An Open Letter to His Excellency President Adam Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia

Your Excellency,

REQUEST FOR STATE FUNERAL FOR PETER BONU JOHNSON.

I present my compliments to Your Excellency and have the honor to communicate to you Sir relevant to the above captioned matter.

Mr. President growing up with you, I know for a fact you were a die hard football fan who cherished The Gambia National Football team. It is against this backdrop that I write to crave your kind indulgence in requesting a State Funeral for Peter Bonu Johnson who passed on today, the 29th of July.

By way of background information Peter Bonu Jonson joined The Gambia National Team in 1983, his first assignment was  in Accra. Up to his retirement he left every ounce of Gambian sweat and blood on pitches around the continent and, during that process lost his left eye in the Congo on the services of our country. Upon his retirement from the national team, he trained to be a Coach and statistically, he is the most successful Coach in Gambian football history, domestic or Foreign.

In addition, he has touched the lives of many Gambians and the many postings of adoration on social media is a testimony to the lives of many young people from over the country. He truly was a Patriot and I do trust you will consider this request on behalf of all Gambian football fans who idolized him as both a player and Coach.

In sum, I respectfully invite reference to the fitting State Funeral and farewell our Sister Republic gave Jean Francois Berthan Bocande a few years ago. Like the latter, Bonu is very deserving of this honor which can only happen through your kind approval and I trust you will..

Your Excellency while looking forward to your kind intervention in ensuring a national Hero and leader is given a befitting farewell by a grateful nation, I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to you Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration and best wishes.

Tijan Masaneh Ceesay, retired Gambian Sport Journalist now based in the U.S