By Salieu Njie
To many, Badara Alieu Joof was simply the number 2 man at the State-House in Banjul, The Gambia. But the man was and is still much more than this according to those well acquainted with him. His departure from us has now revealed some of the very best examples we all ought to be regarding our country. The darkest hour is nearest the dawn, and in these difficult and trying times while mourning the death of a man whose life in reality epitomises the aspirations of an entire nation, the compass of our minds must all be set together at one place alone, “Badara Alieu Joof’s Vision” for The Gambia and all the people of The Gambia.
Badara Alieu Joof was born in 1957 and passed away in India on the 17th of January 2023 after a brief illness. Badara Alieu Joof was a true Gambian politician and civil servant, who served as Vice President of The Gambia from 2022 until his death. He previously served as Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology from 2017 to 2022.
In his early life Badara Alieu Joof was a student at Armitage High School and trained as a teacher himself at Yundum Teachers’ College. He held a bachelor of education degree from the University of Bristol, a master’s degree in English literature from the University of London, and a master’s degree in development economics from the University of Bath.
Alieu Bara Joof began his career as a qualified teacher, teaching English at The Gambia College. He was then head of the department of languages and literature at Nusrat High School. He was the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Education for many years. In March 2002, it was reported that he had been transferred to the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Local Government and Lands.
Alieu Badara Joof worked as the World Bank Liaison Officer to the Gambia. In this role, he assisted higher education minister Mariama Sarr-Ceesay in introducing a new education policy to the Gambia. He also urged the Gambian tourism sector to “move from routine tourism and be more proactive.” He had led a World Bank project, Support to NGO Network Tango, which had a budget of $220,000 and lasted from 2010 to 2013, the stated purpose of which was “to enhance the efficiency and accountability of non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) in delivering basic services to the poor in the member country.”
In 2013, Joof visited various project sites in the Gambia along with Ministry of Agriculture officials to gain a better understanding of various challenges they faced. In 2014, Joof was appointed an Education Specialist in Dakar, Senegal to the World Bank. On 22 February 2017, President Adama Barrow appointed Joof as his Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology.
In the words of Imam Baba Leigh a childhood friend of Joof who once said to me “If you are looking for a true honest man with a great sense of uprightness” Better search for Badara Alieu Joof. He was not only a good father, husband and neighbour, but Joof was an embodiment of dignity, intelligence and generosity. His empathy for the poor and the needy has crossed far beyond all tribal boundaries. Whether you are a student or a parent struggling to pay for your children’s education, Badara Alieu Joof had always been very supportive and helpful.
Today, as we all gather together in this hour, in this day, in this month and in this year not bound by any geographical location, but our hearts connected together by one massive electromagnetic wave of love and true patriotism because of one man. Because of Badara Alieu Joof, we are now more inspired to do our utmost best as Gambians, never to betray and shy away from the challenges before us.
Badara Alieu Joof’s departure from us does not mean that the works he left behind are now at a standstill. In the spirit of this moment, it is up to the people and government of The Gambia to put structures in place where ever necessary for the immediate continuity of the visions and dreams of Badara Alieu Joof.
Our people have suffered for far too long, and anytime we cried for help a Badara Alieu Joof is sent to us as a guiding light in the darkness, but overtime Gambians too easily drifted, swayed and felt comfortable in the dark compelling the light to disappear in thin air unnoticed . Many Badara Alieu Joofs have gone by in the past, but this one must not escape us. We must now ask ourselves, what does Joof’s departure means to us as a nation? What have we learned from him so as to transport it to the future for the benefit of our people? But one question must continue to linger in our minds until it is answered if we are true men and women of conscience. We must question our true selves, what should be done with the ingenuity inherited from those gone before us? The time is now ripe for some of our political leaders to emulate men like Badara Alieu Joof or atleast do themselves a favour and simply withdraw from the political arena.
Badara Alieu Joof is gone, but history teaches that the bank of ideas is never bankrupt as long as men like Badara Alieu Joof lives.
May Allah bless the family of Badara Alieu Joof
May Allah bless the memory of Badara Alieu Joof.
May Allah’s Rahmah be upon Badara Alieu Joof
Ilayowmi-Deen, until the day of Judgement.
Ameen, Ameen, Ameen, Ya Rabal Alamin.
