What was supposed to be a normal Monday morning at work at the Department of Information Services of the Ministry of Information and Communication Infrastructure on January 17th 2022, turned to be one of the darkest work days for the staff. The death had been announced of Momodou Faal, one of the most hard-working and dedicated staff - Information Officer - posted at the Ministry of Health. He died in a car crash along with two others, one of whom was Musa Ndow, renowned Gambian journalist; and Kawsu Bayo, a staff of the Ministry of Health. The rest escaped death but with some injuries. They were on an official mission to provincial Gambia.
What had even compounded the sorrow of the tragic event, was the fact that Momodou Faal was with the staff a day prior to his untimely demise, on Saturday, January 15th on the occasion of the Department’s annual end-of year staff ‘get-together’. Faal was there looking healthy, with his trade mark conviviality, infectious smile and respect for all.
Born on 26th April 1972 at Half Die Banjul Momodou Faal was enrolled at St Peter’s Primary School in Lamin from 1984 to 1988 before proceeding to Fatoto Primary School in the Upper River Region where he sat to his Common Entrance Examination in 1989.
He went to Banjul Secondary Technical School from 1990 to 1994 and then proceeded to Muslim High School, where he said to his O-Levels exam.
At Muslim High School he formed the Press Club and became the President. “While I was going to school I had the passion to become a journalist,” he once said.
From Muslim High School the late Faal transferred to ICE High School where he completed his A-Levels in 1998.
He began his career writing sports for the Gambia Daily newspaper published by the Department of Information Services, in 1998 and later joined Suud FM in 1998.
Late Momodou Faal was appointed Information Officer in 2019 and attached to the Ministry of Health, where he served with distinction and purpose. Indeed his demise came as a shock for the entire department and by extension the Ministry of Information and Communication Infrastructure.
Reacting to the tragic loss, the minister of Information and Communication Infrastructure Honourable Ebrima Sillah, said Faal was a respectful and dedicated staff of the Ministry and that he had left a vacuum.
The Government Spokesperson Ebrima G Sankary remarked : “Profound tragedy it is! I last interacted with a very composed yet happy Pa Modou Faal Saturday night (January 15th) during the annual staff party by the beach at Brufut Heights. Little did I know it was our last earthly encounter. It’s unbelievable that in less than 48 hours, the urbane, easy-going journalist with so much zeal and passion for his profession will be cut short by an automobile accident.
Sad and devastating as Pa Modou Fall’s enormous loss is, we should take solace in the numerous funeral orations, the prolific eulogies across Social Media platforms and newspaper headlines all testifying to his impressive journalistic legacy and towering humanism. I'll always remember him for his infectious smiles and impeccable humility that endeared all toward Pa Modou. May Allah in His infinite mercy, grant his gentle soul eternal peace in Heaven. To his departed soul, I say Memory Eternal! Until we see each other again, Rest In Peace!”
Aisha Davies, Director of Information Services, described Momodou Faal as one who was committed and had tremendous love for his job. “He had the drive to learn and practice the trade in the best way possible. I pray for Allah to grant Janna tul Firdawsi”.
Ebrima A Njie, Deputy Director, Department of Information Services said Momodou Faal’s death sent huge shock wave across the country more especially in the Department and that he would be dearly missed.
Madiba Sillah, Principal Information Officer at the Department of Information Services said he is still in a state of shock, having had last seen and interacted with the deceased a day prior to his tragic death. We even had an impromptu meeting at the party venue on the things to do next, as aligned to our professional duties. He called me on phone almost every day; sharing with me, as his supervisor, innovative ideas.. I am missing that already. May Allah grant him Jannah.”
Prince Aboubacarr Sankanu, Principal Information Officer at the Department of Information Services, described Momodou Faal as very personate and caring person.
His colleagues Information Officer Lamin Njie had this to say: “I am particularly devastated by Koto, as we call him,. Pa Modou was very close to me. You know we were together on Saturday for our annual party until night and we came together because we lived in Lamin until to wake up to this devastating news. Koto always smiled to people and had a lot of respect for me. May their gentle souls rest in perfect peace”.
Samsideen Ceesay, Information Officer at the Ministry of Trade and Industry: “ Pa Modou was a special brother who always encouraged me. His respect, humility and kindness to people cannot be overstated.
Musa Saho, Information Officer said: “ I knew Pa few years ago but I found him to be a respectful young man who is full of dreams and always ready to help”.
Modou Kanteh, Information Officer at the Ministry of Agriculture: “I still could not come to terms with the demise of my two brothers and colleagues in the media. And that is why I am wondering why God decided to take them away from me in such a mysterious way. Pa Modou Faal and Musa Ndow have gone. My last day to see Pa was on Saturday 15 January 2022 at a staff party sponsored by the Director of the Department of Information Services Aisha Davis. As usual Pa was very active and in high spirit. He was among the first Information Officers to arrive at the Brufut Height Resort hotel. And he was busy directing others who did not know the place. I vividly remember when Counsel (Modou Kanteh) arrived Pa told him to go get something to eat and counsel insisted that he had already eaten and would wait for a while before taking anything. But Pa Insisted that he must go get something even if was going to be a bottle of soft drink”.
Alagie Ceesay, Awa Sowe, Ajie Fatou Jammeh, Isatou Jallow, Jainaba Kargbo, Rose Gomez and Dodou Lamin, Ousman Trawally, and the rest of staff of the Department of Information Services described the their late colleague as a pure Muslim who loved everyone.