By Fatmata Jengbe
After successfully graduating with a First Class Bsc, Honours degree in Public Sector Management from the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM) University of Sierra Leone on the 22nd February 2020, a presentation ceremony was held at the office of Head of Department, Governance and Leadership on the 25th February 2020 during which Abibatu Dora Kamara presented her award as the Best Female Graduate from that institution for the 2018/19 academic year to the Department as a way of expressing appreciation.
Abibatu has made history to be the first female student to receive such a prestigious award from the Department of Governance and Leadership.
During the ceremony, the Head of Department, Dr. Falla Lamin stated that he never knew that the best graduate to emerge from his department will be a female until Abibatu’s name was mentioned. “I am convinced that even President Julius Maada Bio was impressed to learn that the best graduate turned out to be a female,” he furthered adding that Abibatu has really proven to the whole world that indeed there are capable, intelligent women in this country who can make it to the top. “I want to enjoin you to keep up the good work and wish you well in all your future endeavors,” he stated also commending the lecturers for the tremendous contributions they made in solidly imparting knowledge to the students as it is partly because of their efforts that IPAM was able to produce excellent graduates.
One of the lecturers, Ibrahim Samai, who is lecturing Public Sector Financial Management heaped commendations on Abibatu whom he described as one of her past hardworking students who took her studies serious always submitting her assignments timely, was very articulate in class and participated actively during lectures. He added that he has no doubt that Abibatu will excel in any future course that she may want to pursue.
He continued to state that what Abibatu has acquired speak volumes of the fact that any female can make such an achievement through hardwork. “Gone are those days when people will say men can only excel academically and that a woman’s place is in the kitchen,” Samai maintained adding that as long as one makes good efforts one is bound to succeed.
Ismail Bangura, another lecturer who was Abibatu’s Supervisor for her dissertation also commended her for her excellent performance .He praised her for being hardworking and studious adding that other female students in that institution must emulate her footsteps. He said she was very responsive to questions relating to her dissertation, accepted constructive criticisms and was very respectful.
On her part, Abibatu Dora Kamara said she was gratified to receive such an award being the first female student in that department to emerge with such an award. She further said she is very happy but it was not really easy for her. She thanked her lecturers, friends and Supervisor for their immense contributions and encouragement.
She pleaded with the Head of Department to create more spaces for females to be admitted in the Department of Governance and Leadership.
Abibatu also encouraged female students in the country to continue to work hard and inspired them that they can do better than her.
