Homegrown

“I have been directed to expel you from the programme!’’ the voice thundered into my ears. A brief, uneasy silence ensued as the students looked at the permanent Secretary (P.S), Ministry of Education.

“What would it mean to be one of the first students to be expelled from the Gambia’s first university programme?” I wondered. “Sabally, Others Expelled From The University Extension Programme” a newspaper headline suddenly flashed in my mind. I was scared to death, but the radical student leader in me would not budge or show any signs of capitulation. Then I remembered one member of our group, the so called ring leaders. He once told us to remember Nelson Mandela in our struggle – ‘he was in prison for more than two decades’’- he would remind us.

…

We knew the purpose of his statement and the inevitable consequences but we left his office without a change of heart. We left Bedford Place Building, which houses the Ministry of Education, strolled to the car park beside Gamtel House in Banjul and boarded the same car for the same destination. We were the perceived ring leaders of an impending student uprising at the Gambia’s first University-in-the –making.

…

Jean further wished me success in, as she put it “whatever it is that you choose to do with your life”. It is as if she knew (thinking of the last few words in quotations) that I was at a crossroads in my life. The situation reminds me, once more, of Robert Frosts words “two roads diverged into the yellow wood and I took the one…”. I had two options, to stay in school or to quit. Thank Allah I stayed and pursued my programme to the end.

…

 February 16 1999 is a special day in The Gambia’s educational history…

 Dr. Michael Larsen stood at the Podium and introduced himself as the Master of Ceremonies. He has a great voice that virtually shook the walls of the hall with its reverberation.

“Distinguished guests, members of convocation, ladies and gentlemen and most especially, graduates of Saint Mary’s University. Today is truly a day of celebration. And we are pleased we welcome you to our first convocation held outside Saint Mary’s University. My name is Michael J Larsen and I am the Dean of Arts, Acting Dean of Education and Director of Saint Mary’s University Extension Programme in The Gambia.

“The audience has just heard the playing of our two national anthems, the Republic of The Gambia and Canada, a fitting reminder of our historic journey together…”

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I bowed as greeting to the guests on the stage. Then placed my speech on the podium to face the crowd of students, diplomats, Secretaries of State, relatives of graduands, and well wishers. I prayed silently for refuge from Satan then started:

“Bismillaahe Rammane Raheem, Tabaara kalladhe biyadihil Mulku wa Hua alaa kulli shai-in Khadeers”; (Blessed be He in whose hands is dominion, and he, over all things hath power) – Suratul Mulk verse 1. after praising Allah I continued amid total silence in the hall;

“Master of Ceremo