DR WILLIAM SHIJA R.I.P

I am saddened by   the untimely  death  of  Dr  William  Shija  , Baba, a  friend and  above  all  a  diplomat.I  had  known  Dr  William  Shija. 

Since  his  appointment  as  the  secretary  General in  London, by  then I  was   a sitting  journalist  covering   the  British  houses  of  Parliament and  the  West  Minister  Village,  clicked instantly  and  I had the honour to being   the  first  journalist  to  interview  him  since  he was  the  The  first  ethnic  Minority  person  to  hold  that  post 

.That caused  a  buzz  around  Westminster  and  in  the  corridors  of  power  in  the  Commonwealth  fraternity.

We  became  good  friends  and  through  his  esteemed  office  I  was  able  to  learn  more  about  the  inner  working of  the  Commonwealth.

He  invited  me  to  several  meetings  and  conferences  and  the  most  memorable  part  was  when  he  invited  me  to  accompany  him  to  meet  Her Majesty the  Queen.

For  us  who  knew him Dr Shija served the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association with commitment, and with an enduring enthusiasm for its potential always to do more for its members and for the citizens of the Commonwealth at the grassroots level whom parliamentarians represent.

 I personally as  a  journalist, had a very fruitful , rewarding and collaborative partnership with Dr William and  his office in strengthening the work of Commonwealth parliaments. I recall our common endeavor in serving the citizens of the Commonwealth with warmth and gratitude through  journalism. And  I  also  remember  that  every  time  he  called  me,  he had  fresh  ground  nuts  from  Tanzania. 

Rest  in  Peace  Baba, you  have  left  the  commonwealth  fraternity  a  better place  than  you  found  it.

Tearfully yours,

Ayoub Mzee