presidential Diaspora Adviser Ebrima G. Sankareh reads: “In memory of the Late VP Joof, President Barrow has declared a 7-day National Mourning effective today, 18th January, 2023 with all flags flying half Mast.President Barrow, who is profoundly shocked by the death of Mr. Joof, remembers his Vice President as a very serious, level-headed, patriotic, dedicated, competent and honest Gambian who spent his entire lifetime trying to improve the lot of mankind.The President prays to the Almighty Allah that VP Joof is rewarded in the Hereafter for all his kind deeds, his work in improving the lot of Gambians, service to the nation as school teacher and for everything he did for the consolidation of the newly-found democratic dispensation.”
The statement continued: “Until his appointment as VP on 4th May 2022, VP Joof had served in various capacities including Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology (MOHERST), Permanent Secretary in various ministries across the Government. He had also served as World Bank Director for West and Central Africa for over a decade, a position he would relinquish to take up cabinet appointment in the new political dispensation,” Sankareh said.
He added that Joof in his career earlier was trained as a qualified teacher and taught for years at Nusrat High School in Bundung, The Gambia College in Brikama and The Gambia Technical Training Institute (GTTI).
In explaining Joof’s educational career Sankareh said “Joof, 66, was a scholar of profound intellect, late VP Joof took a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Bristol, Master’s Degree in English from University of London and Master’s Degree in Developmental Economics from the University of Bath. He had earlier received a Diploma in Human Rights Studies from the University of Saint Edwards Island, Canada”.
Sankareh further stated that upon arrival, the body of the late VP will be laid in state at the National Assembly for a state funeral while a book of condolences will be opended at the Presidency on Thursday 19th January, 2023.