It’s almost about the same period (electioneering period) in 2007 when I joined New Vision. Since then Sheku Koroma popularly called Sheikh and I became intimate more than any other colleague in the office. We were almost like inseparable twins who cannot do or go anywhere without the other.
Kaylon was the common name he used to call me. When he wanted to create fun especially for colleagues to laugh he will call me Kaylon, come and go buy food and water for us to eat. Any attempt to grumble or argue, he will jokingly ask don’t you know that I’m the eldest? Besides, Manager said the two of us are more vulnerable (monetarily) that’s more the reason we need to care and show love to ourselves. “Bo ar beg cam go now, nor falla nobody in tok me broda. Buku nar ya nar mujabjabina (kongosa) dem wae nor wan see we.”
Like many before and after me who came and left New Vision, I had wanted to leave too but my brother Sheikh used to give me words of courage and hope that things will be better in the near future. So I stayed put.
Sometimes when we are extremely hard up, he will tell me Kaylon, wait I will have to map out strategy for us to survive for today, and certainly in most cases we survived. If the another time the strategy doesn’t work locally, he tell me again this time I have to resort to international “bega bega.” He will call his relatives abroad who in many occasions instantly rescue him (us).
Sheikh was my Sheikh because he personally cared about me. He used to call me if he didn’t see me in the office to enquire what was wrong. “Oho oo…ar feel say you nor well oh oo!”
Sheikh was loved by almost everybody he came in contact. He used to create fun anywhere he goes. He was a kindhearted man who had in him the spirit of giving even if it means parting with his last penny to save others he will do so without the least hesitation.
Sheikh was overambitious. He wanted to take better care of his family especially his little children before he is called home. Pathetically though, he could not achieve those ambitions as he has been snatched by the cold hands of death.
Honestly I did not miss Brother SHEIKH I’ve lost him forever.
Adieu Bro, sleep and take your rest until we meet again.
Mohamed Kallon (Kaylon)