The burial itself was the hardest part to witness for many mourners who had never physically witnessed it. The ladies dressed in black clothes stood a distance from Alie Yassin’s grave, while the gents, also in black attire, stood closer to the grave. From the vehicle, mourners took the corpse and carried it to the gravesite.

Close family members and friends were told to lift the remains of the late soldier Mr Alie Yassin Jr, wrapped in a white cloth, and gently instructed to lower the rope holding the corpse into the waiting hands of the grave worker standing inside the grave. Gently, the grave worker laid Alie’s corpse properly.

The grave attendant then took ten rectangular-shaped planks of wood and placed them on top of the deceased. Then, mourners were told to slowly sprinkle a handful of soil into the grave, one by one. Finally, the two tractors carrying approximately one ton of soil each started pouring the soil carefully into the grave as mourners sobbed silently and tears flowed ceaselessly.

In the quietness, the Imam offered the usual Islamic advice about life and death and how every human being should be obedient to Allah (God). The Imam and other mourners made fitting prayers for the deceased Mr Alie Junior Yassin, as they stood by the graveside. Rest in peace, my manager, Alie Yassin Jr.

Before the end of that ceremony, the men and young adults slowly left the graveside. It was the turn of the ladies, who had stood a distance away from the grave all through the burial ceremony, to come near the gravesite to pay their last respects to their brother, uncle, father and friend, Mr Alie Yassin Jr.

In the five-minute time frame given for the ladies, the Imam gave additional advice to the lady mourners who stood silently near the grave, sobbing quietly and watching the top of the elevated soil where the late Electoral Justice champion Alie Yassin Junior had just been buried. It was a sombre moment indeed and a very pathetic sight.

Finally, everyone left the muddy graveyard, leaving the late hero alone in his final resting place. Incredible scene! And as fate would have it, the winter weather was very favourable for the burial. No rain came yesterday during the ceremony. Even God knew that Mr Alie Yassin Jr was a kind soul. Rest in peace, my manager, till we meet again in heaven.

A few hours later, all the mourners at the Garden of Eden Cemetery joined the other mourners who were patiently waiting at the JK Banqueting Hall, 15A Perry Vale, Forest Hill, in South East London. There, the next phase of the final schedule for the funeral ceremony took place.

Led by the Programme Chairman, Mr Alieu Azomta Sesay, aka Tuptup, speaker after speaker made fitting tributes to the late patriot Mr Alie Yassin Junior. Alongside Mr Azomta on the high table were the Imams and the relatives of the late Mr Alie Yassin Junior, aka Jay Man, or Rambo, including his big sister, Aunt Zahiyea Yassin Kabia from the USA.

Also occupying the high table were Mr Alie Yassin’s partner, Mrs Betsy Nambi, and some of the children. Speaker after speaker took the microphone to pay personal glowing tributes to the gallant soldier and humanitarian Mr Alie Yassin Junior, all in flying colours. RIP, my manager, Alie Yassin Jr.

Undoubtedly, all the tributes had one common denominator about Mr Alie Yassin. It shows that the late man was a people’s man; he loved humanity, he was an honest, straight-talking person, a good individual, he loved his Islamic faith and his children; he was gentle, caring, a no-nonsense champion of human rights and democracy.

Chairman Azomta rightly introduced the widow Betsy Zambi from Uganda and the children, namely Alie Yassin Jr and Alina Yassin, Akram, Armal, Ariana Mujuzi, and Amair Yassin. Other relatives included Olivia Sondo, Nurse Aisha Mugalu and Aisha Maimbi. Alie Yassin’s nephews aired special tributes, namely Mr Charles Yassin, Madam Lucy Yassin, and Madam Zainab Yassin.

Prominent speakers included his closest childhood friends, such as Mr Ahmed Conteh from the USA, Mr Garia Alhadi from the USA, Mr Umaru Kabia from the UK, the Ladies of One Big Family from America, Madam Pauline Pamela-Pratt from Senegal, and officials of SLAM and FAMOSA, and a host of others paid fitting tributes. The spokesperson for One Big Family ladies from the USA, Madam Clavenda Conteh, spoke brilliantly together with her colleague, Mrs Jackie Bangura.

Leaders of renowned groups made captivating tributes to honour Mr Alie Yassin Jr. The chairman of the Ahmaddiyya Old Students, Mr Umaru Conteh, explained the vital role Mr Alie Yassin Jr had played in the recruitment of new members and the success of the FAMOSA association UK/I.

Also, the Sierra Leone Advocacy Movement SLAM was represented by Mr Hassan Turay and Madam Zainab Tholley, who lavished deserved praise on the uniqueness of the patriotic fighter Mr Alie Junior Yassin, whose untiring quest for electoral justice has paid dividends. The APC leader, Dr Samura Kamara, specifically sent his brother, Mr Hassan Turay, to pay special respect to Alie Yassin Junior.

Other key tribute speakers were representatives of Sierra Stars and the Liverpool FC Fan Club. Alie Yassin Jr was a football man and a brilliant No. 9 striker. T-Boy, speaking on behalf of Sierra Stars FC, disclosed the soccer prowess shown by Alie years back in Freetown. The Liverpool FC Fan Club rep Bangura also paid glowing tributes to Alie for his insatiable love for the Reds, i.e. You can’t walk alone.

Mr Abu Kabia and Madam Sukaina Sesay also made brilliant tributes. Amid the delicious food and drinks served, the Chairman, Azomta, thanked all the speakers for the wonderful tributes. The mourners at the jam-packed hall applauded in appreciation of the wealth of information disclosed about Alie Yassin Jr., the great. RIP, my manager.

After a long day’s work, the funeral ceremony was climaxed by the ‘Thank You’ speech uttered by Alie Yassin’s elder sister, Aunty Zahiyea Yassin Kabia. Still shocked over her brother’s death, Aunty Zahiyea made it clear that her brother Alie Yassin Junior was born in Freetown and not in Tombowalla in Kambia District, as was earlier reported.

Aunt Zahiyea Yassin Kabia also confirmed that her late brother Alie Yassin Jr was the most popular member of the Yassin family. She thanked everyone who contributed directly or indirectly, in cash or kind, to make the success of the funeral ceremony a reality and prayed for God’s guidance, prosperity, long life and good health for everyone. RIP, Manager Alie Yassin Junior. Special kudos go to Chief Organiser Mr Mustapha Adams and the unique MC Imran T.

In conclusion of the historic ceremony last night, Madam Pauline Pamela-Pratt and Madam Adijatu Kamara, and Madam Mariama Kamara were given the task by the Programme Chairman, Mr Azomta Sesay, to start an initial draft for the formation of a foundation in Mr Alie Yassin’s memory, a suggestion made by the Organiser editor Abu Shaw. RIP, my manager, Alie Yassin Jr.