 |
| Lady Zainab Jammeh the First Lady of The Gambia (In the background is the picture of herself and her man, Yayah on wedding day) |
In 48 hours from now or a bit longer
than that, the fate of Gambia’s President, Sheikh
Professor Alhaji (Dr.) Yahyah A.J. Jammeh will be determined by the Special
African Union forces that will be unseating his government over his political stubbornness
to gently leave power after 23 years. His 5th term attempt at power
crashed like a badly piloted jet after the December 1, 2016 Presidential
election in his country went in favor of his opposition, Mr. Adama Barrow. Jammeh
initially accepted defeat and congratulated Adama Barrow but his instinct changed twelve hours later as he
decided to remain in power, asking for a fresh election after labeling the
earlier one a sham.
than that, the fate of Gambia’s President, Sheikh
Professor Alhaji (Dr.) Yahyah A.J. Jammeh will be determined by the Special
African Union forces that will be unseating his government over his political stubbornness
to gently leave power after 23 years. His 5th term attempt at power
crashed like a badly piloted jet after the December 1, 2016 Presidential
election in his country went in favor of his opposition, Mr. Adama Barrow. Jammeh
initially accepted defeat and congratulated Adama Barrow but his instinct changed twelve hours later as he
decided to remain in power, asking for a fresh election after labeling the
earlier one a sham.
Since that debacle, the world and
Africa have come in one voice to advice Jammeh
to leave and let peace reign but he will not tolerate any diplomatic soft
landing. Hence a need to flush him out this coming Friday, January 20 by the
combines military team of countries under African Union.
Africa have come in one voice to advice Jammeh
to leave and let peace reign but he will not tolerate any diplomatic soft
landing. Hence a need to flush him out this coming Friday, January 20 by the
combines military team of countries under African Union.
However, on a very soft side, your
Africa’s Number 1 Celebrity Encounter blog, Asabeafrika went into archive to bring you the hidden story of
Gambia’s first lady, Lady Zainab Jammeh which you have not read anywhere before.
It is a story written in the best tradition of Prose by Basorun (Dr.) Dele Momodu who visited her some 17 years ago at the
State House, Banjul. In this
encounter, she shared the story of her love life with the leader of the
water-rounded African country and how they met and fell in love. Enjoy the
excerpts.
Africa’s Number 1 Celebrity Encounter blog, Asabeafrika went into archive to bring you the hidden story of
Gambia’s first lady, Lady Zainab Jammeh which you have not read anywhere before.
It is a story written in the best tradition of Prose by Basorun (Dr.) Dele Momodu who visited her some 17 years ago at the
State House, Banjul. In this
encounter, she shared the story of her love life with the leader of the
water-rounded African country and how they met and fell in love. Enjoy the
excerpts.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Beautiful?
That is not enough to capture the grace and allure of The Gambia’s First Lady.
Enchanting and enthralling, perhaps, come near when describing the captivating
light-skinned 21 Year old mother of a beautiful daughter, Maryam.
That is not enough to capture the grace and allure of The Gambia’s First Lady.
Enchanting and enthralling, perhaps, come near when describing the captivating
light-skinned 21 Year old mother of a beautiful daughter, Maryam.
Her
Excellency, Mrs. Zainab Yayah Jammeh’s loveliness is a sweetness that
leaves a lingering taste in one’s mouth. The elegant slim woman, with a mixed parentage
(Guinean and Moroccan blood) is a natural charmer.
Excellency, Mrs. Zainab Yayah Jammeh’s loveliness is a sweetness that
leaves a lingering taste in one’s mouth. The elegant slim woman, with a mixed parentage
(Guinean and Moroccan blood) is a natural charmer.
Her
disarming smiles makes you feel at ease and at home instantly. She has that
magic to make you feel like a long lost friend.
disarming smiles makes you feel at ease and at home instantly. She has that
magic to make you feel like a long lost friend.
 |
| Lady Zainab Jammeh…The woman who controls Yayah Jameh |
On Tuesday,
September 19, 2000, in The Gambia’s capital city, Banjul,
at the spectacular State House residence of the country’s First Family, we were
surprised at the simplicity and homeliness all around.
September 19, 2000, in The Gambia’s capital city, Banjul,
at the spectacular State House residence of the country’s First Family, we were
surprised at the simplicity and homeliness all around.
The 5:30 Pm
appointment was kept. Almost. Dressed in black trousers and blouse, and a light
brown jacket to match her shoes, she strode in confidently to meet us in one of
the numerous sitting rooms.
appointment was kept. Almost. Dressed in black trousers and blouse, and a light
brown jacket to match her shoes, she strode in confidently to meet us in one of
the numerous sitting rooms.
Smiling and
stretching her hand to each and everyone, she greeted. So polite, so polished.
The sophisticated stunner who spoke French
throughout the interview (There was an interpreter from the State House)
greeted in English. Apparently she
understands English—but her French must be impeccable.
stretching her hand to each and everyone, she greeted. So polite, so polished.
The sophisticated stunner who spoke French
throughout the interview (There was an interpreter from the State House)
greeted in English. Apparently she
understands English—but her French must be impeccable.
Shortly,
after brief introductions, Mrs. Zainab Jammeh, who studied
Business Administration and Communication, for the first time, bared her mind
to journalists.
after brief introductions, Mrs. Zainab Jammeh, who studied
Business Administration and Communication, for the first time, bared her mind
to journalists.
Her life as First Lady of The Gambia…
 |
| The First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia, Zainab Jammeh |
“I think the best title in the world
is to be a mother”
The world’s youngest First Lady and lover of Syrian music gushed. “I have
always had a very special relationship with kids, and I love them. And now that
I have my own daughter, it is special”
is to be a mother”
The world’s youngest First Lady and lover of Syrian music gushed. “I have
always had a very special relationship with kids, and I love them. And now that
I have my own daughter, it is special”
The very
active woman who has a number of projects for Gambians is taking things a bit easy right now, concentrating more
on motherhood. “My child is fragile as a
baby, and kids need a lot of attention. As soon as I feel she is quite strong,
I will resume my duties”…”Of course, I have a lot of responsibilities but I
will give my child priority”.
active woman who has a number of projects for Gambians is taking things a bit easy right now, concentrating more
on motherhood. “My child is fragile as a
baby, and kids need a lot of attention. As soon as I feel she is quite strong,
I will resume my duties”…”Of course, I have a lot of responsibilities but I
will give my child priority”.
Named after
the First Lady’s sister, Maryam Jameh, many agree, is
beginning to look more like her father, Alhaji Yayah A.J. Jammeh, the
admirable young man who rules as Gambia’s President (First as a soldier, and
now a civilian leader in a democracy)
the First Lady’s sister, Maryam Jameh, many agree, is
beginning to look more like her father, Alhaji Yayah A.J. Jammeh, the
admirable young man who rules as Gambia’s President (First as a soldier, and
now a civilian leader in a democracy)
The First Lady’s Project…
 |
| Lady Zainab Jammeh….A lover of babies with her child, Baby Maryam Jammeh now 17 Years old |
One of the
projects of Lady Zainab Jammeh is ‘Save
a Baby’—which was germinated during her numerous visits to hospitals where
the plight of premature babies moved her to action—and she is still raising
funds to make a lot of difference.
projects of Lady Zainab Jammeh is ‘Save
a Baby’—which was germinated during her numerous visits to hospitals where
the plight of premature babies moved her to action—and she is still raising
funds to make a lot of difference.
The Moroccan Beauty of the Gambia
 |
| Chief Dele Momodu gives Lady Zainab and Baby Maryam a copy of Ovation Magazine |
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Leaving Morocco to settle in The Gambia was not a too difficult
decision for the loveable woman. “Of
course I was very happy, because we love each other very much. I was of course
nervous because I was very close to my family. And the marriage will take me
away from them, make me start anew…”
decision for the loveable woman. “Of
course I was very happy, because we love each other very much. I was of course
nervous because I was very close to my family. And the marriage will take me
away from them, make me start anew…”
“They say love always wins”, she re-echoes—and that emotion that
conquers all took the trophy. Moreover, settling down in The Gambia was easy because she’s an African—from two countries (Morocco and Guinea). Though she grew up
and was educated in Morocco, she
visited her father’s country (Guinea) often, so, she’s home. “I am coping well” she smiled about her
new glamorous life with the love of her life who himself is in his 30s. “I am living a good life—my husband loves
me, and people show affection to me”
conquers all took the trophy. Moreover, settling down in The Gambia was easy because she’s an African—from two countries (Morocco and Guinea). Though she grew up
and was educated in Morocco, she
visited her father’s country (Guinea) often, so, she’s home. “I am coping well” she smiled about her
new glamorous life with the love of her life who himself is in his 30s. “I am living a good life—my husband loves
me, and people show affection to me”
What she learnt from being Mother of
the Nation…
the Nation…
 |
| Ovation Publisher, Chief Dele Momodu gave Lady Zainab a banquet |
Since their
marriage, Lady Zainab has learnt some politics, but she considers the
game very complicated. Admitting that
she advices her husband on many issues, that they consult each other and
confide in themselves, she does not, however, influence political decisions.
marriage, Lady Zainab has learnt some politics, but she considers the
game very complicated. Admitting that
she advices her husband on many issues, that they consult each other and
confide in themselves, she does not, however, influence political decisions.
Her
husband’s love for nature and animals has rubbed off on her. On her part, she
started riding horses from the age of 11.
husband’s love for nature and animals has rubbed off on her. On her part, she
started riding horses from the age of 11.
As young
First Families, how are they coping? “We
are adapting very well. But age does not matter, it is responsibility. And life
is a school. The more you get engaged the more you learn. And we are trying to
improve ourselves”
First Families, how are they coping? “We
are adapting very well. But age does not matter, it is responsibility. And life
is a school. The more you get engaged the more you learn. And we are trying to
improve ourselves”
Her kind of man is….
 |
| His Excellency, Sheikh Professor Alhaji (Dr.)Yayah Jameh with Lady Zainab greets Sierra Leonian Journalist, Isha Tejan Cole in Banjul |
Peace is one
of her favorite words. And her idea of happiness is “to live in peace…in perfect harmony”.
of her favorite words. And her idea of happiness is “to live in peace…in perfect harmony”.
So, if she
could change the world, elimination of wars, takes the prime position. For her,
a very strong personality with a high sense of responsibility is what she looks
for in a man. And President Jammeh is abundantly blessed in these areas.
could change the world, elimination of wars, takes the prime position. For her,
a very strong personality with a high sense of responsibility is what she looks
for in a man. And President Jammeh is abundantly blessed in these areas.
A lover of
brave women, Lady Zainab confessed that the only thing she would like to
change about herself is the way she cries easily. At the slightest opportunity,
tears well up in her eyes.
brave women, Lady Zainab confessed that the only thing she would like to
change about herself is the way she cries easily. At the slightest opportunity,
tears well up in her eyes.
 |
| His Excellency, Sheikh Professor Alhaji (Dr.)Yayah Jameh |
Her best Holiday Spot & motto…
The head
turner of a woman with no blemish or spot who have traveled far and wide loves
the Caribbean Islands.
turner of a woman with no blemish or spot who have traveled far and wide loves
the Caribbean Islands.
In
friendship, sincerity is uppermost—and her motto? “If you plant, you really harvest”
friendship, sincerity is uppermost—and her motto? “If you plant, you really harvest”
After the
interview, Baby Maryam in pink attire
posed for some shots with her breath-taker of a mother.
interview, Baby Maryam in pink attire
posed for some shots with her breath-taker of a mother.
Throughout,
not a whimper or grunt escaped the lips of the little baby who conducted
herself like a professional model.
not a whimper or grunt escaped the lips of the little baby who conducted
herself like a professional model.
 |
| Late General Sani Abacha of Nigeria…He was a mentor and Big Brother to President Yayah Jammeh in his life time |
Story & Pictures culled from Ovation International Magazine
