Back and Next - Back and NextIntroducing Amadou Jallow: An emerging force on the business scene
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Who said Gambian youths are not enterprising? If you are one of those who has been engaged in debates where you find yourself consistently having to defend the honour of Gambian youths and their attitude towards work, but got stuck when it comes to pointing out good examples of enterprising youngsters who sprang from this soil, then you need to know about Amadou Jallow.
He is perhaps one of The Gambia’s youngest success stories in the business world. A dominant figure in the drinks supply business around the Senegambia Area,Wuri – as our enterprising young man is commonly called - was born in the Serekunda suburb of London Corner. Wuri is not only a businessman, he is also a student. He obtained his first work experience whilst going to primary school. He went to work as a mechanic in a local garage, and learned the trade until he was in the ninth grade. However, the young man, who finished high school just last year and is now studying CAT at Jollof Tutors, suffered a tragedy which was to change his life forever.
In 2004, he lost both parents within a span of five months. As the only son in a typical African family (he is the second child), he had the immense task of taking care of three sisters at a very tender age. Though times were tough, Wuri shouldered his responsibilities like a real man and strived to better himself and his family. In 2006, he met a British couple, Geoffrey and Marilyn Pendergrass, through a neighbour. The couple had a tremendous and life changing impact on Wuri.
They helped him to go into business. The first business he set up was the St George’s Tavern, a restaurant located in the Senegambia Area in Kololi. "After the restaurant, I decided to go into the drinks supply business. In fact, I started the drinks supply business while the restaurant was still running, for about two months before closing down the restaurant because of high rental, low profitability and the fact that it interfered with my schooling," he told me at an interview I did with him at the Daily Observer’s offices. His drinks supply business (which is one of the largest in the country) does not, according to him, demand much of his time. Consequently, he has sufficient time to pursue his studies as it is his dream to become an accountant.
Wuri’s establishment, Baby Wholesale, currently has a staff of 7, all of whom are Gambians. It is thus helping to boost employment, a subject close to Wuri’s heart. "I want to see more Gambian youths getting employment. But, the youths also have to strive more to better their lot. After your schooling, if you find it difficult to get a job, I don’t think it is right to just sit around like that is the end of everything. I think young people should endeavour to work by all means, even if it means doing so on a voluntary basis as that can lead to full employment," he enthusiastically explained.
Wuri’s story is one of success through sheer grit and determination in the face of adversity. Granted, he had some help on the way. His is an example that we can all be proud of as Gambians as he is definite proof that yes, the Gambian youths can!
He is perhaps one of The Gambia’s youngest success stories in the business world. A dominant figure in the drinks supply business around the Senegambia Area,Wuri – as our enterprising young man is commonly called - was born in the Serekunda suburb of London Corner. Wuri is not only a businessman, he is also a student. He obtained his first work experience whilst going to primary school. He went to work as a mechanic in a local garage, and learned the trade until he was in the ninth grade. However, the young man, who finished high school just last year and is now studying CAT at Jollof Tutors, suffered a tragedy which was to change his life forever.
In 2004, he lost both parents within a span of five months. As the only son in a typical African family (he is the second child), he had the immense task of taking care of three sisters at a very tender age. Though times were tough, Wuri shouldered his responsibilities like a real man and strived to better himself and his family. In 2006, he met a British couple, Geoffrey and Marilyn Pendergrass, through a neighbour. The couple had a tremendous and life changing impact on Wuri.
They helped him to go into business. The first business he set up was the St George’s Tavern, a restaurant located in the Senegambia Area in Kololi. "After the restaurant, I decided to go into the drinks supply business. In fact, I started the drinks supply business while the restaurant was still running, for about two months before closing down the restaurant because of high rental, low profitability and the fact that it interfered with my schooling," he told me at an interview I did with him at the Daily Observer’s offices. His drinks supply business (which is one of the largest in the country) does not, according to him, demand much of his time. Consequently, he has sufficient time to pursue his studies as it is his dream to become an accountant.
Wuri’s establishment, Baby Wholesale, currently has a staff of 7, all of whom are Gambians. It is thus helping to boost employment, a subject close to Wuri’s heart. "I want to see more Gambian youths getting employment. But, the youths also have to strive more to better their lot. After your schooling, if you find it difficult to get a job, I don’t think it is right to just sit around like that is the end of everything. I think young people should endeavour to work by all means, even if it means doing so on a voluntary basis as that can lead to full employment," he enthusiastically explained.
Wuri’s story is one of success through sheer grit and determination in the face of adversity. Granted, he had some help on the way. His is an example that we can all be proud of as Gambians as he is definite proof that yes, the Gambian youths can!
Author: By Kojo
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