Gambia Bids Farewell To Late VP Joof
The late Vice President Badara Joof was finally laid to rest on Monday 23rd January 2023 at the Banjulinding cemetery, after an emotional ceremony at the national assembly, which was led by President Barrow. The late VP was buried right next his late mother.
Paying tributes to the late vice president at the national assembly, the tearful Justice Minister Dawda Jallow recalled his mentorship under Joof while his daughter Adama Joof also put the assembly hall mourners to silence and in tears as she narrated her late father’s unbending virtues of honesty, flexibility and consultations within his family and the general community.
A neighbor and the Imam (Cherno Alhagie S Darboe) of his local mosque said late Badara Joof was a devoted Muslim who hardly misses congregations in the mosque and was very humble and generous to the poor.
Alpha A Khan, a respected veteran educationist said, on behalf of the family, that Badara’s influence went beyond the family.
His friend, Babou Mbye recalled that Badara was a true friend who stayed with his humility throughout his life including even when he became vice president.
President Adama Barrow closed the tributes describing Joof as a friend and brother who touched uncountable lives and influenced various institutions he served through his multifaceted character and talent.
”As the whole nation mourns, it is with a great sense of loss and a very heavy heart that I deliver this tribute in remembrance and praise of a close colleague, friend, and brother, who sadly worked as my Vice President for less than a full year when he succumbed to a brief illness,” President Barrow said.
President Barrow went ahead to posthumously confer the insignia of G.C.R.G to the late vice president who was later laid to rest at Banjulinding.
Hon. Speaker Fabakary Tombong Jatta also said that late Badara Alieu Joof was one of those public servants who proved that service to one’s country is all about the people and wanted young people to be as passionate about it as he was all his life and he was forever optimistic.
