By Alhagie Jobe
Veteran Gambian radio journalist George Christensen who died on June 3rd has finally been laid to rest today, Friday, June 10, at the Banjul cemetery.
Mr Christensen who was proprietor of former Radio 1 FM, the first independent FM station in The Gambia, died in Dakar after he collapsed at the Leopold Sedar Senghore International Airport in where he was waiting to board his flight to Banjul.
Hundreds of mourners – from family members, colleague journalists, friends and love ones paid their last respect to a doyen in Gambian journalism. The funeral was a somber moment as many believed the late Mr Christensen left a void in the media that can never be filled.
Commonly known as Uncle George, Mr Christensen who died at the age of 64 was an experienced and seasoned broadcaster since 1974, he trained some of the finest journalists in and outside the country. A doyen of Gambian journalism, George is described by many as not only a mentor but teacher and critique who gives candid opinions on the profession.
People who knew the late Mr George described him as a ‘peoples’ man’, always jovial and willing to crack jokes’.
Tributes from senior journalists both home and abroad described him as a gentleman and a professional who has polished their journalistic skills and placed them on the right track. Family members also described him as not only a father but mentor, partner and an open minded person who is frank but also very caring.
The sudden death of Mr Christensen shattered the entire Gambia media fraternity.
