By Amin Kef (Ranger)
In a celebration that blended history, pride and progress, the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, His Excellency Wang Qing, served as the Guest of Honour at the 119th Anniversary of Bo Government Secondary School, popularly known as Bo School, during its annual Speech Day and Prize-Giving Ceremony on Friday April 18, 2025. The event also marked the grand unveiling of the new “Beijing Building” student dormitory, a symbol of growing Sino-Sierra Leonean cooperation.
Organized by the Old Bo Boys Association (OBBA), the prestigious event brought together President Julius Maada Bio and First Lady Fatima Bio, alongside key Government officials, diplomats, traditional leaders, students, alumni and members of the public. The celebrations served not only as a nostalgic gathering for former students but also as a reaffirmation of Bo School’s national significance and its role in shaping leaders.
Ambassador Wang Qing’s participation as Guest of Honour underscored China’s steadfast support for Sierra Leone’s educational advancement. In his keynote address, Ambassador Wang praised Bo School’s rich legacy and applauded its role in cultivating discipline, leadership, and unity among Sierra Leone’s future leaders.
“I am deeply honored to join this historic celebration,” Ambassador Wang Qing said. “Bo School is not just an academic institution; it is a symbol of national pride and collective aspiration.”
Reaffirming the strong diplomatic ties between China and Sierra Leone, Ambassador Wang Qing highlighted education as a key pillar of bilateral cooperation. He noted that the China Ambassador’s Scholarship Programme continues to support Sierra Leonean students, including 20 Bo School pupils last year alone.
“We believe education is the foundation of national development. We are committed to deepening our cooperation and building a future where both our nations prosper together,” he added.
Ambassador Wang Qing also shared insights into China’s development model, explaining the achievements of Chinese modernization and its global significance. He emphasized China’s commitment to working with Sierra Leone to implement the ten major China-Africa partnership initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping, particularly in education, infrastructure and digital innovation.
A highlight of the occasion was the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly constructed “Beijing Building,” a student dormitory co-inaugurated by Ambassador Wang Qing and President Bio. This structure, the fifth dormitory at Bo School and the only one named after a Chinese city, symbolizes a growing educational and cultural bridge between China and Sierra Leone.
President Julius Maada Bio, a distinguished alumnus of Bo School, delivered an emotionally charged speech reminiscing about his school days and underscoring the critical role Bo School played in shaping his personal and political journey.
“When children see the President returning to their school, it inspires them to dream bigger,” President Bio remarked. “Bo School taught us discipline and hard work; values that guided me from these school grounds to the presidency.”
President Bio reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to Human Capital Development, noting it as both a national priority and a personal mission. He also praised the First Lady’s efforts through the “Hands Off Our Girls” campaign and called on students, especially boys, to be champions for gender equality.
The Acting Principal of Bo School, Kosia Michael S. 4208, expressed gratitude to the President, Ambassador Wang Qing and all dignitaries for their support. He provided updates on the school’s academic performance, infrastructure developments and future plans to maintain Bo School’s status as a premier institution of learning.
The ceremony concluded with the awarding of academic prizes to outstanding pupils, reinforcing Bo School’s long-standing reputation for academic excellence, discipline and national unity.
Ambassador Wang Qing’s participation and the unveiling of the “Beijing Building” not only celebrated Bo School’s glorious past but also cemented a promising future of cooperation and shared progress between China and Sierra Leone.
