Tribute to the late Professor Alpha Sheriff

By Roland Bankole Marke.

Alpha Sheriff(photo) was born in 1958 in Sanda -Rokulan area in northern Sierra Leone. His ascension onto the pinnacle of academia did not happen by sudden flight, for while others were sleeping or having fun he was busy toiling to harness the mid-night oil in achieving his burning desire. His tertiary education started at M.M.T.C. now Milton Margai College of Education and Technology, where he pursued the Higher Teacher’s Certificate. He later proceeded to Fourah Bay College to earn his under-graduate degree. And later left for UK where he bagged a Masters degree from Essex University. His unquenchable thirst for education did not seem to have waned. After migrating to the United States he entered Kansas State University to crack the Doctorate program specializing in Sociology. He wrote his thesis on “The Developmental Effects of Contract Tobacco Cultivation in Northern Sierra Leone 1960-1990” that earned him his PhD in Sociology. He served as a visiting Professor at the University of North Florida. He had an insatiable passion for creative writing that goaded him to publish articles or academic papers in various journals.

I met Dr. Alpha Sheriff in Florida when he was a member of the Association of Sierra Leoneans in North Florida. He was the first among a few Sierra Leoneans who encouraged me to follow my passion for creative writing and invited me to his school, where he introduced me to his colleagues. He was eager to promote my writing, even made his students study my writing in his class. He was a wonderful teacher who took personal interest in the welfare of his students. Sometimes he would provide lunch for them from his shallow pocket at the same time encouraging them to stay in school, especially international students who were plagued with financial nightmares. He was more of a big brother than an instructor to his students, who toiled to ensure that their grades were comparable with high university standards. His love and passion for his fellow country folk was no different, this had a special place in his heart. He treated everyone with kindness and would condemn any form of discrimination.

In his quest for greener pastures he relocated to Georgia where he secured a job as Professor of Sociology at Gainesville State College. In 2003 while he was commuting from school on his way home, he was involved in a terrible car accident that left him in a coma for almost ten days. He spent over a month in rehabilitation at Emory University Hospital. Being a resilient and resolute fighter he returned to work to resume his teaching assignment later in 2003. Some people did not believe he would come out alive from his misfortunes, but he outwitted his critics. But sadly, on Tuesday March 13 shockwave news of his death ripped the hearts of Sierra Leoneans, friends and colleagues alike. He died peacefully in his sleep joining the community of ancestors at the age of 48 years.

For Alpha success in life is more than material possessions which most people lust after especially immigrants. For him it is about service, unconditional love for humanity, faithfulness to one’s vocation. He did his utmost to enhance education. His own schooling did not affect his education. He shared whatever he had with kind words and a smile on his face. He became a beacon and shining star worthy of our emulation. But He exited the stage of life when the world needed him most. He’s survived by his 20 year-old son Abdulai Sheriff (Jr.) in Sierra Leone, a brother Abdulai Barrie (Atlanta) sister Fatmata (MD) and Jariatu (Delaware) and several relatives and friends at home and abroad. May light perpetual shine on him: to secure a home of solace in God’s bosom.

Twilight

A brisk twilight shredded our bleeding hearts

Inevitable journey of Alpha’s shocking flight

Patience had endured Lucifer’s grueling fight

He could be craving ripe fruits of lifetime toil

He charmed humanity with his generous heart

A singing heart like his accomplished mission

Deaths’ sting has ruined an unfathomable bond

But Father Abraham’s bosom clings watertight

In celestial garden nectar of love blooms white

His faith like oyster clings to a protective shell

Invincible so infallible architect shepherds best