The late ex-speaker of the National Assembly, Alhaji Mustapha B Wadda, was laid to rest yesterday in a somber funeral that was attended by thousands of mourners.

At the funeral held at Bakau?s cemetry, speaker after speaker extolled the virtuous life of service that the former secretary general and head of civil service had led. Past and serving government officials, religious leaders, politicians and security chiefs, among other dignitaries, attended the funeral that was held in accordance with the Muslim rites.

Wadda, who had diligently served as Gambia legislative chief between 1997 and 2002 in the second Republic, died at the Royal Victorial Teaching Hospital on Sunday, January 31, aged 79. Shortly after his demise, the Gambian leader, Sheikh Professor Dr. Alhaji Yahya Jammeh, was the first to announce his shock at the loss of a man who was described by all and sundry as a true servant of the people.

The deceased, who was set to be handed a state burial, was taken to the Bakau cemetery after it was understood from his family that his last wish was to be given immediate, private and modest burial.