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SLURC & UNILAG End 2-Day Workshop on Policy Engaged Research for 30 PhD Students

By Amin Kef (Ranger)       

The Sierra Leone Urban Research Centre (SLURC), in collaboration with the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and Centre for Housing and Sustainable Development and the ARUA COE for Urbanization and Habitable Cities held a Policy Engaged Research workshop for PhD students in Africa commencing on the 8th and ending on the 9th May, 2023 at the University of Makeni, Northern Sierra Leone.

The workshop targeted 30 PhD students from Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia and UNIMAK in Sierra Leone with the theme: “Policy Engaged Research for PhD Students in Africa” which resonated with topical discussions related to how to effectively channel research activities in order to underpin policy processes.

Its targeted audience of PhD students was intentional towards ensuring that researchers grow with the capacity to carry out policy engaged research.
The objective of the workshop, therefore, was to strengthen the capacity of doctoral candidates in urban studies to anticipate, incorporate and integrate policy concerns into their thesis.

It was also geared towards promoting the deliberate uptake of PhD research by the policy sector thereby improving researchers’ ability to solve ‘actual’ problems in global and uniquely African settings.

The PhD students were drawn from partner universities of the ARUA-UKRI-GCRF with their counterparts from the DAAD funded WITS-TUB- UNILAG Urban Lab CoE in Urbanization and Habitable Cities and other academics from the Centre for Housing and Sustainable Development, University of Lagos.

The Workshop sought an engagement by enabling answers to questions like: “Why bridge research evidence and policy?”, “What are the challenges influencing PhD research uptake and how can PhD students enhance policy uptake of their work?”, “How can policy engagement be initiated or enhanced throughout or at salient points in PhD research?”, “What methodology drives policy engaged research and What are the considerations for engendering policy uptake?”

It was envisaged that at the end of the workshop, PhD students should be able to demonstrate enhanced capacity to create and strengthen the link between research and policy, from the inception of research to the dissemination of findings.

It must be noted that the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) is a network of sixteen (16) African universities spread across ten (10) African nations. These Universities share a common vision of making African researchers and their institutions globally competitive while contributing to the generation of knowledge for the socio-economic transformation of Africa.

The Centre for Excellence for Urbanization and Habitable Cities is a research hub for bringing together researchers from other African Countries to address the salient and often intractable problems associated with urbanization in African Cities, therefore impacting on spatial efficiencies, the well-being of urban dwellers and city sustainability.

It is coming under the designate of the existing University of Lagos Centre for Housing Studies   (UNILAGCHS) http://chsunilag.com/ which was established in December 2013 as a result of MOU between the University of Lagos, Nigerian-UK Housing Society (NUHS) and its partner, UK’s Chartered Institute of Housing, England (CIH).

The Centre’s core activities are in Housing research, urban regeneration and advocacy, Postgraduate education and capacity building for practitioners. Activities are centred around multi-disciplinary groups from academia and industry.

The Vision Statement of the Centre of Excellence in Urbanization and Habitable Cities is to be the hub for world class, interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary, applied research on urbanization and habitable cities; connecting researchers for the purpose of initiating, developing, disseminating and affecting change in Africa’s cities.

Its Mission Statement is to attract, through collaborative actions; active researchers and funders, across all cadres, from within and outside Africa, that would work together with stakeholders from academia, private sector, Government and Non-Governmental organizations to solve the diverse problems evident in African cities.

The Centre of Excellence has been structured around seven thematic areas which are organized as research clusters to attract and sustain funding for active catalytic research.  Each Cluster is composed of work groups in relevant sub-thematic areas. In collaboration with ARUA Institution partners, the cluster will initiate, absorb and sustain strong platforms for the utilization of research outputs in research areas, while providing strategic opportunities for ensuring the growth of early career researchers, postgraduate students and undergraduate students across Africa.

Under the dynamic leadership of its Director, Professor Timothy Nubi and Deputy Director, Dr Taibat Lawanson with a core theme of experts, themselves experienced researchers and mentors well grounded in the integration of the principles of sustainable development in their key areas of expertise, the Centre of Excellence has tried to establish a high visibility for Africa’s peculiar urbanization issues and offer profound, workable solutions for ensuring that Africa’s urbanization leads to generative, habitable cities rather than dysfunctional cities.

As the clusters focus on specific research activities, they serve as platforms for partnering Universities and other members of the research communities.

The Clusters of the Centre of Excellence Research are: the Sustainable Cities and African Urbanization Dynamics Cluster, the Housing and Regeneration Cluster, the Urban Health and Livability Cluster, the Sustainable Urban Design and Infrastructure Cluster, the Land Management and Administration Cluster, the Sustainable Construction and Skill Development Cluster and the Pro-Poor Governance and Management in Africa Cluster.

Worthy of note is that the United Nations estimates that between 2015 and 2050, an additional 790 million people will reside in Africa’s urban areas. This implies that the Continent will play host to over 12 cities with between 5 to 10 million people by 2030.

However, the institutional capacity to cope with the attendant need for basic infrastructure, housing and social facilities for residents is already under considerable strain. Such is evidenced by the relatively high percentage of African urban dwellers living in slum conditions-the UN Habitat projects that more than 50% of Africa’s population are likely to live in slums by 2025.

On the other hand, addressing those urbanization issues will unleash vast opportunities that will propel and consolidate Africa’s growth and development.

To achieve that, it is imperative that impactful, trans-disciplinary is carried out in the short term and that such research outcomes are tied into governance and policy frameworks to ensure implementation and impact. The Centre of Excellence tries to address those issues.

During the workshop, there was a standing ovation following a groundbreaking presentation by SLURC which is now the envy of all with many people expressing interest in their research and policy-engaged work in Freetown.

Indeed. SLURC is seen as a key resource for most of the answers they’ve been seeking, drawing particularly from their impressions of the institution’s role in the ACRC and their readings on the City Learning Platform.

MTCA, NTB Unveil First Ever Integrated Tourism & Hospitality Management Curriculum

The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs (MTCA) and the National Tourist Board (NTB), in collaboration with the Tertiary Education Commission and with support from the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) have launched the Integrated National Tourism Hospitality curriculum at the Family Kingdom Resort on Aberdeen in Freetown on the 6th May, 2023.

The launching and popularization of the curriculum, through Digital Access, of the first ever Integrated National Tourism Hospitality curriculum for Higher National Diploma (HND), Ordinary National Diploma (OND) and Certificate in Tourism and Hospitality (CTH) and the curriculum for Bachelor of Social Science (BSC) in Tourism and Hospitality Management, was done by the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs (MTCA) and the National Tourist Board (NTB) in collaboration with the Tertiary Education Commission with support from the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF).

Giving an insight into the Sustainable Tourism Development and Promotion Project (STDPP) of the EIF’s Tier 2 project, the General Manager of the NTB who also chaired the program, Fatmata Hamid Carew, explained that the EIF is a multi-agency, multi-donor Aid for Trade partnership in action for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to be more active players in the global trading system and works towards a wider goal of promoting economic growth and sustainable development, thus lifting more people out of poverty.

She continued that the development initiative of the EIF’s STDPP project covers sector governance, product development, marketing and capacity building.

Madam Carew said it was due to the tourism and hospitality sector’s inadequate and lack of professionally educated staff that led to the Tourism Training National Assessment (TTNA) that exposed gaps in the tourism curriculum and the current tourism training curriculum was fatally flawed and incurably defective which created the need for the introduction of an industry based national integrated curriculum for HND, ND, Certificate in Tourism, Hotel and Hospitality Management as well as a Degree in Bachelors of Social Science in Tourism and Hospitality Management that would cater for the needs of the sector.

She disclosed that plans are on the way to develop a tourism app that would contain all the relevant modules pursuant to the new national integrated curriculum.

Lunching the curriculum, the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt prefaced her statement with a show of appreciation to President Bio for choosing Human Capital Development as his flagship project under the New Direction Manifesto, saying that the launching of the tourism curriculum was a fulfillment of the President’s aspirations through the Tourism Ministry.

She mentioned that in changing the defeatist mentality of those in the sector, they are creating a conducive learning environment backed by sound policies that are people centred with a view of leaving no one behind. And that the successful implementation of the National Tourism Needs Assessment Plan triggered the development of the National Tourism Capacity Building Action Plan which is a bi-product of the Integrated Tourism and Hospitality Management curriculum that will serve as an approved reference guide for the delivery and development of courses in tourism and hospitality at national level.

The Minister maintained that the curriculum is a harmonious blend between hospitality and tourism with the addition of specialized business and management skills designed to prepare students for a career in one of the most dynamic and fastest growing sectors.

Dr Memunatu Pratt added that the curriculum will also strike a balance between theory and practice, giving intending students a deep understanding and develops a wide range of Hospitality and Tourism skills that may be utilized in both managerial and entrepreneurial roles. She thanked the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education and the Tertiary Education Commission for their tremendous support in providing the necessary guidance at every stage of the project and also the Consultant for providing a detailed review of the manuscript.

The Consultant, Bisolu S. H. Betts in his presentation of the background and methodology of the curriculum said the study approach used was based on conventional needs assessment of demand and supply of user that supports a vibrant tourism sector.

The Chairman, NTB, Allieu Kokobay, representatives from the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, Tertiary Education Commission and Milton Margai Technical University made significant inputs towards the launch of the curriculum.

The Minister Distribution of the curriculum by the Minister to Tertiary institutions across the country including Fourah Bay college, Milton Margai Technical University, Njala university, Limkokwing University and other technical, vocational institutions formed the highpoint of the launching ceremony.

Elections Must Not Stop Normal Life Activities

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

Sierra Leoneans in general are of the view that the only thing happening now across the country is politicking as the country heads for a crucial general elections on June 24, 2023.

Political pundits and social media commentators say because of the coming elections, it appears as though all other sectors of the Government are now grounded to a halt.

It is a common phenomenon that whenever elections are around the corner in Sierra Leone, that is the time for businesses including Government functions to go-slow on the basis that, things will brighten up or pick up speed after the elections.

This should not be the case because life goes on before, during and after elections. The people should not suffer because of a pending election. It is like saying we are preparing for doomsday and therefore every other activity must stop to allow doomsday preparations to take the fore whilst every other aspect of human life must stop or go on slowly.

It is important to note that, universities and schools have all been affected by the preparations for the June 23 elections. Even traders and other business people are afraid of buying new stocks in the name of waiting until the elections are over before they will buy new stocks.

It is precisely because of the stalling of business and Government activities due to preparations for the elections are the main reasons why there is general suffering almost everywhere across Sierra Leone.

It is against this background that Sierra Leoneans are looking forward to the current administration to not make it seem as if the coming elections are a do or die affair and that all other sectors of life are secondary and unimportant.

If anything, this is the time the current administration should be seen instilling confidence and assuring the general populace that all is well in the country and that the coming elections are not a do or die affair, while ensuring that they keep alive and kicking Government activities, universities, schools and basically every sector of human activity in the country soundly operational before, during and after the elections.

 

Peace Commission & Partners to Convene Stakeholders Dialogue Ahead of June 24 Elections

By Millicent Mannah

A partnership has been formed among the African  Union Economic, Social  and Cultural Council, (AU ECOSOCC) and the Independent  Commission  for Peace and National Cohesion, the ECOSOCC National Chapter  and Campaign  for Human Rights and Development CHRDI, with support  from the  European Union through Expertise France, to hold  a stakeholder’s dialogue  in preparedness to deliver a free, fair and incident-free elections for the people of Sierra Leone.

These institutions will  use the opportunity  to promote social cohesion by providing  an inclusive  space to  convene key  actors of  Government  and Civil Society  as well as religious leaders both at regional  and national levels  to facilitate  platforms of engagement  and forums  for solutions in order to support  concrete initiatives on the ground.

Speaking at the occasion,  ICPNC’ s ,Deputy Executive Secretary, Moses Margo, said the dialogue session  will provide an opportunity for all stakeholders to share ideas and collaborate in creating a conducive  environment for a successful election.

He noted that while elections are an integral part of the democratization process, if marred by violence, intimidation or fraud, they can undermine the very essence of democracy and destabilize a country.

He noted that Sierra Leone has had four successive peaceful elections and two transfer of power from one political party to another since the end of the rebel war, but that to sustain this trend requires the collective responsibility of all, to not only ensure peaceful, free and fair elections, but to put measures in place to guarantee the safety and  security of all citizens, political parties, elections officials and international observers,

He urged all political parties and candidates to conduct their campaigns with decorum and respect for their opponents, pointing out  that political differences should not be a pretext  for violence or incitement.

“Let us  compete based on ideas, policies and plan to move the country forward,” he enjoined and called on Law enforcement agencies to be impartial in the discharge of their duties, and to enforce the law without fear or favour and ensure that anyone who violates the law is held accountable.

“It is vital to investigate and prosecute all cases of election-related violence, intimidation or fraud to serve as a deterrent to others,” he stated.

The Deputy Executive Secretary also spoke about what he called the crucial role of the media in promoting peace during elections, urging them to report accurately and responsibly to avoid sensationalism, which has the tendency of inciting violence. He also called on them to provide equal access to all political parties and candidates to air their views and plans for the country.

He further called on all Sierra Leoneans to exercise their right to vote peacefully, pointing out that the actions of individuals during this election would have far-reaching consequences on the future of Sierra Leone.

ECOSOCC will also hold an awareness and popularization workshop with the Sierra Leone Interim Chapter of ECOSOCC, targeting CSOs with mandates in good governance and human rights, build capacity on the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Good Governance (ACDEG), engage with AU organs and learn about the Early Warning and Response Mechanisms of the African Union.

The objectives of these two activities are to facilitate dialogue between the election management bodies and CSOs and to assess the state of preparedness  for a free, fair and incident  free elections, and as well as  to introduce the newly adopted National Chapter Frameworks  to CSOs.

 PPRC & Security Sector Address APC Complaint of Uneven Treatment of APC Supporters

In a complaint made by the APC on the 8th May 2023 to Political Parties Regulations Commission (PPRC), the leadership of the Party mentioned the uneven treatment meted on APC supporters by security forces on the 1st May, 2023 when the Presidential candidate for the All Peoples’ Congress (APC) party, Dr. Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara was nominated at the ECSL Headquarters in Freetown culminating into a standoff between supporters of the APC and security forces.

Against that background, the PPRC Chairman, Abdulai Masiaday Bangura Esq. in collaboration with the National Security Coordinator, Office of National Security (ONS)m Abdulai Caulker and the Inspector General of Police, William Fayia Sellu, summoned a meeting held at the ONS Conference Hall on Monday, 8th May, 2023.

Other persons present at the meeting were Madam Yvonne Aki-Sawyer (former Mayor, FCC), the National Secretary General, APC; Lansana Dumbuya Esq., the National Organizing Secretary (APC), Bia Mamoud Bangura, the Publicity Secretary (APC), Sidie Yayah Tunis, PPRC and ONS staff.

In his opening statement, the PPRC Chairman expressed that the purpose of the meeting was to objectively discuss the concerns raised by the leadership of the APC with a view to strengthening collaboration and cooperation between the APC and the Security Sector.

He furthered that at a radio engagement he recently had, it was alleged that the FCC Mayoral Aspirant for the APC had also raised similar concerns of uneven treatment meted out by security forces against her supporters on the day of her nomination.

The Former Mayor, FCC however refuted the allegation and stated that her nomination was a peaceful event and had no concerns in that regard whatsoever. The issue was therefore omitted from the agenda and therefore no further discussions were held on the issue.

Opening the meeting, the Chairman invited various speakers to make their comments on the issue to be deliberated on.

The National Secretary General, APC explained and confirmed that on the day for the nomination of the APC Presidential candidate, there was a brief standoff between supporters of the APC and some security forces along the national Library Board vicinity leading to the ECSL office.

According to him, APC supporters had gone to accompany the candidate to the nomination centre at the ECSL.

He alleged that certain police personnel are always quick to direct venom against supporters of the APC whenever policing functions of the APC and furthered that complaints made by the APC are not seriously treated, while those against the APC are swiftly investigated and charged to court, even where evidence does not exist.

The NSG also seized the opportunity to inquire about the status of his arrested vehicle and investigations during the incident at Hill Station when the APC was returning to Freetown from its convention held in Makeni City.

He ended up recommending that Police Officers who have in the past shown bias against the APC should not be allowed to provide security at APC functions in the future and that efforts must be made to improve on trust and mutual relationship among the various stakeholders.

In her explanation, the Former Mayor, FCC narrated an ordeal her driver allegedly suffered from in the hands of security forces and requested that the Police return her laptop which was allegedly confiscated in the process.

In his contribution, the National Secretary General, APC corroborated the statement made by the erstwhile Mayor. He gave a narrative of what he personally went through and described what happened to the APC on that day as an ambush.

According to him, the APC leadership did not know that only twenty party faithfuls should accompany Presidential aspirants to the ECSL during the nomination of candidates. He however expressed satisfaction over the security provision during the return to Freetown of the APC Presidential aspirant after the Convention in Makeni.

In his statement, the National Security Coordinator, Office of National Security, Abdulai Caulker said he was pleased with the dialogue session between the Security Sector and a cross section of the APC leadership. Emphasizing on the relevance of the rule of law, the NSCoord encouraged all and sundry to follow due process whenever the need arises.

He also expressed the need for follow-ups on investigations to be made so as to ensure that there are no backlogs on cases and encouraged the APC leadership to always ensure that supporters abide by the rules whenever they are required to.

The National Security Coordinator  further reminded the APC that, like other political parties, they have signed up to several non-violence and peace communiqués which must be respected by all and at all times.

He informed the meeting that evidence of what transpired on the nomination day in question was monitored and taken record of. The NSCoord also informed the meeting that the Security Sector will be shortly holding a meeting with all registered political parties on non-violence before the commencement of campaigns.

Abdulai Caulker concluded by stating that the Security Sector is poised to curb lawlessness and indiscipline and encouraged all to remain law abiding further pledging the Sector’s commitment to providing the level playing field for all to function without fear of favour.

Responding to the concerns raised by the APC, the IGP assured that the concerns will be treated as Management information and will be looked into. He also pledged the SLP’s commitment in providing the level playing field for all to function well.

Closing the meeting, the Chairman, PPRC stated that as a Commission, their concern is towards the stability of political parties, since political parties will be there forever, unlike leaders that come and go.

A key take away from the meeting was that effective immediately and going forward, there will be the establishment of effective lines of communication between the security sector and all political parties before, during and after all political events.

Nfamara Kallon Assures Residents of Constituency 035 in Bombali of Fruitful Representation

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

One of the influential personalities that have come forward to compete in the forthcoming June 24 General Elections for the position as a Member of Parliament in Constituency 035 in the Bombali District is, Nfamara Kallon, who has been described by many as the indefatigable champion of development and a charismatic figure.

Nfamara Kallon was one of the aspiring candidates that received, on the 8th May, 2023,  their provisional nomination certificates after successfully going through the nomination process at the ECSL Office in Makeni in a ceremony that was described as electrifying.

It is now envisaged that the SLPP is set to clinch 4 out of 8 Parliamentary seats in Bombali district as sixteen of its MP candidates have received their provisional nomination certificates.

Addressing a cross section of residents of Bombali District, the aspiring candidate stated that there is nothing good to write home about the previous Parliamentarian who stands accused of constructing only one Court Barray.

He said notwithstanding all his busy schedules, he always ensures that he strengthens the cordial relationship with the elderly, youthful and religious personalities in his constituency and has seen the lapses as well as mapped out strategies to address all the problems faced by his constituents when given the opportunity to serve and represent his people in Parliament.

He commended President Bio for spending  a lot of money to improve education in Kamabai adding  that during the tenure of the former President, electricity was not stable and how this present ruling party has made it stable maintaining that such depicts that if the SLPP led Government continues to be in power, more development will take place in Bombali.

Nfamara Kallon maintained that they as SLPP do not look at tribe or region which is why their motto is “One Country, One People” also stating that the PR System gives them the leverage to have more Honorable Members of Parliament to advocate and lobby for the people for more development and to advocate for the party in Parliament.

He informed them that the Constituency needs a very sound Honorable, someone that can defend issues and the party in Parliament as well as nationally and internationally further underscoring how he and others have the character and tenacity to exactly do that.

Nfamara Kallon motivated the people of Bombali District to have the confidence to exercise their franchise assuring them that there will be security also adding that the SLPP is a law abiding party and how they will protect and give them the security that is needed.

According to him, the current ruling party is the only party that has done so much for education and infrastructure, and according to him, with all the hardship in the world, the country has the cheapest rice in West Africa because of the President’s skill in handling the economy further emphasizing that comparatively rice is cheaper and there is fuel.

Nfamara Kallon, who intimated this medium that he decided to sacrifice some of his engagements and responsibilities in order to have ample time to throw his hat in the ring purely out of the avowed objective of providing sound and fruitful representation and leadership for his constituents, is a graduate from Birbeck Law School, University of London and holds a LLM Master’s Degree in Public International Law from the Grotus Center of International Legal Studies, Lieden University, the Netherlands and is an adviser on direct Foreign Investment and International Dispute Settlement.

He served as Deputy Director of Legal Affairs for local and international agreement contracts at Universal Access Development Fund (UADF) to Sierra Leone and also served as a Guest Lecturer at UNIMAK on the topic: ‘International Law, Transitional Crime, Terrorism and Diplomacy – Public Lecture.’

Nfamara also has a successful business with a staff strength of 115 people in Sierra Leone and is game changer in any situation he finds himself.

He is the Founder/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Salisu Investment & Logistics which is responsible for transporting the oil and gas products for All Petroleum Products (SL) Ltd.

Also, he is the Chairman of Romix4KD Engineering Consultant Company for Road Solutions.

Currently, he is serving as the Strategic Campaign Director and Chief Coordinator for Mohamed Gento Kamara, who is the leading Mayoral aspirant for the Mayoral Position in the Freetown City Council ,of which he has no doubt they will clinch come 24th June 2023.

SLPPNA Delaware Valley Chapter Donates Whopping $45,000

The last time it was the SLPP Washington Metro chapter that donated the sum of $40,000,00 to the SLPP, now the SLPPNA Delaware Valley Chapter (DVC) , has donated a  whopping $45,000 cheque and $2,500 cash totaling $47,500.00 to the SLPPNA Regional Chairman, Desmond Pessima and Regional Treasurer Madam Rakiatu Rashid-Sandi as the Chapter’s contribution towards the upcoming re-election campaign. The donation was done on the 7th May, 2023 by the Chairman of SLPPNA Delaware Valley Chapter (DVC) Mrs. Dende Dorcas Korpoi, and her team.

Present at the event was Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, Minister of Basic Education, who was Guest Speaker at the SLPPNA Young Generation Council Fundraising to re-elect President Julius Maada Bio.

Some intimated this medium that the DVC team’s hard work has not gone unnoticed in the Region as they are considered to always be available to support the agenda of H.E. Rtd Brigadier Julius Maada Bio.

Also informed was that some DVC team members will also be part of the SLPPNA team heading out to Sierra Leone to help in the election process while thanks and appreciation were expressed to Chairman Korpoi for his charismatic leadership and teamwork.

Professor Alpha Tejan Wurie Bags Honorary Doctorate Degree from Njala

Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Professor Alpha Tejan Wurie, was on the 4th May 2023, at the Njala University Court, the proud recipient of a honorary Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) Degree in recognition of “his outstanding work across individual sciences and higher education in Sierra Leone.”

Professor Sahr Moses Gavao, Chairman of the University Court and Chancellor of Njala University, opened the meeting and stated its purpose: “In accordance with the Universities Act 2021, Section 4(b), a University shall have power to award honorary degrees to and confer other distinctions on persons approved by the University as having rendered distinguished services in the advancement of any branch of learning or who have otherwise rendered themselves worthy of such degrees. Also, Section 12(1) stipulates that “a University Court shall be responsible to determine the number and type of honorary degrees to be awarded in each session, and the names of the recipients.”

Professor Wurie was praised in the citation as one of Sierra Leone’s most distinguished Chemists and an accomplished politician whose work crosses the boundaries of individual sciences and has diverse and far-reaching practical applications.

“Our Honorary Degree awardee was appointed by the former President of the Republic Sierra Leone, Ahmed Tejan Kabba as Minister of Education in 1996 to 1998, Minister of Education, Youth and Sport in 1998 to 2002, and Minister of Education, Science and Technology in 2002 to 2007. During his tenure, he initiated major transformation in the education sector including among others the promulgation of the following Acts: Polytechnics Act of 2001, the National Council for Technical and Vocational and other Academic Awards Act of 2001, the Tertiary Education Commission Act of 2001, the Education Act of 2004.

Professor Alpha Wurie’s professional and academic career has always been closely associated with higher education, the reason why he is so familiar with the education landscape of Sierra Leone and even beyond,” the citation reads.

“In the field of Medicine, Professor Wurie also contributed considerably in establishing and strengthening laboratory services and systems as Proprietor of Ramsy Medical Laboratory as well as the establishment of an analytical laboratory to identify safe chemical levels and microbial contents in water, soil, food, and liquids. He has developed a stellar reputation as a scientific leader, and the University of Sierra Leone promoted him to the rank of Associate Professor of Chemistry in 2012 as a result of his numerous publications in international peer-reviewed journals,” the University’s Public Orator stated.

In his acceptance speech, Minister Wurie thanked the University for the honour, saying, “I am an Alumnus of Fourah Bay College, but from this day on, Njala becomes my family.”

“Our journey started many years ago. By creating the NCTVA and the Tertiary Education Commission in 2001, we laid the foundation for tertiary education. It was not until 2005 when the University of Sierra Leone was split into Njala University and USL. However, it would be beneficial to have different areas of specialization, as His Excellency the President has instructed me that colleges should have specializations in which they excel and are regarded as experts. As a result, I was extremely happy to hear you speak about veterinary medicine and to learn that the schools for agriculture and education  are still in existence. While we now begin the School of Medicine, I do hope that as we move forward, we will consolidate on Schools of Agriculture and Education,” the Minister stated.

Professor Wurie continued by noting that His Excellency is directing that there should be a public university in every region of Sierra Leone and expressed his delight that the Administration had accomplished what was stated in the 2021 Universities Act for Bonthe Technical Training College to no longer be an affiliate of Njala but to be a Campus.

He acknowledged the need for ICT, infrastructure, water, transportation, teaching, and learning materials at the university and promised them of the cooperation of the Government of Sierra Leone in seeing to it that these concerns are resolved.

According to Minister Wurie, the Cabinet has approved the conversion of the EBK University’s Port Loko Campus into an autonomous University, which he proposes naming Ahmed Tejan Kabba University of Education and Technology.

Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Bashiru Mohamed Koroma expressed gratitude and appreciation to the Minister for accepting the honour. He commended him for his support of higher education and his understanding of the value of it to the country’s long-term competitiveness.

Professor Bashiru Mohamed Koroma thanked the Minister for committing to the start of a Medical School at Njala University by October 2023. He informed him that a workshop had been organized to finalize the Medical School curriculum and that WAHO, COMAHS, and other reputable medical institutions would serve as reference sources for the operational document. A team of medical experts and regulatory bodies has been identified, according to VC&P, and they will be leading the process and creating a working document for the upcoming workshop.

He requested for the Minister’s immediate intervention while highlighting some of the University’s perennial challenges.

Attendees included the Wurie family as well as Deans of Schools, Heads of Departments, and other Administrative and Academic staff.

Current UN Resident Coordinator Eulogizes his late Predecessor, Sunil Saigal

In a statement delivered by the current UN Resident Coordinator, Dr Babatunde Ahonsi, in Freetown on the 8th May, 2023 in honour of the passing away of the former UN resident Coordinator to Sierra Leone, Sunil Saigal, he said it was with great sadness that they received the news of the passing of his predecessor, the former UN Resident Coordinator (RC) to Sierra Leone, Sunil Saigal.

He continued how Sunil, who was born in Denmark, was the UN RC and UNDP Resident Representative to Sierra Leone from April 2016 to September 2020 and was also the Principal Coordinator of UNDP’s Response to the Ebola outbreak.

Dr Babatunde Ahonsi expressed sentiments by recalling how Sunil is unanimously remembered in Sierra Leone by partners and former colleagues for his down-to-earth and collegial disposition, his exceptional dedication to the advancement of the well-being and rights of vulnerable populations, his strong commitment to the values of the UN, and as a good team captain, who skillfully harnessed the assets of all team members to ensure the UN’s sustained support for Sierra Leone’s quest for the SDGs.

He noted how he will be sorely be missed by colleagues and partners that he worked with during his tour of duty to Sierra Leone, his family, friends, and other loved ones and on behalf of the UN Country Team conveyed his deepest condolences to his family expressing the wish that may the departed soul of their former colleague rest in peace.

Orange SL Plants 3,000 Trees at Regent Mudslide Site

By Millicent Senava Mannah

Orange Sierra Leone, one of the telecommunications service providers operating in the country in partnership with Youth Alliance and Initiative for Innovation and Environmental Development, has on the 5th May, 2023 ended the commemoration of the Environment, Health and Safety Week by planting 3000 trees where the Mudslide occurred at Mortormeh Community in Regent,. The move was geared towards reducing flooding risks and land or mudslide susceptibility in Mortormeh and Freetown as a whole.

The loss of the trees canopy has directly affected catchment areas for water reserves, exacerbating the risks of landslides, flooding, and coastal erosion, and the loss of tree and vegetation cover also threatens biodiversity.

Giving an overview of the week, the Public Relations Officer  of Orange SL, Mabel Mason, intimated that the week was set aside as part of their commitment towards preserving and ensuring that they protect the environment from climate change.

She continued that the week was also set apart to raise awareness among members of staff , stakeholders and the county as a whole about the impact of damaging the environment and how that can drastically affect their operations as humans.

The Public Relations Officer highlighted that during the start of the week they were taken through by an Environmental Protection Agency Representative on environmental health and safety and a host of other engagements throughout the week.

‘’This is a call to action for all, as long as you are a human being. The environment does not need us to survive, to succeed, to continue, we need the environment on the contrary. We cannot survive without the environment, but the environment can survive without you.’’

Mabel Mason maintained that, everyone has the responsibility to preserve the environment, do things that will encourage the continuation of human existence, and how they must not burn trees, admonishing that if trees are cut down they must ensure that they plant more trees.

She furthered that they must ensure they dispose their refuse the right ways adding that they must do all they can by preserving the environment saying by doing so they are also preserving their own lives.

National Olympic Committee President, Prince Sualley, commended the company for such a laudable venture, continuing that, they must ensure to protect the environment in order to prevent natural disasters like the mudslide that occurred in August 14th, 2017.

He stated that other companies or organizations should emulate such a venture, stating how the environment needs to be preserved for human existence to continue.

Chief Lansana Kamara, the Residual Chief of the Mortormeh community, applauded the company for undertaking the tree planting exercise and lamented over those who lost their lives during the tragic mudslide.

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