Pa Nderry, This is very sad indeed! However we thank you very much for the good things you have said about a compatriot who was not only a brother to many of us , but also a dear friend. I first met AA Barry in the newsroom at the mile 7 studios of Radio Gambia way back in the early 1980s. He had recently returned to the country from Liberia and had been appointed by the information services as part a UNESCO project to create a National News Agency in The Gambia. He quickly became my brother and friend and we used to visit each other regularly. After I left Radio Gambia and eventually went into teaching, his son Ebou became one of my good students at Bakoteh Primary School. AA Barry was indeed a very good brother and friend. He was very professional, and I personally had no doubts about his credibility even when he worked at The State House in Banjul during the early days of the AFPRC dictatorship. Barry was a giant in the face of odds! I very well remember how reassuring he used to be after a day's toil without news. My condolence to his wife Sally, his son Ebou, and the entire Barry family of Kombo East. May his soul rest in perfect peace! Omar Joof. >From: Pa Nderry M'bai <[log in to unmask]> >Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list ><[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: A Tribute To the late A A Barry!!!! >Date: Wed, 5 Jan 2005 10:17:04 +0000 > >As Gambians and non Gambians mourns the death of veteran >journalist Deyda Hydara, another unpleasant news broke out, >this time the death of Amadou A Barry alias A A Barry, >former news Editor of The Daily Observer and The Point >Newspaper as well. It's a sad moment for the Point and The >Gambia in general. > >I have worked with the late Barry at the Point in the >early > 90's as a reporter. Barry was honest, fearless, independent > minded and above all principled. He was the type of >Editor who will always ensure that both the Opposition and >Ruling government headed by dictator Jammeh were given fair >media > coverage. Editorial staff of the Daily Observer and the >Point, who worked with our departed colleague can attest to >this > fact. He was not biased at all. He always strives for >accuracy and objectivity. > >I can remember Barry's reaction to my first piece submitted >to him for editing. All what he said was"Pa Nderry, >journalism is your field. I am impressed by your >writings and keep it up. I will talk to Deyda, so >that we will give you the necessary encouragement and >support you deserved. We need your type in this paper." > >As a former press officer for the defunct military junta, >Barry was kind of a source for the Point, as it was >always easy for him to verify scoops for the paper. His >sources in government will not hesitate to confirm stories for >him. The demise of such an asset is a big loss to The >Gambia and the entire media fraternity. > >I remember visiting him at his London Corner home last year >and this what he told me"Pa Nderry, i have been following >your stories. You are doing a good job. The point is >more vibrant today. Keep up the good work." I retorted >by saying " Thanks for your encouragement. I must point out >that you also contributed immensely towards my success as a > journalist. We are trying to do our best to enlighten >our > citizens about the state of affairs" > >Due to his ailing health status, Barry took a voluntary >retirement from the Point. His departure was badly felt >by > the late Deyda Hydara, Pap Saine and the entire Point >editorial staff. Even though he was not physically present >at > the office, he tried to contribute his journalistic input > by giving advise to reporters and the editorial staff. > >Barry was a Muslim to the core. He cared for the poor >and the needy. A very humble and down to earth fellow. >I am sure the murder of his long time friend and colleague >Deyda Hydara might also further worsen his health condition. >Barry was very close to Deyda. > >He was a man of truth. My condolence to the Barry >family. May his soul rest in perfect peace. We pray >that God will provide place for him in Janna. Amen. > >_________________________________________________________________ >Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today it's FREE! >http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/ > >いいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいい >To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L >Web interface >at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html > >To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: >http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/CGI/wa.exe?S1=gambia-l >To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: >[log in to unmask] >いいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいい いいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいい To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/CGI/wa.exe?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] いいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいい