By Amin Kef Sesay
Preparatory work is currently underway to ensure that this year’s AWOL Award Ceremony turns out to be superb, special and very momentous more than how successful it had been over the years since the organization started dishing out awards to deserving individuals and institutions for recognized accomplishments within the year under review.
On the 22nd November 2019, the launch of the National Achievement Awards was launched at the Radisson Blu Hotel and graced by the Chief Minister and other personalities. The Chief Minister described AWOL as an organization which has as its aim and objective to celebrate ‘change-makers.’ He described ‘change-makers’ as those people who are doing their utmost in their little corners to put Sierra Leone first and set bright examples for others to emulate.
According to Prof. Francis, for eighteen years now AWOL has been at the forefront of transforming the lives of people in Sierra Leone while serving as an inspiration at home and even in the Diaspora devoid of political, regional and other sentiments. He added that AWOL has been a credible partner to successive governments, including the current Government. He used the opportunity to call on every Sierra Leonean not to underestimate their respective roles in giving support to governance and development issues, because it is only when each and every Sierra Leonean gives support to the Government that the much-needed change everyone needs will come about and urged AWOL Executive and members to continue the work they have been doing since their establishment.
During the occasion the President of AWOL, Ambassador Anthony Navo Jr informed the audience that AWOL was formed 20 years ago to serve the country in a distinct fashion. He added that coming from an 11 year war, as young people, they decided to form a group with a distinct mission to recognize distinguished Sierra Leoneans, as well as to complement and serve as an auxiliary to government and this they have been doing successfully since the founding of AWOL.
Indisputably, AWOL’s National Achievement Awards have now become an important feature in the calendar of annual events in Sierra Leone. Come as it does towards the close of the year, most Sierra Leoneans see it as part of their Christmas and End of Year entertainment recipe. During the course of the year, AWOL keenly watched Sierra Leoneans in their various works of life as well as institutions with the avowed objective of recognizing them for their good works.
As a family, AWOL considers that approach as a trend as “it adds worth and meaning to our efforts, and brings fulfilment to our dreams; for over and above recognizing and awarding merit, effort, achievement, ability, devotion, commitment and scholarship, to deserving Sierra Leoneans.’
AWOL is also working in underprivileged communities through its various social, educational and humanitarian interventions.
Contrary to what some may want to believe, it should however be noted that AWOL is a non-political and non-profitable organization, which focuses on national development. AWOL’s philosophy is to be selfless, to serve, to give back to society and expect nothing in return as reward or profit.
AWOL is hinged on determination to complement government’s effort in nation building; regardless of which democratic government is in power.
AWOL, for the last eighteen (18) years, has contributed its own quota to the development agenda of Mama Salone and continues to pledge its love and loyalty to Mama Salone and to serve her interest above all else.
It is on record that AWOL has stayed together as a group, worked together as a family, and pursued its goals and aspirations as patriotic Sierra Leoneans who care and love their country. As may be the case in other organizations, AWOL may have its own internal problems, for no group or organization exists without conflict; but AWOL has been able to resolve its differences amicably without any threat to the developmental aspirations of the organization as a whole.
One thing that makes AWOL very outstanding and as part of its constitution, no individual member is bigger than AWOL. AWOL is bigger than each one and their leaders are charged with the responsibility to always bring members together as a family, maintain and promote the traditions that have held AWOL together since the founding and current members became one family 18 years ago.
President of AWOL, Ambassador Anthony Navo Jr., maintains that over these eighteen years AWOL’s contributions to national development have been immense.
He says AWOL supports Sierra Leone’s development and transformative drives to build a new Sierra Leone which is the dream of every Sierra Leonean. AWOL shares in that dream of every Sierra Leonean to see our small but naturally blessed country develop into a paradise on earth:
AWOL has since its inception been involved in imbibing into the nation a whole new attitude of progress, patriotism, unity, freedom and justice. The organization seeks to see non-violence, peaceful co-existence and tolerance among politicians, religions and young people. It further wants to see quality and relevant education for children and young people and it wants to see an improved, accessible and affordable health care delivery system across the country.
AWOL further seeks to see a nation with improved social amenities for the enjoyment of young people and also to see a nation able to grow its own food and able not only to feed itself but its neighbours as well. The organization also wants to see a nation that is less dependent on donor funds for its survival and become a nation that idolises her past, present and future leaders and heroes; and also to see functioning, responsible, pro-active and delivering state institutions.
All Sierra Leoneans who have diligently, honestly, dedicatedly and selflessly played and are playing, their part in nation building stand to gain from AWOL and young people who are especially encouraged, inspired, motivated; will aspire to emulate the good examples.
Below is the list of nominees whom could be voted for by sending a text message on Africell line to 2713:
AWOL NAAs 2019 CATEGORIES & NOMINEES
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EDUCATION
1. TERTIARY INSTITUTION OF THE YEAR 2019
– IPAM
– Njala
– UNIMAK
2. SECONDARY SCHOOL OF THE YEAR 2019
– Dele-Peddle International School
– Sierra Leone Grammar School
– Providence International High School
3. PRIMARY SCHOOL OF THE YEAR 2019
– Gateway Preparatory Primary School
– International Primary School
– Modern Elementary School
4. YOUNG ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR 2018- NPSE
– Menjor, Esther Sia (Leone Preparatory Prim. School)
5. YOUNG ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR 2018 –BECE
– Hooke Johan Harmonette D. (Providence Int. Snr High, F/Town)
– Taqi Hafeez Othman (Sierra Leone Grammar Sch., F/Town)
– Jalloh Khadijatu (Annie Walsh Memorial Sch., F/Town)
6. YOUNG ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR 2018 –WASSCE
– Saffia Kai (Hermann Gmeiner Int. Sch., F/Town)
– Turay Abdulai S. (Dele-Peddle Int. High, F/Town)
7. YOUNG ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR 2019 –NPSE
– Russell Affuah (The International School Ltd., Prim)
8. YOUNG ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR 2019 –BECE
– Manyeh Kaiwanday Nova (Sierra Leone Grammar Sch., F/Town)
– Koroma Umu B. (Modern High, F/Town)
9. YOUNG ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR 2019 –WASSCE
– Gbakima Aiah (Sierra Leone Grammar Sch., F/Town)
SPORTS
10. SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR 2019
– Mohamed Buya Turay
– John Keister
– National Swimming Team
GOVERNANCE
11. MINISTRY OF THE YEAR 2019
– Ministry of Health and Sanitation
– Ministry of Tourism and Culture
– Ministry of Information and Communications
12. PARASTATAL OF THE YEAR 2019
– Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC)
– National Revenue Authority (NRA)
– Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL)
13. PARLIAMENTARIAN OF THE YEAR 2019
– Hon. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella
– Hon. Abdul Kargbo
– Hon. Ibrahim ‘Tawa’ Conteh
MEDIA
14. PRINT MEDIA HOUSE OF THE YEAR 2019
– Awoko
– Sierra Eye Magazine
– Standard Times
15. RADIO MEDIA HOUSE OF THE YEAR 2019
– Radio Democracy 98.1 FM
– SLBC Radio
– Kiss 104 FM
16. TELEVISION MEDIA HOUSE OF THE YEAR 2018 2019
– AYV TV
– SLBC TV
– Star TV
17. MEDIA PRACTITIONER OF THE YEAR 2019 (FEMALE)
– Stella Bangura (AYV TV)
– Zainab Joaque (Awoko Newspaper)
– Khadija Bangura (98.1)
18. MEDIA PRACTITIONER OF THE YEAR 2019 (MALE)
– Amadu Lamrana Bah (AYV TV)
– Mohamed Asmieu Bah (SLBC TV)
– Kemo Cham (Politico Newspaper)
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
19. PERFORMING ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2019 (MUSIC)
– Rozay Sokota
– Arkman
-Drizllik
20. PERFORMING ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2019 (MOVIE)
– Desmond Finnie
– Henrietta Mbawah
– Phebean Swill
21. PERFORMING ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2019 (COMEDY)
– Desmond Beinya
– Kindo Armani
– Richie Obama
22. ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2019 (FINE ART)
– King Dus Art
– Alusine Conteh
– Cyril Oronto-Cole
FINANCE & BUSINESS
23. BANKING INSTITUTION OF THE YEAR 2019
– Sierra Leone Commercial Bank (SLCB)
– Ecobank SL
– Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB)
24. INDIGENOUS BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 2019
– Union Trust Bank (UTB)
– Gento Group
– NP-SL
MEDICINE
25. MEDICAL PRACTITIONER OF THE YEAR 2019
– Dr. Jalikatu Mustapha
– Dr. Francis Lansana
– Dr. Aiah Lebbie
HUMANITARIAN
26. HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR 2019
– Sick Pikin Project
– Pikin Bizness
– Melqosh Mission
LAW
27. LEGAL PRACTITIONER OF THE YEAR 2019
– Musa Mewa Esq
– Ibrahim Fayia Sawaneh Esq
– Joan Bull Esq.
THE FORCES
28. MILITARY OFFICER OF THE YEAR 2019
– Brig Gen Victor Samba
– Lt Col Roland Robin Gbondo
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29. POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR 2019
– Mr Francis Musa Hazeley (Chief Supt of Police)
– Mrs Juliette Kumba Kondoh (Supt of Police)
– Mr Edward Tamba Keimbay (Asst Supt of Police)
30. FIRE FORCE OFFICER OF THE YEAR 2019
– Sahr I. Aruna (Sub Officer)
– Abu Bakarr Fofanah (Sub Officer)
– Adebayo Williams (Sub officer)
31. CORRECTIONAL OFFICER OF THE YEAR 2019
– Mohamed Santigie Turay (Director of Corrections)
– Rev Mrs. Josephine R.M. Findlay (Chief Supt of Corrections)
– Mr. Joseph Emmanuel Manley (Chief Supt of Corrections)
AGRICULTURE
32. FARMER OF THE YEAR 2019
– Kabia Farm
– Jam Jay Enterprise
– Madam Haja Sundu Marrah
CIVIL SOCIETY
33. CSO/CBO OF THE YEAR 2019
– Campaign for Good Governance
– CARL- SL
– CHIRDI- SL
HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
34. HOSPITALITY HOUSE OF THE YEAR 2019
– The Place- Tokeh
– Radisson Blu
– Lagoonda
FASHION
35. FASHION DESIGNER 2019
– Madam Wokie
– Hudsons
– J & F Fashion
PETTY TRADING
36. PETTY TRADER OF THE YEAR 2019
– Isatu (Plasas Seller, Aberdeen Market)
– Abdulai Jalloh (Butcher, Krootown Road)
– Sarian Karimu (Shenge Market, Bo)
NATIONAL SERVICE
37. PUBLIC SERVANT OF THE YEAR 2019
– Lara Taylor-Pearce (ASSL)
– Francis Ben Keifala (ACC)
– Micheala Mackay (CAC)
COMMUNICATIONS
38. TELE-COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY OF THE YEAR
– Orange SL
– Africell SL
– SIERRATEL
