By Ralph Sesay (PRO Njala University)
Njala University on the 1st July 2021 witnessed a leadership transition from Professor Osman Sankoh (Mallam O.) to veteran educationist and Physicist, Professor Andrew A. Baimba who until his appointment was Head of Physics Department, Fourah Bay, University of Sierra Leone.
The incoming had served Njala University for over two decades as Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Bo and Njala Campuses, Acting Vice-Chancellor, and Principal. He left Njala University in 2020 after his retirement to serve a sister University, Fourah Bay College.
He had played an active role in the University’s internal scoring and policy review processes. He has a wealth of experience in Educational Administration and had mentored a very good number of staff at Njala University including some who are now in top Management/Administrative positions.
His predecessor, Mallam O. while breaking the news of the transition some few weeks ago, had described the incoming as his Lecturer and that his appointment to take over from him was a blessing for Njala University.
Mallam O. who also doubles as the Statistician-General of Sierra Leone has been recalled by Government to fully concentrate and deliver the first-ever Midterm Census in Sierra Leone.
The ceremony to mark the transition was at the Njala University Secretariat, Njala Mokonde.
The Pro-Chancellor, Mr. David O. Carew and senior members of the Academic and Administrative Staff were in attendance.
Professor Osman Sankoh Aka Mallam O. was in charge since April, 2020 as caretaker Principal of Njala University.
He has been lauded for introducing wide ranging reforms at Njala University including the stabilization of the finances of the institution and for also putting staff welfare, fairness accountability, integrity and transparency as priorities to be addressed.
It was understood that the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education is pleased of his fourteen months’ tenure at Njala University.
Mallam O., it is said, has assiduously worked to promote the image of Njala University by strengthening the Public Relations wing to propagate whatever good that was happening at Njala University.
He showed great passion to change the narrative at his almamater by calling for a shift from the normal ways of doing things. His Administration advocated for improved students’ hostels and other basic services which they are paying for and hence entitled to.
His long term vision was to leverage private sector support to solve the perennial problems of the University and for that he engaged the Banks to invest in student’s/staff hostels and accommodation, water and electricity supply, agriculture and the huge retiree liability.
President of the Njala University Retiree Association (NURA), who also doubles as an Associate lecturer at Njala University described Mallam O.as an individual who had changed the face of Njala University to a humane one during his fourteen months’ reign.
He and his Executive have praised his passion to solve the retiree situation they praised him for as well as opening up an unhindered communication with his Executive with a view to solve thorny issues.
