Awareness Times Newspaper, Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Pa Tejan Kabbah Launches Sir Dawda's Memoirs

By Sylvia O. Blyden, Apr 15, 2010, 12:23 additional reporting by Karabulie Conteh in The Gambia.

The former President of Sierra Leone, Alhaji Dr. Ahmad Tejan Kabbah has last Saturday April 10th 2010 officially launched the autobiography entitled "KAIRABA", which was authored by the former Gambian President, Alhaji Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara. The thirty-three chaptered, 504-paged book which is the memoirs of Sir Dawda was launched at the prestigious Kairaba Beach Hotel in The Gambia.

In his launching statement, Alhaji Dr. Kabbah congratulated both the current President Jammeh and the elder statesman Sir Dawda for their current cordial relations. He especially commended Jammeh for reaching out to the then-exiled Jawara through a delegation of his family members sent to invite the old man to return back home. Kabbah also hailed the unabated and constant provision of amenities and protocols to the former President as legislated by the Gambian Parliament. Kabbah said the book's contents will serve as a guidepost for future generations of Gambians and Africans. Dr. Kabbah ended by asking for prayers for a continued strengthening of unity and furtherance of developments in The Gambia.

Also speaking on the occasion, current Gambian President, Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh lauded the initiative noting that the autobiography will provide the opportunity to reflect and evaluate the political life of Sir Dawda. He dilated on the strong bond of ties between himself and Sir Dawda and commended the former president for his high sense of parental care and responsibility. President Jammeh described the literally work as a testimony of Sir Dawda's legacies as president of the Gambia for thirty years since independence. In his capacity as chief guest of honour the Gambian leader again demonstrated his magnanimity by buying a worth of two hundred and seventy thousand dalasis of the book which he proceeded to generously share to invitees.

Speaking on behalf of former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Nigerian High Commissioner to The Gambia Madam Esther John Audu hailed the rapid pace of development taking place in The Gambia. She said that The Gambia is therefore on the course to becoming a major player in global affairs. She praised Sir Dawda's resourcefulness and courage and recommended the book highly.

The President of the ECOWAS Commission James Victor Gbeho described Sir Dawda as a patriot who led his country to independence. Mr. Gbeho spoke of his resolve to encourage leaders of ECOWAS member states to follow Sir Dawda's example of documenting their experiences for the benefit of future generations.

The president of the Liberian Chamber of Commerce and former Foreign Minister of Liberia, Monie Ralph Captan, who reviewed the book, explained that "Kairaba" captures the beauty and cultural tradition of Africa and showcases the convergence of African and Western stories.

A member of the publicity team and a son of Sir Dawda, Ebrima Jawara described the book as a primary source on Gambian history noting that it uncovers the experiences of the nation.

The former president of the Gambia Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara described the ceremony as a launch plus and thanked all attendees for their patronage. Sir Dawda stated that he was first inspired in 2006 at the 41st Independence celebration of The Gambia which coincided with the 41st birthday anniversary of President Jammeh.

Meanwhile, speaking exclusively to Awareness Times on his return home, the former President repeated the sentiments he expressed whilst in The Gambia and confirmed that he was indeed putting the finishing touches towards getting his own Memoirs to be published. He expressed the belief that such Autobiographies would serve as lectures and lessons for younger generations of leaders which would guide them from repeating the mistakes made by earlier leaders.

Former President Kabbah described the launching of Sir Jawara's book as a spectacular epoch-making event and expressed the hope that the launching of his own book would also be as successful as that of his colleague Elder Statesman. The former President was however circumspect as to who would officially launch his own pending Autobiography.

"When the time comes, it will be made known," Pa Kabbah assured with a smile.