In a recent development Russia and Sierra Leone have agreed to take additional steps to cement the trade-economic and humanitarian ties. This disclosure was made by the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov after negotiations with Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alie Kabba.

“Russia and Sierra Leone have mutual interest in the development of cooperation,” he pointed out. “It firstly concerns the trade-economic and humanitarian component of our ties. We agreed to undertake additional steps to start the implementation of promising projects in such areas as metal mining industry, energy industry and fishing, and we value that during this visit Mr Kabba will visit the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Federal Agency for Fishery and the Health Ministry.”
The Russian Foreign Minister reiterated that last year Russian experts held a seminar for the training of medical staff for Sierra Leone. “Today, we discussed that the science center of epidemiology and prevention of infectious diseases which has operated in Guinea since 2017 and was created with Russia’s support may spread its programs to the neighbouring countries, including Sierra Leone,” he added.
The Russian Minister also pointed to the need “to enhance the quality of cooperation in the sphere of fishing.” “In the Sierra Leonean capital Freetown there is a corresponding institute and there are opportunities to help in the organization of the educational process and the advanced training of the corresponding specialists,” he noted.
In addition, he said, the common task is “the creation of favourable conditions for the activity of Russian business circles in Sierra Leone for direct communication between businessmen from the two countries.”
Lavrov said in conclusion that the sides “also agreed to continue cooperation in the preparation of national personnel for Sierra Leone in Russia’s higher educational institutions.” “A total of more than 2,000 Sierra Leonean citizens graduated from higher educational institutions of our country,” he said. “Yesterday, immediately upon the arrival to the Russian capital the Minister met with Sierra Leone’s students who are studying in Russia.”

During a Press Conference organised by the Office of the First Lady on Spur Road it was disclosed that deaths in the country caused by cancer are alarming.
In her presentation Fatima Bio underscored that she would not mince her words but rather is determined to speak vociferously and passionately about the plight of cancer patients in the country. She vividly pointed out that the country does not have the facilities to treat cancer patients and the situation, she said, has and is still costing a Sierra Leonean cancer patient US$15,000 to travel to Ghana and other countries to get treatment. “Such a situation should not be tolerated,” Fatima Bio highlighted.
She emphasised that she would continue to raise her voice until the country gets a well-equipped cancer centre to deal with the disease maintaining how she would never be ashamed to ask for assistance on behalf of those that are affected.
Fatima Bio updated the media that on 4th February 2019, Sierra Leone will join the world to celebrate World Cancer Day with the theme: ‘I am and I will’ at the Bintumani Conference Hall in Freetown, adding that the campaign will continue throughout the year.
“There’ll be a sensitization tour of the entire country to raise awareness about cancer and how early treatment can reduce the risk of death,” Fatima Bio revealed going further to state that, “Many people do not know about the disease or its causes and symptoms”.
She mentioned that the awareness campaign would bring to the fore all necessary information citizens need to know in order to be equipped in the fight against the disease. Mrs. Fatima Bio disclosed that about ten medical doctors would soon leave the country for specialist training in the fight against different diseases affecting the country.
Khadija, who is the Surveyor of Cancer, averred that many people do not know about cancer or its effects to human beings. She observed that when symptoms of cancer manifest in some people, they deem it as witchcraft and often visit native doctors for treatment and only go to the hospitals when it’s too late.
Khadija reiterated the First Lady’s call for awareness raising campaign to spread the relevant information about the disease, noting that the campaign should be sustained for ordinary people in the remote parts of the country to understand the dangers of the disease.
She pointed out that there are various types of cancer like prostrate, lung, cervical and breast cancer. She disclosed that from 2015-2018, over 3,000 people died of the disease. The primary cause of cancer, she said, has been attributed to the types of diet people eat, due to the proliferation of fast foods and take-away.
The Surveyor of Cancer furthered that these foods are doctored and lack the necessary ingredients that are seen in home food. Cancer, she stated, is in every human being and is only waiting to be triggered by something, like tobacco, etc.
The commonest case of cancer is that of breast cancer, Khadija said, stressing that not all lumps in the breast constitute a cancer symptom. She maintained that with medical examination it could be diagnosed as a lump in the breast. If untreated, she said, it later develops into something like boil and produces a liquid that is given out through the nipple of the affected breast accompanied by an offensive odour.
Khadija said patients in this state are usually stigmatized and abandoned by their families and relatives, warning that they should not be abandoned or discriminated and stigmatized, but they should be referred to the hospital for early treatment.
As a Survivor of Cancer, she explained that she knows the pain that people go through during that period, adding that many women, children and men have died of the disease as autopsy reports would show.
Question and answer session climaxed the news conference.

Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to Kenya, His Excellency Peter Joseph Francis, who doubles as Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) on Tuesday 29th January 2019, presented his Letter of Credence to Madam Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Under- Secretary General and Executive Director to UN-Habitat and Acting Director General UNON.

The presentation of HE Peter Joseph Francis’ Letter of Credence took place at the UNON office in Nairobi and is in line with what he had described as an earlier advice he had to do a formal letter to the Special Representative of the UN in Nairobi, because, according to him, “the UNON plays a very important role in Africa.” This will further strengthen Sierra Leone’s bilateral relationship with the various UN agencies in Nairobi.

HE Peter Joseph Francis is the first Sierra Leonean appointed High Commissioner to Kenya, who had also on the 5th December 2018, presented his letter of credence to the Kenyan President, HE Uhuru Kenyatta, and two (2) days after on 7th December 2018, he did a courtesy call on the UNON office in Nairobi.

The UNON, the UN headquarters in Africa, was established by the General Assembly in 1996. The office is headed by a Director-General, at the Under-Secretary-General level and serves as the representative office of the Secretary-General in Nairobi and performs representation and liaison functions with permanent missions, the host-country and other Governments, and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations in Nairobi, as well as other organizations of the United Nations system in Kenya. UNON also facilitates cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations; provides administrative and other support services to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat); provides joint and common services to other organizations of the United Nations system in Kenya, as applicable; and manages and implements the programmes of administration, conference services and public information and provides security and safety services for United Nations staff and facilities in the United Nations Office at Nairobi.

Professor Pieter Bon, an educational psychologist and Chairman of the Academy for Sustainable Development in the Netherlands, last week delivered a series of public lectures on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) at five tertiary educational institutions in Freetown.

The public lecture series which were facilitated by Abubakarr Bangura, the CEO of Strategic Entrepreneurship Programme (SEP) Investment Services and an active participant of the Connecting Diaspora for Development (CD4D) program, were conducted at the Civil Service Training College, African Graduate University, Milton Margai College of Education and Technology, College of Professional Studies and the Institute of Advanced Management and Technology ( IAMTECH) from the 21st- 24th January, 2019 respectively.
These events attracted more than five hundred participants, including students, lecturers and other stakeholders from both the private and public sectors.
Professor Bon anchored his lectures on all the seventeen SD goals but laid emphasis on Goal 4 – quality education, Goal 8 which is about decent work and economic growth, and Goal 17 – building sustainable partnerships.
He gave clear examples of what he described as the Five Ps of the SDGs: people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership.
He also discussed emerging global trends that are in line with the SDGs and stressed the need to work towards sustainability.
” Sustainable development can only be achieved by fulfilling the needs of the people now and also taking into account the needs of next generations. In that respect it was hopeful to see that during my lectures the subject of sustainable development was received with enthusiasm. I discussed with the participants not only about their own future but also about the future of Sierra Leone as part of the global community. We will have to start thinking, acting and organizing differently in this world with regards to economic, ecological and social issues. We can’t wait anymore,” Pieter Bon noted.

On the final day of the lectures, participants presented their business ideas of the SEP accelerator program at the Start Hub at IAMTECH, as well as distribution of IT materials by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to MMCET, EBK University and IAMTECH.
The Principal of IAMTECH – Dr Wundah, commended Mr Bangura for bringing Pieter Bon to Sierra Leone to engage higher educational institutions about a new trend in education. He noted that sustainable development should be in every curriculum in Sierra Leone.
He said Mr Bangura is one of the few progressive Sierra Leone diasporans that are really seeking the interest of his home country.
Representatives from IOM and the Director of Office of Diaspora Affairs Dr Kallay Musa Conteh also praised Mr Bangura for his strive towards the development of his country.
Abubakarr Bangura in his response thanked Pieter Bon and added that entrepreneurship is a key factor for sustainable economic growth and job creation.
In a related development, Pieter Bon and Abubakarr Bangura also paid a courtesy call on the Hon Minister of Technical and Higher Education and the manager of Sierra Leone Brewery to share ideas about the Public Lectures and the possibility of partnership to promote entrepreneurship and curriculum development for tertiary institutions in Sierra Leone, so as to increase job creation for graduates and spark economic development in the country.
The Public lecture series are powered by SEP Investment Services, Academy for Sustainable Development, IOM and Office of Diaspora Affairs (ODA) within the frame work of CD4D program.

Judges on the Commissions of Inquiry have today subscribed to the Oath of Office before His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio during a ceremony at State House.

The three judges, appointed recently, were Justice Biobele Georgewill from the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Justice William Annan Atuguba from the Republic of Ghana and Justice Bankole Thompson, a Sierra Leonean judge.

Shortly after the ceremony, President Bio said he was pleased to welcome the judges to the country and wished them well as they embarked on a very difficult assignment. He said his government had decided to go beyond borders because of the difficult nature of the assignment and to ensure that there was fairness in the process.

He also thanked the judges for consenting to come at a time the nation was in dire need of their services, adding that because of the experiences of the judges, they were expected to be impartial and to do their job without bias and prejudice.

President Bio also assured the judges of his government’s support and asked for their independence during the entire process.

Chief Justice Babatunde Edwards said it was time for justice to be done and in a transparent and open way. He said Sierra Leoneans were looking up to the learned-justices to do an excellent job in bringing justice to Sierra Leone.

He added: “We are not going to tell them what to do in terms of the matters that they have before them, because they are sufficiently equipped in terms of having the right caliber and knowledge to handle what will come before them. They have a lot on their plates but I am sure they are able to navigate through it all and at the end, all of us will know that indeed justice has been done”.

Section 147 of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, 1991, provides the President with the powers to appoint a Commission of Inquiry into any matter of public interest. Pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution, the judges were appointed as Chairmen and Sole Commissioners of the Commissions of Inquiry as established by Constitutional Instrument No.65 of 2018.

Yesterday 29th January 2019 marked another interesting milestone in the history of Sierra Leone as the much talked about Commissions of Inquiry were launched by His Excellency, The President Julius Maada Bio, at the former Special Court for Sierra Leone. The opening ceremony was graced by the Minister of Justice and individuals from different walks of life. During the launching ceremony this was what President Bio said:

In May last year during my inaugural address, I launched three peaceful democratic wars: first, a war on indiscipline; second, a war on corruption and third, a war on poverty. Today, we are here to affirm that the peaceful democratic war on corruption is unstoppable, unmistakable and winnable.

Corruption remains the single most critical deterrent to the development of Sierra Leone. It impedes human capital development which is the most critical driver of development in every country.

When monies meant for educating our children and youth population are stolen by just few people, that is a threat to our national development. When monies meant for providing basic social services for every citizen are stolen by just few people to build mansions and buy luxury cars, that is a threat to our national development.

When monies meant for providing healthcare facilities or ensuring food security for every Sierra Leonean are stolen by few people, that is a threat to our national development.

When grants or loans meant for building critical infrastructure that will propel economic activity and provide good paying jobs for our people are stolen by few people, that is a threat to our national development.

When few people collude among themselves and deprive our citizens and country of revenue from our rich natural resources and other sources of public revenue, their activities constitute a threat to our nation.

When people fraudulently convert public funds and resources to their own private use, waste public funds with impunity, and abuse their offices and authority to the detriment of millions of Sierra Leoneans, that is a threat to us as a nation.

And we must also be very clear that when people who occupy public offices steal public monies or engage in other forms of corruption, they do not do so on behalf of their tribe, their region or their political party. Rather, they do so as individuals or a group of individuals and they must be held accountable.

Corruption is a threat to our national development and national security. Corruption is a clear and present danger to the life of every Sierra Leonean and a threat to our existence as a nation. We must confront corruption head on. We must be bold and resolute. We must fight and win this war on corruption.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report has continued to remind us loudly that corruption was one of the main causes of the bloody civil war in this country. Despite strong anti-corruption laws introduced in 2000 and amended in 2008, governance institutions and national development have been perennially weakened by corruption. Corruption has thrived because there has been a lack of strong political will and the near absence of a steely determination to draw a line under corruption once and for all.

Successive government audit reports reminded government between 2007 and 2018 of gross inefficiencies and deficiencies in governance and public accountability, leakages, and downright squandering of state revenue and resources. The responses were more lip service to fighting corruption, sham trials, and backdoor acquittals and reinstatements of public officials.

Two days after I took up office, I commissioned a Governance Transition Team (GTT) to investigate perceived governance and public accountability issues that had led to the near collapse of the state. Their report concluded that rampant corruption, fiscal indiscipline, and abuse and misuse of public office had left Sierra Leone in a dysfunctional state. The country was overburdened with debt, a near moribund economy, weakened governance institutions, and gross inefficiencies and injustices in governance processes. Based on the recommendation of the GTT report for judge-led Commissions of Inquiry, my government requested the legislature to debate and institute the Commissions of Inquiry as required by law.

The Commissions of Inquiry will look at three key issues: governance processes, assets, and the outcomes of the forensic audits. The forensic audits tracked fraudulent activities within entire chains of governance. The commission on assets will look closely at disparities between income or means and assets. The Commission on governance processes will examine inefficiencies and deficits in governance especially where people deliberately misused public offices or took advantage of state institutions.

The judges have no stake in the politics of our country and they will sit as independent commissioners without bias or prejudice. It is not a political witch-hunt. Nobody is going to be asked whether he or she belongs to a political party or hails from a particular region. It is a simple process. The Commissioners will ask people questions, investigate what they are told and the evidence put before them, and thereafter present a report of their findings. As a government, we will act on those findings because it is in the national interest and it is for the public good. We will act on the findings to show Sierra Leoneans, including serving government officials that this must be the last Commission of Inquiry in our history. These commissions will act as a deterrent to every Sierra Leonean who are or will be entrusted with the public trust. They will be a reminder that when one serves one’s country, one must serve with honesty, fairness, justice, diligence, and compassion,

As I have said repeatedly, this war against corruption is a war we must win. I have fully empowered the Anti-Corruption Commission to use all its legal powers to relentlessly investigate and prosecute all cases of corruption even in my administration. *Therefore, let me make this solemn promise to the nation that anyone found wanton of corruption in my administration will be promptly removed from public office and subjected to the full force of the law.*

As a government, our fight against corruption is and will remain as consistent as it is robust. As a country, we must put an end to this culture of rampant thieving, abuse, waste, and impunity. We must foster a culture of public accountability. The Commissions of Inquiry are a public commitment by us as Sierra Leoneans to rid our country of corruption, fraud, abuse, and waste.

Therefore, the war against corruption is not just a fight for my government. I call on all political parties, ethnic groups, regions, NGOs, CSOs, religious bodies and Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad to join the war against corruption. The Commissions of Inquiry are part of our war against corruption.

As a people, the Commissions of Inquiry give an opportunity to hold accountable those we once entrusted with public offices. We owe it to our country; we owe it to our compatriots and generations yet unborn to get it right once and for all. This is about democratic accountability and our collective determination to win the war against corruption.

Let me end by reiterating that all those who will be invited by the Commissions of Inquiry must fully comply. Anyone, I repeat anyone, who fails to honour the invitation of the Commissions of Inquiry will face the full force of the law.

I therefore formally launch the Commissions of Inquiry.

In order to boost football in the country the SLPP led Government headed by President Julius Maada Bio has boosted the Premier League Board with Le 1.5 Billion Leones in addition to the initial 2 Billion given few weeks ago.

This new development was made known by Jacob Jusu Saffa, Minister of Finance, after directives from President Julius Maada Bio.

Initially, the Chairman of the Premier League Board, Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai, presented a budget of 3.5 Billion Leones to Government for the entire League.

As a result of the successful outcome of the League past Sunday between Mighty Blackpool and East End Lions, President Bio who was the Guest of Honor thought it fit to give more support to the PLB.

President Bio at the Siaka Stevens Stadium pledged his Government’s continued commitment to supporting football in the country.

The PLB Chairman Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai thanked the Government for the additional boost, whilst assuring of using the money for its intended purpose.

He promised to add to the initial Le 50,000,000 seed money given to each of the Clubs to between Le 80,000,000 and Le 100,000,000.

It will be significant for readers to note that after a five-year coma, Sierra Leone’s Premier League has made a glorious return to the National Stadium in Freetown. Thirty thousand fans, including President Bio, filled the stadium to watch two legendary local teams kick off the opening match of the 2019 season. The premier league is happening outside of the control of the Sierra Leone Football Association which is currently in disarray with two of its top executives on trial for corruption and a ban from FIFA.
This notwithstanding Sierra Leoneans united to bring local football back for the fans. Local businesses and entrepreneurs put up the funds needed to get the league up and the government put up 2 billion leones ($230,000) to finance the season in the absence of FIFA.

This is what happens when the people and the government work together. The first matchup between East End Lions and Mighty Blackpool was broadcast on national TV, radio, and online. Those who could not be in the stadium fans in the diaspora tuned in online to watch AYV broadcast and stream on its website, mobile app and Facebook. The East End Lions took the lead in the first half with a goal from Alusine Koroma.

Mighty Blackpool would go on to dominate with ball possession throughout the game but their balls on target were minimal. Whether the FIFA ban holds or not everyone in Sierra Leone appears committed to making sure that the premier league continues to grow. The league is a welcome respite from the political issues of the day. Today SLPP and APC politicians found themselves as fans supporting the same local teams.

What makes football a beautiful game is less about what happens on the pitch but more about the bond it creates amongst people. The last complete season of the premier league was in 2013. In that year the trophy went to Diamond Stars. After 2013 there was a split in the league with a majority of the teams boycotting the leadership of Isha Johansen. This season all teams have returned to the premier league.

“By working to strengthen the rule of law, we are striving to help countries to recover from conflict and violence, and to establish peace which is underpinned and reinforced by sustainable development” and it can be said that “the rule of law is uniquely central to all three pillars of the UN’s mandate – human rights, peace and security, and development” (Helen Clark).

State fragility, intra-state conflict, political violence and instability it could be argued, are the key challenges facing the developing world in the contemporary era. There is an increasing consensus amongst International Relationists, Political Commentators and Security Experts that conventional intercessions are no longer feasible in solving the copious and profuse challenges in fragile States. Therefore, one will suggest that innovative approaches schemed to promoting development and humanitarian actions are required if we are to succeed in our twin approach in maintaining stability and fostering development in Sierra Leone.

There is growing recognition if not absolute unanimity in the 21st Century that development and security are not only interconnected but reciprocally reinforcing and it can be said that they are both central to the advancement of Sierra Leone. It is thus ostensible to maintain that the relationship between fragility, stability and development is far more complex than is often imagined or perceived. The significance of security within the discourse of development, democracy and prosperity need to be meticulously understood and extrapolated by policy makers, politicians and the masses alike.

In many fragile States around the globe, the solicitous concern is the distribution of power and wealth between different groups and individuals and or parties. Without entirely contesting this view point, it’s apt to interrogate thus; if the distribution of power and wealth is considered a prime concern, then what about the processes that create, sustain and transform these relationships? For this reason, it is prudent the State re-examine quiescent policies while innovative and ground-breaking ones are instituted to bolster the interest of citizens and investors alike as we continue to match international best standards.

Whiles addressing fragility has become a leading priority for the international community, [as a nation] now is the time to rise to the most important and difficult challenge of all – succeeding in practice by consolidating national cohesion. Having said that and as we envisage and visualise the prospect of a brighter Sierra Leone, it remains virtually realistic and accurate that without stability, there can be no sustainable development in Sierra Leone. This is an obvious and realistic fact that can’t be cognitively contested in that, stability and development are mutually reinforcing. The discursive approach about stability it can be said, should be multi-dimensional and multi-faceted; hence if skewed to political stability alone, then it will be logically and practically impossible to divulge indispensible facts that are fundamental in understanding the nexus between development and stability.

To underpin this assertion, there are other types of stability that are quite crucial to mull-over and these are; economic stability, societal stability, moral, ethical and spiritual stability. This second segment of stability as succinctly illustrated (i.e. economic, societal, moral, ethical and spiritual), if properly harnessed could enhance, consolidate and affirm political stability. Why do I say this? It could be argued that, political instability doesn’t emerge from the blues, rather the warning signals are always apparently noticeable – which if not properly tackled could lead to dissatisfaction of the people and the society, leading to cultural, ethical and spiritual decadence, thus essentially resulting to political unrest.

In a post-conflict and fragile State like Sierra Leone, it is natural if not quite archetypical for people to understand and discuss stability from a political stand point. There is however a caveat in this assertion hence the decade long instability in Sierra Leone that halted development and degenerated generations yet unborn was hypothetically premised on political dissatisfaction. Arguably for this reason, whenever we discuss stability, the first thing that comes to mind is political [in]stability. To contextualise and effectively underpin this assertion, the mismanagement of the late 1970’s, coupled with the eco-social hierarchisation of the society in the entire 1980’s, anchored on biased and skewed distribution of the nation’s wealth, punctuated by discernible injustice – led to a decade long “all-out war” in the dawn of the 1990’s that brought misery and glum to Sierra Leone during the civil conflict.

This succinct but illuminating analysis demonstrates how the relationship between fragility, security and development plays out in practice and how they depend on the economic context and good governance of the State. Accordingly, it can be said that the hard earned peace and stability at hand shouldn’t be ephemeral but rather perpetual – hence perpetual peace is what we fought for and we have the opportunity and absolute responsibility to maintain and sustain the peace and say “never again” to war in Sierra Leone. Eco-political analyses can be constructive and valuable in garnering an understanding of the context [within Sierra Leone], in order to be able to better adapt and tailor policies and programmes that can propel development.

In light of this therefore, our sense of nationalism and patriotism must transcend infinitesimal, parochial, individualistic and egoistic mindset – which it can be said will only stagnate if not essentially retrogress Sierra Leone. Politicking and politicisation of issues on one hand coalesced with socially constructed threats with combustible speech act on the other, could lead to representation of danger there by derailing development and effectively threaten our stability. It is worth noting that, we can only flourish in the atmosphere of peace, stability and tranquillity.

In conclusion, it is judicious to apprehend that conflict prevention, resolution and management should be taken into firm consideration so that as a nation we can succeed in our developmental aspirations. Let peace and stability be the instrument to achieving national cohesion and development in Sierra Leone because there isn’t any constructive alternative approach. The fundamental catalysts for sustainable peace and stability are among others; rule of law and justice, good governance, social cohesion and economic sustainability. These crucial issues should be brought to the fore of the government of Sierra Leone – hence peace, stability and development are the tripartite instruments that will enable us succeed as a nation. Peace and security is an unequivocal indispensable dynamic of human existence. A peaceful and secure environment is crucial to every society since it affect all aspects of economic and social development in a country and is a necessary sin-qua non to the realisation of human rights. No country can develop economically without peaceful coexistence among its people and within its borders. The fastest growing nations are among those with best security architecture and having peace and tranquillity thriving within them. Is this a tall order for Sierra Leoneans? Definitely not – because we treasure peace and we desire development.

Lagos, Nigeria 28.01.2019 – Sèmè City, the International Knowledge and Innovation City, has partnered with the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), the leading philanthropic organization empowering African entrepreneurs to train and empower additional 50 Beninese entrepreneurs. Sèmè City will join a growing list of governments, development agencies and private sector organisations partnering with the Tony Elumelu Foundation to explore the Foundation’s sustainable model of philanthropy geared at addressing the root cause of poverty in Africa while creating jobs and economic wealth for all.

As part of the partnership with the Foundation, Sèmè City will invest $250,000 for the sponsorship of 50 additional Beninese entrepreneurs with innovative projects across various sectors ranging from tourism to health, energy, ICT, environment, fashion, media, entertainment and agriculture. This partnership aims to provide beneficiaries with the necessary skills to develop high-impact ventures as well as encourage female entrepreneurship.

The 50 beneficiaries will be selected in addition to the 1,000 African entrepreneurs selected during the 5th edition of the Foundation’s flagship Entrepreneurship Program. The beneficiaries will benefit from the training and mentorship programme offered by the Foundation, at the end of which they will receive $ 5,000 each to develop their businesses which will, in turn, contribute to the creation of jobs and wealth in Africa.

Speaking about the partnership, the incoming CEO of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu said: “We have always advocated for a collaboration between the public and private sector and this partnership exemplifies our conviction that working together to empower African entrepreneurs is the only way to create sustainable economic development on the continent”.

The Managing Director, Sèmè City Development Agency, Claude Borna, said: “Sèmè City supports innovative entrepreneurship so that it becomes a key growth factor to boost productivity, create jobs and help improve the quality of life in Benin. With its unique large-scale programme that promotes “Africapitalism”, the Tony Elumelu Foundation is a partner of choice to accomplish our mission of developing a vibrant knowledge-based economy in Benin”.

Other partners of the Tony Elumelu Foundation who have committed to empowering additional entrepreneurs include Indorama, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

Interested entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply for the programme on www.tefconnect.com.

ABOUT THE TONY ELUMELU FOUNDATION
Established in 2010, the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) is the leading philanthropy in Africa championing entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs across the continent. The Foundation’s long-term investment in empowering African entrepreneurs is emblematic of Tony Elumelu’s philosophy of Africapitalism, which positions Africa’s private sector, and most importantly entrepreneurs, as the catalyst for the social and economic development of the continent. The Foundation’s flagship initiative, the Tony ElumeluFoundation Entrepreneurship Programme, is a 10-year, $100 million commitment to identify, train, mentor and fund 10,000 entrepreneurs, capable of changing the face of business across Africa.

ABOUT SÈMÈ CITY
Sèmè City, the International Knowledge and Innovation City, brings together higher education and professional training institutions, research centers, incubators, as well as open innovation spaces. This one-of-a-kind innovation campus is planned over 200 hectares in Sèmè-Kpodji, a peri-urban area of the Republic of Benin, located 5 km from the Nigerian border. Sèmè City’s mission is simple: put knowledge, innovation, and entrepreneurship at the service of inclusive and sustainable development. The objective is to create 190 000 new jobs by 2030 including at least 40% by women and 30% self-employed.

Huge crowds have welcomed the return of league football in Sierra Leone after a four-and-a-half year absence.
The league has resumed despite Sierra Leone being suspended by world football’s governing body Fifa.
Football was initially suspended due to the outbreak of deadly Ebola virus in 2014.
Internal wrangles within the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) meant the league was unable to resume.
Fourteen clubs were invited to play in the new Premier League, however FC Johnasen, the team owned and named after SLFA President Isha Johansen turned down the offer to participate.
Johansen has been set aside by the country’s Anti Corruption Commission pending the outcome of a case against her, however she is still recognised by Fifa as SLFA President.
The opening day of the league on Sunday was preceded by a colourful ceremony and a game between cabinet ministers and members of parliament.
Ten’s of thousands of fans arrived several hours before kick-off to see two of the country’s best supported teams, Mighty Blackpool and East End Lions play each other.

The crowd included Sierra Leone’s president Julius Maada Bio, who saw East End Lions win 1-0 thanks to Alhassan Koroma’s strike in the first half.
The Siaka Stevens Stadium in Freetown was full beyond its official capacity of 35,000.
It was the highest attendance for a domestic game since the 1990 Sierra Leone FA Cup final, when East End Lions lost 1-0 to Ports Authority.
The match was also shown live on national television a first for the Sierra Leone Premier League.
The Premier League Board (PLB) is running the league and its chairman Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai says they are now ready to revive domestic football.
“I’m delighted that our domestic football is back, the turnout of the opening match was massive, I can’t believe my eyes. It’s clear that we’re now ready to revive the game,” Abdulai told BBC Sport.
“After four-and-a-half years it’s time to move away from the past and create a new future for both football and the young people who want to play football in the country.
“Everybody is on board and this is a new dawn. I want to thank everybody including the Sierra Leone government who has given us large sum of money to run the league.

“This is phenomenal, it’s unprecedented that the government of Sierra Leone would put in such an amount of money.”
For the first time the Sierra Leone government is sponsoring the league and they have given the PLB more than US$230,000 and with the promise of a further US170,000 to come.
President Bio says his government has given football back to the Sierra Leonean people as he promised.
“This is just a fulfilment of a pledge we made that we’ll make sure that football resume in this country,” President Bio told BBC Sport.
“I’m not at all surprise at the large turnout because my country is in love with football and the people are been longing for it, they’ve been missing it.
“It’s our responsibility to provide the funds for the league, it’s a moral obligation that we owe to our people to make them happy, to give them what they want and if football makes them happy, we’re giving it to them.”
The head of state also said he was concern about Sierra Leone’s suspension and he hopes it’ll be lifted as soon as possible.
“We want to be part of the Fifa world, but of course we have to make sure that internally we do what we have to do,” he added.
“I’m sure before the end of our league the suspension would have been lifted.
“We’re not just paying attention to the local league, we are also taking action as the suspension is concerned too, so that it can be lifted as soon as possible.”
SLFA officials also attended the match and its director of competitions Sorie Ibrahim Sesay says the league has their full backing.
“We’re happy for the resumption of the league and we’re supporting it,” Seay told BBC Sport
“As a matter of fact we’re providing the match officials and technical support for the league.
“We’ve also provided the match balls for the league as well as training balls for all the participating teams.
“We playing the league with the hope that our suspension will be lifted by the time the league ends so that we’ll be able to engage our clubs in African continental club competitions.”
The league is set to end in July with all the clubs set to play each other twice.