Monrovia – Within less than two weeks to the burial of the late Lawrence Randall, a media developer and consultant who died in the United States of America, another media executive/personnel has passed. The unexpected death of Prime Radio Station Manager, Mamadi Diakite, has come as a blow to the Liberian Media.
Report by Mae Azango [email protected]
Diakite known as one of the most popular talk show host in the country died Sunday morning after he was rushed to a local hospital when he had gone in a coma.
His death brought shock to many mourners and sympathizers, including President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Vice President Boikai, Special Presidential Task Force Chairman J. Fornati Koffa, and other officials of government, and Journalists who gathered at the deceased Sinkor resident at the first break of Day to sympathize with the bereaved family members.
As cars rode out of the deceased compound, more cars drove in, that there was no parking space in the yard of the Monrovia City Hall yard nearby, and the sidewalk opposite the Pan African Plaza as mourners went in, spectators stood outside and watched the actions of movement.
“We will Miss Mamadi Diakite very much because he was very outspoken and was there to speak out,” said Vice President Boakai.
The Vice President who walked from the jammed packed yard, to sympathize with family members indoor, was filled with pity upon seeing family members, mainly women inside the house of the deceased, sitting flat on the carpet floor living room and crying out in pains. Upon seeing the Vice President, the cries of the women increased, as VP Boakai watched in sorrow with tears in his eyes, and quietly walked away.
Associate Justice Kabineh M. Ja’neh, who was also in close conversation with the brothers of the deceased, in getting their Mother to Liberia from Guinea as quickly as possible, said he will miss the deceased because they were like brothers.
“Like you see right now, I have been very devastated since I heard the news, because he was a very promising person, so it is a great lost to the Country,” said Justice Ja’neh
On whether Justice Ja’neh was only saying good things about the deceased because he was dead, the Associate Justice answered: “Mamadi had and independent mind of his own and whenever he spoke, it was the proper thing he said. So, I am not saying he was promising because he is now dead, but it is the fact.”
For his part, Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa who said he was there at the hospital last evening when Diakite was rushed for treatment said he told the deceased brother to call him as soon he came through, but said he was shocked to have received a text in the morning that Diakite had passed.
“The death of Diakite is a great lost to the family of journalists and freedom of the press in Liberia. We all knew Mamadee, he called it as he saw it, but he did it in a manner that was so professional, that even if you disagreed with him, he respected it. We will miss him for the level of professionalism and dedication he brought in the media,” said Cllr. Koffa
Responding to why he, Cllr. Koffa was praising the deceased when in fact, the late Mamadee was a critic of the Government to some extent, he said “Mamadee was someone who I disagreed with many times, but we never had an exchange of bad words. Many people said he was not professional but that was not my experience with him”.
On behalf of the Diakite’s family, Alpha, a brother of deceased, said they could not speak because they were still in shock, but he told Vice President Boakai that they could not bury the late Diakite because their mother, who was on her way from Guinea, requested that they keep the body until she arrives in order to see her son for the last time before burial.
The activities of the deceased yard, continued until press time, as more and more people kept rushing in to find out as to whether the news is true, because it was announced that the deceased was sick.
In fact, the deceased returned to the country last week from the United States, after visiting with his wife who had just given birth to a bouncing baby girl. This is why the death news of Diakite, came as a shock to everybody, including the writer of this story.
Messages of condolences have been posted on the social media, mainly Facebook with many expressing shock over the incident.
Abdullai Kamara, President of the Press Union of Liberia wrote “A quite stressful moment, having to once more grapple with the inevitable death. About the 4th journalist within the past six weeks that also included 4 family members. Mamadee Diakite was quite purposeful and especially opinionated in his role! May Allah grant him Jannah Firdaus!”
Henry Costa, another popular talk show host who had unpleasant exchanges with posted “Mamadee Diakite and I didn’t see eye to eye on many things.
We had countless heated intellectual disagreements on our respective shows, sometimes even unsavory, but there was always mutual respect and admiration between the two of us, a fact unknown to most people.
The last time we spoke was on July 14th of this year, my 3rd day in Liberia, on my recent trip.
We have lost a great son of Liberia. My heart bleeds whenever a young and promising man or woman passes away, particularly in such sudden and heartbreaking fashion.
We will miss you, Mamadee Diakite! And let me assure you, my dear friend, that, Liberia will get better!
Alieu Fuad Nyei, another follower of the late Diakite wrote “’Inna lilahi wa inna ilaihi ragi’oon. Surely, we belong to Allah and to Him we shall return.’ (Surah 2:156). May the Almighty Allah grant our brother Mamadee Diakite janatul firdaus. Ameen.
It is with a heavy heart that I convey my profound condolences to his wife, kids, and extended family.
May Allah receive you in His bosom!
Sekou Kalasco Damaro also wrote “I am deeply saddened this morning to be call about the death of my brother Fanta Mamadee. Not only I, but our community and country has lost a giant in the Liberian Media. But again as a Muslim, I believe that it is Allah that giveth life and take it.
He always held a strong believe that Liberia will never fall, so as he has departed may Allah, the Almighty continue to answer his wish and may Allah, grant him paradise.
May the Almighty forgive his sins, and prolonged our own lives with good health. My brother Mamadee, till we meet again, in the year after. Have a wonderful time in paradise my brother!”
Jesefu Morris Keita wrote “I am speechless but can at least muttered: almighty Allah knows best and may he grant you and all departed faithful aljanah.. Ameena!
Nathan Charles, a journalist residing in the United States of America wrote “Shocking and scaring, I am just wondering why will death snatched our young media colleagues who have brought life to modern and professional Broadcasting in Liberia. Hummm… another Liberian media hero has fallen. Mamadee Diakite a man who brought the real situation in Liberia daily to the world is no longer with us. Ah…. this life here oh….”
Darryl Ambrose Nmah wrote “Aye God, we arr now asking why oh? Why the young and promising leaders of Liberia? Ay, my brother Mamadee Diakite. May Allah grant you peaceful rest.
Zenu Miller, a former journalist wrote “Rest in peace my dear brother. Your death is a massive shock. …life truly is like a drama”.
Jennie Fallah, a female Liberian journalist wrote “Mamadi too? Oh no menh.. No no… God, are you there?
This is too much…. It’s too much for the Media! Just too much.. Losing two media Giants with in this short time chey? It was Lawrence Randall and now Mamadee Diakite…? Rest ooooo…
Charles B. Yates, a journalist also wrote “Letter to death -Dear death, we have had enough of you in recent days. We are devastated by your action. You continue to eliminate our heroes and leave us in the state of bewilderment.
We are perplexed! Please stand down on us and our generation. Please death! Leave us alone. Mamadee Diakite , please great Lawrence Randall for us and tell him that we were still mourning his departure when you also decided to leave us and join him. The both of you have created irreplaceable vacuum in our generation. The media is bereaved again!