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| Late Mohamed Deen-Tarawally (Bolo Deen) |
The life we live in is full of pains and happiness, like a
quadratic curve. One of these pains and memories arose from the death of a
close friend and brother. The message of his death became a shock to me and
reminds me of the inevitable. I keep dreaming of him, as if he still exist.
This reminds me of what I read some time back in the Krishna scriptures about
re-incarnation. Is it true that Bolo Deen has re-incarnated to the extent of
seeing him frequently in my dreams? He
was someone I grew with in all stratum of life. We had our experiences from the
dust of Tongo Field, Bo, Freetown and the Gambia. We went through the thin and thick of
life, and happen to be true Sierra Leoneans. The true Sierra Leoneans are those
that shouldn't only go through Sierra Leone, but Sierra Leone should go through
them. He was a true emblem of Sierra Leone and part of the set of global grass
roots. I knew Bolo to be
one that is down-to-earth and not moved by the vanity of life. It is better to be poor and
simple, and your mind will be free, than to live your life in vanity. He wouldn't mind to
befriend even the insane and isolated members of society. Our friendship and brotherhood became
strong due to our coincidental believe in a classless society, the Marxist
style of life. He had a free style attitude and flexible to any one, though
rigid, when it comes to those that may want to go beyond the line of a decent
relationship. He stood for
the truth, and for the truth, he was ready to die. His only weakness was that
he was a ladies’ man and nothing could stop him when he is in the mood. I knew him to be very intelligent, not
only in academic sector, but all sectors of life. He is an all-round man and was
at one time accorded the brain of Sierra Leone.
Conclusion
Prince Foday
Childhood, Primary and Secondary Schools
During our childhood in Tongo, we were doing everything in common.
We shared and cared for each other. I could remember our Dads were trading in
diamonds, and sometimes, putting it in our hands in order for us to become
familiar with it. The exposition to diamonds made us to go in search for
it in the mud any time it rains. In the many times we went, we could not find
one. We still continued searching relentlessly, and one day, we found two
closer to our premises. On reflecting this scenario during our adulthood, we
realised the gem stones might have been placed in the mud by our parents to end
our search. However, one thing that we learnt from it is that, in life, one
shouldn't relent in the quest for targets. I was operating with this brother on
mutual grounds and we were protective of each other. In one incidence, he
rescued me from a crowd of ants when they attacked me. The rescue mission
happen when I went to collect a ball from a litter site that was parked with
wild ants. The other rescue mission occurred when we had an Inter- Secondary
School league between Christ the king College (my own school) and the
Government Secondary School Bo (late Bolo’s own school). After the match, a
clash occurred between the two schools. We were hunting Bo School Students and
they were hunting us. Those who were unfortunate to be trapped from both
sides were intensively beaten and some hospitalised. The late Bolo,
Jeff, Mohai and others were commanding a team hunting for CKC students and I
was commanding mine. I was on a reconnaissance mission when I fell in their
trap. The others couldn't recognise me but it was only Bolo and Mohai (My
Tongo Field brethren) that identified my camouflage. Bolo called my name and
the group advanced towards me. I was in fear that my friend and brother may
turn against me, as the saying goes from social scientists, `human beings are
unpredictable and discussing their behaviour can only be based on assumptions’.
The fortunate thing was that, they couldn't touch me, but the late Bolo
and Mohai shook my hand and they went off. Thank God he couldn't reveal my
identity to the others. I knew he couldn't trigger an attack on me, as our
parents won’t be happy to hear such scenario.
University
There were interesting and solemn moments at this level. Not too
long from the time we entered University, we experienced the rebel incursion in
1990/1991 academic year and this started in Kailahun District, eastern province
of Sierra Leone. The late Bolo, I and couple of hard core revolutionary
comrades were at the wisdom tree in Fourah Bay College (FBC) when Foday Sankoh
announced his rebel incursion over the radio. The announcement brought mixed-feelings, as most were disgruntled by the All Peoples’ Congress (APC) led Momoh
Government. Some of us were skeptical due to the distance of the rebel attack
and the nature of their brutality on the civilians they claimed to rescue,
recruitment of children and the ill-coordination of their movement. It was on
account of this, we formed an uncover student movement. The late Bolo, I and
other comrades started to keep ourselves fit with the gym at our Bunker,
located just closer to our room. Then came the day we organised a strike action
against the Momoh led APC government. Intelligence report reached them about
the strike, so the prepared a special force to attack and kill us. On our way
down the later named 'solidarity bridge', towards Berry Street in Freetown, we
were ambushed with live rounds. Comrades that couldn't resist the hit withdrew,
but we were with the feeling to pursue the action and attack tactically the
Special Forces. The moves were with pretext of disarming some of the Special
Forces, and then, continue our intention of overthrowing the government. As we
were exposed to riffles from our Dads coupled with military tactics, we were
ready to take the challenge to topple the Government. We were convinced with
the fact that, there were many people including the military with prolong
bitterness for the government, that would have join our revolution. However,
because many comrades couldn't face the random shots, we had to retreat. It was
not too long from the incidence that the National Provisional Ruling Council
(NPRC) hijacked our revolution. The NPRC were confused and unsure of a firm
grip of their action when they entered the heart of Freetown, but were later
ordained by FBC students, who gave them the confidence in their coup. To
give them the support and ordain their insurgence, we organised a match in
Freetown in support of them. We sacrificed our lives by the match to give
confidence to the people of Sierra Leone. On the day of the street match, the
late Bolo and I hung on the Toyota Hilux of Valentine E. M. Strassa (the NPRC
head) and John Benjamin from Fourah Bay College down to the streets of
Freetown, though we were later deceived by their actions. The late man and I
decided to keep a low profile, after an evaluation of their dispensation. The
NPRC became more of a flashy and looting government, rather than an addresser
of the real socio-economic needs of the Sierra Leonean populace. As our
parents were in Tongo, it was incumbent upon us to spend our holidays with
them. Though we had the opportunity to pick -up white collar holiday jobs, our
holiday jobs were partly done in Tongo in the diamond business and partly
providing free teaching aid to the indigenes. We had our usual schedule
of free time in the evening till dawn. Our routine was to visit all the corners
of Tongo. I could remember when one of our uncles told us that, ` he will give
us the key to Tongo Field for closing everyday’. Indeed we deserved the
key, as we were the last to sleep. The wildest cats in Town were our friends
and even the insane and isolated. At the end of our studies in university, he
started teaching in Freetown whilst I went in for the cadet officer’s vacancy
in 1994, though I was discouraged at a particular level. I knew the family may
have been involved, as those were the days officers were highly targeted in the
war front. Thank God it happened that way, as I may have orchestrated a counter
coup against the NPRC. Or, the NPRC may have plotted my killing. This
unfortunate but fortunate circumstance enabled me to apply for teaching at the
St. Edward’s Secondary School. My late brother was teaching at the Muslim
Brotherhood Freetown around Berry Street whilst I was hanging around St.
Edward’s Secondary School in 1994. In the process of teaching, we were doing
our normal runs at the social stratum. After three months, I got a job with
Sierra Rutile Limited and left my late brother in Freetown. The job started on
5th December1994 and
was disrupted by the rebels on 19
January 1995.We experienced many killings, but I survived the hard tide. This
situation made me to join my brethren in Freetown again and we started our
normal social routine. It was during the process of our daily social meets
that, we had a theme of travelling to the Gambia, to save the life we
live. Our travel to the Gambia was sparked by the spread of the rebels
all over the country and the incidence of attacks close to Freetown. Those were
the days when travelling to the provinces require escorts by military
personnel. I could remember, at the many times we travelled to the provinces,
we had to take our 'pegga-pack' to face the death. Travelling to the provinces at
that time was between life and death. After our last trip to say good bye to
relatives, he travelled first to the Gambia and I followed later.
The Gambia
Then the eagles landed in a foreign land. Life was easy for a
start, as we had somewhere to lay our heads and feed. With our academic
credential, we knew we had services to sell to the nation. As God may destine,
he secured a job with the Muslim High School Extra Mural and I secured a place
with Gambia High School. The late Bolo’s School was later transformed into
Banjul Academy. Lucky as he was, through his hard work and reputation, he got
an appointment as Vice Principal and later Principal of the School. The thing I
was happy with my brethren is that, he assisted many Sierra Leoneans and
non-Sierra Leoneans to gain employment in his School, including me. He gave me
a part-time job to teach mathematics and Statistics, apart from my full-time
job at the Gambia High School. The issue that transpired between us made me to
endorse the gainsaying that, `one good turn deserves another’. After so many
years, his school was closed by the government, due to the mal-administration
of the proprietor. Fortunately, as this disheartening peril occurred, a vacancy
aroused in my department. He definitely secured the job as he was most
qualified (a former principal and well experienced teacher). The late man came to my department and we had good fun. We were doing our job very well and
took our leisure time every day to ease our work stress in the modest fashion.
Our leisure times were used to visit the corners of the Gambia. One thing I
liked about the late brethren is his outspoken nature. This was what matched us
together, as we would stop at nothing to tell the truth to each other, not to
say those around us. We use to call ourselves artist or corruption. As the
global perspective was inherent in him, he ended-up having a Gambian wife,
Dabba, who gave him a handsome boy and beautiful girl. He taught in my
school for two years and later decided to go back to Sierra Leone to pursue his
masters degree in development at Njala University.
The Return Back Home, Sierra Leone
At home he became engaged with his masters programme and within
the same year I joined him in the struggle. He was studying whilst I took up
Journalism by creating a column on human rights. I took up the fight for human
rights, knowing the increasing human rights abuses in our country. Regardless
of the fact that we had those engagements, we still kept meeting at convenient
times. We continued our usual trend of navigating around Freetown and the
country. We embarked on the usual home boy style. We tried to enjoy home, but
our joy became bitter by the plight of suffering Sierra Leoneans. We realised
that no lesson is been learnt from the war. What we saw was sky rocketing greed
and aggressive looting of the nation’s wealth. We further saw that, the love
that we use to get from our national brethren have dwindled, as a result of
jealousy, chronic greed and competitiveness. We happen to share the brotherly love together
until the time matured for me to travel to the United Kingdom (UK). My
travelling became inevitable, as I was urged by a circumstance. The issue of my
travelling triggered our minds about the revelation of his dream about my
travel to UK. He told me when we were in the Gambia that, `he dreamt me travel
to the UK, and upon my arrival, a random firing of gun shots started, but
sailed through the firing’. I had similar dream when I was in the Gambia
and a further revelation on that from those that are knowledgeable on screening
mankind. One thing that I know is that, our lives are destined and no amount of
hiccups can sway it. The incidence of my travelling to the UK reminds me of the
revelation of his dream. In the UK, we were in touch by phone and email.
He said one thing to me when I started facing trying times in United Kingdom
that, `I shouldn't worry as I need to commit everything to God, as God has our
destiny’. The wise words from the late
Bolo triggered my thought about a man who went to marabou (spiritualist) to make
him rich. The marabou did his usual ceremony and told him that, if I make you
rich, you will live only for 20 years, as his destiny was for him to become
rich at the age of 50. The man stopped the marabou from continuing his job, as
he wanted to live longer, rather drawing his destiny closer. After a while, I
had the unexpected news of his death. The explanations provided about his death
were mixed and I wonder whether there is an investigative report on his death.
Comments from Friends on Facebook
Oh my God you made me so emotional. Can’t just believe Deen is no
more. Just look at him looking so strong. It’s sad but one must accept it. May
his soul Rest in Perfect Peace. I pray that finds a better place in God’s
paradise. Deen was a witty, good looking and kind guy full of humour. He is
certainly missed. I pray that God bless his family and give joy to his Kids. We
love you forever Bolo and you'll always be in my mind, "Corruption".
22 August 2010 at 09:38
Bolo is gone but with us in spirit. He
was a suffering comrade and icon of love. Down to earth, full of humour, having
sound human relationship, generous and do not fear to tell anyone the truth. I
could remember what he told me b4 his...See more
22 August 2010 at 21:06
Beulah Obiageli Ogoh Oh Prince I really feel for you. I
know he was like your better half. But God knows best. Take heart. I know he'll
be happy to know how sincere we all love him. Really miss him.
22 August 2010 at 21:36
Prince Foday: Thanks Babe for the courage. You
surely knew us best in the Gambia, our land of love. I am planning to visit the
Gambia one day to reflect the past. You know what; I will be in there to you
having the fun of the past. Watching deeply in the eyes of the oblivion
22 August 2010 at 22:04
Beulah ObiageliOgoh hmmmm.... It will be awesome to
have you around. At least seeing u will be like seeing him.
23 August 2010 at 00:35
Prince Foday He
is and still remains to be my best Man, even in absentia. Great Men still live
on. I keep dreaming him sometimes. He is still around us providing the
invisible hand to our struggle for a fair and peaceful world for humanity.
23 August 2010 at 23:34
25 August 2010 at 13:25
Hi someone his dream just to look for your face....and now you
are realty
25 August 2010 at 15:25
02 September 2010 at 03:42
02 September 2010 at 04:13
02 September 2010 at 16:20
Prince Foday Corruption,
thanks for you input to the development of my tribute. I am working on a
tribute for him. I would definitely include your comments. I do hope more
comments will rain in.
03 September 2010 at 00:31
03 September 2010 at 00:47
Prince Foday You
are perfectly right brother. Hope you are in touch with Willie Carr. I need his
contact Man.
03 September 2010 at 03:57
13 October 2010 at 13:15 ·
Kula Jah · I was really shocked to learn about
Bolo's death. Bolosky......man you're gone but not forgotten. May you rest
peacefully in the arms of Jesus. AMEN!!!!
21 October 2010 at 20:20
24 January at 21:28
Conclusion
Bolo, I pray that your soul rest in perfect peace. I ask God for the forgiveness of your sins, if ever committed any, and open the gate of heaven for you. For the
family left behind, may God continue to provide them His richest blessing,
direct them towards the right path, enable them meet their basic and other
needs, and make them achieve the best in our complex society. You have gone to
the land of the dead and only God knows how you may look like out there. I know
you are around us and this is becoming revealing in my dreams. My assurance to
you is, your memories will ever stay with your family and friends. The random
harsh blows that you left in our society are still prevalent and it is only God
that will save us out of the situation. There are different types of friends
and this can be known from the word “FRIENDS”. The `F’ stands for faithful, the
`R’ means real, the `I’ refers to intimate, the `E’ is Enemy, the `N’ stands
for normal, the `D’ means dutiful and the `S’ refers to sincere. If one could
be asked to identify which category of friendship the late Bolo belongs, I will
say, he is a real friend and brother. Real friends are those friends that
dispense the principle of sharing and caring, selfless, outspoken and
transparent, honest, serves as a mouth piece, not envious and competitive,
happy with peoples’ achievements, and stand by you in trying times.
These were the attributes of the late man. I have to end this heart touching
and memorable journey by a quotation from the late reggae star, Bob Marley,
`good friends we had and good friends we've lost along the way’.
Prince Foday
London, United Kingdom
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