A foundation in memory of the philosophy and activism of Omar Amadou Jallow, commonly known as OJ, has been set up.
Family members of the late statesman, led by his namesakes, decided to establish the foundation to promote his philosophy and virtues of advocating for the welfare of the less privileged.
They said the initiative is taken to continue the spirit and philosophy of the former minister who gave a lot to the less privileged, especially in the month of Ramadan.
At the Pipeline house on Sunday, the foundation distributed food including rice, sugar and cooking oil to support a lot of families in this month of Ramadan.
Omar Amadou Jallow Jr, one of the namesakes of the late famous Serekunda politician, said the founders of the foundation would do their best to maintain the legacy of the late politician OJ.
Amie Jallow, a daughter of the late politician, thanked OJ’s namesakes for coming up with “the idea which is warmly welcomed by the family”.
Prominent Muslim leader and imam Baba Leigh, a friend of OJ, commended the Jallow family and the initiators for continuing the late man’s great legacy.
He quoted one of the many namesakes, saying the late OJ had embraced kindness, generosity and selflessness, and constantly patronised the need of others, offering assistance without hesitation and embracing all with open heart.
“In his spirit, we continue together to support and uplift those who need us the most in this blessed month of Ramadan, a time when charity giving holds profound significance,” he said.
Kebba Jallow, a direct family member to OJ, said: “Omar Amadou Jallow was a good man and he spent the whole of his life in serving humanity.”
Speaking further, he said the members of the PPP – People’s Progressive Party, the Gambia historicparty OJ once headed, has learned modesty, sharing, love, and caring from the late man.
He advised all to emulate the late man, justifying that despite having a different political ideology, OJ was having a cordial relationship with its leader as they used to associate and chat.
“Let’s follow his legacy and help one another and be united as he used to do,” he appeals.
James F. Gomez, a family friend to OJ, said the late honourable Jallow did extremely well for the society, which is in line with Gambian and African values. “So, I think every young Gambian, whether you are a politician or not, you should emulate OJ and you should be able to use his life as a book that you can learn from,” he said.
He added that the veteran politician contributed immensely to national development hence there is a need for Gambian young politicians to continue from where OJ, Sir Dawda Jawara and others stopped in building the nation.
The event was witnessed by a cross section of prominent people who knew the late politician closely and from afar.
