By Foday Moriba Conteh
Aspiring candidate for the Mayoral Seat of the Freetown City Council (FCC), Mohamed Gento-Kamara has informed students that there are greater powers in academic pursuits but said in pursuing their academic goals, they always have to be aware of self-discipline, because with self-discipline, the sky will be their limit.
He made that statement while addressing students at this year’s 50 Most Influential Students Award on the Theme: “Student Power In Academic Pursuit” organized by Girl Pikin for Betteh Foundation and Mendelian Inheritance Foundation at the New Freetown City Hall Auditorium.
“In pursuing your academic goals you have to be very mindful of the invisible distractions. In Sierra Leone today, there is an epidemic that is eating up the future of our youth and that epidemic is ‘kush’ a major distraction for the youthful generation. With all due respect, I will encourage you to be mindful of this kind of distraction,” he admonished.
He implored students to know that their goals to become graduates depend on what they do now as he strongly believes that one’s tomorrow depends on what one does now, adding that in pursuing their dreams or to get to the sky, there is always a vehicle reminding them that their vehicles need proper servicing and maintenance at all times.
“As students, you have chosen the academia as your vehicle to reach the sky. You will need regular servicing if you want to reach at your destinations. This could mean studying hard, proper planning, avoiding all forms of distractions having an unwavering focus on your course work. On that note, I congratulate all awardees. And to those who will not be receiving awards, I hope this ceremony will serve as an inspiration to you,” he concluded.
Earlier before delivering his keynote address, the Executive Director of Girl Pikin for Betteh Foundation, Fawaz Milton Kanu said that the 50 Most Influential Students award is an initiative of two women- led organizations powered by Girl Pikin for Betteh Foundation and Mendelian Inheritance Foundation.
He stated that students play very important roles towards national development and that their efforts should be recognized, revealing that the Fifty Influential Students award recipients represent the most influential students in various departments in college, entertainment etc.
Fawaz Milton Kanu disclosed that in November 2021, they held their first ever 50 Most Influential Students’ Awards Ceremony as a way of recognizing the efforts of students towards National Development among thirteen universities and colleges across the country.
He pointed out that the Award Committee called on students and the public to nominate & vote for exemplary students that have contributed towards community and national development for the past years and who are promoting education, entertainment or served as inspiration to other students in the country, furthering that after the nomination and voting process they were finally proud to award the deserving students of this year’s 50 Fifty Most Influential Students.
He concluded by expressing appreciation to Premium Divine Trading Limited for supporting this year’s 50 Fifty Most Influential Students with a donation of 75 cartoons of Miksi Chocolate.
