Gainako Newspaper

In an exclusive interview with Mr. Omar Ann a recent graduate in business administration
and long-term residence of Raleigh, North Carolina speaks about his humble beginning,
his family and the unique support that has been the driving force behind his success. Mr.
Ann who is married with three beautiful children is also an active member of the Gambian
community. At his recent graduation ceremony (GON) caught up with him and below is
the full interview.

GON: Mr. Ann on this great occasion can you briefly described yourself?

ANN: Thanks God, Thank God! My name is Omar Ann from Brikama, Latrikunda,
and Banjul. I attended Brikama Primary school, Latrikunda primary school. I did
my high school education at Muslim High School. I graduate in 1987.

GON: What this achievement meant to you and your family?

ANN: First and foremost, I would thank God the almighty for having accorded me and my family
this opportunity. I would also like to thank my mother, my family and friends. It means a lot to all of
us. In life any goal is set and achieved, it is rewarding. It is by no means an easy task.

GON: Considering the difficulties of going to school, raising a family how did you managed to
balance this difficult task?

ANN: As you know well the difficulties of raising kids in a purely western society, it takes patience,
growth and perseverance. I have been very lucky to be surrounded by good people. Remember our
biggest resource is ourselves and I have been lucky to know good people.

GON: What is your future plans?

ANN: I am planning to get to a higher degree to change as many lives as possible. This graduation
ceremony is symbolic but for me the real graduation is when I am able to sit and reflect how many
lives I have helped to improve for the better.

GON: Any Advice to Gambian Youths in Raleigh and America in general?

ANN: My advice to any youth or person for that matter is to keep chasing your dream and
whatever life's pursuits. There are going to be many abstracts but your strength carries you through.
Remember there are some who prohesized your failure but only if you let them succeed. While it is
agreeable that some of life's plans don't go well as planned you must be receptive to change.

I personally take solace from my own mother who got her first degree after having four ugly children
( laugh) The fear of the impossible is eased when there is hope for the possible. We should all avoid
being out of focus. I strongly encourage all those who can to seek knowledge in the most humble
way possible. Experience has taught me that in the thirst and quest for knowledge, one must equally
do away with arrogance and it is always a plus to be a good listener. Never go into an argument to
win but rather make a point. Another important task to conquer is how to respect dissent and not
see it grudgingly. In all of life's facets, dissent is what helps one attain the point of equilibrium on the
alchemy to achieved balance. From my humble opinion dissent is healthy and our challenged is how
to reconcile personal opinion with a different point of view.

Lastly we should encourage everybody in whatever their pursuits are stress to them it is possible to
achieved. I strongly and whole-heartedly admire those that have worked hard to achieve their goals
in the various disciplines. We need more successful people in all avenues of life. Remember
education is not just in the classroom setting.

GON: Anybody in particular that contribute influence and support you to persevere?

ANN: After thanking God, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to my mother for believing in
me and not giving up. Secondly my sincere appreciation to my wife Haddy Nyan of 11 years and
counting for lifting certain huddles on me in order for me to achieve this honor. You know how
difficult it is without help. My three beautiful kids have also played an important part in helping me
grow and lastly to all family members and friends whom when push come to shove they save me or
give me a chance to live another day.

GON: You are recognized to be very active in the community especially Gambians social circle in
Raleigh. What are your thoughts in those compliments?

ANN: As you know I am a social animal. I love people without any reservations. I may occasionally
disagree with a thought but I may not harbor grudges as a consequence. Our community should be
front and center because we have our kids here. So, how we shape up is very important and we all
have important roles to play if we want history to be kind to us all.

I hope and pray that history will be kind to us all. I wish you all and everybody success in various
pursuits of life

Thanks again for your forum

...." BOY DOMA "
....The Gambian Einstein
......................................By Momodou Laama Jallow.......Posted May 29th, 2007

" His theory, on solar eclipse alien to the crowd, and a people unable to comprehend this new revolutionary
idea, quickly dubbed him "Boy Doma" - a name that regrettably signifies fear of the unknown, yet at the same
time embodies a grudging respect and admiration for unusual talent. In retrospect this becomes the reflection
of the state of mind of a society and in a larger context, a nation still wrestling from traditional beliefs at the
dawn of the 20th century. "

In a small room made of bamboo (Kirin-tin), Banjul The Gambia, 23 year old Pico
sat in front of table with makeshift electronic assembly made from salvaged parts of
an old army field radio and a couple of broken transistors. On one end of the table
lay a car battery with parallel wires running from each terminal pole to the makeshift
unit. Another long wire protrude from this unit and is connected to what look like a
long antenna that passes through the window and was being held outside above the
ground by one his friends. Like someone solving a jigsaw puzzle Pico intensely stared
at this makeshift assembly- a Ham radio. The room was very quite.

Oblivious to everybody around him Pico moved around the table inspecting the maze of wires that
represented the artery of the whole assembly. Occasionaly tightening loose screws, plugs and
connections. The silence in the room was palpable. Finally satisfied, he then carefully turned on the
power and then slowly rotated what look like a dial knob. Like a radio, came a crackle noise
followed by an intermittent static's. Amidst this cosmic chaos, suddenly came a low pitch sound
barely audible. Everyone inched closer for better reception. Pico delicately increase the volume, the
clarity becomes much better -"Beep!" "Beep!" Beep!" and then followed by a brief silence. This is
repeated at regular intervals. After a couple of cycles the signal is now unmistakable. Can you hear
it? Pico yelled. Yes! His friends answered. What is this pinging signal somebody asked? SPUTNIK!
.....SPUTNIK! he answered. He has just captured impulse signals from the Russian satellite
sputnik- the first man made object to orbit the earth lunched in October 1957 by the Soviet Union.
"Boy Doma"! They all screamed in adulation, some even shaking their heads in amazement.

Late the previous year, during the Easter holidays, Pico stunned everyone in his community by
winning the "Kit Contest". A famous competition that drew the best boys and young men from all
over Banjul. He successfully flew his kit from the old Box Bar Stadium (Tati Pac) all the way to
Gambia Ports authority. His only navigational control was a long string wrapped on a short stick.
Moreover he successfully recovered his kit after such a long flight. A phenomenal feat considering
that most contestants either abandons their kits by cutting it loose or it get tangled in telephone and
electrical poles all over the city. Those that witness this event still talks of how like a maestro playing
the violin, He delicately handled the flight by occasionally jerking the string it to ease the tension and
gain lift. They still remembered the unusual shape of his kit. Its long elongated diamond shape and
large surface area- a novelty and was never tried by anyone before. His secret was Pico understood
a little bit about aerodynamics and how to use lift and drag to his advantage.

During Christmas festivities it was traditional in Banjul, to have different groups forming association
or clubs and build lanterns. During this time of great pomp and pageantry, Pico introduced two
concepts that were revolutionary. First due to the large incident of fire that ruins weeks of
painstaking labor due to the usage of candles as a source of light Pico adopt the practiced of using
batteries as a more stable source of light. Second the mobility of these Lanterns especially the huge
built in the form of boats was very labor intensive. Teams of boys and men will have to carry the
whole thing Pico introduced the idea of using an improvised wheel cart by adding axles connected to
a wheel. Once even adding a steering column. This was not only a welcome relief for all the
able-bodied boys and men but at the time a marvel innovation.

One day on a hot summer afternoon, Pico and his cousin on a short visit to their grandmother in
Wilberforce street, on the other section of Banjul known as Half-Die decided to take the short
route back home to Soldier Town through the dried swamps (Tan)- a Buffer zone that protects
residential area to potential flood of the river Gambia. On their way they saw what appears to be
water glistening in the distance. Every time they come closer the image disappears and then
re-appear in the distant. His cousin unable to understand this aberration got scared and ran home.
Pico stood for a while observing this phenomenon. When he reached home he was besieged by his
parents who admonished and warn him about the dangers of young boys wondering during the
daytime especially when the sun is very hot. (Local beliefs have it that aliens snatched people
during these times). Pico calmly explained to them that the event horizon witness by him and his
cousin is nothing supernatural but a mirage. He further explained how such anomaly is just an optical
illusion in which atmospheric refraction by a layer of hot air distorts or inverts reflections of distant
objects. He then concluded that the image observed is probably transposed from the other end of
town.

Three years earlier, during a solar eclipse Pico stood in front of a large crowd at the junction of Kent
Street and Anglesea and offered a rational explanation for this celestial event. He demonstrated by a
series of sketches on the bare tarmac that this is a consequence of the Moon coming directly
between the Earth and the Sun, thereby temporarily blocking out the Suns rays. His theory, alien to
the crowd, and a people unable to comprehend this new idea, quickly dubbed him "Boy Doma" - a
name that regrettably signifies fear of the unknown, yet at the same time embodies a grudging
respect and admiration for unusual talent. In retrospect this becomes the reflection of the state of
mind of a society and in a larger context, a nation still wrestling from traditional beliefs at the dawn of
the 20th century.

Momodou Laama Jallow
North Carolina, USA

........WYOU TV MUSIC
PROMOTOR SANKULAY JALLOW CALLS FOR VOTE
OF CONFIDENCE.
...................By Gainako....................Posted May 28th, 2007

Talking to Gainako Staffers earlier on today, Famous WYOU African music
promoter, Mr. Sankulay Jallow was echoing calls for support in a new take by
WYOU TV, Madison (WI) to have producers receive awards based on the
number of votes they receive.

“Let them go ahead and vote for me. I am here representing them as far as the African music goes,
and I won’t let them down.” Said Mr. Jallow during an exclusive interview with Gainako.

Mr. Jallow revealed to Gainako that he was nominated for three awards namely; Series on African
Music from the continent; live format series on Music from the African continent; and one time music
performance on Jaliba Kuyateh.

Hopeful Mr. Jallow expressed appreciation to those that already stormed the WYOU TV station
and demanded to vote for him because they love his music series. He further stressed that all those
that want to participate should do so before Friday June 1st 2007. In another kind-hearted gesture,
Mr. Jallow invites all African Musicians on WYOU TV.

The votes that well-wishers will give him at the TV station and on the net (www.wyou.org), will
determine his victory on these awards.

Editor’s note: It is to be noted that Mr. Sankulay Jallow is one of those few Gambians who
devoted all their precious times at the expense of their families sacrificing for Africans as far as
African Music Promotion goes in America. Not long ago, he was the host to Kora born Superstar,
Jaliba Kuyateh. Alongside, he features a wide range of African music, hence the name “African
Music from the continent.) It is our view at Gainako that such a man deserves all the support to win
these pending awards. Gainako is asking all its readers to give support to the man while it is
necessary in their eyes in a view to encourage him. Please visit www.wyou.org to vote for Uncle
Sanks. Gainako will update its readers with developments at WYOU TV, and a special reporter will
soon be assigned to cover their Sunday weekly African Music Series.

....FOUR DJS IN ROAR;
AS "JALI MUSO" SANG THE PRAISES.
........By Staff writer..............................Posted May 28th, 2007

The memorial weekend went groovy in Minnesota on Sunday May 27th, after four DJs sparked the
twin cities in full beams at a baby naming ceremony of one Mr. Ebrima Touray. It was the initial
stance of the paper not to make this a newspaper story, but as things intensified, the press became
no guest to this wonderful program. Instead, Gainako decided to share such a program with its
wide readership. The decision to get the story onboard site Gainako was also consulted with the
owners of the program which they Okayed.

The four DJs and music promoters namely Mr. Sankulay Jallow alias Sanks (From WYOU TV,
Madison, Wisconsin), International DJ Bamba Jallow alias Wowu (From New York), DJ Ismaila
Janneh alias Mosh-dooly (From Madison, Wisconsin), and host DJ Lamin Jagne alias Bless were all
in full parade. In attendance also Jali Muso alias Tappanding, Malian Born traditional griot from
New York was in full operation singing traditional melodious praise-singings, thundering
raining dollars from the crowd.

For Mr. Sankulay Jallow, it was another unifying event. “I am very happy to be in attendance. We
have to show up to support each other. I am here to cover the program. The unity observed in
Minnesota is rare in other places. Minnesota planted the sweet apple fruits that they are reaping
now.”

Both DJs Mosh-dooly and Wowu echoed similar sentiments. Meanwhile super DJ Wowu based in
New York is inviting all to their annual music festival event scheduled on September 1st 2007, which
aims at promoting African Music and a lot more. According to music commentators at the program
the superstar DJ has been in operation for 16 good years promoting African music.

In attendance were members of the Gambian Association in Minnesota, Gainako’s editor Mr.
Demba Baldeh based in Seattle, and a lot of other Gambians in the other states of Ohio, Wisconsin,
New York, Seattle, North Carolina and et cetera.

Speakers at the night program included Mr. Lang Dibba and Lamin Sabally, formerly of the IEC
and now staff writer to All Gambian.

Editor's note: We commend the people of Minnesota, Gambians and non-Gambians alike. Over
the years, Gambians enjoyed great deal of homage in this state from their American host. We also
thank the Gambian community in Minnesota for their renowned unity and cooperation during times
of sorrow and happiness. Gainako will sideline them in any positive program. We are truly partners
in unity and development.

Gainako's co-editor speaks at a
graduation
....................................By Yero Jallow...............................May 28th, 2007

Gainako's co-editor, Yero Jallow was the keynote speaker at a graduation party in Minnesota on May 19th 2007.

In the opening chapter, Ms. Amie Dibba, 2006/7 beauty peagnant winner, who chaired the gathering saluted a
friend of high calibre for her achievement. "I am proud to be here. Lets give a round-up-applause to Nyaha." she
happily noted.

The graduate, Ms. Mam Nyaha Jome was crowned a qualified LPN. The program well attended was graced by
many including Mr. Lang Dibba, former President of the Gambian Association in Minnesota, former Rtd. Major
Ann, Mr. Lamin Dibba, Current Vice President of the Gambian Association in Minnesota, Mr. Pateh Baldeh,
Senior RN with the University of Minnesota, and Mr. Dodou Jome, former Parliamentarian in Nuimi Jokadu.

The program was covered by photo-journalist, Mr. Ebrima Touray and music provided by famous Minnesota DJ,
Lamin Jagne aka Bless.

Below we reproduce the whole speech delivered by Co-editor Jallow.

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