By Alvin Lansana Kargbo
In a significant show of support for youth empowerment and economic progress, Dr. Sidie Mohamed Tunis, former parliamentarian and Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, has pledged NLe 200,000 to the newly launched Center of Excellence in Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEEI) at the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM). His commitment was announced during the official unveiling of the CEEI hub, which took place as part of IPAM’s 44th-anniversary celebrations.
The CEEI hub, designed as a transformative center for students, will offer practical training in entrepreneurship, business development, and innovation, equipping students with the skills and resources necessary to create their own job opportunities. Through programs focused on business planning, digital innovation, and product development, as well as mentorship from industry experts, CEEI aims to address youth unemployment and foster a generation of job creators ready to contribute to Sierra Leone’s economic growth.
Dr. Sidie Tunis commended IPAM’s dedication to education and innovation, emphasizing that the CEEI hub will be crucial for students preparing to navigate an evolving job market. His donation aligns with the event’s theme, “Powering Excellence Through Innovation,” and supports IPAM’s mission to empower students with skills that encourage self-sufficiency and creativity. Notably, Dr. Sidie Tunis’s family has a long history of supporting education in Sierra Leone, including scholarships and other initiatives to enhance student development.
The event also celebrated the launch of a new solar lighting project on campus, funded through a donation exceeding €300 million. This initiative, aimed at improving safety and accessibility for students attending evening classes, received praise from Dr. Tunis, who acknowledged the Student Union Government for championing the project and expressed gratitude to the Chinese Embassy for its generous support.
With Dr. Sidie Tunis’s pledge, IPAM’s CEEI hub stands as a beacon of hope for tackling graduate unemployment and promoting entrepreneurship among Sierra Leone’s youth. His contribution underscores the importance of investing in educational spaces that enable young people to make a meaningful impact, both locally and globally, as they work toward a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
