By Sheku Putka Kamara
A new Executive of the St. Augustine Old Students’ Association (SAOSA) was sworn into office at Tintafor in Lungi, Kaffu Bullom Chiefdom on the 23rd January 2021to steer the mantle of leadership of the Association for the next four years.
In her welcome statement as the event’s Chairperson, Madam Mallay Betty Brima spoke on the essence of old students ,the world over, to serve as positive examples further encouraging current pupils of the school to remain focused in the attainment of aims and aspirations.
The out gone National SAOSA President, Karilai Kamara, informed the audience about the achievements and challenges of the Association during his tenure also touching on the need for continuity and for people to fulfil promises and pledges made to the Association adding that they must continue to leave a good legacy at the school and outside.
Vice Principal of the St. Augustine Senior Secondary School, Baimba Tejan, on his own part said that the relevance of the Association should not be overstated maintaining how SAOSA is made up of quality human resource, noting that it will be welcome news if the Science and ICT Departments of the school are graciously upgraded.
Representative of the Salesian Community, Revered Father Paul Turay, who also doubles as the school’s Principal, spoke on the need for coordinated efforts and encouraged the new Executive and by extension the alumni Association to remain positive and to see to it that they give back as and when reasonably called for.
A representative of the Elders of SAOSA, Mohamed Gbondo Sesay said that there is no better way of giving back to one’s alma mater than facilitating progress and reap enviable results. He furthered that the image of the school matters and that all concerned must ensure that the right principles are taken into consideration.
Member of Parliament for Constituency 076, Hon. Ibrahim Aziz Kelly Bangura, said that St. Augustine is known for positive results and that it is of essence to regain the school’s past glory. He added that the new Executive should be mindful of the challenges ahead, noting that expectations were already on a very high note. He encouraged the membership to work as a team and to see that the focus of the Association’s formation is achieved.
The Member of Parliament of Constituency 077, Hon. Ing. Abdul Kargbo, who was also a then star pupil of the school, while pledging his unflinching support to the school and the Association at all times, spoke on the area of commitment. He said that the membership must not always be seen to be active during electioneering times adding that the targets of the Association require that sacrifices are made so as to achieve the needed results.
The distinguished guest speaker of the inauguration, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), said that the task ahead is a daunting one. He entreated the current pupils of the school on the need to have better visions and to get mentors. He said that such will aid them to better their paths as they progress in life also encouraging the new Executive to always reach out to all and sundry and not to segregate.
He said that in life there are many challenges noting that resilience matters and called on all present to be mindful of actions and intentions in the execution of tasks, stressing on the need to be making informed decisions.
The Association’s Chief Electoral Commissioner, Pastor Moses Serry touched on gains made before and after elections, adding that future teams must learn from the possible challenges and see how they could subsequently be resolved.
The new National SAOSA President, Ansu Moiba, thanked the membership, the electoral commission and the out gone Executive. He said that a tough mantle of leadership has been handed over to him, but that with the support of all and sundry, the new team is hopeful of fulfilling all necessary demands.
He said that he now has a task of fulfilling all manifesto promises, adding that his new team has been carefully selected to ensure that the Association’s dream continue to flourish. He promised to work with the school administration and the membership in making sure that St. Augustine and SAOSA continue to set a brighter and better pace.
The vote of thanks was done by the Association’s new Vice President, Madam Dolly Bally Mansaray while the swearing in ceremony and the introduction of the new executive was done by the Former Master and Registrar of the Judiciary of Sierra Leone, Stephen Y. Mansaray Esq., who was also a past star pupil of the school.
The event was graced by other dignitaries within and outside Kaffu Bullom Chiefdom, Lungi.
