Wassa,
 

I just can't believe it when i got a call from Ghana telling me about Taju's death. I immediately called you but no one was picking so i thought no, you would have called. Then i went to PAMBAZUKA to check if this is really true because last year when i was looking for Taju it was Firoze the Director of PAMBAZUKA who gave me his contacts. I saw his Obituary and the picture was so alive. I was exchanging emails with him couple of weeks ago asking him to attend ACID's coming conference on Africa Food Sovereignty this October. I was really pinning him down for a date but then he sent me an email with jokes.  I was telling Omar Drammeh that this time Taju won't escape from me, i will really makes sure that he is here for the October Conference, not knowing that GOD has made the decision already. I could not believe this sad news; i had to go back to his emails again and again.

 

Taju is a person who respect everyone, young, old, progressive, unprogressive, he always believe that there is good in each one for us, and we just have to be patient to fine it.  I remember the days of Africa Research and Information Bureau (ARIB) when we were still studying and having  the Tajus', the Zayas', the Kayodes' , the Wassas', the Abdurahman Babus' this use to be a place for African Students to develop, learn and be mentored. I personally gain a lot from that experiences, these were Africans writers, political activist, economist, develop mentalist etc who are willing to share their experiences and knowledge with the younger generations. I remember Taju suggesting that i should be at the ARIB Board and i was so nervous at that age and time when you have al lthe African Gurrus and older generations with so many experiences. I was just a fresh graduate with no work experiences and i kept on insisting that i don't think i am ready.  He kept on saying don't look at our qualifications, the number of books we wrote, just be yourself, you have the potential, character to make things happen and to change us.

 

I remember when i was working in Ghana Taju came to our office and as he was taking his flight he was refused entry on the flight. This was just the early days of Terrorist campaign, so his Muslim name, beard, British pass, Nigerian all these combination made the people at the counter refused him entry back to UK with the accusation that his pass is faked. When i heard this over the air and all of a sudden Taju came back to our office. I was laughing my head off and i said to him: I am so happy that this has happened to you because ordinary Africans go through this every time. We need people like you to experience this every time in order to intensify the fight for a dignify life for Africans.

 

Taju who has fought to make sure that the AU celebrate Africa Liberation Day and make it a holiday. Taju dying on this same day he made possible is sending us a very strong message with so many puzzles to answer.  Taju working as part of the Millennium Team made us so comfortable regarding UN poverty policy towards Africa. He never compromises on his position.

 

I agree with Yero, we need to lift our pens, Taju always said we as Africans always lose a library when people who have contributed immensely in Africa dies and this should not be the case anymore.

 

You can read Taju's obituary on www.pambazuka.org. Here you can find Taju's last Pan African post card http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/56537

 

 

Neneh Faye and myself will definately miss Taju, we grow up  in England with you people's support and our lives are shaped base on those experience.

 
 
The Struggle Continues!!!!!!!!
Ndey Jobarteh

 
 



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