Popular Sierra Leone Journalist Jonathan Leigh Passed Away in Freetown Yesterday, RIP
By Abu Shaw in London (10/04/2022)
Sierra Leone and the journalism industry are mourning the sudden death of one of the most popular journalists in the country Mr Jonathan Leigh. RIP.
The death of Sierra Leone journalist Mr Jonathan Leigh yesterday has sent shock waves across the journalism industry in the country and beyond. Mr Jonathan Leigh, the Managing Editor of the Independent Observer newspaper, reportedly passed away at 4:00 pm at the Connaught Hospital in Freetown yesterday after a brief illness. He has been on and off hospital admissions in recent times and Jonathan Leigh always made sure the information about his health conditions was available on Facebook. Mr Jonathan Leigh was the Proprietor of one of the biggest newspapers in Sierra Leone and in 2002 his Independent Observer Newspaper won the National Achievement Award in Sierra Leone. (Photo: RIP brother Jolly).
It was clear that Jonathan Leigh lived his glorious life in the public glare and the advent of social media over the years was the perfect platform for the late print and electronic journalist to post his photos where ever he goes. Even before the social media era, the late penman and journalist loved himself so much that he often had souvenirs in his mind and no wonder he had abundant pictures of himself on social media. His spot-on vision for souvenirs would be more significant today after his sad passing. The late journalist was a simple and friendly individual who could hardly kill a fly. Jonathan Leigh, a pious Arsenal FC fan, was very close with his colleagues, friends, and family members. Jolly’s death is pathetic news indeed.
Many qualities could be attributed to the late Jonathan ‘Lucky’ Leigh. Besides being former sports and political correspondents for the VOA radio and other international media outlets over the years, Jonathan Leigh was a gentleman who likes to look smart at all times. Close friends called him ‘Bluff Man’ for normally putting on immaculate attires that matched head to toe that could even pass for showbiz and celebrities. ‘Jolly’, as I used to call him personally, was my workmate at the award-winning and fastest-selling Expo Times newspaper in the mid-90s at No 1 Short Street in Freetown, Sierra Leone’s Fleet Street at the time.
I came to know Jonathan Leigh at Expo Times newspaper where he was the vibrant Sports Editor and I was the Production and Business Manager. In this brief tribute, I need to share one vivid horrific incident that nearly claimed my life in the 90s but thanks to Jonathan Leigh’s quick wit, I survived. Jonathan Leigh saved my life in 1996 right inside the Expo Times fourth-floor office where a faulty power generator nearly electrocuted me to death but the brave and timely intervention of Jonathan Leigh saved me from an untimely death. I was rushed to the Connaught Hospital for treatment. I still have the burn scars on my right hand. I will ever remain grateful to brother Leigh for saving my life. (Photo: RIP bro Jolly).
On that fateful day, I vividly remember trying to unplug the generator cable from the electric socket on the wall when unknowingly, I touched the naked cable wires and suddenly I collapsed on the floor unconscious. With the quick judgment of Jonathan Leigh, he bravely jumped over me and switched off the generator and that move by Jolly brought me back to life. Thank goodness, Jonathan was present during that terrible incident. Expo Times staff writer Mr Abdulai Bayraytay, (former APC Spokesman) who also witnessed the accident, panicked and ran away from my unconscious body and he was so frightened that he wanted to jump from the fourth-floor window of the Kumeh Building housing majority of the newspapers then. Incredible cowardice exhibited by poor Bayraytay!
I remained indebted to the bravery of the late Jonathan Leigh forever. Unfortunately, since the SLPP government of President Bio came to power in 2018, I had an unfriendly and heated relationship with my brother Jonathan Leigh because of political differences. He was SLPP/Paopa and I am always opposing the misrule of the ruling SLPP regime. He was understandably not happy with my stance. Consequently, we had bitter exchanges. I deeply regret those bitter exchanges on Facebook in recent times. Until his sad passing yesterday, I did not have the chance to say sorry, which I would regret for the rest of my life. May his soul rests in perfect peace.
Under President Bio, Mr Jonathan Leigh was Sierra Leone’s Deputy Ambassador to Germany until he returned home last year. At the apex of the Expo Times era, I and Jonathan even shared the same room at Gabber Lane, Mountain Cut in Freetown. We were brotherly colleagues, no doubt, but sadly dirty politics drove us apart in the last few years. It is in this vein that I wholeheartedly paid this tribute to my brother, Jonathan Leigh, and may his gentle soul rests in peace. As for the Leigh family at home and abroad, please have my deepest sympathy. Rest in peace brother Jolly till we meet again in Heaven.
