By Foday Moriba Conteh
During a well-attended ceremony held on Tuesday 20th August, 2024 at the Committee Room, University House, Fourah Bay College Campus in Freetown, Prof. Aiah Lebbie, Vice Chancellor of the University of Sierra Leone, launched the African Genius Awards 2024. The official launching of the awards marked the beginning of preparations for the prestigious awards, which will be hosted by Fourah Bay College on September 7, 2024 for the first time outside South Africa.
The prestigious awards, which was first established in 2021 by “Priority Performance Projects” in collaboration with the University of Pretoria, aim to celebrate and recognize outstanding achievements in Science, Education, Technology, Politics, Social Work, Media, Arts and Culture across the African continent.
Prof. Lebbie highlighted the rich history of Fourah Bay College, referring to the institution’s legacy as one that dates back nearly 200 years. He expressed pride in FBC’s global influence, noting that its alumni have made significant contributions in various sectors worldwide.
“The African Genius Awards, taking place here at FBC for the first time outside South Africa, is a unique opportunity to showcase the best of Fourah Bay College and the University of Sierra Leone to the world,” Prof. Lebbie remarked. He encouraged the young people present to rise to the occasion and see themselves as potential future nominees for the awards, stressing that Sierra Leone has no shortage of talented individuals.
Prof. Lebbie also applauded the efforts of the AGA Planning Committee and the leadership of FBC for their rigorous preparations. He expressed confidence that the upcoming event on September 7, 2024, would be a showcase of the best the University has to offer and a celebration of African excellence.
The Vice Chancellor formally launched the African Genius Awards ceremony, marking a historic moment for Fourah Bay College as it prepares to host the event for the first time outside South Africa. He concluded by expressing pride in the institution’s achievements and reaffirming the commitment of USL to making the 2024 African Genius Awards a global success.
Prof. Kelleh Mansaray, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Fourah Bay College, emphasized the importance of recognizing exceptional Africans who have contributed to the continent’s self-determination, dignity and exceptionalism.
“This is a special event not only for FBC and the University of Sierra Leone but for the entire country,” Prof. Mansaray said, highlighting the significance of Sierra Leone hosting the African Genius Awards for the first time.
He announced that a Planning Committee had been established at FBC to ensure the event aligns with its goals and messaging. Additionally, Student Ambassadors have been appointed to help promote the event through social media, email campaigns and on-campus activities.
“It’s high time we start to recognize exceptional Africans who have contributed towards the realization of African self-determination, dignity and exceptionalism,” Prof. Mansaray reiterated during his address.
Since its inception, eight Africans have been honored with the African Genius Awards, including Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe (posthumously), Aliko Dangote and Stephen Biko (posthumously). The 2024 edition of the awards will be the first to be hosted outside South Africa, with FBC taking the lead.
In anticipation of the event, the African Genius Awards Committee in South Africa has released the official list of nominees for 2024. The list includes 47 exceptional Africans, with two Sierra Leoneans among them: Ibrahim Parizco Dainkeh, a self-taught innovator, inventor and engineer who built the world’s first peace robot using scrap materials and Dr. Yakama Manty Jones, an economist, researcher, entrepreneur, consultant and philanthropist.
He also hinted that many more Sierra Leoneans who have made significant contributions to society will be considered for the 2025 awards.
Updating the gathering on preparations for the upcoming AGA ceremony, Dr. Solomon Tucker, Chair of the African Genius Awards (AGA) Planning Committee at Fourah Bay College (FBC), highlighted the significance of the awards, likening them to the Nobel Awards, but with a unique focus on recognizing exceptional Africans who have made significant contributions across various fields.
He expressed gratitude to the leadership of Fourah Bay College and the University of Sierra Leone, acknowledging the robust support from the Vice Chancellor, Deputy Vice Chancellor and Deputy Registrar. Additionally, Dr. Tucker thanked the African Genius Awards team in South Africa for their financial backing and local efforts in publicity.
As preparations continue, Dr. Tucker confirmed that all aspects of the event, including media coverage, guest lists and speakers, are on track. He expressed excitement about the upcoming ceremony and assured the public that updates will be provided through various media channels leading up to the prestigious event.
Abu Bakarr Jalloh, Public Relations and Country Representative for the African Genius Awards (AGA) in Sierra Leone, shared insights into the journey that led to Sierra Leone being selected as the first country outside South Africa to host the prestigious awards.
Reflecting on the pivotal moment, he revealed that while on a ferry to Lungi, he received a call from the founder of the African Genius Awards, asking about potential locations to host the event outside South Africa. Abu Bakarr Jalloh quickly suggested Sierra Leone, highlighting the country’s welcoming nature and peaceful environment. Despite initial consideration of Uganda, he pushed for Sierra Leone, emphasizing the country’s resilience and ability to host such a significant event.
Expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support from FBC and the University’s leadership, Abu Bakarr Jalloh highlighted the efforts of the AGA Planning Committee, particularly recognizing Professor Kelleh Mansaray, among others for their collaboration and dedication.
He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to promoting Sierra Leone through positive stories and expressed his excitement about the upcoming African Genius Awards on September 7, 2024. Abu Bakarr Jalloh encourages everyone to be proud of Sierra Leone’s role in hosting such a prestigious international event.
As the countdown to September 7 begins, the college and the nation at large are gearing up to celebrate African excellence on a global stage, with Fourah Bay College at the forefront.
