Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un (Verily we belong to Allah, and verily to Him do we return). Death is a necessary end for all of us, and it comes when it comes. It hardly gives notice nor the room for consultation or negotiations. For those close to this gentleman, I offer my condolences to Bakary Bax Sonko in Germany, Fabu Sabally, Paa Amady Jallow, and all the people of Jarra Sankwia and Niumi Sika.
I’m speechless. Words can’t capture the magnitude of the loss of Kotoke Alhagie Bakary Sonko, commonly called “Ndembo.” Death is a shadow that always; ALWAYS follows the body. A universal, inevitable phenomenon that picks the weak and the strong, the rich and the poor, young and old.
“Every man must do two things alone; he must do his own believing and own dying” (Martin Luther – not the King). Yes. All that lives must die. It is a debt we must pay.
In the words of Hilaire Beloc, “Death is what even politicians fail to bribe or swindle, bully or blackmail”. Fare thee well, Alhagie Bakary Sonko.
Kotoke Alhagie Bakary Sonko was a brilliant, irrepressible, irreverent educator, a beautiful human being, a devoted husband and father, and a loyal and lovely friend to all of us who were privileged to know him. We first met through my cousin brother Fabu Sabally of Sankwia village in the early 1990s. He was a very close confidant and business partner to Fabu Sabally and my elder brother, Paa Amady Jallow.
I was immediately struck by the sharpness of his mind, kindness of his heart, and selflessness of his soul. His passion for youth progress was deep and infectious. I regarded him as my intellectual and moral mentor. I learned a lot more from him in his analytical and provocative discussions on a wide range of issues. I’ll always cherish his contribution to my intellectual and personality growth.
He was simply amongst the most intelligent and compelling teachers of his generation. He was also an exceptional educator and an ardent supporter of independent journalism and free press. He helped media houses with newsprints, and IT supplies at a reasonable cost and sometimes free of charge.
We have lost a blossoming quintessential businessman and a philanthropist. I admired him, loved him, and will miss him, that mischievous smile of his, the flashes of extraordinary insight in every conversation, his uproarious laughter and joy of life, the authenticity of his humanity and impeccable integrity and ethical living.
Kotoke Alhagie Bakary Sonko is gone, is unimaginable in its cruelty. Still, it was a privilege to have known him, to have friendship with him, to have travelled the journey towards educating young people pieces of knowledge with him. For that, we can all be grateful that he lived among us, enlightened young people’s lives, minds, and hearts. He inspired a lot of young people.
Alhagie Bakary: You were so alive; ‘death’ is so inappropriate. You have simply transferred, transposed, translated, transited, transversed, transmuted, and transcended. Ndembo Sonko – a decent human being: you were so gracious, soft-spoken, and open-hearted.
Kotoke, your faith, and quiet deeds touched many, many hearts. All things bright and beautiful; the Lord God made them all. ‘He gave us eyes to see them, and lips that we might tell’.
Alhagie Bakary Sonko (Ndembo) from Niumi Sika (rest in Peace): May Allah grants you the highest Jannat-ul-Firdausi.
