By Foday Moriba Conteh
The International Committee Board & the Management and Staff of Diaspora Focus on Friday 17th December 2021 held the 10th edition of the National Development Awards (NaDA) at the Golden Tulip Hotel, in Freetown.
The event was graced by top dignitaries including Government officials, diplomats, heads / reps of International Organizations, top officials of the Police, the Military, NGOs, Banks, Members of Parliament, academics & business magnets.
Awards were presented to individuals & Institutions for meritorious services in various facets of life, including Government ministries, departments and agencies, business houses, military and police personnel, banks, academics & other top professionals including Col. Hassan Coomber, ASP Joan Bull Kamara, Col. Dr. Stephen Sevalie, Rev. George Spilsbury-Williams, Mr. H. H. Walker, Amb. Francis Ben Kaifala, Dr.Duramany-Lakkoh &Dr. Nellie Bell, who won the Medical Personnel of the Year.
From the governance platform, awards were presented viz: Minister of the Year Award went to the Minister of Basic & Senior Secondary Education – Dr. David M. Sengeh, Deputy Minister of the Year went to the Deputy Minister of Information & Communications Hon. Solomon Jamiru, MP of the Year went to Hon. Abdul Kargbo (of the APC), Parliamentary Committee Chairman of the Year goes to Hon. Saa Emerson Lamina (of the C4C Party). Mayor of the Year goes to HW. Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, District Council Chairman went to Kasho J. Holland -Cole, Police Officer of the Year went to ASP Alieu Turay & Military Officer of the Year went to Col. Albert Jusu.
The CEO of NP SL – Mr. Kobi Walker retained the position of CEO of the Year, & Board Chairperson of the Year went to the Board Chairperson of NRA: Mrs.Tuma Adama Gento Kamara. The Award for Bank of the Year went to Rokel Commercial Bank, Micro Finance Institution of the Year went to ACTB Savings& Loans. School of the Year Award was clinched by Naiahcom High School and College of the Year went to FBC. Road Construction Company of the year went to Pavi Fort
The Executive Chairman of PRA – Dr.Baluwa Koroma, MD of Rokel Commercial Bank – Dr. Walton E. Gilpin, Vice Chancellor of EBK University: Rev. Prof. Edwin J.J. Momoh & CEO of Sento Foundation – Madam Sentmile O. Palmer (from UK) were appointed Ambassadors for various groupings.
The following distinguished personalities & institutions clinched the exceptional awards in category five (5) including: Capt. Alice Kuria Sesay, Hon. Dr. Memunatu Pratt, ACP. Abdul Moigueh, Hon. Mohamed Rahman Swaray, Mr.Sheku Lexmond Koroma of SLIEPA, Mr. Sheik Sesay, Sup. Nourah Adama N’Gobeh, Mr.Idrissa Sankoh, Dr. Washington D. Chambers, Mr. Christopher Kalokoh, Mr. Donaldson Ken Davies, Mr. Joseph E. Kapuwa, PRA, IOM, KPISS Ltd., The USL, SMEDA, APRM, EBK University…, SLNSC, UNIMTECH, SLBL, Integrated Trade Services, Shalima, etc.
The Electronic Media of the Year award went to AYV & Print Media of the Year went to the Exclusive Newspaper; NP SL won the Gas/Fuel Station of the Year, whilst Papa Cleff Beach Bar clinched the Entertainment Center of the Year award.
The event was well attended and brought together Sierra Leoneans and friends of Sierra Leone from all walks of life.
