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Momodou
Denmark
11742 Posts |
 Posted - 06 Aug 2007 : 21:51:08
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DR. JABEZ AYODELE LANGLEY LAID TO REST
By Isatou Bittaye
Dr. Jabez Ayodele Langley, who died on the 10th June at Kelly Cross Hospital, Maryland, USA, was finally laid to rest on Monday 30th July 2007 at the Banjul cemetery at 6.00pm.
Dr. Langley was born on the 13th March 1943, to Ya Haddy Njie of Medina Serigne Mass and Mr. Gustavus Ekundayo Langley.
He was educated at Methodist Kindergarten and Preparatory School and the Methodist Boys High School (1954 – 1959), which was later called the Gambia High School in 1960. Upon completing his high school in 1962, the young Jabez was awarded a United Kingdom scholarship to study at the University of Wales, Swansea, where he received a joint honours degree upper second class (Magna cum Laude) in History and Politics in 1965.
He later proceeded to the University of Edinburgh, Scotland to study for his PhD and was successful to defend his doctoral thesis on Pan-Africanism and Nationalism and was awarded a PhD in African History and Politics in 1968.
Shortly after receiving his doctorate, he was appointed assistant lecturer at the University of Edinburgh where he prepared his doctorate thesis for publication.
Dr. Jabez Langley’s “Pan-Africanism and Nationalism in West Africa 1900 – 1945” was published by Clarendon Press Oxford in 1973 and his second book “Ideologies of Liberation in Black Africa” was published by Rex Callings, London in 1979.
Several articles by Dr.Langley were published in distinguished academic journals in the United Kingdom and United States. He also published a book on Pan-Africanism and was excited to attend the Pan-Africanist conference in Tanzania in 1973.Dr. Langley’s first posting, upon joining the civil service in September 1971, was at the Ministry of External Affairs (Foreign Affairs) where he developed rapport with the diplomatic Mission accredited to The Gambia. In 1973. Dr. Jabez was given a special assignment, the establishment of the Gambia High Commission in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Upon his return to The Gambia in September 1974, he was appointed Permanent Secretary in the newly created Ministry of Economic Planning and Industrial Development.
Dr. Langley, with his team of economists and planners, took the challenge of preparing the first five year National Development Plan 1975 – 1980. The plan was launched in July 1975 and it came amidst great national excitement and hope for the future. Together with his team of economists and other staff of the Ministry of Finance, they promoted the plan among Multilateral and Bilateral Donors with a view to secure funding for the timely implementation of the
projects and programmes in the plan. Also with his team of economists, Dr. Langley prepared the second five year development Plan 1981 – 1985 culminating in the launching of the second plan early in July 1981.
During his times in the Ministry of Economic Planning and Industrial
Development, he served four ministers with different temperaments.
In 1982, Dr. Langley was appointed the Secretary General and head of civil service where he also served as adviser to the President of The Gambia and secretary to the cabinet. With the signing of the Kaur declaration in the aftermath of the July coup, a new relationship came into existence between Senegal and The Gambia and Dr. Langley became an adviser to the president of the Senegambia Confederation.
He was cognizant of the need to honour the agreement and to foster good neighbourliness.
Not being gender bias, Dr. Langley saw the development of a Women’s Bureau as an important factor and was aware of the women’s potential to contribute to national development. He encouraged the training and career advancement of women in The Gambian civil service.
In December 1988, Dr. Jabez Ayodele Langley left the Gambia for secondment in the World Bank in Washington D.C, with the awareness that he had done his best in order to leave behind a stronger civil service.
Dr. Langley’s career began and ended in teaching and his association with Howard University began as a senior fellow at the Ralph Bunche International Affairs Centre in Washington D.C.
He taught a course on West Africa since 1800, for graduate and undergraduate classes at Haward University’s History department and was later appointed to the Center for African studies where he introduced several new graduate courses ranging from Public Policy and Development in Africa, Development Policy and Administration, Non-Governmental Organisations and Democratisation in Africa. He also taught a graduate course in Pan-Africanism and undergraduate courses on the continent, including Environment and Society in Africa.
He was awarded the Howard University Fund for Academic Excellence in 1998.
Dr. Langley received many accolades and honours during his life time, including the commander of the Republic of The Gambia (CRG), the Ordre Du Lion of Senegal in 1972, as an adviser and member of the delegation to the presidential consultative meeting in Dakar Senegal. The commander of the Order of the Niger (Nigeria) was also conferred on him.
Dr. Jabez Ayodele Langley was a technocrat and an academic and had climbed to the highest level of the academic ladder.
The funeral service was conducted at the St. Mary’s Cathedral Church in Banjul on the same day. His former co-workers and colleagues were all present. Mr. Amadou Touray, Permanent Secretary, Department of State for Tourism, Mr. Yaya Sallah, Mr. Amadou Taal, the Inspector general of Police, Benedict Jammeh and his Pan-African colleague, Halifa Sallah were all present at the funeral.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues
Issue No. 91/2007, 6-7 August, 2007
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 06 Aug 2007 : 23:43:27
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Dr. Langley performed an outstanding service to the public for prosperity and progress. His demise is no personal loss to immediate family and closed associates. He was a man of the nation not in narrow political measures but true contributor and pace setter towards the socio-economic advancement of Gambia.It is up to this and succeeding generations to dig for these treasured contributions from archives and from colleagues preserving the corporate memory of institutions where persons of Dr. Langley's standing made their marks. May his soul rest in peace. |
Karamba |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 07 Aug 2007 : 00:14:55
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These were Secretary Generals who live up to their names when the civil service was largely free of politics. When you could make a decision without any political reprisal. A letter or memo from the Secreatary General was always photocopied and was also a source of reference and precedence.
YIRI BAA BOY TA, KUNO LU JANG JANG TA |
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
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Dalton1
3485 Posts |
Posted - 12 Aug 2007 : 19:12:17
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quote:
Originally posted by kondorong
YIRI BAA BOY TA, KUNO LU JANG JANG TA
Some one I never met, honestly.
But Inshallahu, I will request a moment of prayer for him at the Chicago conference on sept 1st, because his name was forwarded to UGAMA at least three different times, as a would-be-panelist. It is only sad he won't physically be there, but he will be there by spirit to grace such a gathering.
Rest in Peace!! |
"There is no god but Allah (SWT); and Muhammad (SAW)is His last messenger." shahadah. Fear & Worship Allah (SWT) Alone! (:
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