College of Digital Excellence (CODE) Matriculates Over 200 Students

July 6, 2022

Director of CODE, Mrs Niharika Agnani, Head of the Institution, Madhusudan Mukerjee and the students

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 programme, 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, 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 the learners in Sierra Leone adding how their vision is to provide a platform to 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 Digita 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 crossroad in a bid to develop a knowledge based economy like Singapore. He maintained that CODE has a 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 to ensure parity of the products of tertiary education institutions.

She told the students that starting from the basic 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 endeavour to move to higher heights. Nadia said she is looking forward to see 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 competence 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 highpoint of the ceremony was the signing of the college’s register by the students who went through the matriculation process.

SLAJ Vehemently Condemns Beating of VOPAD Journalist by Soldiers

July 6, 2022

journalist,Maada Jessie Jengo, of Voice of Peace and Development (VOPAD) Radio FM 96.5 in Waterloo

By Amin Kef-Ranger

In a Press Release dated 4^th July, 2022 and signed by, Alhaji Manika Kamara, as National Secretary-General, the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) vehemently condemned the alleged beating of journalist,Maada Jessie Jengo, of Voice of Peace and Development (VOPAD) Radio FM 96.5 in Waterloo, Koya, Western Rural District, by soldiers of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF).

According to Maada, he was on his way onboard a commercial motorbike to the office on Saturday, 2nd July, 2022 at around 13:00hrs to 14:00hrs GMT at Five-Five fuel station, Waterloo, when they ran into a black jeep with registration number ANK 156 carrying four soldiers including a high ranking officer.

The jeep, he narrated, was parked in the middle of the road denying access to the motorbike. He further explained that the bike rider and himself remarked against the action of the soldiers to park in the middle of the road when the officers disembarked the jeep and started beating both of them. Maada said he bore the brunt of the assault after the bike rider managed to escape leaving him at the mercy of the angry soldiers.

Maada explained that he pleaded with the soldiers to stop beating him. He alleged the soldiers seized his phone and recorder, and he lost the sum of One Million Six Hundred Thousand Leones (One Thousand Six Hundred Leones in the new notes).

The journalist is said to have made a formal report at the Waterloo Police Station and obtained a medical report on the same day of the incident. He is currently responding to treatment but complains of body pains as a result of the kicks and punches from the soldiers.

SLAJ is disappointed that even though the journalist was clearly identified by his t-shirt, the soldiers reportedly went ahead to assault him in the manner they did.

“The action of those soldiers is totally unacceptable in a democracy. An attack on any journalist is an attack on press freedom. I, therefore, urge personnel of the RSLAF to respect the MoU we have with the security sector to protect and support one another’s role in our democracy,” said SLAJ President, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla.

Meanwhile, SLAJ is calling on the security sector (the RSLAF and the SLP) to respect citizens’ fundamental human rights.

“The fundamental responsibility of the national security sector is to ensure the safety and security of the people, including those charged with various offences. Your (security sector) duty is to protect the people, and the people should also exercise their rights within the ambits of the law to protect the peace and stability of the country,” said Nasralla.

SLAJ further called on the SLP and the RSLAF to investigate the incident involving the VOPAD journalist and take appropriate action.

Rights Based Group Calls for the Immediate Release of Femi Claudius Cole, Dennis Bright & Others

July 6, 2022

By Amin Kef-Ranger

In a Press Statement dated 4th July 2022 and issued by Legal Link, with Lawyer Rashid Dumbuya as the Executive Director, it was stated that the organization has followed with keen interest the pre, during, and after- maths of the nationwide women’s protests held in the agitation of the rising inflation, fuel prices and economic hardship in the country.

It was also mentioned that the rights-based organization notes also the arrest and detention of Femi Claudius Cole and Dennis Bright, two key political heavyweights in the nation’s body politic and a few others by the Sierra Leone Police.

Added was that while Legal Link admits that there could have been omissions in following due process as required under the Public Order Act of 1965 regarding protests and demonstrations, it is however vital to pinpoint that democratic policing requires the police in such a situation to adopt a human rights-based approach to dealing with the situation given the incessant hardship, inflation, skyrocket prices in fuel, goods and services and economic strangulation eclipsing the nation at the moment.

The organization furthered that also worthy to mention is the fact that public assemblies and protests are essential to the proper functioning of democracy.

“ The right of public assembly gives the individual access to a public forum for the expression of views and provides a mechanism for individuals to take action as a group,” it was mentioned as well as adding how the right to assemble is closely linked to the rights of freedom of speech and freedom of association.

The organization stated that under International law, the right to engage in participatory democracy, ‘without unreasonable restrictions’ is clearly acknowledged by Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

It mentioned that notwithstanding that, however, the rights of protesters in Sierra Leone both in time past and in the now, have been violated in many protest situations, and the Police have used arbitrary arrests and detention, imposition of stiff bail conditions to deny rights to peaceful assembly and protests arguing how such an act by the Police in Sierra Leone amounts to a contravention of international law.

Legal Link pointed out that since Sierra Leone is a democratic nation, protests become an important part of participatory democracy saying if activism and peaceful protests are under threat, then the human rights of citizens and the soul of democracy is subsequently under threat.

“Promoting and protecting all human rights, including the right to assemble and protest is, therefore, an important and valuable undertaking that the Government of Sierra Leone should always cherish and comply with,” the organization stated adding that under international human rights law, the State has the obligation to protect, respect, fulfill and promote the human rights of its citizens.

“The state is the duty bearer while the citizens remain the right holders,” it argued.

It was stated that with high inflation rate, increased poverty, rise in the prices of fuel, goods and services, low income and a polarized society, escalating force by the Police to quell down peaceful protests will lead to more violence, not less.

According to the organization, it will also tend to create feedback loops where protesters may escalate against Police and police escalate even further, with both sides becoming increasingly angry and afraid of each other.

The organization said in moments like these, de-escalation strategies are definitely needed. Citing an instance, Legal Link said for the public to learn that the police did not only detain her but also embark on searching the home of Femi Claudius Cole for possible guns and ammunition is not helpful to de-escalating the tensions already engulfing the nation.

Legal Link pointed out that Anne Nassauer, a professor of sociology in Berlin did some studies on how the Berlin Police Department handles protests and soccer matches.

It said she found out that one key element is transparent communication—something Nassauer said helps increase trust and diffuses potentially tense moments.

The organization revealed how the Berlin Police employs people specifically to make announcements in those situations, using different speakers, with local accents or different languages, for things like information about what Police are doing and appealing for non-violence during the protests. Either way, it was stated, the messages are delivered in a calm, respectful measured voice and disposition.

“This strategy in dealing with protesters was to provide a platform for police officers to talk with demonstrators, engage, ask them why they are protesting, listen to their concerns, and above all, empathize,” the organization maintained.

It was also pointed out that such is the democratic policing strategy that is desirable at the moment in Sierra Leone and they are calling on the Government to impress that on the leadership of the Sierra Leone Police going forward; and further create the enabling environment for more engagement, consultations and inclusive participation in addressing the “economy holocaust” that has engulfed the nation in recent times.

Legal Link said with almost 11 months remaining for the holding of general elections in the country, it would not only amount to an own goal but also a counter-productive strategy for the Government to be allowing the Police to violate fundamental human rights at will and also show outright disdain and insensitivity to the plights of the citizens.

It suggested that a change of result certainly requires a change of approach.

“Don’t also forget that the International community is watching and taking stock of the violations,” Legal Link sounded a note of caution

calling on the Bio-led Government to ensure the immediate release of Femi Claudius Cole, Dennis Bright and all other female protesters held in detention as a result of the peaceful nationwide protests.

Information Ministry Ends Commencement of Nationwide Sensitization to Dispel Misinformation

July 6, 2022

By Amin Kef-Ranger

The Minister of Information and Communications, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, his deputy, Solomon Jamiru Esq. members of the Strategic Communications Team, including the National Coordinator, Abu Bakarr Joe Sesay, embarked on a massive nation-wide sensitization exercise to discuss a wide range of issues around the current fuel crisis and speak to citizens on Government programs and issues around the Global impact of Fuel Prices on local pump prices in Sierra Leone. The nation-wide sensitization exercise commenced on the 28^th June 2022 and ended on the 1^st July, 2022.

On his arrival in Makeni on 29th June 2022, the Minister, Mohamed Rahman Swaray engaged several Radio stations and the only Television station in Makeni, SLBC TV Makeni and held town hall meetings with key stakeholders in the City and its environs.

Specifically, he divulged that long queues were seen all over the country in recent weeks because Oil Marketing Companies held back their sales as they demanded for an increase in prices, so they can break even. The Minister emphasized the Government’s concern about the fuel issue, specifically highlighting the intense negotiations that are ongoing with OMCs to see how best they can remedy the situation. He was also emphatic that Government doesn’t import fuel in the country but is creating the enabling environment for oil marketers to thrive and ensure availability of the product in country.

“Government is intervening to help cushion the effect of the fuel challenge posed by the Russia invasion of Ukraine. The Government has continued to provide foreign exchange for oil marketers to address their Forex challenge. So far, the amount has summed up to $87 million dollars in Forex support. In subsidizing the sector, Government has spent up to Le380 billion to help cushion the effect. Also, I know for sure that the Government of President Bio has increased the country’s storage capacity to ensure enough availability of the products in the country,” he intimated.

Talking to people from all walks of life in a town hall meeting in Makeni, the Minister spoke about the uncertainty in the global supply of fuel products, citing how the war in Ukraine has put pressure on the industry and that Oil Marketing Companies no longer receive products on credit but must now pay cash up-front to get products.

The Minister assured citizens that the Government is working around the clock to sustainably address the challenges in the sector, expressing the hope that things would stabilize soon.

Dep. Minister of Information and Communications Solomon Jamiru, accompanied by the National Coordinator of the Strategic Communications Unit, Abu Bakarr Joe Sesay, also did a series of live programmes on SLBC FM 95.6 and 7 other radio stations in Bo, Moyamba and Mattru Jong, SLBC 93.5 and five other radios in Kenema, where he spoke about the fuel crisis in the country and the reasons for the situation.

Solomon Jamiru Esq also engaged representatives of Ataya bases across Bo city District, and Regional Executives and ordinary members of the Bike Riders Union at their office in Bo city, where he explained the reasons for the global fuel crisis.

According to him, there has been an exponential increase in the price of petroleum products in the international market which has affected the local market.

He outlined the interventions Government has made to cushion the effect of this crisis on the populace, including increasing storage capacity for petroleum products, provision of foreign exchange to Oil Marketing Companies, and heavy subsidies emanating from tax cuts on petroleum products, among others.

The Bike Riders thanked the Deputy Minister for coming to engage them on the issue and highlighted various concerns for the attention of Government which the Deputy Minister pledged to convey to the relevant authorities.

The Media Adviser of the Strategic Communications Unit, Imran Sillah and an Outreach Officer engaged citizens in Port Loko on Radio Bankasoka 97.5 and Lunsar FM 100.5, where they spoke about the Global fuel crisis and the challenge Government is confronted with. They also held fruitful deliberations with the youth of Ataya bases and bike riders in Kabala, Koinadugu district.

In his interaction with youth in different Ataya bases and bike riders, Sillah spoke about the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by Russia which has led to stringent sanctions on Russia by world leaders including America and the European Union. He said that Russia accounts for over 30% of petroleum products to Africa which has significantly dropped because of the war.

The Outreach Officer at the Strategic Communications Unit informed the youth about Government’s intervention in the fuel saga revealing that Government has subsidized oil marketers with over Le 516 billion over the last twelve months.

During the engagements, youth and bike riders expressed their dissatisfaction about the increase in fuel pump price in the country, which has resulted into an increase in the in the prices of other basic commodities. Others were of the view that the scarcity is caused by some selfish and unpatriotic business people whose aim is to make excess profit.

The MIC Team assured all and sundry of Government’s commitment through the Petroleum Regulatory Agency to ensure that fuel is available and dealers sell their products at the stipulated price.

The MIC team was lauded by people in all the locations they visited for the timely interaction with the populace and urged to continue to do so on a regular basis.

On his return to Freetown, the Minister, Mohamed Rahman Swaray said that the national exercise was the first phase of a series of outreach programmes that his Ministry will now embark on to ensure the populace is well informed, based on the correct information, in a bid to putting an end to the huge amount of disinformation and propaganda which has now become a hallmark of the political opposition, to discredit the Government and deceive the public.

“We will not relent in the effort to ensure that every Sierra Leonean benefit from the goodwill of this Government and the exemplary leadership of President Julius Maada Bio,” he concluded.

During Panel Discussion… Statistician General Highlights Sierra Leone’s Strides & Gains towards Gender Empowerment

July 6, 2022

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Prof Osman Sankoh, commonly known as Mallam O, who happens to be the Statistician General and Vice Chair of the UN Statistical Commission, was among other participants that took part in a high-level round table discussion including the visiting Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations, Ms Asa Regner, who also doubles as the Deputy Executive Director of UN Women.

The panel discussion was held in the conference room of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and was chaired by the Minister Prof David Francis.

It could be recalled that Ms. Regner, was on a working visit to Sierra Leone alongside Ms. Oulimata Sarr, the Representative and Regional Director of UN Women for West and Central Africa.

The meeting discussed amongst other things the status of Sierra Leonean women in the socio-economic development of the country and the strides towards gender empowerment.

In his contribution, Mallam O. referred to his recent talks at the UN Commission for Population and Development on the digital divide and another at a PARIS21/UN Women conference on financing gender statistics.

“For Sierra Leone, the time is tight,” he said. “We have political champions and a specific Ministry for gender and children’s affairs. And we have a National Statistics Office which has placed premium on digital data collection, hence it is possible to disaggregate data by sex and make such data available for policy and planning processes,” Mallam O stated.

Among the high dignitaries present were the Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Deputy Minister of Finance II, Director of Research at MoF, DG of MoFAIC, Assistant IGP and the UN Resident Representative.

The Spirit of Bailor Barrie – More Relevant Today Than Ever In Sierra Leone

July 6, 2022

By Amin Kef-Ranger

Alhaji Umar N’jai, who is a Senior Scientist, Professor, Panafrican Scholar, Founder & Chief Strategist of Project 1808, Inc., and Freelance writer has stated that at the National Fulbhe (Fula) Cultural Festival last year (November 2021), he gave a tribute to the late Businessman/Entrepreneur Extraordinaire, Alhaji Mohamed Bailor Barrie aka Bailor Barrie and learnt a thing or two about a creative genius with little formal Western Education, but able to build a multi-million dollar international industry that span automotive dealership, diamonds, rice, consumer goods import-export, hotel chains, and so on.

He continued that all of that comes from humble beginnings at Badembaia-Sokurala, Kabala, Koinadugu District.

According to Alhaji Umar N’jai, Bailor Barrie was the first man to use helicopters as air taxis in Sierra Leone, the first Sierra Leonean to break into the European and Lebanese dominated car dealership and diamond export successfully establishing a store in Brussels, Belgium, which enable him to cut out the middle man and offer direct sales of diamonds to clients.

He mentioned that at a time when the country’s intellectual and academic discus is shifting towards entrepreneurship and leadership, Bailor Barrie may have just been 30 to 40 years ahead of his time.

“Like Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Bailor Barrie entrepreneurial or innovative success exemplified academic success is not a prerequisite or sin qua non for,” Alhaji Umar N’jai argued adding how in other words, entrepreneurial success is not dependent on huge academic achievements.

He added that despite the litany of business programs, academics has never been a prerequisite for entrepreneurship or innovation as Entrepreneurship is largely based on risk taking and risk taking is largely the epistemology for innovation and entrepreneurship maintaining that successful academics are less likely to take risk.

Alhaji Umar N’jai underscored that the Spirit of Bailor Barrie is worth emulating to nurture young entrepreneurs, build our economies, and extricate us from morass of economic stagnation.

He said as we continue on the path of heavy academic education push, we must also nurture the little Bailor Barries in our midst.

“We must actively decolonize our minds from the colonial illusionary brainwash that human capital development comes only with Western education; as in the elementary school lyrics ‘we are all going to our classes with clean hands and faces, to pay great attention to what we are told. Or else we shall never be happy and clever; for learning is better than silver and gold, ”he cautioned saying the lyric represents both a superficial academic assertion and a ploy by the colonialist to loot the country’s gold, silver and diamond in exchange for some western brainwashed education that lacks commerce or entrepreneurship.

He said in essence, we got elitism in place of rural agriculture and feeding ourselves, our silver and gold ended in their hands, and we continue to obey them in a hegemonic master and servant relationship.

According to him, today, more than ever academics (capacity) along with entrepreneurship, production, and wealth generation are deemed critical for the economic freedom and development of any nation.

He said such is particularly so relevant to today’s Sierra Leone, with rising inflation and severe economic woes caused by a high import driven consumptive behavior, low export and lack of local production.

The Panafrican Scholar said to turn the economy around and curb inflation, the country will once again need the Bailor Barries that create wealth and local production along with serious academics (not Ye Dominion or Fakaroos) to provide the technical capacity for sustained growth.

He said in the last 35 years of the country’s independence, we have seen academic decadence replace academic excellence and genuine entrepreneurial wealth generation replaced by Government of the day politician wealth accumulation through corrupt means.

Alhaji Umar N’jai said hence, the result is what the country has today, economic stagnation, rising cost of living, and decadence in all sectors.

“To say that we are stuck as a nation in as much as sustainable development is concern is an understatement,” he pointed out adding that rather than the age old adage den say Bailor Barrie, you say Davidson Nicol, admonishing that we must learn to nurture them both with excellence in Sierra Leone.

He said over the years we have allowed mediocrity to creep in our systems with corruption in all sectors; fake degrees, exam malpractices, cheating in schools and colleges, and high level wealth generation through corruption.

“If we continue on this trajectory without strong leadership to curtail these practices, we will end up being a failed State; one without the ideas and the means of production to generate wealth and be self reliant,” he expressed a genuine concern.

He suggested that the country must therefore model its systems based on the academic excellence of Davidson Nicol and the entrepreneurial genius of Bailor Barrie.

“We must decolonize our educational system with both academic and entrepreneurship as well as integrate them to create a new generation of forward thinkers and transformational citizens,” he suggested going forward to say we need academics with entrepreneurial or innovative minds to transform society in the same manner of nurturing entrepreneurs with an academic spirit to promote research, development and sustainability of the business.

Public Voting Could Consolidate or Negate Against Continued Stay of Housemates in the House

July 6, 2022

By Amin Kef-Ranger

The two, who were on Sunday, 1^st July, 2022, shown the exit door were Osman Bendu aka Mammy Thomas and Patricia R. Tucker aka Patrose. It marked the sorrowful moving away from the House of the two, who are now considered to be Ex-Housemates, shattering the dreams both have been harbouring of one of them emerging as the ultimate winner of a Reality TV Show, Housemates Salone Season 3 with the slogan “Di Game Get Yagba, If You Nor Able Na for Pull Hand.”

Against the backdrop of the other eviction that will take place, the Chief of the House has allowed the remaining Housemates to randomly select their couples for this week. They will be performing delegated or assigned tasks given to them by the Chief of the House to win points.

In as much as the Housemates are battling it out or getting it hot in the House, members of the public have the ‘Yagba’ to vote for their favourite Housemates and they must do so objectively.

What in actual fact is up for grabs by the contestants is the winning prize of Two Hundred and Fifty Million Leones (Le250M) plus a full round trip to Dubai.

If some of the Housemates are appearing sexy by the kind of dresses they are wearing then that should not come as any big surprise simply because they are expected to display nudity.

Again, if sometimes they are heard talking harshly then it is because they are to intermittently use strong language and acting funnily is because they are expected to be humorous.

In their bids to manifest and display those qualities is what is really making the Reality TV Show very interesting to watch providing some form of relief for viewers and serving as a therapy to reduce stresses.

Organizers of the event, Africa Young Voices (AYV) and Africell-SL, are very enthusiastic to enhance youth empowerment in the country and Housemates Salone is one platform that is providing that space for the young competitors.

They are benefitting from motivational lectures and besides given the opportunity to socialize, learn how to play different games, how to speak fluently etc.

With all such empowerment the characters of the Housemates will be definitely transformed from what they were before they entered the House.
But financially empowering these Housemates is one of the most important channels of making them relevant in society.

To sum it up, it is but timely to state that the Reality TV Show is truly entertaining and the feedbacks received speak volumes of how many are truly glued on to it.

It must be underscored at this juncture that public voting could either consolidate or negate against the continued stay of the remaining Housemates in the House.

Members of the public residing in Sierra Leone could either start or continue to vote via Afrimoney. To do so, they should just dial *161*10*1# with the NUMBERS of the Housemates. For International voting it must be done via www.housematessl.com or www.africell.sl.

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

Housemates Season 3 could be watched on AYV DStv CH 399, AYV CH 34 and YouTube channel in real-time 24/7.

Again do not forget that the Housemates Fanzone is buzzing with life and is aired on AYV TV Channel 33 with Hurai Bangurah as the host. There is a lot of gossips during the show and opportunities of winning attractive prizes.

Always remember that your votes are very decisive to maintain your Housemates in the House and the time to vote is now otherwise it could be late as procrastination is the thief of time.

As there is Enough Fuel…and More Coming… NP (SL) Ltd. Management Urges All Filling Stations to Serve the Public

July 6, 2022

National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL-Ltd)

By Amin Kef-Ranger

The Management of NP Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) has revealed that there is enough fuel to serve consumers and that more is on its way to the country. An official source informed this Press that the company wishes to inform the general public that fuel dealers creating artificial scarcity are doing so on their own risk and volition for selfish reasons and that there should be no cause for hoarding of fuel as the price remains at the stipulated Le22,000 or Le22.

It was also learnt that the NP Management is dismayed about alleged hoarding of petroleum product over the last two days at Filling Stations countrywide, thereby creating artificial scarcity.

According to an insider, NP-SL Ltd, has considerable amount of petroleum products, especially petrol and diesel. However, our investigation also revealed that the alleged action by certain defaulting Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) is as a result of their suspicion that there will be an increase in the fuel pump price by next week.

It was additionally learnt that because of this alleged hoarding and refusal to sell to consumers by certain corrupt petroleum dealers, this has resulted in the shutting down of retail outlets to consumers thereby causing artificial scarcity across the country.

Against this backdrop, this Press was informed that NP-SL Ltd is calling on Filling Stations to comply with the accepted price and show patriotism by selling petroleum products to the general public in order to cushion an already bad situation.

Meanwhile, the NP-SL Management is assuring that there is enough fuel and at the same time admonishing members of the public to desist from panic buying as there is no scarcity of the product. The Management further called on all NP Station Managers to open their Filling Stations and continue to sell to members of the public at the official stipulated price of Le22,000 (twenty two thousand Leones or Le22 (new currency) until further notice.

In addition, any petroleum dealer or concerned citizen having any questions or concerns about petroleum products are encouraged to bring those concerns or questions to the Management of NP-SL Ltd. as its doors are always open and its personnel always ready to provide the correct answers.

As Sierra Leone Emerges in the Third Position… Orange SL Sponsors You – Kids Tournament 2022 Hosted in Morocco

July 6, 2022

By Millicent Senava Mannah

The Orange Sponsors You – Kids Tournament 2022 commenced on Friday, 1^st July 2022 and ended on the 4^th July 2022 during which the Sierra Leone Kids team, Orthodox Football Club, battled against 9 other countries in Casablanca, Morocco where the tournament was played emerging in the third position. The competing countries were Morocco, Madagascar, Mali, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Cost, the Central Africa Republic, Cameroon and Burkina Faso.

It could be recalled that after much efforts by the country’s leading mobile operator, Orange-SL, to get the winners of the Under 13 Championship football competition, Orthodox Football Club, a team that the telecommunications company had wanted to sponsor to watch the Finals of the AFCON tournament in Cameroon and to also compete with other junior teams out of the country, did not materialize at that time. Such was as a result of the Covid-19 procedures laid down by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Rather, the Management of the company, in a Press Conference it lateron convened at its Hill Station Offices, told the Management of the Orthodox Football Club and the players that it will compensate them instead.

Speaking during that meeting, an official by the name of, Slim, of the Orange Marketing Department, disclosed that the company has decided to offer Le50 million to the players, plus refund of the cost of procuring their passports, and another Le50 million to the Management of the team for the club.

He further expressed disappointment over the whole saga which he said was due to the stringent measures imposed by CAF on all visitors and players who will be watching the match.

The Orange-SL official furthered by informing the audience that the program was organized by a group to hold a tournament for Under 13 players from 29 African countries and the winners from the respective countries will battle it out in a competition that was scheduled to take place in Cameroon immediately after the AFCON games.

It was therefore the desire of the group to get the said Under 13 winners from the various African countries to attend the final match of the AFCON tournament and interact with the Stars, after which they will then commence their own matches.

The Orange Marketing officer noted that competition was organized in Sierra Leone, where the Orthodox Football Club emerged as the winner, and was accordingly billed to attend the AFCON Final and then engage in their own competition with the other Under-13 African teams.

He added that several engagements were held with CAF and the group on arrangements for the said trip, but CAF was insistent on the under 13 players to take the Covid-19 vaccines before they will be allowed to enter the country and the stadium.

He noted that such a decision by CAF then was not accepted by the other African Under-13 teams, as many parents were opposed to their kids taking the vaccines.

Thus a deadlock was reached and the group and Orange then decided to postpone the scheduled competition until after the AFCON games and possibly in another venue.

He maintained that they were as disappointed as the players saying they understood the trauma those affected would be going through but disclosed that, as a result ,the company has decided to compensate the team and the club.

He hastened to stress that Orthodox FC is the winner of the tournament conducted in Sierra Leone and will represent the country in the tournament that will be held after AFCON after a date has been set and a venue certified. He expressed apology on behalf of Orange for the disappointment, even though it was not the making of the company, but purely the insistence of CAF on those stringent procedures that deprived these young boys the opportunity to experience football at that level and interact with top stars in the sector. Orange, he said will continue to promote young talents in the country.

Both the Manager and Head Coach of Orthodox FC, in their brief statements, commended Orange-SL for their good work in promoting sports in the country, as well as doing their best to expose the youths to greater opportunities.

According to them, they recognize the hindrance placed on them to travel by the CAF Covid-19 procedures and praised Orange-SL for the compensation given to the club and the players.

“We still celebrate as we have so much to be thankful for,” the official concluded.

Sierra Leone Kids team

15 Sierra Leonean Pilgrims Cleared to Perform Hajj

July 6, 2022

By Elisha Harding

This medium learnt, on the 5^th July 2022 that a total of 15 Sierra Leonean pilgrims, with immigration issues following their arrival at the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Saudi Arabia on Friday and Saturday respectively, have now been cleared to perform this year’s Hajj.

The intending pilgrims were cleared following a successful intervention by Sierra Leone’s Ambassador in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Excellency Dr. Ibrahim Jalloh.

Ambassador Dr Jalloh and his team held several meetings with the immigration officials to ensure that the intending pilgrims were approved to enter Saudi Arabia and be allowed to perform Hajj, which is the fifth pillar of Islam.

“The support we got from the Saudi Immigration Authorities was very helpful. As a Mission we were able to convince them to clear our 15 Sierra Leonean pilgrims to enter Saudi Arabia and I am very pleased to say that the said pilgrims will now join the rest of their colleagues to perform this year’s Hajj,” Ambassador Dr. Jalloh affirmed.

A total of 1,080 pilgrims from Sierra Leone are expected to perform this year’s Hajj in the Muslim Holy Land of Makkah in Saudi Arabia.