AUNTIE BIJOU PETERS IS GONE IN BODY BUT IS WITH US IN SPIRIT
Her mind never grew old. She stood on guard and kept vigil like a true sovereign person up to the end. She never surrendered her sovereignty to apathy and fatalism. She understood what it meant to be a true citizen of a sovereign Republic . She participated in scrutinising and criticising what did not serve the national interest and constantly called for redress.
Age could have been a good excuse to justify any withdrawal from the public view. Instead of seeking comfort and rest she took it upon herself to be her brother’s and sister’s , daughter’s and son’s keeper by taking interest in anything and everything that undermines the liberty, dignity and prosperity of the human person.
Her pen was the sword she utilised to combat the forces of evil in society and protect what is good . She was a soldier in the service of justice who never minced her words in speaking truth to power. Freedom of expression was very dear to her and she lived all her life promoting its enlargement and protection .She was a worthy ambassador of truth and truth shall accompany her to her grave.
The Gambia Press Union and the media fraternity should take this funeral as their own and play active role to ensure that she gets a fitting burial . They should also set aside a special day for her and William Dixon Colley to teach the future generation what integrity, strength of character , dignified humility and passion for truth , honesty and justice truly mean.
Foroyaa benefitted immensely from her interventions, encouragement by frequent telephone calls to submit articles or express appreciation for something written. It was shocking when the distributor came back yesterday and indicated that he could not deliver a copy of the Newspaper to Auntie Bijou after being informed that her body was at the mortuary. This sent cold chills down our spines as the transience of life dawned upon us with this loss.
We will join her family and loved ones to mourn the loss but would join just humanity to celebrate her triumph over age and societal distractions to remain true to herself, her family, her community, her nation and humanity and made a laudable contribution in defence of truth and justice up to the end of her life . Eternal peace shall be her reward.
She will continue to live in the hearts and minds of the living as long as people who love truth and justice remain on this land.
Age could have been a good excuse to justify any withdrawal from the public view. Instead of seeking comfort and rest she took it upon herself to be her brother’s and sister’s , daughter’s and son’s keeper by taking interest in anything and everything that undermines the liberty, dignity and prosperity of the human person.
Her pen was the sword she utilised to combat the forces of evil in society and protect what is good . She was a soldier in the service of justice who never minced her words in speaking truth to power. Freedom of expression was very dear to her and she lived all her life promoting its enlargement and protection .She was a worthy ambassador of truth and truth shall accompany her to her grave.
The Gambia Press Union and the media fraternity should take this funeral as their own and play active role to ensure that she gets a fitting burial . They should also set aside a special day for her and William Dixon Colley to teach the future generation what integrity, strength of character , dignified humility and passion for truth , honesty and justice truly mean.
Foroyaa benefitted immensely from her interventions, encouragement by frequent telephone calls to submit articles or express appreciation for something written. It was shocking when the distributor came back yesterday and indicated that he could not deliver a copy of the Newspaper to Auntie Bijou after being informed that her body was at the mortuary. This sent cold chills down our spines as the transience of life dawned upon us with this loss.
We will join her family and loved ones to mourn the loss but would join just humanity to celebrate her triumph over age and societal distractions to remain true to herself, her family, her community, her nation and humanity and made a laudable contribution in defence of truth and justice up to the end of her life . Eternal peace shall be her reward.
She will continue to live in the hearts and minds of the living as long as people who love truth and justice remain on this land.