Two Gambian Girls Follow in Fathers' Foot steps, Bag Science Degrees the Same Day from the Same University

Ngoneh and Musu  

Two Gambian girls were among  4,800 graduates of the 2012  academic year at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas, USA. 

The two,  Musukebba Conateh (alias Musu) and her younger sister Fatou Conateh (Ngoneh) are the daughters of  veteran journalist Swaebou Conateh of the News and Report Weekly Magazine, and Mrs Sukai Conateh, both of Dippakunda in Kanifing Municipality.

Each of the girls was awarded the bachelor of science degree at the same  graduation ceremony held in the University’s stadium, which was filled to capacity for the ocassion.

Ngoneh qualified as a Civil engineer at the School of Engineering and Environmental  Studies while Musu specialised as a respiratory therapist nurse from the medical school at  the KU Medical Centre (KUMC) in  Kansas City, Kansas.

The University of Kansas with a student population of 48,000 is the biggest institution of higher education in the state of Kansas. It is also the alma  mater of the girls’ father,  Swaebou Conateh who, in 1968, graduated from there with a batchelor of science  degree in journalism under the African Scholarship Program of American Universities ( ASPAU).

           It was on the 13th May, 2012, the Musu and Ngoneh joined other graduants who went up the hill at the University and to participate in the   tradition of  walking  down the hill through the campanille (the huge bell tower) to collect their degrees from the University Vice Chancellor. The atmosphere was filled with music played by the university marching band which typically played the traditional song of the university, the crimson and the blue, while students intermittently chanted their favourite rock chalk jayhawk slogan. Bells also pealed from the top of the campanille towers as part of the celebration ceremony for the day.

Both girls naturally found the ocassion memorable and they expressed thanks to their parents for the sacrifice which led to their success. Musu,now married to Abdoulie Jawara, brought along their four year old daughter, Fatou Jawara.

  Ngoneh particularly thanked the President, Yahya Jammeh, for assisting with funds through the President’s office to help pay tuition fees. Without such invaluable assistance, she said it would have been more difficult for her to complete her program of studies so soon.