𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐞: 𝐃𝐫. 𝐁𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐲 (𝐍𝐲𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐢)

Dr. Bakary Touray (Nyambi) – A Lifetime of Service to Veterinary Science, Conservation and Community Development.

Among the many distinguished sons of Gunjur who have dedicated their lives to national development and community service, 𝐃𝐫. 𝐁𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐲, affectionately known as “𝐍𝐲𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐢,”stands as one of the town’s most accomplished professionals.

The retired Veterinarian Dr Bakary “Nyambi” Touray

Born in 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟗𝟒𝟏 and raised in the historic coastal town of 𝐆𝐮𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐫, Dr. Touray comes from a family with a proud tradition of leadership and public service. He is the son of the late 𝐒𝐞𝐲𝐟𝐨 𝐍𝐣𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐮 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐲, the former Chief (Seyfo) of Kombo South. His nickname, “𝐍𝐲𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐢,” is derived from his father’s name, 𝐍𝐣𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐮 , and has remained an enduring part of his identity.

𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Dr. Touray began his educational journey at 𝐆𝐮𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥, where he laid the foundation for a lifetime of learning and service. He later attended 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐁𝐨𝐲𝐬’ 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 before continuing his studies at 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐚 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥.

Determined to pursue a career in animal health, he undertook veterinary education in 𝐆𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐚, 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝, specialising in 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞. He further enhanced his expertise through professional training in 𝐈𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 and 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚 , gaining knowledge and experience that would later benefit The Gambia’s livestock sector.

𝐀 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐕𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞

Dr. Touray devoted several decades to public service, becoming one of The Gambia’s leading veterinary professionals. During his distinguished career, he held several senior positions, including:

• Director of the Veterinary Department.

• Managing Director of the Livestock Marketing Board.

• Deputy Director General of the International Trypanotolerance Centre (ITC).

In these roles, he contributed significantly to strengthening animal health services, livestock production, veterinary research and food security, helping to advance agricultural development in The Gambia.

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩

Dr. Touray’s expertise earned him recognition far beyond The Gambia.

Dr Touray served as 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐕𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

He served as 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐕𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 providing leadership to veterinary professionals across the Commonwealth. He has also been an active member of the 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐚 𝐕𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

Through the Commonwealth Veterinary Association, he travelled extensively to 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐝𝐚, 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚, 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐙𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝, 𝐓𝐚𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐚, and across the Commonwealth countries of Africa, promoting professional collaboration, sharing scientific knowledge and strengthening veterinary practice internationally.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

Retirement from public service marked the beginning of another chapter of service. Dr. Touray established a 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞, incorporating a veterinary pharmacy to provide quality animal healthcare services and support livestock owners throughout The Gambia.

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐜𝐨-𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦

Alongside his veterinary work, Dr. Touray has become one of Gunjur’s leading environmental conservationists.

He currently manages a 𝟐𝟔-𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭, dedicated to conserving indigenous tree species alongside medicinal plants for the benefit of the community and future generations.

Over the years, the forest has evolved into a sanctuary for wildlife, providing refuge for a wide variety of bird species and other animals while protecting valuable biodiversity. Recognising its ecological importance, Dr. Touray has initiated developments aimed at promoting eco-tourism, encouraging environmental education and sustainable appreciation of nature.

One of the forest’s most celebrated activities is the 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞-𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐱𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐞 , during which young people from Gunjur actively participate in planting trees and learning the importance of environmental stewardship. Through this initiative, he continues to inspire future generations to protect and preserve their natural heritage.

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩

Dr. Touray’s commitment to Gunjur extends well beyond his professional achievements.

He is a 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐮𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐫–𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤, 𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝟏𝟗𝟖𝟐 to foster friendship and cooperation between 𝐆𝐮𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐫, 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 and the 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐭𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐝𝐨𝐦. The partnership became a model of international community collaboration, promoting cultural exchange, educational opportunities, development initiatives and lasting friendships between the people of the two communities.

Dr Touray has a lifetime membership of TARUD

Following the evolution of the partnership, Dr. Touray became a 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐔𝐃, the successor organisation that continues to support community development initiatives in Gunjur. He also remains an active member of the 𝐆𝐮𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐫 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, reflecting his lifelong commitment to the progress and well-being of his hometown.

𝐀 𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐲

For more than six decades, Dr. Bakary Touray has dedicated his life to improving the lives of others through veterinary science, agricultural development, environmental conservation and community service.

Dr Touray seen here presenting keys to the local mortuary of Gunjur to the Alikalo of Gunjur, Dembo Darboe

From his early days at Gunjur Primary School to becoming an internationally respected veterinary leader and conservationist, his life’s journey reflects excellence, humility and an unwavering commitment to serving both his country and his community.

His achievements continue to inspire generations of Gambians, particularly young people in Gunjur, demonstrating that education, dedication and a spirit of service can create a legacy that extends far beyond one’s profession.

𝐆𝐮𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐫 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐫. 𝐁𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐲 (𝐍𝐲𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐢) 𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐮𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐫’𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 - 𝐚 𝐯𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧, 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭, 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. 𝐖𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐃𝐫 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐲’𝐬 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞.