Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un

The death of a veteran journalist marks the end of an era. When an elder, brimming with knowledge and wisdom, passes away, it’s as if a library has burned to the ground. The harsh and inevitable reality of death has claimed Alhaji Ngange Demba Thomas, a veteran Gambian journalist whose influence reached countless individuals within the press communities of Gambia and Senegal. 

He has departed for his final abode, leaving us in sorrow. Yet, we have nothing to express but tears and heartfelt sorrow, uttering only words that our Lord permits.

To mourn Alhaji Ngange Demba Thomas is not to diminish our love for him but to honour his eternal memory. Despite his early departure from life, he leaves behind a tremendous legacy. 

As a true friend and mentor, I embrace the memory of Alhaji Ngange Demba Thomas. He embodied William Shakespeare’s words: “When he shall die, Take him and cut him out in little stars, And he will make the face of heaven so fine That all the world will be in love with night And pay no worship to the garish sun.”

I extend my heartfelt and profound condolences to his bereaved family, the entire Gambian media fraternity, and the people of Gambia. Struck by one of the most terrible news of 2024, the Gambian media fraternity has lost a father, grandfather, friend, uncle, and comrade in journalism and scholarship. 

Gambia has bid farewell too soon to one of its finest, a true journalist of vast knowledge, a sociable individual, and a patriot with unwavering faith in Gambia’s progress and development. I join Gambian journalists and all of Gambia in mourning the loss of the doyen Alhaji Ngange Demba Thomas and offer my sympathies to his family. 

Having known him for over 30 years, the last time I saw him was at a lunch at his residence in Churchill’s Town, in the company of the esteemed  late Dr. SaJa Taal, the prolific scholar and public intellectual.

Thomas, a true doyen of journalism whose words shaped our understanding of the world. Alhaji Ngange Demba Thomas was not just a journalist; he was a storyteller, a truth-seeker, and a beacon of integrity in an ever-changing media landscape.

Alhaji Ngange Demba Thomas, a fearless journalist from the 1970s and 1980s, belonged to the “Golden generation of the finest Gambian journalism.” He stood among the ranks of doyens and veteran journalists like Dixon Colley of the Nation newspaper, along with a long list of his colleagues in the private press. As the writer and editor of The Gambian, whose motto was “No Justice, No Peace,” he made his mark.

Alhaji Ngange Demba Thomas, affectionately known, stands as a literary giant, a colossus, a genius, and without a doubt, the pride of our generation. His discerning mind, mirroring Ngange’s own, would never condone crude tyranny; to do so would be to surrender one’s intellectual sovereignty. 

With Alhaji Ngange Demba Thoma, the supersonic boom of ideas and the thunderous barrage of thought resonate and echo. Indeed, he was a maestro of the pen, a ‘wordsmith’ without equal. An unparalleled and formidable fiery journalist, he was among our most distinguished essayists and compelling columnists in his heyday of journalism.

Alhaji Ngange Demba Thomas might have been ideally suited to regale us with his autobiography, promising an adventure in its own right. It is fair to assert that he was among Gambia’s most esteemed and influential print journalists. 

As a versatile intellectual and multidisciplinary scholar, his writings and scholarly articles span a multitude of fields, such as Literature, Politics, Governance, Democratization, Pan-Africanism, Cultural Production, Post-Colonial Theory, Creative Writing, and beyond. His intellectual acumen, candor, impartiality, and integrity are greatly admired.

Throughout his illustrious career, Alhaji Ngange Demba Thomas demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the principles of journalism. His ability to dispassionately assemble facts and present them in a clear, intelligent manner earned him the respect and admiration of colleagues and readers alike. 

Alhaji Ngange Demba Thomas believed in giving the reader the credit of understanding the import of the news, allowing them to draw their own conclusions without unnecessary embellishment.

Alhaji Ngange Demba Thomas ‘s work was characterised by a deep sense of responsibility and a relentless pursuit of truth. He covered stories that mattered, shedding light on issues that others might have overlooked. His writing was not just about reporting events; it was about connecting with people, understanding their struggles, and giving a voice to the voiceless.

Beyond their professional achievements, Alhaji Ngange Demba Thomas was a mentor, a friend, and a guiding light to many aspiring journalists. He was always willing to share his wisdom, offering guidance and support to those who followed in his footsteps. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched and the many journalists he inspired.

As we remember Alhaji Ngange Demba Thomas today, let us celebrate his life and the indelible mark he left on the world of journalism. Let us honor his dedication to truth, his passion for storytelling, and his unwavering commitment to the highest standards of the craft. 

Rest in peace, Alhaji Ngange Demba Thoma. Your words will continue to inspire us, and your legacy will live on in the stories we tell.

May Allah grant him Alijannah Firdausi.

By Alagi Yorro Jallow

Editor’s note:
Thank you Alagi Yorro Jallow for a befitting tribute to a journalism great and a true exceptional writer and mentor. I am a journalist today thanks to him. He handpicked me when I visited the Daily Observer to submit an essay I wrote to commemorate the Day of the African Child. He told me I should consider journalism as a career and introduced me to the amazing Hassoum Ceesay who was then the news editor. And as they say the rest is history. I pray his soul rest in peace and may Jaantul Firdaus be his abode.
Ameen!