By Foday Moriba Conteh
As part of his ongoing efforts to support President Julius Maada Bio’s Free Quality Education initiative, former ECOWAS Parliament Speaker Hon. Sidie Mohamed Tunis has donated $10,000 to Fourah Bay College (FBC). The funds will be used for paving projects and the installation of solar lights on the university campus.
The donation was announced on Wednesday, November 28, 2024, during a ceremony where Hon. Sidie Mohamed Tunis unveiled newly constructed facilities, including a bus stop (known as the “airport”) and entrance and exit gates at FBC. These projects, fully funded by him amounted to 500 million new Leones.
Speaking at the unveiling, Hon. Sidie Mohamed Tunis reflected on his political journey, from serving as Minority Whip in the Fourth Parliament to Leader of Government Business in the Fifth Parliament and later as Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament.
“Education is the cornerstone of progress and the foundation upon which nations are built,” Hon. Sidie Mohamed Tunis remarked. He lauded President Bio’s Free Quality Education program for breaking barriers and providing millions of young people with access to quality education.
Hon. Sidie Mohamed Tunis highlighted his personal commitment to education, including:
- Supporting FBC Students’ Union Governments.
- Establishing a student café under the leadership of FBC’s first female Students’ Union President.
- Awarding scholarships to 15 graduating students in financial need.
- Funding university students nationwide through the One Love Salone Foundation, which allocates two million new Leones annually.
“By investing in education, we empower the youth to build a brighter future for themselves and our nation,” Hon. Sidie Mohamed Tunis stated.
Dr. Patrick H.H. Walker, who chaired the ceremony, commended Hon. Sidie Mohamed Tunis for his consistent support to FBC, despite not being an alumnus. He urged the students and the Students’ Union executive to manage the projects effectively, noting that successful implementation could inspire further support.
Students’ Union President Alfred Sesay detailed Hon. Sidie Mohamed Tunis’s contributions to FBC, including the construction of the gates, the bus stop, nationwide Kush sensitization initiatives and scholarships for graduating students in 2022 and 2023.
Deputy Registrar, Brima Bah, expressed gratitude to Hon. Sidie Mohamed Tunis for his swift response to their appeal for assistance. He emphasized the importance of the solar lights and paving projects in creating a conducive learning environment.
Hon. Sidie Mohamed Tunis encouraged students to take full advantage of the educational opportunities before them and to reflect on their role in building a stronger Sierra Leone. He urged immediate implementation of the projects, emphasizing their significance for students, lecturers and other campus users.
With his latest donation, Hon. Sidie Mohamed Tunis, continues to leave a lasting legacy of supporting education and fostering development in Sierra Leone, aligning his efforts with the transformative vision of President Bio’s Free Quality Education initiative.
