Gambians of all walks of life especially reporters and the members of the media fraternity as well as the political class mourned the death of Alhaji Sarjo Barrow, a veteran journalist who died Sunday.

He will be dearly missed. Sarjo Barrow’s kindness, generosity, sharp intellect and thoughtful take on the big issues of the Gambia’s effects on the marketplace of ideas for his vernacular audiences.

The Gambia has lost a true voice of reason, who intervenes with his lucid and informed commentaries at critical times in the life of the nation. It is not too much if we celebrate his life and times as a nationalist, a patriot or nation builder.

Alhaji Sarjo Barrow bestrode firmament of the Gambian traditional broadcast media landscape as a colossus and inspired in young reporters the virtues of dedication, excellence and forthrightness in journalism. An icon of our age, he played a frontline role in the formation and sustainability of vernacular broadcasting.

He was a warm and welcoming person who had a lasting impression at first encounter with anybody. His skill as a journalist and public opinion molder shone brightly in his radio programs in vernacular, voice of reason and vanguard, as his style as simple as it is, is very compelling, making journalism attractive for young traditional communicators as an influential calling.

Sarjo was a giant. He was smart and pithy and tough as nails. There wasn’t anyone else like him in traditional communication. What a loss. I’m so sorry for his family and close friends. He was a trailblazing figure; a role model to young traditional reporters at a time when the profession was still dominated by men and women from the public broadcaster; a constant more than two decades of a shifting media landscape and changing world, informing voters about the issues of our time and mentoring young traditional journalists every step of the way. He will be missed – and we send our condolences to his family.

Alhaji Sarjo Barrow was a trailblazer who forever transformed the role of vernacular broadcasting in the newsroom and in our history books. Over five decades of celebrated journalism, Sarjo Barrow shone a powerful light on the unsung men heroes who built our nation, but whose stories had long gone untold. As he helped tell the full story of the Gambia’s history, he helped shape its future – inspiring countless young men and boys to follow in his groundbreaking footsteps.

We are comforted that our doyen in journalism departed on a beautiful note, we say alhamdulillah for a gracious transition! As we pray for the entire family that Allah gives them the fortitude to bear his passage, Inna lillahi wa Inna ilaihi raji’un.

By Alagi Yorro Jallow