Gainako Newspaper

Dear Comrades:

I, Yankuba Jambang wish to inform my colleagues in the media and the readership
of Gambian online news outlets that I have decided, on principles, to quit as the
associate editor of Freedom newspaper.com with immediate effect for the following
reason(s):

-Journalism is a responsible reporting and maintaining ethics; informing the public with credible news
and not otherwise - this does not obtain at freedomnewspaper.com any more.

-Freedom newspaper's editor, Pa Ndery has resorted to the practice of censoring my observations
on the stories he published without deciphering the truth from fiction, checking the language and
making necessary corrections with view to avoiding unforeseen libel, defamatory and slanderous law
suits. The most recent such incredible stories were the Daily Observer "insider's" ignoramus attack
on Dr. Saga Taal and the fictitious Lamarana Jallows's incoherent diatribes on Col. Sam Sarr. I
believe a grade 6 student in The Gambia would be able to connect the dots on that "disinformation"
from Lamarana. And, much to my chargrin, the associate editor of the paper, Muhammed Jawara
has decided to be Lamarana's defense attorney with an even immature argument. A porous matter in
a perforated container cannot be solid!

When Lamarana wrote: "BB was one of those working with Sam on Jawara's comeback" and again
said:"BB was posed to replace Jammeh if his plan materializes", one is bound to ask questions
because the statements are contradictory.But editor Jawara with no journalistic background
whatsoever thought the story was fit for publication!

On the coup statement, my argument was why would Sam Sarr subject Mr. Conateh for writing a
statement when he (Sam) has the talents to do more than that. What Pa Ndery and Jawara failed to
understand is that, be it Yahya Jammeh, Sana Sabally or Edward can each write statement on the
coup. They had planned for it and each of these people had attended highly prestigious high schools
in the Gambia and were good students academically. I said this because I have seen records;
Edward at St. Augustine's where I too, did my A' levels, as for Sana Sabally I used his note books
from Armitage when I was sitting for my O' levels years ago. If Pa Ndery and Jawara are able to
write good statements why can't Jammeh and his men who graduated in late 1970s when standard in
schools were far better than in our days? What Jawara and cannot appreciate is the fact that though
these people(Jammeh and co) may have not held any high public office, they have been involved in
the system since early 1980s when Jawara might have been a toodler. Let them; Pa and Jawara, tell
the public why Sam Sarr would leave Jai Saidy, former president Jawara's press sectary for Mr.
Conateh? Why would he leave Ebrima K. Sarr, former parliamentary secretary who used to write
poetry for DK Jawara for M. Conateh?The story forwarded by Lamarana lacks merit due to
inconsistencies and therefore unfit for publication.

I am out of the paper, period. Pa Ndery even went to an extent of posting my second piece on
Lamarana only to remove it in minutes because he did not feel confortable with it without contacting
me. Well, editor Jawara's is hanging up there because it's pleasing to his ears.

Yankuba Jambang
Minneapolis, Minnesota

...........................INTERVIEW
“ ON-LINE PORTALS CAN BECOME AN ENGINE OF
.GOOD FOR POSTERITY ” –Says Momodou Laama Jallow
..............................................By GON...Posted May 21st, 2007

In an exclusive interview with Gainako, Mr. Momodou Laama Jallow discussed his writings,
his engagements and efforts to support a true course at a time of political redemption. Laama,
whose pieces can be found in the archives of Gainako, authored a lot of pieces, most of which
provoked healthy debates at Gainako; one such was the soccer game an epic battle between
Uniclam and Napoli. Laama, who has expertise in computers, also enjoys writing historical
pieces about our surroundings that resonates with the people. He is also the secrete giant
behind Gainako together with its editors, a mutual respect deal which is admirable. At his
resident in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA (GON) caught with him, and below we reproduce
the whole interview.

GON: Good evening Mawdo Laama. You command a lot of respect to our readers especially the
younger generation. Tell us a little about yourself.

Laama: Well as you are aware, I am the founder of Gamway computers, a computer company that
design websites and web base systems, an entrepreneur per se. More importantly I consider myself
a simple man but a proud Gambian. I believed in the greatness of our people- The Gambian people.
Given the right opportunity the right environment the people could excel extremely well in all
endeavors.

GON: You are the great architect (Technical guru) behind the birth of The Gambia Echo and later
instrumental in reviving Gainako to its current prominence. Tell us something about it how you feel
about shaping history in that direction.

Laama: Humbling experience. Honestly my participation in these endeavors originally emanates
purely out of commercial interest. I simply provide the technical know- how to get the websites up
and running. My hope is that these on-line portals become an engine of good for posterity. A
repository of knowledge that succeeding generations will inherit and cherish. To serve as a time
capsule for a given time, a snapshot of this moment and beyond.

GON: You authored a lot of pieces, among them the great " Karamoko", "Erinjang", "Deutchland",
and "Nerves" amongst many. Tell us a little about your motivation to write those pieces.

Laama: In my pieces I am trying to capture the essence of the Gambian experienced as seen
through the eyes of many. My objective is to write stories that will resonate with many people. In a
way it is a celebration of our common heritage, interest, experience and way of life that reflects the
broader Gambian communality. You have to remember that I grew up in the Gambia, at a time when
literary materials uniquely Gambian was very scarce. The few that were available such as "Meet me
in Conakry" by Samsudeen Sarr was greatly celebrated and treasured. -A real Gambian classic. I
hope this form of desktop publishing will built on this legacy by ushering a new era of Gambian
writers and a body of literary writings that is accessible to a broader segment of the people to read
and enjoy.

GON: Since your association with Gainako, you dually served both as its System Administrator,
and mentor, together with the two Baldehs. How do you like working with the team?

Laama: Great! Team Gainako is very formidable. I like the frankness of the views, and most
importantly the diversity of the topics, the overall approach to the issues and most importantly its
commitment to be a fair and balanced medium of information.

GON: Being the computer expert you are, you are well known to avoid being political. What do
you make of politics?

Laama: On the contrary, I love politics especially healthy political discourse; I guess sometimes the
mean spirit ness is what I found disheartening. I tried to avoid weighing on political matters that I am
not fully conversant with or due lack of adequate information drawn the wrong conclusion that
adversely affects people lives. Well I believed in informed decision.

GON: Your dedication to Gainako is no open secrete. What's special in it?

Laama: I guess, balanced. The paper allows other forms of views without undue restrictions or
censorship. Its "open door policy" of publishing issues that are not only politics is my main
attraction. Hence my decision to become a regular contributor to this website.

GON: It's hard to tell that your specialty is computer Systems. Most of what we followed
resembles the work of a historian, at times even poetic in style and nature but in your resume, you
were a science student. What will your former schoolmates in high say about you?

Laama: Well I never really abandoned my first love, SCIENCE. Interesting that few days ago I
was tutoring my daughter rudimentary algebra. Maybe at some point in the future we might discuss
the works of Hegel, Karl Max and perhaps even relativity by Albert Einstein. Or shall I say maybe
discussed the crux of Riemann hypothesis (...laugh). It is just that for now my passion is to write
things uniquely Gambian. I am simply using my life experienced as a vehicle to create characters that
many Gambians will identify with.

GON: No doubt you are soccer fan and a then soccer player as evident in your piece. Briefly tell us
about this experience?

Laama: Well as you are aware I was a soccer player in my day. An experience best described in
the piece "UNICLAM" I am still an avid fan of the game and really followed soccer developments
worldwide especially in the Gambia. Having said this, I might add that I am also an avid American
football fan and a strong supporter of the Carolina Panthers

GON: Any works on the Pipeline?

Laama: Look out for my next piece "BOY DOMA" - The Gambian Einstein

GON: Thank you for being Gainako's special guest. What's your last word to Gainako's readers?

Laama: We are experiencing an interesting time and we are all witness to the making of history or
as one writer puts it " The dawn of Gambian literary renaissance ". I hope the views to be more
divergent, the topics more diverse and the discussion more indebt. Also to be more inclusive above
all to urged Gambian women to participate by introducing topics that cover a wide range of
spectrum.

Below is a list of the pieces written by our gallant shephered Laama Jallow

..NERVES - An Apotheosis of a whole generation
..UNICLAM - A Nawettan Phenomen
..ROUSE -The Ideosyncracies of youth
..ERINJANG - Under the Shadow of the gods
..87 STUDENT RIOT -Lost of our Innocence
..FANKA MANNEH - The Floating prophet
..DEUTCHLAND - Land of My Dreams
..KARAMOKO - An embodiment of a Genius, Mystics and Teacher
..AFRICA - A Confluence of History, Tragedy & Hope

© Copyright, 2006-2007: Gainako On-line Newspaper . Site Maintained by Gamway Computers