By Joseph Lamin Kamara
Madingo Jamma’t in Freetown has yesterday received its own share of the pecuniary legacy of late former president Tejan Kabbah who died at his Juba residence in Freetown on March 13 this year.
Family lawyer, Alhaji Amadu Deen Tejan-Sie, said Kabbah had dedicated 5% of his wealth to his brothers, sisters, his longest serving staff and the Madingo Islamic organisation at Magazine Cut, east of Freetown.
He said two and half percent of the legacyhad been dedicated to the Madingo Jamma’t and another to the late former president’s relatives and those who had served him the longest.The family lawyer said the late man had divided equally a total of Le 74 million between his jamma’t and his relatives and some of his staff.
“We have already given out another Le 37 million to the relatives and workers,” the estate lawyer said.
IsatuJabbie Kabbah, chief trustee of Kabbah’s trust settlement, said they were fulfilling one of the wishes of her husband. She said she had met Kabbah 23 years ago and he had “always loved the Madingo Islamic group.”
Popularly called IJ, the widow, said her husband had always gone for jamma’tgroup meetingevery Sunday. She urged the Muslim group to encourage the young generation and teach them the Quran and more about Islam.
“I feel bad, but good again that these things are happening,” she said, adding that she felt good because “I don’t think anybody like my husband has ever done what he did before his death.”
The former first lady said she did not expect the nation to appreciate the efforts of Tejan Kabbah only after his death. She said her husband was dedicated to democracy and peace in the country, adding that people were supportive of that.
Alhaji Ibrahim Kamara, who is secretary generalat the jamma’t, said the presentation was historic, adding that after he had acquired his wealth Kabbah decided “to come home and live with his people, die the way he should, and be buried the way he should be.”
Kamara said that the late man had always worked for his “grave and now that he is dead the blessing will surely meet him.” He further stated that Kabbah had done many things for them including the reconstruction of theirmosque. The scribe alsosaid that they would deposit the money into the group’s account while they thought of ways to use it.
Chief Imam of the Madingo Mosque, Sheikh Abubakarr Fomba Swarray, said the money came atthe right time as “September is one of the holy months in Islam.” Reading two verses from Suratul Ya-seenwhile making supplications, Sheikh Swarray said God’s favour was upon the Kabbah family who waited for “this holy month to do such goodness.”
The Madingo tribal head, Chief Alimamy Samba Demba Tarawally,said since he joined the organisationhe had never seen such kindness. He said the donation was timely because they were developing the jamma’t and the mosque, adding that they would use the money judiciously.
(C) Politico 30/09/14
