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Fatima Jabbi exposed
Friday, 02 July 2010 11:05
Apparently made up story praising JammehBy Kemo Cham
An article by Gambian daily, the Daily Observer Newspaper, about an alleged international forum where President Yahya Jammeh’s “development achievements” were highlighted has unveiled a rare form of scam employed by his supporters to unfairly gain his favor.
On its last Thursday edition, the pro-government newspaper in Banjul had a front page story, on a prominent space specifically preserved for the president, captioned: ‘President Jammeh's achievements highlighted in London.’
The story re
ported on an alleged participation of a young Gambian modeling agent, Fatima Jabbi, who claimed she used the recently concluded Africa Business Forum in London where she “highlight President Jammeh's achievements from 1994 to date.”"I am from The Gambia and I can tell you we are the Smiling Coast of Africa. Every country in Africa should send their leaders just for three hours to get a true lecture from my President Yahya Jammeh on how a good leader should be. My president is one man that every African or friends of Africa should try to know and emulate due to his leadership qualities…,” the Daily Observer quoted Mrs Jabbi.
Fatima, the owner of a local modeling company in Gambia called FABECS Promotion, is no stranger to fraud. In 2002, the now banned The Independent Newspaper in Banjul reported on a case involving her: captioned: ‘Celebrity Scam Uncovered Fatima Jabbi Named in D4 Million Fraud.’ She was reportedly accused of defrauding a British businessman, named Bill Brookman, of D4 million.
Such articles praising the person and government of President Yahya Jammeh are a regular features on the Daily Observer, a newspaper the president is widely believed to be the owner of, although he constantly denies it. Many people have gained promotions or appointments through the pages of the Daily Observer.
However, the international forum associated with Fatima’s statement and the prominence it got on the paper was bound to attract scrutiny. But with no date indicated in the Daily Observer article, it was hard to tell which year the London Business Forum she claimed to have attended took place.
Apparently fascinated by this development, a concerned Gambian took it upon themself to find out more.
“Just another con job by a desperate hustler who will say anything to the gullible to get one of those plastic carrier bag gifts from The Sheikh…” a contributor who identified themself as Shaka was quoted on Bantaba In Cyber Space, a web based community forum where Gambians and friends of Gambia express their views. Members of this forum, who mainly write under pseudonyms, obviously for fear of reprisal given the political situation back home in Gambia, comprise of people of all political affiliations, and they debate on a diverse range of burning issues - from politics to education, health, etc.
“The Africa Business Forum was never held at the 'London Novotel Hotel' (I doubt any such hotel exists but there is probably a dozen or more Novotel hotels in London,” Shaka said.
Further investigations by Jollof News ascertained Shaka’s findings.
It turned out that the venue for the actual recently concluded Africa Business Forum, which lasted from 21-22 June, was the Grange City Hotel in London, UK.
List of speakers
The official program schedule of the forum listed the speakers, who included governments and parliamentary representatives as well as heads of major corporate interests – from banks to financial institutions - from across the African continent. There was no mention of a single participant from Gambia.
Where and when the Africa Business Forum addressed by Fatima Jabbi was held, or which interest she represented there, remain a mystery; but the Daily Observer article on its Thursday edition has certainly exposed a bizarre way of attracting the attention of a president who easily falls for common praises, a weakness many of his supporters have exploited for years well to the detriment of the majority poor Gambians.
But like the Bantaba In Cyber Space contributor put it, the incident also highlighted a side of the Daily Observer that remains unhelpful to Yahya Jammeh’s obsession for publicity stunt.
“These are unfortunately the con jobs who continue to benefit from the Sheikh's 'generousity' at the expense of poor rural farmers and taxpayers. Just make up a whopping tale like this (hoping nobody will notice), convince the gullible Observer management to make it front page news and lo and behold you're the guest of the ever generous Sheikh,” Shaka wrote.
Efforts to reach either Fatima Jabbi and the editors at the Daily Observer in an attempt to shed light on the story proved futile.
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As long as we are all endeavouring for a developed, peaceful and progressive Gambia, putting away our personal grievances, politics and tribalism, I think we should never be enemies. I cannot comment on the source of income for Jammeh because where am I going to base my facts on? Jammeh’s wealths is something I pray that every rich man spend the way he does. No need I tell you this and if Jammeh beneficiaries would be commenting on this website, there will be no space for you. I for one have not benefited a single penny from Jammeh to date but his general support to the well-beings of Gambians and the Gambia infrastructure alone satisfy me to be with him forever. On the side of tractors, they all over the regions of Gambia and what I know is they work for anyone who hire them. My brother you deny the attitude ional change I mentioned but the most serious problem today in the Gambia is people setting up each other.
Comment
Lamin,I quote Kemo again above just to remind you yaya bought the Observer for promoting FAKED images; will also remind you of how yaya lied of donating tractors to farmers which turned out to be Gov. grants from Taiwan. MP Kemeseng Jammeh come up with the truth which angered yaya & APRC MPs.Can't see how society's to blame here???
Comment
Kemo, I believe you as you have firsthand experience of what you are saying. No wonder your sane reporters turned in ‘laughing gulls’ on hearing the pitiless truth. Truth about disturbed fake selfish white clad masquerading as legitimate. I believe there's none behind those pushing this campaign other that himself. Yaya is faker than scarecrow.
I applaud you! Nga'na naafo bondi ye for this one. IF ONLY, this is how we Gambians engage each other and the government or the opposition, for that matter, we would be a long way from where we are now. I see where you are coming from and my respect with regards to that. I totally agree, ANY "crooked and dangerous attitude of a potential minister or speaker of the National Assembly or even Vice President", including every citizens (my emphasis) should be exposed and put to check before they become a liability to the nation.
My humble last word to you is, stay focused in this challanging profession and always remember what you would like to be remembered for. Cheers!
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