By Amin Kef Sesay
The 15th January 2021 was really a very unique and historical day in the life of Dr. Adonis Abboud after 45 years since he landed in blessed Sierra Leone and made it his home as on that day a planned coronation took place in Pendembu where he was honourably crowned as Hon. P.C. Adonis Bambamoi Abboud of Upper Bambara Chiefdom in the Kailahun District by Hon. P.C Cyril Foray Gondor II and the Council of Chiefs during a well-attended ceremony.
This new development came about after the Hon. Paramount Chief, Cyril Foray Gondor II consulted with the Council of Chiefs after which they decided to reward Adonis Abboud for his numerous historical contributions to development in Sierra Leone especially in the fields of education, health care and community development.
In his acceptance speech, the newly crowned Honorary Paramount Chief of Upper Bambara Chiefdom, Dr. Adonis Abboud, expressed profound appreciation to the amiable and revered Honourable PC Cyril Foray Gondor II, whose every action, according to Dr Abboud, defines what royalty should represent: Justice, Peace and Unity.
The newly crowned Honorary Paramount Chief added that his appointment is a challenge geared towards looking back at the richness of the Chiefdom’s heritage and bring about from it a process of regeneration of those values and ideals that can only trigger the birth of new, progressive, people-centered, excellence-driven communities and a new Sierra Leone.
He further expressed gratitude to every single one who came from far and near to felicitate with him during the unprecedented and epochal ceremony, noting that their presence gave him great joy and relief, not only because of the uniqueness and the exclusive significance of the occasion, but also because of what it demonstrates and its connotation for the future of Sierra Leone.
Dr. Abboud pointed out that one of the tragedies of the country and indeed Africa is that our stories have always been told by others from their perspectives and for their own purposes with the attendant result that much of the narratives about our culture, history and development have been but a distorted picture.
He maintained that the ceremony they are witnessing is an age-old tradition and some of the origins are veiled in the mists of the past also stating how the spirit and meaning shines through the ages, never perhaps more brightly than now, as they rebrand the nation and continue the upward trajectory from the global perception of a nation of blood diamonds.
The philanthropist revealed that his acceptance and subsequent emblematic coronation is an assurance that he has in sincerity pledged himself to the service of the community, the chiefdom, Kailahun District and Sierra Leone assuring that throughout all his life and with all his heart he shall strive to be worthy of their trust.
“Indeed on this memorable day, I have been uplifted and sustained by the love of the people of Upper Bambara chiefdom and their determination under the skilful direction of PC Gondor ll to continue to promote the ethos that reinforce our cherished cultural unity and harmony, as part of the core values that the country needs to surmount the mirage of challenges facing it,” he said also stating that it defines what the new time for Sierra Leone entails; a nation where through unity people can climb the highest of mountains, a new Sierra Leone devoid of ethnic colouration, where in togetherness, people can surmount the most tasking of hurdles, stand tall and be strong as a front.
He stated that they are not just there to celebrate but the honour bestowed on him is a reflection of the fact that the people of Sierra Leone still have in their hearts and minds, people like Honourable PC Gondor ll and the indigenes of Upper Bambara Chiefdom, who have bold ideas to build bridges of love and mutual respect while jealously guiding and protecting the core social values, customs, and traditions that distinguish people.
Dr. Abboud maintained that by this ceremony, their royal father is saying that he prays for peace, cooperation and understanding from within and without and he is using cultural diplomacy as a veritable tool for the promotion of harmonious relationships across the ethnic divide.
He disclosed that his symbolic coronation hinges on the fact that when the linkage of their great culture is allowed to induce the right kind of reflection and located at the very heart of our actions, a great future beckons and that it is his heartfelt desire that other traditional rulers across the length and breadth of Sierra Leone, will continue to promote inter-ethnic relationships, as is being exemplified.
“I want us to re-enact today onwards that spirit of unity, that spirit of togetherness, that spirit that we used to break the walls of our colonisation and other developmental issues that have dogged us, to discourage all those who are sowing the seed of mistrust and disunity among us, and make sure that that seed is not planted. That seed will never germinate; that seed will never bear fruit because we must remain together. Let us also today say here that all of us must pay respect to our traditional institutions and our traditional fathers,’’ he entreated which was greeted by a thunderous applause from the audience.
He recognised the official efforts to improve the status of Paramount Chiefs who are also custodians of the traditions.
“It is my prayer that more will be done to give them their due recognition in the societal scheme of things,” he expressed optimism adding how he will like to call on Sierra Leoneans at home and in the diaspora that our dreams of a glorious future also depend on what we do for our villages, towns and cities, outside what the Government is doing.
Dr Abboud advised that let each and every one begin to think of what he or she can do, no matter how small, to contribute to the rebuilding of our once glorious nation, by doing something from the very local level which is the pivot of our overall existence.
He said our interest as a people must be bigger than individual interests adding that their forebears lived a life of peace, unity and togetherness and we cannot afford to do otherwise, especially when the world is entering a supersonic technological age.
Dr Abboud cautioned by stating that let all Paramount Chiefs across Kailahun District and the rest of Sierra Leone, help them through a collective action that will enhance their ranks, build greater understanding and promote development as one people under a common ancestry.
He said as the day draws to its close, he knows that his abiding memory of it will be, not only the solemnity and beauty of the ceremony, but also, the inspiration of the principled stand of a belief in one nation, one people bound in freedom, love and unity, demonstrated in the entirety of the event.
“I can perceive the shade and rostrum we need to thrive and to broker togetherness and brotherhood across ethnic borders,” he said maintaining that Upper Bambara Chiefdom has become a role model for other ethnic kingdoms and societies to follow, expressing hope that long may it continue to be a beacon.
He assured all that he has taken the honour and responsibility accorded him, faithfully; with a good conscience and with a disposition that shall be a canopy for the struggle to ensure unity, togetherness and progress, across that community and the nation as a whole.
Dr Abboud said at this time of our national life he will once again like to remind everyone that they can only develop on the basis of their collective aspiration, if they unite and see themselves as one.
He furthered that they must see unity as a commodity that must be bought at all cost advising that they cannot falter and allow their ranks to be polluted by invidious characters and merchants of disunity.
“My personal interactions and relationship with this Chiefdom and its monarchy has shown that they are not just unique from the perspective of ecstatic, but also as a driver of redefinition, regeneration and repositioning of the glory and essence of their kingdom,” he stated.
He said on that note he will once again round off with sincere appreciation and heartfelt gratitude to all present and in particular to their esteemed father, Honourable P.C. Cyril Foray Gondor II.
He expressed gratitude for the honour stating that it is his prayer that God will continue to honour him and that the stool of his forefathers will not be soiled in the course of his reign.
Dr. Abboud also extended thanks to the Council of Paramount Chiefs of Kailahun District, the Chiefdom Speaker, Upper Bambara Chiefdom, Chiefdom Section Chiefs and the Town Chief of Pendembu.
He again expressed gratitude to the Chiefdom Mammy Queen, the Chairman and Members of Kailahun District Descendants Association (KAIDDA) as well as the Chiefdom IMAM, Pastors in the Chiefdom and the Chiefdom Youth Chairman.
It could be recalled that two months ago, Dr Adonis Abboud donated to two schools in Kailahun district two (2) full DStv systems with two (2) Flat screens. According to him those two schools will now get 2 solar units to allow them benefit on a 24/7 basis.
He also disclosed that the Pendembu Community centre will get its own DStv system with Flat Screen and 6 months subscriptions and a solar system.
Also the Pendembu secondary School will soon get a mini laboratory.
In an exclusive interview with the newly crowned Honorary Paramount Chief of Upper Bambara Chiefdom in the Kailahun District, Hon.P.C.Adonis Bambamoi Abboud, he intimated this medium that it took him 34 years since he founded his company which, according to him, were good 34 years devoted and dedicated to inform and entertain the citizens of this country.
“We started in 1986 when there was a total blackout on TV as SLBS had shut down completely and the people were starving for TV information and entertainment,” he further revealed adding that up to this date they remain faithful to the industry.
He maintained that communication is at the heart of any type of business in daily life as it is the booster of any enterprise.
PC Dr. Abboud disclosed that 55 schools in Sierra Leone and the Universities have and still enjoy direct learning via satellite saying it is thanks to his business that after the interregnum, which brought violence and devastation to this peaceful country in 2001, that they founded one of the best local NGOs and went into partnership with the French famous La Chaîne de L’Espoir which allowed them to save lives of dozens of condemned kids with congenital heart diseases who had only few months to live further stating that children suffering from different kinds of ailments also benefitted.
He highlighted that three years ago Chain of Hope UK and RCPCH Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health came on board and helped them save more kids.
“The last two (2) arrived right at the closure of airports worldwide after they had a successful surgery in Aswan in Egypt,” he stated maintaining that even during COVID-19 pandemic although their partners stopped operations they managed in December 2020 to deal with a critical case of 7-year old, Precious Konneh, who was having worrying heart attacks and they flew her over to France.
“Her Open-Heart surgery was a clear success and she is expected to be flown back from France to re-join with her family on January 23rd. 2021,” he further revealed stating how they will continue their mission to fill a serious vacuum in health care in the country saying they remain proud and committed.
He also intimated this medium that, through his facilitation, Mini Bridges were built linking communities which were separated making residents go through so much strain in their daily lives, struggling to move from one side to another.
“Water wells were dug in areas where clean water was a luxury and among them were at Calaba town Old Road and Collegiate School Wilkinson road,” he said with pride.
Dr. Adonis Abboud has served in different capacities in this country, including but not limited to being: the Director & Member of the Board of Governors of the Commonwealth Africa Initiative, Chairman of the Equinox Group, Chairman DStv Sierra Leone, Chairman Capital Radio 104.9, Honorary Consul of Serbia to Sierra Leone and Dean of the Consular Corps, Chairman of Pikin Bizness, Chairman, Miss Sierra Leone Ltd.
