By Ramatoulie Jawo
Modou Njai, former Director of Health Promotion and Education, Ministry of Health on Wednesday urged the Gambian media to continue working closely with the Ministry of Health (MoH) to get information required for their work.
He made the remarks while delivering an emotional farewell address before the media, staff of the ministry of health and well-wishers at the Central Medical Store complex in Kotu.
“I urged all the media houses to continue working closely with the Ministry to get all the information you will need for your work,” he said.
Njai further urged the media to continue nurturing the existing spirit of peace and unity between them and the Ministry of Health; and reach out to the new director the ministry would appoint any time the need arises.
“I am very proud of the journalists and the media houses for the support given to me over the past years. I want to say thank you to all of you and at the same apologise to all those I have offended knowingly, or unknowingly,” he said.
The former Director of Health Promotion and Education called on the media to support the next director of health promotion in the interest of the Gambia.
Modou Njai secured an international appointment as a National Coordinator, Western Regional Coordination Centres with the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in Abuja, Nigeria, effective 1st November 2022; and his responsibility includes overseeing between 5-10 countries in West Africa, according to a statement by the ministry.
Njai has served the Ministry of Health in various capacities for 30 years, ranging from field Public Health Officer to being a Director, and considered an architect of the Directorate of Health Promotion and Education, the statement added.
Speaking on behalf of the journalists, Mafugi Ceesay, President of the Health Journalists’ Association thanked Mr. Njia for playing a vital role in uplifting their career over the past years.
The President of the Health Journalists’ Association called on the incoming director to follow the footsteps of his predecessor by working closely with the media house.
Mass Joof, a staff at the Directorate of Health Promotions at the Ministry of Health, thanked Modou Njia for his endless support during his days as director.
Meanwhile, Modou Njia awarded certificates to media houses and some journalists in recognition of their roles and contributions towards the National Response on Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in the Gambia.