By Michael Scales, UK
Dear Mr.Editor,
I must admit to not being very well at the moment ,due to a N.H.S. dentist discharging my poor tooth with all the dexterity of Greg Norman extracating his golf ball from deep rough.I did suggest to her to show me some mercy....and save the tooth and extract me instead.It would have been much more humane.My Nigerian wife cannot understand why i persist with the N.H.S. and suffer so much ,whilst i can obviously afford to go "private".Again,I must admit to failing to make her realise the heavy principal involved to this working class boy made good .She reminded me of last year in Abuja...when i walked through the door ,paid £5 and was treated to a much higher standard of care than here in G.B.The further announcement from our Prime Minister, that he is considering changing Immgration rules to admit only accademically qualified applicants who can speak English fluently...is set to deprive Africa of more of its "finest"....For this i sincerly appologise.Proberbly the reason so why many Ministers in the Gambia are trying so hard to get a place in your only University.So many have been deposited into the elephants graveyard of late.My wife has 9 "A" levels and speaks the Queens english to diplomatic standard,Along with passing her entrance exams to University,making this iliterate and uneducated englishman..very proud.May i also say how incredably embarressed i am at being 12th on the most wanted list ahead of the extremly capable talent of Fatou Jaw Manneh..and award winning journalist ,
Musa Saidy Khan....However, i am highly honoured to be awarded the title of personna non gratia along with the United Nations Representative..and our own Highly intelligent and pro Gambian, Mr.Bharat Joshi.I remain extremly unworthy of such reveered company.The exercise of writing on Freedom has shown me who my true friends are in the Gambia and who crawled so easily under rocks to distance themselves from me.The ones who sat outside my room allnight remain standing..and the others i gave expensive chatels have long gone.The moral of this is clear..true friends are of the heart and not the pocket.
I will not give a kneejerk reaction...to withdraw the offer of sponsering a nationwide soccer tournament for the first two divisions in the Gambia in January accompanied by a similar tournament for the minor leagues.This i believe has been accepted in principal by a member of the G.F.A. But of course..they can distance themselves from my offer at there further consideration.Ghana and Nigeria have been asking me very politely for some sponsership for sometime.However... i am not spiteful neither am i prone to provercation.My interests has always been honerable..to the children of The Gambia...presently standing at over £150,000 and taking not one penny back. I hope this does not put off anyone who wishes to invest in the children of The Gambia.....Appologies for my brevity of late....Pain is a great leveler....Ouch !!!
I remain ...Michael.