(JollofNews) – Poignant tributes have been pouring in on Facebook to a former Gambian minister of the Interior, Sulayman Masanneh Ceesay, who died on Saturday after a brief illness.
Born on 23rd November 1939 to Dodou MM Ceesay, former Trade Unionists and Ellen King, Mr Ceesay worked in the Gambia’s civil service for many decades and served as commissioner in all the five administrative regions of the Gambia. He served as Interior minister from September 2003 to May 2004 and was also achairman of the Gambia Public Service Commission, which deals in a fair, unbiased and unprejudiced manner in the selection, promotion, and discipline of civil servants.
Paying tribute to him, Lamin Camara wrote: “He was one of Gambia’s finest and most cultured civil servants of all times, the like of which we’re not gonna see for a long time. His honesty and integrity in the dispensation of his duties as a civil servant is second to none. ..I wish we can all read a page in his legacy as one of Gambia’s finest technocrats. ….adieu SMC….rest in eternal peace.”
Dodou Jawneh wrote: “ I have had the privilege to work with Sulayman Masanneh Ceasay when he was chairman of the PSC and I as acting secretary to the Commission. He always pushed me to work to the best of my ability and for that I will remain grateful forever. My heartfelt sympathy to his family and all former civil service colleagues. May his soul rest in peace.”
Galandou Gorre Ndiaye wrote: “In my salad days as an assistant commissioner in Georgetown [JanJangbureh] he mentored me. I thank God for his life and that our paths crossed because I was edified by it. He leaves behind a notable legacy. We mourn his loss. May his soul rest in peace.”
Prince Bubacarr Aminata Sankanu wrote: “Sulayman Massaneh Ceesay, one of my mentors, joins the ancestors with a collection of intangible wealth of knowledge on the colonial, post-colonial first republic and the post-revolutionary second republican evolution of the Gambia. My next Gambian visits will be very boring as I will not readily find an open-minded senior gentleman who will literally adopt me, repeatedly invite me for exclusive refreshing intellectual breakfasts, dinners and prayers while expressing concern for my future as the venerable Sir Sulayman Masanneh Cessay was doing.”
Bakary Sonko, a neighbour to the late former minister wrote: “I still can’t believe it even after helping to take his body out. I am still standing at our gate waiting to see if he will pass by so we could share a joke and give me some words of wisdom.”
Mai Ahmad Fatty, leader of the opposition Gambia Moral Congress party wrote: “Unbelievable! I feel so sad. Just few days ago I had a very positive exchange with him. He was upbeat. I am so devastated. May Allah grant him Firdaus. ”
Sainey MK Marenah wrote: “I just wake up to the news that my friend and Uncle Saul Ceesay has answer to the Almighty Allah’s call today. Please join me in prayers for Uncle Sulayman Masanneh Ceesay, a veteran civil servant who has serve the Gambia in almost all the sectors. He called me just last week, wishing us happy deliberations on World Press Freedom Day. Uncle Saul you are gone but your memory will forever live on. May Allah grant you Janatul Firdaus. This is the man who encouraged me lot in my profession to also keep my head up. He has also been a source inspiration for young ones. Rest in peace Uncle Saul until we meet again.”
