A star on the Making

This maiden edition of Profile will unravel, as it were, the spirit behind the ‘successes’ of one of this country’s finest characters.

A youth; a role model in all respect of the word, Momodou Sabally embodies the tale of millions of people who once wrote themselves totally out, only to resurface, much to the admiration of society.

The absence of opportunities in society can deprive society of invaluable contribution of certain individuals. But it is also a fact that what is destined to happen must happen. Momodou Sabally was destined to leave a mark on the history of contemporary Gambia.

Born in Banjul, Sabally attended the legendary St. Peter’s Primary School and high school; he later proceeded for an A, Level career at the then Gambia High School, between 1992 and 1994, before becoming part of the pioneering batch of St. Mary’s University Extension Programme in the Gambia in 1999, where, it could be argued, his fascinating character was moulded.

‘It was a privilege to be among the first batch of the graduates of that extension programme,’ Sabally told me, during an exclusive interview, as he prepared for the start of a two week’s tour of duty, the next morning, to the Republic of Nigeria.
 
‘I was honoured to be the valedictorian of that year’s convocation,’ he recalled, ‘and I have since been working at the central bank as a researcher and economic analyst.’
Quite a remarkable achievement indeed for someone that had come to the brink of desperation, as can be deduced from the first of his three books, Jangi Jollof (he is currently on the finishing touches of a fourth, in just under 10 years).

Sabally’s story can as well serve as guidance for the countless youth who have lost hope; who only sees their fortune across the Atlantic, and nowhere else; whose world is carved in utopian world of fantasy and glamour.

He defied all the obstacles posed by poverty (he is not necessarily from a destitute background, nor is he from a rich one either); he also defied the bad influence of negative peer pressure; and today he is contributing, in a rather substantial fashion  to his country’s development endeavour.   

Momodou Sabally just returned home, recently, after successfully completing a three year studies in the United States of America, where he did his Masters in Economics’ at the Georgia University.

Despite being an Economist with a background in Mathematics, the young man exhibits an unusually strong affinity for writing, and he remains adamant that writing, like any other trade, is not restricted to any one segment of people, regardless of your engagement. This is contrary to general feeling. And he is quite aware of this.  ‘I love writing,’ he insisted, ‘that is my passion.

I draw my inspiration from my environment in terms of the good natural, social, and scientific environment. I observe myself and observe other people, and I know that I have capacities that I have not fully utilised.

‘I have a life long mission to exploit my talent, and in that process, I will like to help people to live successfully, because around me I see many who have left school, and I am not much better than them. I know there is a lot of talent especially in this country. I see people with tremendously great potentials, who live in situations they do not belong to.

So in that case I want to help people achieve their goals.” Talk to many people who read his book, and you will be stroke by the magnitude of difference it has made in their lives. Sabally sees lack of motivation and lack of confidence as a problem “why most of us fall short of realising our potentials.’ He also pointed to reluctance of the haves to give a push to the have-nots, saying: ‘people are negative in helping one another.’

Whatever one does require motivation if they are to succeed; this is a philosophy shared by this young man of Economist. He stressed that there was no conflict between his professional job and his passion (which is writing). His goal in life is tied to making a name in the field of mathematics, just like it is to writing.

Sabally’s definition of success, ‘the progressive realisation of one’s goals or dreams,’ leaves him as a suitable candidate for reference. But he wouldn’t be drawn into that. For all he knows he is far from being there. That is not to say he doesn’t recognise the difference between him and his peers.  

His latest book, composed around the theme of The Gambia’s prayer book, the National Anthem, (as far as he is concerned The Gambia’s national anthem is the best anthem in the world) is another thing to wait for. He is expecting to have it published by next year.
It is all about taking the true meaning of the lessons of the country’s anthem and making the best out of it, towards the ultimate achievement of our goals.

He had a handful of advice for the youth. You can do anything you want to achieve your goals; persistence is the key to success, and whatever you are doing, you need not give up under pressure, hence you are doing it with honesty.

A lover of philosophy and languages Sabally owes his sense of coherence to his love for reading and wide interaction with people. This is in line with his motto “Life long learning.” The imposing view of the Holy Qur’an on his table suggests another marriage, and he confirmed it. He loves reading the Holy Scripture, and he reads it every day in the morning, from Baqara to Nas “for guidance.”

He is happily marriage with Jainaba Sarr who is currently in the US, and they have two kids, Omar Sabally and Muhammed Sabally.