In today’s edition of Encounter, a weekly column that is dedicated to people who are considered important personalities in the society and who in one way or the other are contributing something positive towards the advancement of society, we bring you a chat with a Gambian dentist running a private clinic at Cape Point in Bakau to share his experiences and achievement. Dentist Baboucarr Njai holds a BSc degree from Gothenburg University in Sweden

So read on to find out who Dentist Njie is:

G-Now- Can you introduce yourself to our wonderful readers?

BN- My name is Baboucarr Njai. I was born in Banjul but now live in Bakau. I am a Dental Surgeon and studied in Sweden. Currently, I am in The Gambia operating a private clinic called Njie and Njai medical and dental services - I have another colleague who runs the medical clinic.

GN- Can you tell us about your educational background.

BN- I started schooling at the age of five at Muhammadan Primary School, and then progressed to Crab Island School.  Going to high school was very though at the time because there weren’t many high schools like now. After leaving secondary school, I started working at the accounts unit of the Public Works Department for between seven to eight years and then left for Europe (Sweden). By then, it was not easy to leave the country - I personally sponsored my trip not by air because it was too expensive to travel by air, I travelled over land through Dakar to Paris and then to Stockholm.

I have always been interested in dentistry so before leaving for Sweden, I had an opportunity to go to the United States but then a very close friend of mine, Mr. Batch Faye convinced me to go to Sweden and he arranged a school for me where I was offered scholarship.  I remember one night, conservation I had with Mr. Faye and Doctor Adama Sallah and they asked me what course I wanted to pursue and I said dentistry, they both looked at me and said do you know what you are saying? I replied yes, that is what I want to do and they said to me, you came from Crab Island School and you don’t know anything about physics, chemistry, biology and many other science subjects and I told them that these are subjects which I can learn like any other person can, so since I am not going to pay any tuition, I will learn because that is the biggest opportunity I have ever had.

Actually I was thinking by myself that this will never be possible but at the same time with devotion, determination I think I can make it. I started schooling from scratch because you have to learn the language first. After completing my secondary education, I went to Gothenburg University in Sweden where I obtained my BSc and DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery).  

GN- When did you start this private business?

BN- I started in 2000.  Although I am not working for government, I, from time to time offer community services - helping at the hospital whenever they need my services.

GN- Why the name Njie and Njai?

BN- well my colleague is called Malick Njie and I am Baboucarr Njai but the way we spell our surnames are different so we decided to use it as the name of the clinic. The Njie and Njai clinic is a joint business between the two of us - Malick is a medical doctor.

GN- What is the secret behind your success?

BN- Well determination and the will power to do something - one has to plan his or her life and if you are aiming for something positive, you must be determined. I will not say I am successful but the secret is just determination that has made me to be what I am today.

GN- What are some of the challenges you faced in your personal life and how did you overcome them?

BN- First of all was the educational part - I knew I was able to do certain things if given the opportunity.  Another challenge was having limited resources because I came from a large family and resources are always a problem. I had the passion at a very young age to become a future dentist and I knew very well from the beginning that I have to do my best to fulfill that dream. I believed that being a dentist is not something that happens by probability; I really worked hard for it.  

GN- What was your biggest achievement?

 BN- Wow, when I became dentist in 1992; it took me a very long journey to reach that point because of my educational standard - I had to struggle hard with the science subjects which I had never studied before. However, I thank God that when I was in Sweden, I was able to take up a part time job as a teacher which was though for me.

GN- when was your happiest moment?

BN- My happiest moment? (Laughs) That was when I got married in 2005 - I was very happy because it has ever been my dream to get marry to a Gambian wife whenever I return. It is always a problem when you get married out of your country you want to come back home to settle and the wife doesn’t like it. I am blessed with one boy and two girls who are twins.

 GN- When you were young, who was your mentor?

BN- I looked at my childhood friends who succeeded in achieving their goals and are all well established – I will not mention names but if any of them reads this article, they know exactly what I’m talking about. Even though a few of us did not have the opportunity to be like them, nonetheless, we were always together - helping each other and even some of us were helped to travel to Europe through the assistance of friends.

GN- How do you feel when young people regard you as their mentor?

 BN- I feel well honored, happy and grateful. I know one Dr. Peter who used to come to the clinic and we had a chat about my career - what I have gone through – and he told me that people like you should write books because most people think that if you go to schools like Crab Island, it is practically impossible for you to be successful especially academically. You can be successful doing your own business and most probably you don’t need to obtain degree. However, there are certain professions like dentistry, whereby without obtaining good education, you cannot be a dentist. 

 GN- what advice do you have for young people who want to excel in life like you.

BN- I will tell them to keep on reading, study hard - to become a dentist one has to work for it now. It takes time to be a dentist, seven good years is not seven days.  Let them be determined and learn more.

GN- Sir you did mention working in Sweden as a dentist but why are you back to The Gambia when you are paid more money in Sweden?

BN- Yes very interesting question - after my graduation in Sweden, one evening I received a call from Norway telling me that they want to offer me a job and they are interested in me. I replied to them that I never applied for a job but he said yes, we know but we got your contract number from another person who has recommending you. I told them that far north in Norway is cold and far but I’ll think whether I can only give you six months service. The caller replied okay and I went to work in Norway for six months and at the end of the six months, they asked me to extend for another six month which I did.

After that, I planned to return to Sweden but they said no and offered me the position of a clinic chief and that I can also use the clinic for my private practice even though it was government-owned although I had to promise not to compete with them, which I did. After some time, I decided to leave but another big offer came - they said I should head and take care of all the district state clinics which I accepted. In 1999, I came home for holidays to see my parents who were getting old. I decided that I don’t want to stay there any longer after spending nearly thirty years away, I would not want to be called and informed that something happened to either of my parents. So I said I have to return home and settle finally and setup my own private clinic. When I was leaving, I was given a document which stated that whenever I want to go back, I am free to do so and upon presenting the  document I will be given the same grade were I was when I left or something higher.

GN- How do you feel working for your own country?

BN- I think one owes an obligation to his or her country; it those not matter what happens but every citizen has to contribute to his countries development.

GN- As a dentist, what advices do you have for the general public?

BN- It’s about time parents consider what their children eat and avoid sugar, especially sweets. We the dentists are having big problems and when parents come with their children they, will complain that their children like eating sweets but my question is, where is that child getting the money from to buy sweets - is it not from the parents? So it is left to the parents to train their children and not buy them sweets. Secondly oral hygiene, meaning clearing the teeth daily is very important. 

GN- It was very interesting having interviewed you and thank you so much for your time, final words.

BN- It was my pleasure and my final words are let’s support each other and work hard because the country belong to all of us.

 

Welcome back to yet another edition of the Encounter, a column that profiles people’s experiences and achievements. In this edition of the Encounter we bring you a chat with the Director of Corporate Services at the Gambia Competition Commission.  So read to find out who this gentle man is.

GN - Sir can you please introduce yourself to our dear readers?

ABJ - My name is Alhagie Babucarr Jabang.  I am currently working at the Gambia Competition Commission as the Director of Corporate Services.  I was born in Brikama in the West Coast Region and was brought up at Serrekunda. I was later taken to Sierra Leone to join my father where he was engaged in business. Seven years later, we returned to Gambia and I started my schooling. My mother was a house wife and my father a tailor, so I grew up under moderate conditions where everyone was expected to contribute towards the family’s upkeep.  I am married and blessed with children.

GN- Can you please elaborate on your educational background?

ABJ - Upon my return from Sierra Leon in 1974, I was sent to Sukuta Primary School.   After completing my primary education in 1980, I got entry to Armitage High School in Georgetown, present day Janjang Bureh in the Central River Region where I sat to the GCE ‘O’ Level Certificate Examination in 1985.   I sat to a teacher’s examination at Action-Aid The Gambia and  obtained very good results and was later employed by the organization as a teacher at Gifarong village in Kiang West District.   I taught for two years as a class teacher and was later promoted to head the school.  During that period, I was able to transform the school and I am proud to say that today, I have a lot of my students who are holding very good positions in Government and NGOs and some of them are even married.

When I left the teaching field in 1989, I joined the Customs and Excise as a young officer. I spent 18 years working at the Customs and Excise.  I came to realize that having only “O” Levels will not offer me a good career, I decided to build my capacity and proceeded to further my education. Today, I am a Chartered Accountant and since 2008, I have been a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. I have more than ten years’ experience in accounting administration, Human Resources Management and Information Technology. I have also served more than five years at senior level within the central government and public institutions as well as more than 25 years as a social worker - travelling and implementing development projects in urban as well as rural areas.  I have also successfully participated in community driven projects implemented through a World Bank funding as Financial Controller and was at one time the Technical Adviser to the West Coast Region Local Government Authority where I coordinated audits at corporate and institutional levels as well as  prepare audit packs submitted to external auditors prior to commencement of audit exercises.

I also have a very strong background and competency-based human resource management from the ITCILO in Turin, Italy where I served in different senior management positions as financial management specialist, head of accounts and other corporate services units. I also pursued courses in the United Kingdom in a college called London College of Accountancy and am still pursuing a Professional Career Development and Research in Current Accounting issues

GN- Who was your mentor when you were young?

ABJ - My mentor was a childhood friend and a class mate. We went to school together from primary one to form five and his name is Abdoulie Barry. Mr Barry was so intelligent and anytime we sat to class exams, either I or he will come out first. I knew that if I used Abdoulie as my mentor, I will surely succeed. Mr Barry was very lucky to have had continuous education because when we graduated from Armitage, I went into the teaching field but he proceeded to Gambia High School to attend sixth form.  I was late to enroll for sixth form because I started teaching even before the “O” Level results were out. After completing his sixth form, Barry went to the UK and he was among the first Gambians to obtain ACCA. He was one time head of Finance & Procurement at MRC Gambia and now he has an international appointment.  Also, I decided to choose Barry as my mentor because he was my competitor in school and he advised me to stop everything I was doing and concentrate on how to further my education which I actually did and he contributed a lot towards financing my education.   I can safely say today that whatever I have achieved, he has contributed to it.

GN - Tell us about your achievements

ABJ - One of my biggest achievement was being employed as a teacher because I always imagined if I could be a good teacher; and it turned out that I was a good teacher. I also made other achievements in terms of my education which I never thought of before. I’ve got a lots of certificates - in 1990, I attended Crown Agents Induction Certificate on Customs & Excise/Security, from 2000 to 2001, I Completed ACCA Accounting Technician, and in 2002 ADF Capacity Building Project - Certificates in Project Management & Accounting, Aid & Debt Management, in 2007 I had EPICOR Based Training (version 7.3.5) in Integrated Financial Management Information System (End User and Financial Applications Administrator) on the following Modules: Concept of Information Technology using a computer and managing file Spreadsheet Financial Accounting, using EPICOR computerized accounting System Active Planner- Budgeting and Planning Tools (Computerized).  I also sat to WAIFEM online exams on Domestic Debt Management and did an End user Training on TOMPRO Computerized Accounting Software, (World Bank Customized Reports). I also have a certificate in Specialized Report Writing Skills and Presentation Techniques, Certificate in Public Financial Management, Budgeting, Planning   and Performance, certificate in Implementing Competency Based Human Resource Management: Job description, Recruitment & Selection,   Performance Appraisal and Certification.

GN - Can you please share with us some of your job experiences.

ABJ - In 1985 to 2006 I worked as Customs Office and later in 2006, I moved to Gambia Revenue Authority as a Financial Application & Systems Administrator up to 2007.  I later worked for an ADB/World Bank-funded project as a Financial Comptroller for the Community Driven Development Project in 2008. I also employed as the Manager/Acting Director Finance and Administration-Gambia Investment Promotion and Free Zones Agency, a World Bank Funded Gateway Project from 2009 to July 2010 and from 2010 to date, I’ve been working for The Gambia Competition Commission as Director of Corporate Services.

GN - Could you share with us your happiest moment in life

ABJ - One of my happiest moment was when I got another level of education higher from my ‘O’ levels certificate. Another happy moment was in December 2008 when I received a professional certificate of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, UK which meant I could apply for ACCA and eventually became a member on June 30, 2009 after completing the Professional Exams Levels I, II & III from 2001- Dec. 2008.

GN- What are some of the challenges you have faced in life?

ABJ - I had problems in financing my education but I was fortunate to have good friends and good relatives and with a lot of sacrifice, I was able to support my education. I have to thank my family, especially my wife and children for their understanding. I usually spent a lot time reading attending classes but nonetheless, they all understood that I was doing was for my success. 

GN - Any secret to your success?

ABJ - I just have to thank God giving me the strength to overcome challenges and live up to expectation.  The secret is that I always that maintain high level of honesty, seriousness.  I had no time for parties and I always take things seriously which has made me who I am today.

GN - You don’t mind telling us your age sir?

ABJ - I will surprise you because when I meet with a lot of people and tell them I am 45 years old, they look at me and say that is not possible. Some say I look younger than my age and ask me to tell them the secret behind it.   I always tell them that it’s a gift from God although I exercise a lot, watch my diet as well as eat healthy food.

GN - When was your proudest moment in life?

Mr. Jabang - That’s a very important question; my proudest moment was the day I started to work and supporting my family. I am proud of that because at a very young age, I had a lot of responsibility.   After working for two years, I asked my father to stop work and I became fully responsible for the upkeep of the family – From that time to date, God has supported me to take care of my entire family. The other proud moment was the day I got married and got my first daughter who is presently in the UK.

GN - How did you feel when you were appointed as Director of Corporate Services?

ABJ - It is a challenge. I have always wanted to rise to a very high level. I have been eyeing such position although you cannot get them without the necessary qualification. I have tried hard to build my capacity and that has given me the opportunity to achieve such a position.  I feel happy because I think that I deserve it. This position is not something that came my way but is something I did worked for; I sacrificed a lot for my education. I took my job seriously because I believe that are many other people who want it, and I was lucky to have it so I must live up to expectation.

GN - What are your hobbies?

ABJ - My hobbies include reading. I will encourage the young ones to spend a lot of time reading. If you read you learn a lot and that’s why I cherish reading. I also like to exercise and chat with my family.

GN - What advice do you have for young people who want to excel in life like you?

ABJ – Actually, we live in this generation that is full of distractions.  I’ll advise young people to make sacrifices and put their education above everything else. Let them avoid going to nightclubs and social activities.  They should be friends with their books and pens because this can contribute in transforming them to be successful tomorrow. With the advent of the University of the Gambia, there will be more people graduating and in the near future, getting employment will be very difficult. There will come a time when people will go in for the best and if anybody wants to be part of the best of the best, they should start building the foundation now in terms of education.

GN – Your final words

ABJ - I will conclude by appealing to young people to listen to the advice of their parents.  Their generation is full of challenges so let them take their education seriously.  Fatou, to be honest this column is very interesting and I believe young people will learn from inspiring people, role models so I will like to say thanks to all staff of The Gambia Now.

For comments, suggestions contact:

fatousamba38@gmail.com/ gambiaencounter.blogspot.com or 7028558/ 9223126

Encounter with the first ever Gambian female Sea Pilot...Mrs Rohey Samba-Jallow

THE GAMBIA NOW
NO.2 MONDAY 25TH MARCH 2013
6
Welcome back to another edition of the Encounter, a column where different people are accorded the platform to share their experiences and achievements. In today’s edition of the encounter, we bring you a face-to-face discussion with the first ever Gambian female sea pilot. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Science (BSc) in Nautical Science from the Regional Maritime University in Ghana and a Master of Science Degree (MSc) in Maritime Administration from the World Maritime University in Sweden. Read on to find out more about this person
G-Now- Madam, can you please introduce yourself to our dear readers?
Rohey Samba- My name is Rohey Samba. I work at the Gambia Maritime Administration. I also write during my leisure time and I have recently published two poetry books.
What is your marital status?
I am married to a very wonderful man, Ismaila Jallow, who is calm, collected and very down-to-earth. We have been married for eleven years this year.
Can you give an account of your educational background and some of your achievements in your respective schools?
I did my primary and secondary schooling at Ndow’s Schools and graduated in 2001. When I sat to the Common Entrance Examinations in 1995, I was among the three young students accorded full scholarship by the then AFPRC Transitional Government.
I joined the Gambia Ports Authority as a Trainee Pilot in December 2001. I was inducted and underwent on the job training for two years. In 2003, I was offered a scholarship to further train in Ghana at the Regional Maritime University, where I obtained a BSc in Nautical Science in 2007. I came out as Overall Best Student and received the Admiralty of Ghana Navy Award for Best Student in Nautical Science.
Upon my return, I was promoted to Junior Pilot in 2009. In January 2010, I was seconded to the newly established Gambia Maritime Administration as Assistant Marine Surveyor. I received a scholarship from IMO to pursue a course in Maritime Affairs, specializing in Maritime Safety and Environment Administration at the World Maritime University in Sweden in September 2010. I obtained a Masters with Honours and was promoted to Principal Officer Maritime Safety and Environment upon my return, a post I hold to date.
What motivated you to become a writer?
Writing has always been my passion. I love to watch people, conjure their emotions, their thoughts and their feelings without judgment or prejudice. I love to ponder about nature, creation and the Creator. Wound together, the fabric is created for exploration of the mind in its deepest recesses, which I can only access through my writing. Effectively, by writing, I echo the lives of other people through the tenets of my own beliefs and experiences. Again focusing on things over which I have influence and/or control, I jab gently yet unequivocally what I hold to be true. Writing for me is therefore a dream come true. A means to bring about the change I want to see in society and within ourselves.
We learned that you are the first ever sea female pilot in The Gambia. How did that come about?
In 2001 when I had recently completed high school, my uncle Adama Samba (Hala) showed me a newspaper advertisement for the post of Trainee Pilot at the Gambia Ports Authority and suggested I apply. Before that, I’d never heard about sea pilotage or even been to the GPA for that matter. As fate would have it, I was called for an interview which I prepared myself for and amongst many other applicants I got the job along with three other young men. I was highly motivated on the job by my bosses especially Pilots Dad Mboob and Kulay Manneh. I spent the best years of my career thus far at the Harbours Department at GPA.
What is your greatest achievement?
My greatest achievement right now is the confidence I am gaining with age transpierced by the knowledge of profound possibilities for Gambian women in general. At the moment, I love myself, loving what I’m doing and for me this is the greatest gift of all.
Who is your role model?
I have many role models through the years. Some have nurtured and fostered me, some have changed my career facility, some have broadened my mental and intellectual capacity and some have inspired me in ways that are very difficult to express at the spur of the moment. To be specific my role models have been my parents, my guardians, my teachers, and some of my bosses. I am worthy today because of the culmination of life experiences I have garnered over the years through these people.
Can you tell us some of your challenges?
My biggest challenge is what to write without offending a soul yet, remain true to myself. You see, most people do not like to be despised so they develop different personas for different people and/or situations. A day in time, these facades will crash, so one better be true to oneself.
Another one is my very high expectation of people. It’s a challenge every time my peace of mind is shattered due to disappointment by people I hold in high esteem. Expectations in general are future disappointments planned out in advance, so I’m learning to expect less from people.
You authored two books: “Behind My Back” and “Heart Songs” which are currently hitting the market. How did it come about?
Behind My Back and Heart Songs are complementary books that were bundled in one book called “Tomorrow Waits.” When I finally had money to publish on my own, I decided to separate the two parts of the book into two different books because in spite of the central theme being the same, the style and rhythm of the two parts were intrinsically opposed.
Actually, 99% of the poems were written whilst I was away studying for my BSc in Ghana. It’s funny that a majority of the themes centered on life’s three days espoused by H.E. President Jammeh, i.e. yesterday, today and tomorrow.
With regards the themes, the notion is that yesterday is gone, today is now and tomorrow waits. Sadly people are either too busy dwelling on issues yesterday or dreaming about tomorrow to enjoy today, which is a gift and that’s why, it is called present.
Today, we all have to agree that we are doing better, with the coming of age of the internet era, proliferation of high institutions of learning and increased engagement in youth activism by an enlightened youth population. Yet our problems are inspirational since somebody is always doing better. Sadly everybody is yearning for more than he/she is entitled so we live in a society of morose individuals who should have been happier than ever if only they had appreciated the gift of the present. Contentment is what we need and faith to guide us to a tomorrow of possibilities as it waits to happen.
When was your happiest moment?
My happiest moment in life was when I had first child. As a writer, in preparation for his birth I wrote the poem - My Unborn Child; I was carrying him during my final year in Ghana. When he was born, he put everything in perspective. I never knew such love existed before. It made me look at children with a different eye.
When was your proudest moment?
My proudest moment was when I had my Masters Degree. It was like, I have done it! The reason being, I got married very early, much to the trepidation of my father, whose biggest fear was that I would not pursue my academic inclinations. When I had my first degree, it was a sigh of relief and when I finally obtained my Masters degree, I exhaled! Yet the sky is the limit, if I have the opportunity to pursue my PhD, why not? I’ll love to learn till I’m at my deathbed as it is what will make me complete.
What advice do you have for young people who want to be writers like you?
My advice would be to be disciplined and persistent. When I say disciplined, it means to keep on writing whenever you have the muse, fastidiously and unwaveringly, because talent is not genius, you need to hone your skills through practice.
Again be persistent because if you are not, you will be easily consumed by the clout or discouraged by petit squabbles. A passion is worth living for as much as it is worth dying for. So write.
How do you feel when young people regard you as their mentor especially after reading your books?
I feel honor, privilege and humility because I am myself inspired by people such as Mariama Khan, whose first launching of Futa Toro made me dare to realize my dream of authorship. I am not satisfied being a spectator in life; I believe that by writing, I can positively influence people so that if that call is recognized, it’s a bonus.
What is the secret behind your success?
There is no secret at all - its hard work and dedication to duty and God and moreover veracity to self. I touched a little on that in the poems Behind My Back and Speech of My Silence.
As a writer, what plans do you have for people who love reading your books?
I am a writer and one of the things I will like to do is not just to write for writing sake. I’m starting with poetry because it is easier but I’m better at prose and storytelling. I’ll like to touch on issues dear to me such as women empowerment in the real sense and not by lip service as is common in today’s society. I will love one day to collaborate with Social and Child Welfare to tackle issues affecting our youth, expound on teenage pregnancy, rapes and child delinquency amongst others. These institutions have the raw data but we the writers can make light of the situation in forms of parody and educative texts to inform the populace. I believe when we read these books written by Gambians for Gambians, it will have greater impact.
In short, I will like to effect positive change in the attitudes of teenagers and youth in general but especially young women because we are in greater need of mentorship if the truth is to be told.
Have you launched your books yet?
No, not yet.
Why?
Having published with my own meager resources, I could not launch the books on my own because I don’t have the funds to do so. Thus after publishing the books I wrote to all the major companies in the country for sponsorship to advertise and/or launch the books, enclosing a copy each of my books, but I did not receive any positive feedback. My sister, from the same mother, Ndey Kumba Demba, helped me get an interview at the GRTS, which was phenomenal in that right after the interview, I received many phone calls from well wishers who used to read my articles on the Daily Observer newspaper and within a short period of time, I was able to sell a reasonable number of books at the local stores. Good things take time so it’s okay not to launch because what is not meant to be cannot be. I guess I have to work harder the next time around. Once there is life, there is hope. I’m still young.
Your final words
I am very proud of what you are doing Fatou – interviewing young people, profiling them - this is very educative and motivating. Thanks so much for the good work.