The African saying that where you sit when you are old shows where you stood when you were young. This is true of the story of Uncle Ousman Boto Conateh(Fisco).

Uncle Fisco as he is known was born in Banjul at 11 Dobson Street to mam Mamudow Bah daughter of Mam juma Ndure a linguere from the family of Mam Mbengan Ndure the first burr Saloum. Domii ndeye Alh. Kebba Demba and Agi Mamy Conateh. Nephew to Alh. Kebba Njie Juma. Mbokii yaiyee Rohey NjieJuma ak Mam Marie Njie Juma.

His grandma Juma Ndure was a community leader and a businesswoman, a sister to Mam Sadaga Ndure and Samba Ndure.

Uncle Fisco was football administrator, a cricketer and a national cyclist during his youthful days. The  founding father of Wallidan Football Club in 1969 with the help of the likes of Late Alhaji Babou Sowe and Abdoulie Ngum. He was elected the president of The Gambia Football Association in 1993. He has contributed so much to the development of sports in The Gambia particularly football. 

As a former executive member of the Banjul Youth Organisation (Bayo), the organisers of local/community football in the capital city of Banjul, I have witnessed his financial support to grassroot football. He has also mediated many a times between the committee and football teams in the sports fraternity.

As a enterprenuer, he ran the National Partnership Enterprise employing many youths and women providing them with economic empowerment. Uncle O.B is a father figure to many and paid school fees for 100’s of people in and around Banjul. His house at Campama estate is a youth centre that welcomes everyone who needs support.

One of the few magii Banjuls, he is a person of community standing. Uncle Fisco plays an important role in the running of King Fahd mosque and he host the annual Tijanniyya ziar.

The saying that behind every successful man is a woman, Agi Ndey Faal Conateh has been a pilar of support. A dynamic woman from the Faal dynasty who rule Kayor until after the demise of Samba Loabeh Faal in 1922.

Gorr gii sii kaduu guu nooi gii, wakh jama dii dogg jamaa. Ken deguut saa ayeeb. 

Setti burr Saloum, domii linguere gorrgi faris yee. Borom jam yasaa kawoon. Koo bokaal dimbaleh ngaa koo, am ngaa yeremande teh fonkaa dom mii adam.

Alh. O. B Conateh  mooi raai bii train yee dii teggu,Yalnaa saa meiy yagaa Conateh. We must celebrate this icon and ask Allah’s mercy be on his humble soul.

By Ebrima Jawo