By Amin Kef (Ranger)
Vice President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, joined the Muslim community in Bo City, Southern Sierra Leone, on Sunday, March 30, 2025, to observe Eid ul-Fitr prayers. During the event, he reaffirmed his commitment to national unity and development, offered special prayers for President Julius Maada Bio and urged worshippers to seek divine guidance and blessings for the nation’s leadership.
Addressing the congregation after the prayer, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh underscored the significance of Eid Ul-Fitr as a time of national reflection and unity. He emphasized the need for collective supplication for peace, stability and progress in Sierra Leone.
“I joined the Muslim Jammat in Bo to observe the Eid Ul-Fitr prayer and extend my heartfelt Eid greetings to the entire Muslim Ummah and our Christian compatriots who are also observing Lent. May all our prayers for sustained peace and development be answered and may Allah (SWT) continue to bless and guide His Excellency Julius Maada Bio,” Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh stated.
He further expressed his best wishes to the Muslim community across the country while extending solidarity to Christians observing Lent. “To our Christian brothers and sisters, I also extend my sincere greetings as we continue in prayer and reflection for a stronger and more unified Sierra Leone,” he added.
Following the Eid ul-Fitr prayers, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, who also serves as Chairman of the National Disaster Management Agency’s (NDMA) National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, visited Kpetema Village in Bumpe Ngao Chiefdom, Bo District, to sympathize with victims of a recent fire disaster and assess the situation firsthand.
Accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Government Ministers, Members of Parliament and religious leaders, the Vice President toured the disaster site before meeting with affected residents and local authorities. The visit was led by Resident Minister South, Chief John Abu, alongside officials from NDMA’s Southern Region.
During the meeting, Paramount Chief-elect Alfred Sovula Gandoma expressed gratitude for the swift intervention of NDMA, whose assessment report had prompted support from various stakeholders. He appealed for further assistance, particularly in rebuilding homes with corrugated iron sheets to mitigate future fire risks. He also highlighted the destruction of agricultural seedlings, school materials and microcredit funds.
NDMA’s Senior Disaster Officer for the South, Maada Martin Koroma, briefed the Vice President on the Agency’s response, noting that 320 people were affected, including pregnant women, lactating mothers, children, and a disabled person. A total of 48 structures, housing 94 households, were destroyed. He assured that NDMA had shared its report with partners and that relief efforts were forthcoming.
Speaking on behalf of President Julius Maada Bio, Vice President Jalloh extended his sympathies and pledged Government intervention. He vowed to engage relevant Ministries, agencies and the private sector to accelerate relief efforts. Specifically, he promised to liaise with NDMA for urgent response measures and the Ministry of Agriculture to assess and replace lost seedlings. Additionally, he personally committed to providing school materials for affected children, to be delivered through the Minister of Lands and Country Planning as soon as possible.
Commending all stakeholders who had contributed to the relief efforts, the Vice President assured residents that the Bio-led Government remains committed to their welfare. The visit concluded with prayers before the delegation departed for Bo.
It could be noted that earlier, in a demonstration of his dedication to national development, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, on Thursday, March 27, 2025, officially inaugurated the construction of postgraduate colleges in administration and pedagogy at the University of Sierra Leone (USL) Teaching Hospitals Complex in Lakka. The groundbreaking ceremony marked a significant milestone in the Government’s commitment to advancing higher education and specialized medical training.
“I was honored to deliver a statement at the turning-of-the-sod ceremony for the construction of a dedicated building for the Postgraduate Colleges of Health Specialties, following its inauguration by President Julius Maada Bio in 2021. We have taken a crucial step in realizing a key pillar of the Big Five Agenda—Human Capital Development. This new facility demonstrates the government’s commitment to strengthening the healthcare sector. Linking medical training and research to quality care is essential for improving health outcomes,” Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh noted.
The Vice President highlighted the transformative impact of the project on national development, emphasizing that education remains a cornerstone of economic growth and social transformation. “The future of Sierra Leone lies in the hands of our youth and this project embodies our vision for a brighter tomorrow. Together, we will build an educated, empowered and prosperous Sierra Leone,” he affirmed.
The construction of the colleges is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, aimed at bolstering Sierra Leone’s healthcare system. Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, reaffirmed the Government’s dedication to advancing healthcare services through improved infrastructure, staffing, and medical supply chains. He highlighted recent milestones, including new hospital constructions and the expansion of specialist training programs.
Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, echoed similar sentiments, stressing the importance of partnerships in elevating healthcare education to international standards. She acknowledged the vital collaboration between the Ministry of Health and institutions like Njala University, ensuring that future medical professionals receive top-tier training.
“This facility represents our collective vision of equipping healthcare professionals with the skills needed to safeguard the well-being of our citizens,” Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie.
Dr. Sahr Moses Gevao, Chairman of the Council, commended the Government’s unwavering efforts to enhance medical education in Sierra Leone. He highlighted the positive impact of the College of Health Specialties Foundation Fellows, launched in 2021, which has significantly advanced specialist training in the country.
“The launch of this initiative is a game-changer for Sierra Leone’s healthcare sector,” Dr. Sahr Moses Gevao stated, noting that the new building will feature state-of-the-art facilities for telemedicine, research and advanced medical training. He also lauded the Ministry of Health’s efforts in improving payroll systems and successfully inducting 122 resident doctors specializing in various medical fields.
Concluding the ceremony, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh encouraged all Sierra Leoneans to embrace education, collaboration and national unity as key drivers of progress. He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to fostering a resilient healthcare system and an inclusive higher education sector.
“This project is a testament to our dedication to the next generation. Through education and collaboration, we will build an educated, empowered and prosperous Sierra Leone,” he concluded.
Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh continues to play a pivotal role in Sierra Leone’s development agenda, working closely with President Julius Maada Bio to enhance national cohesion, improve education and strengthen healthcare services. His leadership in both governance and community engagement underscores his unwavering commitment to the well-being and advancement of the nation.
