Chinese Embassy meets with Milton Margai Technical University

July 13, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

The Milton Margai Technical University (MMTU), on the 8^th July 2022, benefited from donated teaching items by the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone during a ceremony that was attended by the Chargé d’affaires of the Chinese Embassy, Li Xiaoyong, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of MMTU, Prof. Philip John Kanu, staff from Chinese Embassy, lecturers and students.

In his statement, Li Xiaoyong congratulated the transformation of the Milton Margai College of Education and Technology into MMTU in November last year. He intimated how China and Sierra Leone enjoy time-honored friendship which the two peoples have forged and sealed in the pursuit of the independence of the two countries and in the interest of social-economic development.

He said China is willing to work with Sierra Leone to strengthen practical cooperation in various fields, especially education and share successful experiences that will bring more benefits to the two.

Prof. Kanu, on his part, expressed gratitude for China’s continuous support to the educational field, vocational training and other sectors. He said he studied in China some years ago and learnt a lot from the Chinese people especially their spirit of hard working further urging the students of MMTU to study harder in order to make more contributions to the development of Sierra Leone in the future.

Prof. Kanu and the University staff also took the Chargé d’affaires of the Chinese Embassy to inspect the artifacts made by the participants of a joint workshop organized by China and Sierra Leone a few years ago at MMTU.

Alleged Qnet Overseas Travelling Scam Under Investigation by TOCU

July 13, 2022

By Patrick A. Kai

The Trans-National Organized Crime Unit (TOCU), which is based at one of the outskirts of Freetown, to be precise Hastings, is currently conducting investigation into a matter of alleged fraud in which it is said QNET International is involved.

This investigation came in the heels of complaints made by some Sierra Leoneans, who are presently stranded at Lungi after they were scammed monies they paid ranging from eight million to thirteen million Leones each on the pretext of taking them to Malaysia to pursue higher education and to do menial jobs.

One of the victims by the name of Hawa Sannoh, in explaining her ordeal said one Foday Jayah, convinced them about the authenticity of the program adding how they then travelled to Lungi where they paid the money at the QNET International branch office to a Mr Maadason Vao, in the company of some of his colleagues.

She continued that they were informed that they would be recruited to sell food supplements which, according to her they detested and requested for a refund of their monies a situation that degenerated into a bitter argument and as a result the workers then invited police personnel to caution them.

After preliminary investigation by a Police Officer, just known by the name of Conteh, whom they accused of taking side, she said the matter was transferred to Hastings.

According to her, twenty-two (22) of them were arrested with some of their properties including vehicle, money, machines and many more, adding that they were later released on bail.

Hawa continued that since there has been no headway in the matter as another Police Officer by the name of Kemokai, left them incommunicado.

She further alleged that the company has also stopped caring for them since they arrived at Lungi about three months ago adding how they are finding it difficult to survive or pay transport fare to the city where the matter is being investigated.

She further revealed that they have also intimated Francis Ben Kaifala who has promised meeting with them.

“Our parents sold all their properties, including plantations, land etc for us to travel to Malaysia for a better future and now that it has turned out to be fake, we can’t go back without our monies,” she lamented

Maadason Vao and colleagues denied the allegations and refused speaking with this journalist further.

According to Conteh who started the investigation at Lungi but has now been transferred to Daru, the matter was investigated and that he was told that the arrangement it was not geared for travelling overseas but for the buying of products on behalf of the company. He said documents are to the effect further asserting that the victims may have signed the documents without knowing the contents.

He stressed that there is no record to show they were promised that the company will take them abroad further disclosing that because of the amount involved, which is Le140, 000,000.00 he decided to transfer the matter to TOCU.

The Investigating Officer at TOCU, Kemokai, revealed that the file has been sent for advice and the suspects were granted bail.

The victims have requested Government’s intervention claiming that they have evidences against the company.

Saudi Immigration Authorities Repatriate Nine Sierra Leoneans Intending to Perform Hajj

July 13, 2022

By Abubakarr Bah, Information Attaché-Saudi Arabia

This medium has confirmed that a total of 9 intending pilgrims from Sierra Leone who were part of the third and final batch landed at the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia last Thursday (July 7, 2022) at 23:50 KSA time have been repatriated to Sierra Leone.

The Saudi immigration office at the Jeddah Airport informed that the 9 intending pilgrims were returned to Sierra Leone on the next flight that was available on Saturday morning, July 10 2022.

The Ambassador of Sierra Leone to Saudi Arabia, Dr. Ibrahim Jalloh said the Embassy staff and the Hajj Committee members did their best to rectify the visa and immigration challenges regarding the affected pilgrims.

However, the absence of key Saudi authorities (as most of them are on Eid vacation) as well as time constraint (since their arrival was on the dawn of Arafat) thwarted the considerable effort of the embassy and committee in clearing the affected Pilgrims.

Both Ambassador Dr. Ibrahim Jalloh, the Minister of Social Welfare, Hon. Haja Baindu Dassama, the Head of Chancery at the Embassy, Alhaji Ahmed Tejan Kabba and members of the Hajj Committee visited the affected pilgrims at the King Abdulaziz Airport on Friday and had discussions with them before they were repatriated.

The Ministry of Social Welfare that is responsible for Hajj Affairs in Sierra in a Press Statement on Thursday, July 7 apologized to the intending pilgrims and their families noting that it would further engage them for the way forward.

Caritas Commissions VIP Toilets & Water Wells at Culvert Community

July 13, 2022

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Caritas Freetown (Sierra Leone), with support from Caritas Germany, has on Thursday 7th July, 2022 commissioned 4 VIP Latrines and 2 Water Wells at the Culvert Community in the East End of Freetown.

The One Family Preparatory & International Secondary School benefited from One VIP Toilet and One Water Well, Kel’s Primary School benefited from One VIP Toilet, Elementary Primary School benefited from One VIP Toilet and One Water Well and Zone 4 which is a zone at Culvert Community also benefited from one VIP Toilet.

Executive Director Caritas Freetown, Rev. Fr. Peter Konteh, in handing over the facilities said that Caritas has been working tremendously in order to elevate the suffering of Sierra Leoneans maintaining how they were able to achieve such through their interventions and activities across the country.

He pointed out that as an organization they have been very supportive to the people of the Culvert Community, adding that it is one of the most deprived slum communities in Freetown and that during the raining season the community is always affected by flooding but said that through the intervention of Caritas, which trained residents on how to interpret the signs of heavy downpour such has helped to mitigate flooding in the community.

Rev. Fr. Peter Konteh pointed out that the organization has also assigned permanent staff in the community in order to support residents in diverse ways.

He expressed appreciation to Caritas Germany for supporting the construction of the VIP Toilets and Water Wells at the Culvert Community which he said as an organization they are very proud to officially commission them as part of their support towards the development of the community.

The Executive Director called on the community residents to take ownership of the VIP Toilets and Water Well in order to ensure their sustainability.

He used the opportunity to inform the gathering that on the 13th of May 2022, after a fire incident within the Culvert Community, Caritas Freetown in collaboration with Tzu Chi under the Partnering to Serve Humanity provided emergency relief support to the victims slated to last for a period of 12days.

The Proprietor of the One Family Preparatory & International Secondary School, Chief Joseph Mathew Williams commended Caritas Freetown Sierra Leone for the commissioning of the VIP Toilets and Water Wells at the Culvert Community. He described the gesture as not only important but very timely towards addressing sanitary issues within the community.

He assured Caritas that they will ensure the maintenance and sustainability of the VIP Toilets and Water Well.

A stakeholder at Zone 4 Culvert Community, Mammy Dora also on behalf of the community expressed gratitude to Caritas Freetown and Caritas Germany for the construction of the VIP Toilets for the community. She revealed that before the commissioning of the VIP Toilets the community has been challenged with toilet facilities but said with the commissioning of the VIP Toilets Caritas has put smiles on the faces on the community residents.

“Residents in the past used to use the drainage to defecate but with the construction that will become a thing of the past now in the community because community residents will no longer use the drainages but the newly constructed VIP Toilets,” he disclosed.

Speaking on behalf of the pupils, Ishmael Turay, a Class 6 Pupil of the One Family Preparatory & International Secondary School expressed gratitude to Caritas for the VIP Toilets and Water Wells.

“We as pupils find it very difficult to access good toilets and clean drinking water within the Culvert Community, we sometimes use the drainages to defecate but with this new VIP Toilet we will no longer use the drainages and we now also have access to clean drinking water,” he stated.

Climaxing the ceremony was the symbolic commissioning of the VIP Toilets and Water Wells by the Executive Director of Caritas Freetown, Rev. Fr. Peter Konteh, Chief Joseph Mathew Williams and others.

Africell Launches ‘Pay Af Af’ Phone Loan Service

July 13, 2022

By Foday Moriba Conteh

One of the leading mobile telecommunication companies in the country, Africell Sierra Leone has on Thursday 7^th July, 2021 launched the ‘Pay Af Af’ service’. The launching ceremony took place at Africell’s Headquarters at Wilberforce in Freetown.

Speaking during the launch, the Director of Afrimoney, Martison Obeng-Agyei, said that it is a milestone development in the communication sector in the country, adding that the service caters for everyone and that it is much more affordable.

He said that Africell Sierra Leone has collaborated with Samsung to bring the ‘Pay Af Af’ service, continuing that the service made it possible for Africell customers, who are over 18 years old and have been Africell customers for a period of three months or longer, to automatically become eligible for the service.

Martison Obeng-Agyei went on to state that an eligible Africell Customer can purchase a phone on installment plan for him or herself or for another person but the eligible Africell customer will be responsible to pay the monthly installments.

The Director further stated that customers can purchase the phone during a period of 6 months installment of Le 330 or 9 monthly installments of Le 230 via Afrimoney, maintaining that the first payment is made upfront on registration with 5 or 8 payments to follow depending on whether a 6 or 9-month plan was chosen by the customer.

He guaranteed that once all payments have been made the phone will no longer be under Africell’s control but the customer’s.

On his part, the Chief Corporate Officer at Africell, Joe Abass Bangura said that mobile penetration leads to economic growth furthering that the phone comes with a Samsung warranty available at the authorized service center on 27Siaka Stevens Street in Freetown.

He assured that if there is any factory issue with the device it with be repaired without any cost. He however added that if the phone is damaged the customer will have to pay an amount on a cost-recovery basis.

Joe Abass Bangura also pointed out that Africell will provide customers with 3GB of free data immediately effective on payment of each installment and valid for 30 days from the date of activation.

Head of Events and Sponsorship at Africell, Abdul Aziz Kamara also said that the service will be available for as long as stocks are available.

He maintained that Africell has employed the scheme in order to harness communication across the country. The Head of Events and Sponsorship rounded off by stressing that communication is a right and not a privilege.

Vote Now to Save your Favourite Housemate from Being Shown the Exit Door

July 13, 2022

By Amin Kef-Ranger

Nohmi George and Augusta Kumba Yongai were the latest to be evicted from the Big House cutting short their individual aspirations and dreams of winning the Le250M prize and going on a round trip to Dubai. Their exit from the House has scaled down the number of Housemates currently left within the competition making the Reality TV Show very keen and interesting indeed.

What is coming next is the extraordinary EVICTION which will be done later today, Wednesday 13^th July 2022, known as the Midweek Eviction.

For now the Yagba continues among the remaining Housemates, who as couples are doing their things in their own ways and according to the dictates of Sir and Madam Chief ,with the view of winning points. For now there is uncertainty among the Housemates as to who will go and who will stay.

And to answer the question: “Who will go home?” The answer simply is your vote, you the viewer and by extension the general public. Some may somehow be wondering how a vote can save or not save a Housemate.

Well the truth of the matter is that the votes from members of the public are taken into consideration in grading the Housemates as the organizers of the Reality TV Show slated it in such a way that the onus of determining the ultimate winner of the show is given to members of the public.

To vote, the organizers of the Reality TV Show, AYV and Africell SL , have made it easy for members of the public via AFRIMONEY by simply Dialing: **161*10* plus the NUMBER of an Housemate from an Africell line.

It could also be done online by going to: https://housematessl.com or https://www.africell.sl and follow the instructions there.

Voting could also be done via PayPal or Scratch card from Sierra Leone Commercial Bank (SLCB) website, at: www.slcbvote.com.

Many are now watching the Reality TV Show live, on a 24/7 basis, on AYV Entertainment Channels 34 & 33 and AYV on DSTV Channel 399.

Viewers now have a wide variety of platforms through which they could enjoy the Reality TV Show.

Since it commenced weeks back, Housemates Salone Season 3 has been an exciting Reality TV Show that was put together against the backdrop of promoting Youth Empowerment. The Housemates, 22 originally, have benefitted from mentorship, with their innate talents being brought out, refined, polished and showcased to the outside world giving valuable insights as to the everyday behavioral patterns of young people living together in a Sierra Leonean community, their thought patterns, social interactions etc.

The Reality TV Show has further served and still continues to do so as a conduit through which them, as Housemates, have been and are taken through mental and physical exercises that have somehow molded and shaped their characters as well as impacted them profoundly .

They have been benefitting from being guided to become motivational speakers, to think critically as well as rationally, how to healthily interact, how to solve problems, to cook, to sing, dance, control emotions and stress.

These competitors were and are being given the opportunity to learn from what visiting guests from certain corporate institutions and business entities have taught them, will teach them, learnt how to play games and doing a host of other things that are aligned to coping mechanisms in life.

Financial empowerment has been provided for them and they are at liberty to come up with their business plans and set up their own enterprises.

Succinctly put in other words, Housemates Salone is a kind of refinery where the competitors have gone and are still going through life overhauling experiences to an extent that life after Housemates Salone will be completely and positively different for them.

There are still some hours left for your votes before the mid-week Eviction takes place. Make use of the opportunity by voting now and save your favourite Housemate.

Increase in Fuel Prices is a Global Phenomenon, Not Created by Oil Marketing Companies

July 13, 2022

By Amin Kef-Ranger

Indisputably, for now, Sierra Leone is not an exception, the prices of petroleum products, chiefly petrol and diesel, have gone up globally thereby affecting the prices of other basic commodities and services countrywide making life becoming extremely difficult for the vast majority.

Some have unjustifiably blamed the unfortunate situation on Governments, saying the latter have not taken proactive actions to squarely deal with the situation.

However, there is another school of thought that lay the blame on oil marketing companies, saying their insatiable quest or yearning to maximize colossal profits has forced them and still continues to do so, to escalate prices of those essential products.

In Sierra Leone, the former have argued that Government needs to step in and subsidize in order for the prices of petroleum products not to be felt by the vast majority. Though this might sound plausible the fact remains that as the current situation now stands, the Government is so cash-strapped to an extent that to even think of providing subsidies may be farfetched.

It has been established that fuel prices are rising across the world as a result of a number of reasons. According to a reputable source, one of the key reasons fuel prices are rising so high is because there are more in demand for it as companies cut ties with Russia following the invasion of Ukraine in February.

Indeed, as has been argued by some, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic the price of oil crashed or went down as the world shut down with oil recording negative prices in April 2020 for the first time in history.

However, when global economies began to recover the price shot up as demand rose sharply and there has been a corresponding failure to meet the demand thereby pushing up prices.

It must be noted that Russia is one of the world’s largest crude oil exporters, second only to Saudi Arabia. However, as the current situation stands with the European Union much more reliant on imports of Russian oil and the leaders of the EU agreeing to ban most of Russian imports, with the United States also announcing a total ban, the situation has become very untenable.

Obviously, under this kind of situation, we cannot expect oil marketing companies, like NP-SL Ltd to be importing petroleum products as it used to do prior to the war.

Though there are available stocks it is prudent that they must be rationed wisely in order not to completely run out of it. This was mainly responsible for the snail pace at which Filling Stations were selling to members of the public with a bid to have some stock until replenishment has been accomplished.

NP-SL Ltd is on record of instructing its business partners, that is, Station Managers and dealers at various Filling Stations, to open up their stations and sell to the public. Indeed, that has been ongoing but it should be underscored that such will only continue to transpire when stocks are available.

At the same time, the Management of the company had been and is still making frantic moves to ensure that more petroleum products are imported into the country and it is doing so diligently as well as passionately.

It is good that when this country started experiencing shocks in the prices of petroleum products the Government reacted wisely by making sure that it provided oil marketing companies in this country with foreign exchange to put them at vantage positions to continue importing petroleum products in the country and it is still determined to continue doing so.

It will indeed be disingenuous on the part of any individual to claim that an oil marketing company like NP-Sierra Leone Limited is using the current global situation to make life difficult for many by creating situations for prices to shoot up.

It is important to note that NP-SL Ltd alone cannot determine the prices of petroleum products as they are determined by international market forces and it is only the Petroleum Regulatory Agency (PRA) that will finally announce changes in prices after taking into consideration certain variables.

NP-SL Ltd, being an indigenous business entity, is indeed a business entity with a compassionate clout and though it is interested in making profits, however, it does not have the record of making life becoming unbearable for the common man. The company is highly capitalized and is operating in neighbouring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia meaning that it is not starting from scratch.

Under NP-Sierra Leone’s portfolio there are NP Gas cookers suitable for cooking purposes. They are manufactured in different sizes and have been certified as environmentally friendly. NP Gas could be purchased at various Filling Stations.

There is also NP Smart Card which is used to purchase fuel. Holders of NP Smart Cards only need to credit their cards and they are ready for use at Filling Stations to get fuel without exchanging cash.

In terms of Local Content, the company operates a policy of only giving jobs to indigenes of the country where it operates.

NP-SL Ltd is also one of the biggest taxpayers to the Government.

What is clear for now is that there is uncertainty within the petroleum landscape of the country vis-à-vis the stable price of fuel as long as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues.

It will only be unfair to continue blaming the Government and oil marketing companies for the sporadic increases in the prices as seemingly it is beyond their control.

We can only pray and hope for the better for now.

1991 Constitution Makes Subtle Provision for an Independent Candidate to Vie for the Presidency

July 13, 2022

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Whilst many will want us to believe that the constitution only dictates that the position of President can only be contested by an individual belonging to a political party, the contrary is in the same section of the constitution Section 41, which gives the criteria for eligibility to contest the Presidential Election.

According to the said section, it has among other provisions that an individual should be otherwise qualified to be able to contest as a Member of Parliament. According to the qualification for contesting for the seat of MP, an individual could either be a member of a political party or can stand as an independent candidate. Now if an individual could stand as an independent candidate and win a seat in Parliament, what will preclude him from contesting for the Presidency, when the same constitution, in the last clause of Section 41 states that if otherwise, the individual is qualified to be a Member of Parliament?

Thus, until the section is amended to read otherwise, an independent candidate has the right to contest for the Presidency. Because no one had ever contested as an independent candidate for the Presidency does not mean it is wrong or makes that provision null and void. It is because no one cared to read carefully the said provision and to assume his right to the provisions of the constitution.

Some political analysts are of the opinion that it was this provision that was examined by the ECOWAS Court where Sam Sumana took his removal from office to that which saw him win the case against the State. The fact that Sam Sumana was expelled from the APC at that time, allegedly due to political motivation, he had the right to still be in office, because he was at that material time an independent candidate and also qualified to be a Member of Parliament, in accordance with the constitution. Sam Sumana knew his right, and since the Supreme Court of this land ruled against him, he took the matter to the ECOWAS Court, who after careful deliberation and inspection of the constitutional provisions of this country, ruled in his favor and even gave him cost to be paid by the Government, which, as we go to press has not been complied with.

College of Digital Excellence (CODE) Holds Maiden Matriculation Ceremony

July 8, 2022

By Amin Kef-Ranger

The College of Digital Excellence (CODE), one of the latest private tertiary institutions in the country that opened its doors in 2021 by providing world-class ICT and Management Education to young adults in Sierra Leone, held its maiden matriculation ceremony at the institution, situated on 36 Main Motor Road, Congo Cross in Freetown, on the 6^th July, 2022.

A total of over two hundred students went through the matriculation process which is the formal process of entering the College as a candidate for a course after fulfilling certain academic requirements. It is a confirmation that they have been fully admitted by the institution followed by a pledge to abide by its rules and regulations.

In attendance were the Chairman of the Tertiary Education Commission, Professor Aliyageen M Alghali, Ing MA Jalloh, Director of the National Council for Technical/ Vocational and other Academic Awards (NCTVA), Nadia Parkinson of the Tertiary Education Commission, Director of CODE, Mrs. Niharika Agnani, Head of the Institution, Madhusudan Mukerjee, the students, well-wishers and members of the Fourth Estate.

Head of the Institution, Madhusudan Mukerjee, who moderated the program, welcomed all to what he referred to as an important milestone in the history of the College of Digital Excellence as students are about to be matriculated by the institution in order for them to become bona fide members of the college. He wished all the students a happy stay at CODE and expressed optimism that they will excel in their different courses of study.

In her statement, the Director of CODE, MS Niharika Agnani, wished all a very warm welcome to the maiden matriculation ceremony. She disclosed that CODE is the first educational project of the Choithram group of companies in Sierra Leone and is a private Tertiary Institution that opened its doors in 2021 by providing world-class ICT and Management Education to young adults in Sierra Leone.

She intimated that their collaboration with NIIT intends to impart the best and cutting-edge ICT education to learners in Sierra Leone adding how their vision is to provide a platform for the youth which they can use to launch themselves into the dynamic Digital World.

The Director maintained that one of their aims is to bring people and computers together through state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities.

“CODE is committed to providing conducive teaching and learning environment to enable learners to excel in the various courses offered on campus,” she informed the audience of a core objective of CODE.

Succinctly, she said as the maiden Matriculation ceremony is celebrated, she would like to extend her good wishes to team CODE – Faculty and students.

She told the students that the matriculation ceremony marks the beginning of a new chapter in their lives stating how it is going to be a memorable one filled with lifelong friendships, connections, laughter, some challenges but most importantly lessons that will shape them and pave way for huge successes they can only begin to dream of.

“I am very confident that greatness lies within each and every one of you and you are in the right place to harness it for the greater good,” she expressed her conviction and admonished the students to use every resource available at the college to achieve their goals and contribute meaningfully to their communities after graduating from CODE.

Madam Agnani told all present that in the belief that CODE stands for College of Digital Excellence; the college exists to provide holistic education by promoting innovation and technology in learning, with the aim of developing well-rounded citizens to impact social, political, and economic aspects of the country.

“I call upon all registered students in all faculties- Software Engineering (Full Stack Development Program) and Infrastructure Management Program to rise and take the Matriculation Oath of the College of Digital Excellence,” she concluded by inviting the Chief Guest to administer the Matriculation OATH after which she declared that
all students are duly matriculated at the College of Digital Excellence for their studies.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Tertiary Education Commission, Professor Aliyageen M Alghali, congratulated the Management of CODE for the achievements made so far. He pointed out that he was not part of the team from his institution that assessed CODE before the institution commenced operations but said he is highly impressed with the conduciveness of the facility underscoring its fitness for educational pursuits.

Professor Alghali stated that courses that are skewed towards the provision of skills are very much important in contemporary societies highlighting how Sierra Leone is at a crossroads in a bid to develop a knowledge-based economy like Singapore. He maintained that CODE has the potential to become a leading IT College in the country.

Nadia Parkinson, an official of the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC), gave a brief synopsis of the establishment of the institution she works for. According to her, TEC was established in 2001 and is responsible for the development of tertiary education in Sierra Leone. She added that the objective of the Commission is to advise Government on tertiary education and to provide an institutional liaison with Government and other stakeholders organizations offering assistance in the tertiary education sector and ensure parity of the products of tertiary education institutions.

She told the students that starting from the basics is always the best thing to do adding how CODE was legally registered in the country. “I am really impressed with the number of students,” she expressed her admiration encouraging the students to focus on their studies and endeavor to move to higher heights.

Nadia said she is looking forward to seeing the graduating products of the college meaningfully contributing to development.

Ing MA Jalloh, Director of the National Council for Technical/ Vocational said CODE was accredited after a peer review process stating how the report that was generated was very excellent. He commended the facility hosting the College maintaining that it is good for the purpose of education and praised the competence of the members of staff.

He admonished the students to work hard and put God first to guide them going forward to enjoin them to always have their integrity intact and desist from untoward attitudes.

“There used to be three factors of production, land, labour and capital but there is a new one which is knowledge which you must build and embrace,” he added.

He advised them not to be frustrated along the way saying there will always be challenges but maintained that success is measured by the challenges that one overcomes stressing that experience is derived through grappling with challenges.

Ing Jalloh said as of now more premium is being placed on competency-based education and assessment of competence is done by looking at an individual’s performance contrary to what one claims he or she could do. He expressed the hope that the college will live up by its name and commended the Management of CODE for treating the nation with respect.

The high point of the ceremony was the signing of the college’s register by the students who went through the matriculation process.

Parliament to Institute Committee to Investigate the Alleged Assault of Journalist by a MP

July 8, 2022

By Amin Kef-Ranger

This news medium learnt on the 6^th July 2022 that the Executive of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ ) on Tuesday, 5th July 2022, held a meeting with the Clerk of Parliament, Hon Umarr Paran Tarawally, in his office at Parliament Building on the alleged assault of journalist, Abdulai Gbla, by a Member of Parliament, Hon. Abdul Muniru Lansana.

Led by its President, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, the SLAJ Executive, took the opportunity to also engage the Hon Clerk on the long-standing issue of the Sierra Leone Parliamentary Press Gallery (SLPPG). The meeting was also attended by Abdulai Gbla.

The Clerk started by acknowledging receipt of the letter from SLAJ requesting Parliament to investigate the alleged assault and take appropriate action.

Hon. Tarawally further apologized to Gbla on behalf of the Speaker and Parliament for what he described as ‘the unfortunate incident’ of 28th June 2022, and noted that his apology was based on the fact that the alleged incident was widely reported on social media rather than an outcome of an investigation.

He revealed that the Speaker has engaged him on the issue and requested him to look into the matter, which was why he thought it fit to engage the SLAJ Executive and apologize to Gbla before commencing an investigation.

It was agreed that Parliament will constitute a Committee to investigate the incident and make recommendations. The Committee shall include journalist Abdulai Gbla and a representative from the SLAJ Executive.

The Committee shall conclude their investigation by Friday 15th July 2022 and would decide on the next steps.

It was also agreed that a meeting be held on Friday 27th July 2022 to engage on the issues of the SLPPG Interim Executive, Outgoing Executive, and media accreditation.

The meeting will comprise Parliament, SLAJ, the Independent Media Commission (IMC), Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG), Sierra Leone Reporters Union (SLRU), Sierra Leone Association of Journalists Electoral Commission (SLAJEC), representatives from the Interim and Outgoing SLPPG Executives, and Chairman of the SLPPG Reformation Committee.