By Amin Kef Sesay
During an auspicious ceremony on the 5th September 2021 that attracted a battery of important personalities from different walks of life, the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Africa Young Voices Media Empire (AYV), Amb Anthony Navo Jnr, launched a new office and media Centre at the Western Soho Square on Oxford Street in London.
Present during the occasion were Dr. Adonis Abboud, businessman and philanthropist who is a senior executive of ‘Transitional Limited DSTV’ with extensive international connections. He is also an honorary Paramount Chief of Upper Bambara Chiefdom in the Kailahun district; Ms Nana Ofori-Atta Oguntola, the Managing Director ‘World Media Initiatives Community Interest Company’ a renowned filmmaker and an established author; Dr Roselle Thompson, another accomplished author, media director and International education leader; Collins Archie-Pearce, Sierra Leonean-British Film Producer, Director and Actor who has featured in over 50 Nollywood and other African films.
Cutting the ribbon to mark the launching of the well-attended occasion on behalf of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, the Government and people of Sierra Leone, the Sierra Leone High Commissioner to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, HE Dr. Morie Komba Manyeh expressed joy and pride at the landmark project. The High Commissioner encouraged the AYV team members to continue to work together to challenge themselves in achieving bigger and better goals.
Adonis Aboud, the Chief Executive Officer of Transnational Sierra Leone Limited also delivered a powerful statement during which he heartily congratulated Amb Anthony Navo Jnr, on what he praised as an accomplishment of a remarkable feat.
Indeed, it is indisputable that the Africa Young Voices (AYV) media empire continues to bring Sierra Leone closer to the outside world evident in how it was recently linked to DStv Africa which now makes it possible for AYV programs to be watched via DSTV Africa on Channel 399.
As a result of this linkage, AYV is live in thirty (30) countries across Africa for now and there are twenty four countries to be brought onboard. All the West African countries are now connected apart from Ghana and Nigeria of which plans are underway for them to come on later but categorically it must be stated that other African countries are now on.
This new development is indeed a big boost in the sense that it has now made it possible for the country to gain another presence within the international broadcasting landscape. Sierra Leoneans living abroad will be abreast with current events taking place in the country.
Besides, AYV presence on DSTV will serve as the gateway for the outside world to know the critical issues that emanate from the country. Such will somehow be an aid to international policy makers to discuss pertinent related issues in order to make informed decisions geared towards addressing certain concerns.
The official launching of the partnership with DSTV will be done on the 17th September, 2021.
Ambassador Anthony Navo Jr., passionately believes that if other African nationals can invest and make a difference in their countries, Sierra Leoneans can and must also invest to empower young people, which will in turn create jobs and promote talents.
