Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The death of Phoday Bun Saikouba Jarjussey (PBS), a seasoned Gambian civil servant, was announced early this morning. Phoday was known for his dedicated and honorable service to the country at various levels of government.

Phoday Bun Saikouba Jarjussey was among those sent for further studies abroad with the aim of returning to contribute to the development of a newly independent Gambia. Upon his return, he joined the civil service and held numerous positions throughout his illustrious career.

Between 1976 and 1977, Phoday served briefly in several ministries, including Local Government and Lands, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Works and Communications, and Education, Youth, Sports and Culture.

In 1977, he was posted to the Office of the President, where he worked for eleven and a half years. During this time, he rose steadily from Assistant Secretary to Senior Assistant Secretary, Under Secretary, Deputy Permanent Secretary, and ultimately to Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works and Communications in 1988.

This period marked his direct involvement with President Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, handling a wide range of domestic and international issues.

A former colleague who worked with him since 1987, in his capacity as the then Senior Protocol Officer at the Ministry of External Affairs, remarked on PBS’s exceptional skills, stating, “PBS, as he was fondly called, had a pen as mighty as the sword. The speeches he prepared for President Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara were second to none.”

PBS was remembered as a gentle, humble, and kind person who would not hurt a fly.

The Gambia Journal extends heartfelt condolences to his wife, Madam Oumie Jarjussey, their daughter Fanta, and the entire family, including extended families in Jarra-Pakalinding, Bakau, and Hayes in the UK.

May Allah SWT accept his gentle soul in Jaannatul Firdaus.