As the news of the death of Alhagie Ba Giki Darboe, the Alikalo of the sprawling coastal town of Gunjur filters through, the people of Gunjur have started mourning this community pillar from both at home and in the diaspora. Alhagie Giki Darboe was taken to Dakar following a short ilness, arriving last Monday died earlier today, Saturday 24th April 2021.
The late Giki Darboe was a successful businessman who lived and worked in Brikama where he ran a successful business for decades before finally returning to Gunjur to become the Alikalo as the next in line.
Ba Giki Darboe is a household name in West Coast and The Gambia at large. He hosted, supported, mentored many people into successful entrepreneurs and responsible adults spanning his many decades in business in Brikama. He did not only support individuals, families and community activities in Gunjur and Brikama, but also used his home in Brikama to host the Gunjur town football teams whenever they are in Brikama for football matches.
Reacting to the news of his passing, Buba Mbye Bojang who spent many years under his tutelage had this to say:
“Inna lillahi wah inna lillahi raji'oun. The death of a giant pillar is announce. A family man, who help mould and shaped the life of hundreds, including my humble self, into becoming respondible humans. A community man, whose leadership as the Alkali of my community Gunjur helps retreads his people back into the close knit society we were. A philanthropist, a fountain of wisdom and experience, a father to fatherless and a husband to widows. Rest Well Baba Bagiki Darboe. May Allah grant you the highest Jannah. Ameen.“
Sweden based Gunjurian, MamaKaddy Bajo who worked very closely with the late Alikalo on development programs in Gunjur reacts to the news thus:
“ Kombo Gunjur mourning, Allah we came from and to whom we shall all return, We lost our great leader Allikalo of Gunjur, Allahagi Bagiki Darboe. My father, my uncle, always in full support of all my activities in Gunjur, he always answered to my calls. Bagiki Darboe the whole Gunjur, Brikama and Gambia at large is going to miss you. May your kindness soul place into Jannatul fidawsi. Praying for you 🙏 ❤”
Omar Diamond Darboe, also morning the late Alikalo commented:
“ Inna Lillahi WaInna ilaihi raji'un. May Allah grant him Jannah.
My Grand Dad, My Friend Alh Gike Darboe the Alikalo of Kombo Gunjur has passed away.
May Allah Grant you the highest place in Jannah.
When he took over the Alikaloship of Gunjur, late Alhagie Ba Giki Darboe lead by example and has been a proactive and hand-son leader who always answers to the call of duty when it comes to the socio-economic development of his community.
The late Ba Giki Darboe is survived by three wives, several children, grandchildren and great grandchildren in The Gambia, Senegal, and the United Kingdom.