Gambian journalists continued to mourn their fallen colleague Saikou Dibba, Assistant Producer at the GRTS TV, who passed away on Thursday morning at the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital in Banjul.

Pap Saine, Managing Editor of The Point newspaper, described Saikou’s untimely death as a “big loss to not only the GRTS, but the entire media fraternity”. Mr Saine remembered Saikou as a “young brilliant journalist who was determined, committed, and devoted to his work”. He then noted that Saikou should be emulated by all journalists.

Ebrima Jaw Manneh, News Editor of the Dially Observer newsaper, said he came to know Saikou Dibba a couple of years ago, as their interaction was based on professional lines.

Mr Manneh described the late Saikou Dibba as a “paragon of Gambian journalism”, saying that the short but “blissful moments” they shared together at different functions and during visits to GRTS, revealed to him that “Saikou was a true professional and an ethical journalist”.

He added, “Saikou’s untimely departure is in no small measure, a great loss to Gambian journalism in general and the GRTS family, in particular. He was a fort in the profession. I therefore, join my colleages in remembering Saikou Dibba. He should be remembered by his indelible legacy, which the budding journalists could look up to and emulate”.

Ebrima Jaw Manneh then described Saikou as a true Muslim. “I can attest that he was a devoted Muslim who had jealously guarded and practised the teachings of his religion. I said so, because I know so. Even in the frontline of duties, he had not forgone his Salaat, as I can remember a night in Basse, during the arms destruction ceremony of WANEP, when he reminded others about prayers. He was a calm and approachable gentleman,” he said. Manneh then prayed to Allah to grant Saikou eternal peace and heaven.

Mr Emil Touray, editor at the Forayaa newspaper expressed similar sentiments.

The late Saikou was laid to rest on Thursday afternoon at the Sukuta cemetry. He is survived by a wife and a daughter.

Saikou’s colleagues and supervisors expressed shock and dismay at his sudden death. Many described him as “hardworking, gentle, mature and responsible”. They also cited his generosity and sense of goodwill.

The late Saikou Dibba was born in Salikenni, North Bank Region in 1972. He attended the then Nusrat Hihg School between 1987 and 1992, and served as a classroom teacher after completing School, until 1998 when he joined The Gambia College. He graduated in 2000, with Higher Teachers Certificate and was posted to Njaba Kunda Basic Cycle School, where he served as acting Vice Principal.

Dibba joined GRTS in January 2005 as an announcer and was promoted an Assistant Producer in January 2007.

During his stay at GRTS, he had been on active duty, and produced and presented the weekly Mandinka news, as well as the Mandinka Magazine Programme.