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WYCF-SL Supports Lactating Mothers and Children at PCMH

We Yone Child Foundation.png

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In a bid to put smiles on the faces of lactating mothers and children under 5 admitted at the Princess Christian Memorial Hospital and the Ola During Children Hospital in the country, We Yone Child Foundation with support from Wegdam Foundation in the Netherlands has on Thursday 9th June, 2022 donated clothes and toys worth millions of Leones to over 100 lactating mothers and over 100 children at the Princess Christian Memorial Hospital and the Ola During Children Hospital respectively.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Founder, We Yone Child Foundation, Santigie Dumbuya, revealed that as an organization that is committed towards the development of children in the country they thought it fit to do a donation to lactating mothers and children with the strong conviction that such will be helpful especially at this crucial moment like this in the country when prices are skyrocketing.

He noted that the sole aim of the donation is to create a safe space for especially kids and lactating mothers as they believe in “we rise by lifting others”, which is a clear show of how they feel for the venerable children and lactating mothers in the country.

Such love was this time round displayed by extending their hands to lactating mothers and children at the Princess Christian Memorial Hospital and the Ola During Children Hospital respectively.

He used the opportunity to inform all that over the years the organization has been supporting the less privileged in the areas of education, health etc. across the country through their various activities.

He stated that We Yone is a charity organization that is working towards improving the lives of vulnerable children and their families in Sierra Leone through quality education and life empowering opportunities.

He disclosed that We Yone ,in partnership with Wegdam Foundation, renovated 6 classrooms, an administrative building with toilet facility, the agriculture school garden where children are taught practical agriculture and the farm produce used for school feeding at the Magbele Ferry village, Port Loko District.

He continued that the organization also constructed a six classroom block with toilet facility, play ground in Kamabonko Village, in Kamakwie, Karene District.

On her part, the Deputy Matron at the Princess Christian Memorial Hospital, Christiana Menad Square, on behalf of the beneficiaries expressed her appreciation to We Yone Child Foundation for the kind gesture which she described as not only important but a very timely intervention.

She said that in most cases some women go to deliver without the necessary items unless they as nurses render assistances but said with the donation of the used clothing to the lactating mothers it will help boost their morale.

The Deputy Matron assured them that the donated items will be used for their intended purpose, which she said will surely help them and their babies. We Yone Child Foundation

Afrimoney & Watu Hand Over New Okada to 1st ‘Okada Bomba’ Promotion Winner

Afrimoney

  Foday Moriba Conteh

During a snappy ceremony held on Friday 10th June, 2022 at the Lumley roundabout in Freetown, one of the leading mobile financial service providers in the country, AfriMoney, in collaboration with Watu, an Asset FinTech revolutionizing mass-marketing mobility business entity, has on Friday 10th June, 2022 handed over a brand new Okada to Kadiatu Kargbo, a petty trader who happens to be the 1st winner of the Afrimoney & Watu “Okada Bomba” Promotion.

The Afrimoney & Watu “Okada Bomba” Promotion was launched at Africell Headquarters at Wilberforce in Freetown giving people the opportunity to be motorbike owners by doing their Watu payment via AfriMoney.

After the unveiling process of the Okada Bomba Promotion, Afrimoney held its first Okada Bomba Promotion on the 6th May, 2022 at Model Junction by Berry Street in Freetown where Kadiatu Kargbo a petty trader won the brand new motorbike which has now being handed over to her by Afrimoney & Watu.

Handing over the brand new Okada to the winner, Head of Operations at AfriMoney, Mamadu K. Barrie, informed the gathering that the essence of the promotion is to give opportunity to bike riders to do their Watu payments using Afrimoney as an easy, affordable means and within the comfort of their zones.

He said that since the launch of the promotion bike riders doing their Watu payments through Afrimoney now stand a chance to win over 1000 attractive prizes which include Watu free payment, Airtime, data bundle, helmet etc. including 6 motorbikes to be won which, he said will give bike riders the opportunity to own brand new bikes.

He further intimated that a clear manifestation of that is what they are currently doing, further pointing out that 80 people have already won attractive prizes which include helmets, changing oil and another customer has won another brand new motor bike for the second time.

On his part, the Customer Care Officer at Watu, Slyvanette Cole-Brown, stated that Watu offers asset financing to meaningfully improve employment and opportunities for those with the greatest barriers to access financial services, furthering that they have made access to owning a motorbike become very simply for young people across the country.

She added that they have created a lot of job employment for youths and positively impacted the lives of young people maintaining that they are very committed to ensure that they continue to make the lives of Sierra Leoneans better.

She said that as part of their continuous support towards digital payments they deemed it fit to partner with AfriMoney to launch the  “Okada Bomba” Promotion which has now given their customers the opportunity to make their Watu payments via AfriMoney and win prizes.

She pointed out that they are proud as a company, in partnership with AfriMoney, to officially hand over the brand new Okada to Kadiatu Kargbo a petty trader.

Representing the Bike Riders, the Public Relations Officer for the Bike Riders Association, Mohamed A. T Nabieu, expressed gratitude to both Afrimoney and Watu for the launch of the ‘Okada Bomba’ Promotion which he said have made bike riders, who have been making their payments via Afrimoney, become bike owners in the country.

He assured all that as an association they will continue to support the initiative in order for their members to benefit from the ‘Okada Bomba’ Promotion.

Receiving the bike with joy, the 1st Winner of the ‘Okada Bomba’ Promotion, Kadiatu Kargbo, expressed gratitude to Afrimoney & Watu for launching the ‘Okada Bomba’ Promotion.

“I am Kadiatu Kargbo a petty trader, one day my son came to me and told me about a Watu Company, that they are loaning bikes, I went with him to Watu and I made payment of 1,000,000 Leones for the bike and it was given to us. Since then my son has been riding the bike and on a weekly basis make payments to Watu using AfriMoney. Last month I received a call from Watu that I have won a brand new motor bike through their Okada Bomba’ Promotion, I am more than happy today to receive my brand new bike” she exhibited joy and happiness.

APC Interim Chairman & Secretary Draw Daggers Over Mandates

Interim Transitional Governance Committee (ITGC)

By Amin Kef-Ranger

In a correspondence dated 10th June 2022 written by the Secretary and Head of the Secretariat – Interim Transitional Governance Committee (ITGC), Hon. Abdul Kargbo, and addressed to the Chairman – Interim Transitional Governance Committee (ITGC), Alfred Peter Conteh ,with the caption “Subject: RE: Press Statement Dated 10th June 2022” it was stated that he is writing to refer a Press Statement dated 10th June 2022 signed by the Chairman – Interim Transitional Governance Committee (ITGC)  and purportedly published for and on behalf of the Party’s Interim Transitional Governance Committee (ITGC).

He continued that he wishes to draw his attention to the judgement of Hon. Adrian Fisher J. dated 28 April 2022.

According to him, pursuant to Paragraph 90 (10) of the said judgment, it is ordered as follows:

“The ITGC shall have overall responsibility for manning the affairs of the Party until the National Delegates Conference…”.

He added that Paragraph 90(10) (6) further states: “In order to achieve unity within the Party, decisions of the ITGC shall be by simple majority”.

The Secretary and Head of the Secretariat – Interim Transitional Governance Committee (ITGC) stated that his ( the Chairman – Interim Transitional Governance Committee )   publication of the said press statement without the expressed approval of the Committee is a deliberate attempt to not only violate the said orders of the Judge, but to also bring the Committee into disrepute and deter the transition process of the Party.

He underscored that similarly, members of the Committee consider the said Press Statement as disingenuous to the unity and smooth running of the affairs of the Party when it states among others the following:

That “…all standing committees are suspended until further notice”, that, “the general membership and the public are advised to direct all correspondences entreaties, and donations to the Chairman ITGC in accordance with Paragraph 75 (1)”.

He maintained that for clarity, Paragraph 75(1) states:
“The Plaintiff shall nominate 9 persons into the Committee, one of whom shall be the Chairman.”

In his interpretation, that paragraph only provides that the plaintiff, nominate 9 persons into the Committee one of whom shall be the Chairman.

He said nowhere in the judgment does it confer on him any special powers to singlehandedly take decisions for the Committee.

“Be reminded that on the 18th May 2022, you chaired the Committee meeting in which the Secretary and Head of Secretariat was elected, and the Committee further voted for the establishment of all five sub committees of the ITGC,” he made a reference adding that those actions are not only ill-informed but are also in blatant disregard and violation of Paragraph 90(10) (6) of the orders of the Court.

He furthered that additionally, the Committee inherited details of bank accounts information of the party and had changed signatories to the said Bank Accounts from the former Leadership to the Committee.

The Secretary and Head of the Secretariat – Interim Transitional Governance Committee (ITGC) also stated that advising the membership of the Party and the public to direct all correspondences, entreaties, and donations to the Chairman ITGC and not through the established Party accounts goes against the decisions of the Committee and the principles of transparency and accountability.

He pointed out that it is strange and outrageous for him as the Chairman, who took the Party to Court (in his view) for failing to adhere to democratic principles have in that press release, exhibited the attributes of a dictator.

The Secretary and Head of the Secretariat – Interim Transitional Governance Committee (ITGC) said in view of the foregoing, he wishes to inform him that the contents therein are misleading and that the ITGC had at no time met to sanction such a press statement and hence do not represent the views of the Committee.

He maintained that at trying times like these, he is entreating him to focus on the execution of the Orders of the Court for a smooth transition of the Party including the Committee’s urgent response to the PPRC’s clarification request.

Copies of the correspondence were sent to the ITGC Committee Members, the PPRC Chairman and the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament – APC.

38 Participants Benefit from ILCUF Training on Financial Management

Credit Unions

By Elisha Harding

At the Young Men’s Christian Association Hall (YMCA) on Fort Street, in Freetown, the Irish League of Credit Union Foundation (ILCUF) Limited ended a three-day Financial Management Training for chairpersons and managers of Credit Unions targeting 38 participants drawn from various CUs nationwide.

The training also included sensitization on the currency redenomination by officials of the Bank of Sierra Leone at Bank of Sierra Leone offices.

The objectives of the training were to explain the meaning of financial management, its importance, identify types of Credit Unions (CU) reports, frequency of preparation, determine sustainable interest rates on loans, savings and deposits, prepare budgets/forecasts and analyze and interpret different financial statements using financial ratios.

According to the General Manager of ILCUF,  Solomon Mwongyere, many CUs entered the financial business for social reasons, that there are now thousands of new CUs around the world noting that many are small but many more have grown to reach thousands of people.

He continued that financial management is a necessary evil in CUs and that the success of CUs depend mainly on how well it manages its resources and offer better services to its members.

The training presents an overview of the basic financial tools and covered the fundamentals of financial management, reports, sustainable interest rate determination, budgeting and budget forecast, ratio analysis and interpretation of financial statements, all useful in improving financial management practices in CUs and provision of reliable financial information to a wide range of users and the interpretation thereof.

According to the ILCEF General Manager, financial management is the process of planning, organizing, monitoring and controlling the financial or economic resources of an organization in order to achieve a desired objective.

Dilating on CU Board members as trustees, he explained that they have the responsibility to maintain accurate financial records and effective reporting system, ensure reserves are adequate to cover losses, protect assets of the CU, establish legitimate sources of funds, monitor the financial health of the organization as well as provide direction to management in financial matters.

Other responsibilities of CU Board members are to ensure regular supply of funds to the CU, adequate returns to members, optimum utilization of funds, safety of investments, plan for sound capital structure asserting that CUs do financial intermediation.

Solomon Mwongyere furthered that CU Board members take in deposits that they lend to members who apply for loans, underscored that good financial management is essential because to be able to play an intermediary role, a CU that seeks deposits must show the members its reliability and soundness in order to obtain their confidence.

He stressed that without this confidence and trust, no one would deposit his/her savings there, affirmed that maximization of all the CU resource is required to enable it to become profitable and grow.

Solomon Mwongyere also revealed that financial management, therefore consists of analyzing the financial impact of the decisions taken while ensuring that the resources are used optimally with a view to profitability, viability and control and called for estimating the amount of capital required

He also talked on determining capital structure, choice of sources of funds, mobilizing funds, utilization of funds, disposal of profits or surplus, management of cash and financial control and highlighted tools of financial management that he categorized into four broader areas planning tools, organizing tools, controlling tools and monitoring tools.

The General Manager went on to reveal that there are many tools, not necessarily financial, which managers can use to help achieve good practice in financial management and that these include planning, strategic, business, budget, work plans, feasibility studies, bye law, organizational chart, financial policies, loan and credit control policies, bbookkeeping and accounting manuals and budgets.

On controlling tools, he mentioned budgets, delegated authority, procurement procedure, reconciliation, internal and external audit, fixed assets register, motor vehicle policy, insurance, financial statements, monthly management reports, loan aging reports, budget monitoring repots, cash flow reports, audit reports both internal and external and evaluation reports.

Solomon Mwongyere reiterated that financial management to a CU is rather like maintenance is to a vehicle stressing that if you don’t put in good quality fuel and oil and give it a regular service, the functioning of the vehicle suffers and would not run efficiently underlining that if financial management is neglected, the CU would eventually fail concluding that financial management is about taking action to look after the financial health of the CU and not leaving things to chance.

Other topics included key factors in liquidity management, liabilities, non-earning assets, productive assets, earnings and profitability, loan aging report, loan loss provision, delinquent loans to total loans, financial ratio analysis and approval of budget.

Babatunde Ahonsi Calls for Reflection on the Conditions of Detention and the Complaint Mechanisms

staff of the Sierra Leone Correctional Services (SLCS)

By Elisha Harding

The United Nations Resident Coordinator, Babatunde Ahonsi, has encouraged senior-level staff of the Sierra Leone Correctional Services (SLCS) to reflect on the conditions of detention and the complaint mechanisms available for the detainees in Correctional Centres across the country.

Babatunde Ahonsi made the call at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Freetown last Wednesday at the opening of a three-day training for senior-level staff of the SLCS on Conditions of Detention and Human Rights.

The Resident Coordinator said that during his various engagements with the highest authorities of the country, including the office of the Vice-President, the need for the UN to support the capacity building of the staff of the SLCS often emerged.

He therefore described the training as timely and hoped that it would contribute to staff development and the reform of the correctional services that the Government is undertaking.

According to him, “the programme of the training is adequate as is the calibre of the facilitators involved, from the SLCS, the UN, the Human Rights Commission of SL, the Legal Aid Board and civil society organizations”. He noted that participants would also discuss issues including the rights of persons deprived of liberty, roles, and responsibilities of correctional officers, security and management of correctional centres.

The RC underscored the UN’s belief that all people regardless of their backgrounds have rights and responsibilities to fulfill their potential in life and lead decent, dignified and rewarding lives in a healthy environment.

“None should be left behind in this journey to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” said Ahonsi, adding that the training will contribute to the achievement of various sustainable development goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 16- promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

In his welcome remarks, Acting SLSC Director-General, Ahmed Turay, said he was deeply honoured that 30 senior officers of the SLCS were partaking in the training. He said such would strengthen the knowledge and skills of officers to perform their duties with the human rights of inmates in mind.

The Acting DG said the SLCS Act of 2014 lays a premium on the recognition of the rights of inmates irrespective of the crimes they have committed. Noting that human rights are directly reflected in the SLSC’s mission statement, he assured partners that the Correctional Service is willing, ready, and able to utilize the training opportunity as it will enhance his officers’ ability to effectively and efficiently manage correctional facilities.

Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Vice President of Sierra Leone, Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, Minister of Internal Affairs, David Maurice Panda-Noah said that it was fitting that such training is organized for Correctional Officers to remind them once more that they are under obligation to uphold human rights principles, especially in the dispensation of their duties.

Minister Panda-Noah underscored the importance of Human Rights for Correctional Officers when one takes into consideration the value it will add to the SLCS and the country. “It will provide them with the psychological tools, the requisite knowledge and skills, and the right attitude to perform their duties in accordance with national and international laws on the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty,” he emphasized.

United Nations Country Team in Sierra Leone Senior Human Rights Advisor, Christian Mukosa, said the training aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of senior staff of the SLCS on the rights of the detainees with a focus on prisoners with specific needs, including women, juveniles, persons with disabilities and foreigners. He added that participants would discuss and produce an action plan to implement the various human rights principles and recommendations from the training during the three days.

Over the next three days, senior-level Corrections Officers will be exposed to human rights principles of good prison management, prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment or punishment, women in detention, and prevention of gender-based violence in correctional settings and pre-trial prisoners and legal assistance to persons in detention among others.

 

staff of the Sierra Leone Correctional Services (SLCS)

African Peer Review Mechanism Panel of Eminent Persons Meets With President Bio

African Peer Review Mechanism

By Elisha Harding

Six out of ten eminent persons and members of the Secretariat of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) on the 9th June 2022 paid a courtesy call on President Julius Maada Bio in his capacity as Chairperson of the African Peer Review Forum of Heads of State and Government.

Welcoming the delegation, who had spent a successful two-day technical training workshop on the continental monitoring, evaluation and reporting framework for member States in Freetown, Minister of Political and Public Affairs, Ambassador Foday Yumkella, serving as the Chairman of the Steering Committee and focal person, expressed gratitude to the President for graciously approving the hosting of the Congress of Panel of Eminent Persons in Sierra Leone.

He said the panel was at the presidency to brief President Bio about the outcome of the meeting.

Chief Executive Officer of the APRM Continental Secretariat, Professor Eddy Maloka, expressed appreciation to President Bio for the warm reception accorded them and described as amazing his speech to the extraordinary summit of the African Union (AU) on terrorism and unconstitutional changes of Government in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, that was well-received by other member countries.

He urged that: “Your Excellency sir, I want to kindly request that APRM Committees be established in the different countries so as to achieve APRM’s latest strategy of 2020-2023 to continue its drive for universal accession”, where all AU member States voluntarily accede.

He further suggested that an appointment of a special envoy, who would visit and talk to countries yet to be members of the APRM, would be of great advantage. Of the 55 AU member States, more than two-thirds have already acceded to the APRM.

In his brief remarks, President Julius Maada Bio said that he was happy to be selected to serve as Chairperson of the African Peer Review Forum of Heads of State and Government by his colleagues, noting that it was a great initiative. He promised, therefore, to serve with humility and pride, adding that he was also happy to receive the team at State House.

The President urged all to use democracy to keep society peaceful because peace is important for development. He encouraged the visiting eminent persons to continue to take the APRM seriously, adding that he is counting on their support to make the APRM more vibrant.

ICPNC Validates Strategic Plan with Stakeholders

Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC)

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In a bid to give opportunity to all stakeholders towards making meaningful inputs into its proposed three (3) year Strategy Plan, 2022-2024, for the promotion of peace and national cohesion in the country, the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC) has on Tuesday 7th June 2022 concluded a one day stakeholders Strategic Plan validation workshop at the Freetown City Council Auditorium in Freetown.

The stakeholders Strategic Plan validation workshop brought together stakeholders from local organizations, political parties, Non-Governmental Organizations etc.

In her opening remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion Hawa Samai stated that the stakeholders meeting provides an opportunity for the various stakeholders around the country, including the security sector, political parties, local authorities and even ordinary Sierra Leoneans to make inputs into and be part of the validation process, furthering that such will give the document a national outlook and make it the “People’s Strategy” underscoring that promoting peace is everyone’s business.

She said as stakeholders they are considered very important towards achieving the Commission’s Mission and mandate adding how they decided to bring them onboard with the objective to validate the Strategic Plan by making meaningful inputs towards finalization of the document.

                                                                                            

The Executive Secretary disclosed that the Commission has the mandate to proffer advise to the Government on all aspects of conflict resolution , monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations and adopt measures to promote and facilitate full implementation of the recommendations, promote peace, reconciliation, and unity in Sierra Leone, build peace cultures, enhance tolerance and support peaceful resolution of conflicts throughout Sierra Leone etc.

On her part, the Acting Chairperson and Leader of United Democratic Movement (UDM), Halimatu Lucy Deen, said National Cohesion could be attained where everyone in the country has access to opportunities, resources and are motivated to participate in society.

She noted that though they are all members of different political parties, however, they are serving the same country with the Green, White and Blue flag highlighting the importance of holding hands together and build up the Cohesion to become stronger.

She concluded that they as women will work hand in hand and side by side with the men so that their voices will be continued to be heard.

In his presentation, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Global Solutions Africa Limited, who doubled as the consultant for the Strategic Plan, Magnus Conteh, said despite the democratic gains recorded so far there is an increasingly worrying polarization and politicization of all facets of the Sierra Leone society.

He said political parties and their supporters have consistently used ethno regional values to lubricate their political aspirations, furthering that the women’s role in prevention of conflicts and peace building has been monumental and require profound acknowledgement for the sustenance of their engagements in the consolidation of peace and promotion of economic prosperity in Sierra Leone.

Magnus continued that the Strategic Plan has five pillars which represent the strategic priorities of the ICPNC, reflecting its mandate and contextual analysis of the country, its socio-political landscape, history, and economy, adding that these priorities will help lay the foundations for the work of the ICPNC over the next three years and pave the way for peaceful and national cohesion in Sierra Leone.

These pillars, he intimated, include Peace Promotion, Mediation and Reconciliation, Early Warning and Early Response, Enhancing National Cohesion, Advisory to Government. Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC)

On Private Sector Development… Bockarie Kalokoh- Deputy Finance Minister 11 Holds Fruitful Discussions with IFC Vice President

International Finance Cooperation (IFC)

By Elisha Harding

Susan Lund, Vice President of Economics and Private Sector Development of the International Finance Cooperation (IFC),    on Thursday 9th June 2021 paid a courtesy visit on the Deputy Minister of Finance II, Bockarie Kalokoh, who is representing the Minister of Finance , Denise Vandi, at his George Street office. The Vice President was on a three-day working visit to Sierra Leone.

The Deputy Minister of Finance II, Bockarie Kalokoh, heartily  welcomed the Vice President to the Ministry and the country further stating that Sierra Leone has over the years enjoyed a cordial relationship with the Cooperation adding how the visit by no less a person than the Vice President is a clear manifestation of that cordiality.

He went further to state that because of the confidence reposed on the leadership of the country development partners are still engaging the Bio led administration on projects even as national elections are not far away.

The Deputy Minister thanked the International Finance Cooperation for their interventions in the private sector over the years and requested that the Cooperation expands on its portfolio in Sierra Leone.

He highlighted that one big challenge the private sector is bedeviled with is access to long term sustainable financing. “Companies going into production most times raise their capital which at times is not sustainable,” he pointed out.

In the area of support to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Bockarie Kalokoh underscored that even though they face several challenges there are opportunities to support their development through providing finance and capacity building. He called for further technical discussions to look at the IFC’s portfolio, opportunities and possible interventions.

In her statement, the Vice President of Economics and Private Sector Development of the International Finance Cooperation (IFC), Susan Lund said the IFC is committed to expanding its operations in Sierra Leone, stating how currently they have several projects with the private sector in Sierra Leone like Kings Beverages including their agricultural supply chain and PEE CEE and Sons onions farm in Lungi.

Susan Lund continued that they are interested in energy, infrastructure and financial services, stating that they are here to engage both the Government and private sector to explore more opportunities.

Principal Deputy Finance Secretary, Mathew Dingie, in his statement stated that the Government has done a lot to support the private sector amidst varying challenges.

He added that the Government is looking at private sector interventions to provide services in agriculture, water and energy and also spoke about the policy shift that provides space for the private sector in agriculture.

Susan Lund was accompanied by Aliou Maiga, the Regional Director of IFC and Freddy Roy, her Adviser.

The team also visited the Vice President, Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, the Chief Minister, Jacob Jusu Saffa, the Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone, Prof. Kelfala Kallon as well as other Government and private sector stakeholders.

 

 

 

Nigeria’s ID Management Team Impressed at NCRA Progress

team of stakeholders of NCRA.PNG

By Elisha Harding

A team of stakeholders in Nigeria’s Biometric Identity Card Management on the 8th June, 2022 were very impressed with the progress made so far by Sierra Leone’s National Civil Registration Authority after a two-day visit.

“Today has been a very rich engagement. It’s been enlightening. We are here on a study to see the success story of Sierra Leone – what you’ve done so far; where you’ve come from. You came from where there were varying registrations; agencies responsible for different things; and today you are here under the umbrella of one agency”, Victoria Ojogboni  Esq –  Director of Planning, Research and Statistics from the Federal Ministry of Justice in Abuja, said at the end of the first day session held at the Finance Ministry’s Conference Hall on Tuesday.

Her comments conveyed her impression after NCRA’s Director General Mohamed Massaquoi gave a comprehensive report on the status quo of the National Civil Registration Authority. The Director gave a picture of what civil registration was like before NCRA was set up by the 2016 Act of Parliament – highlighting the state of confusion and uncoordinated efforts to register people for different purposes.

He later shared the processes, challenges, collaborations and partnerships that have helped build the single entity now empowered by Government as the sole Authority responsible for Civil Registration Vital Statistics, and Identity Management.

Asked what the team was taking home, IOM Consultant Dr Willie Eselebor said, “A lot of lessons from Sierra Leone – how you are able to manage this consolidated approach; harmonization of objectives; cooperation across the different agencies in trying to come up with a common identity card for Sierra Leoneans; so, it’s good”.

 

Unlike in Sierra Leone, the National Biometric Identity Management (NBIC) in Nigeria, he said, is a multi-sectorial approach involving the immigration; the Federal Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy; Ministry of Justice; Ministry of Interior – which is the core agency for implementing the identity card scheme in Nigeria. “We are all stakeholders in Identity Management. We also now have a National Identity Management Commission; everybody; it is a chain larger than these…”, he furthered. He said NBIC is at the stage of implementation.

“The contract has been awarded and we are at the stage of production now,” he explained. Sierra Leone and Nigeria, he said are almost at the same level “but we’ve got lessons to learn from each other”, Eselebor said.

Ojogboni Esq was particularly impressed with the political will behind the success of the NCRA. She said gaining political will is the challenge some agencies face with implementation in some countries in Africa. “I discovered that you could only do that because, like you said, you had political will which you said was unqualified support of the President. For every country that must make change, there has to be that support. It’s very, very, very necessary. We cannot make any change if there is no support; if the political will is not there. You’ve just said to us now that when there’s a will there will always be a way”, she exclaimed.

Idara Osso, IOM Senior Programme Assistant said the visit “was insightful”. “We are happy to have learnt from Sierra Leone – beautiful things that I will go back home to share with my Senior Programme Manager”, he said. He was particularly impressed that Massaquoi sat through the whole day giving out helpful information. “It is very rare that you have the DG sit down throughout the whole day. He has taken out time to receive us; to educate us,” he said.

Ojogboni said that one of the things that `Sierra Leone has done with the unqualified support is to access donor support. “You also said to us that because of the two things you began the process of reform. That means you had to touch upon your laws. You had to bring in regulations”. She said the Nigeria case is an on-going study. “We have laws that have been lying down in our books that were even used in the process of executive orders to get people to do what they should do naturally which is already captured in the law. For Sierra Leone, one of the things we have learnt is that you have appealed, repealed and amended. And you have also created new laws to be able to effectively do what you are doing. No more silos! Now you have an umbrella body and it’s working”, she said.

The IOM team from Nigeria also learnt that there was ongoing consultation in respect of the data protection that is coming up. “That is another plus that we are taking away – that there’s need for consultation of all stake holders; everybody is important in the process. And then you also talked about stakeholder engagement – talking to the churches when it comes to what is obtaining in Christian marriages and traditional authorities,” Ojogboni remarked.

Ojogboni said that when all the pieces come together, implementation becomes feasible

“But what happens most of the times are the lofty ideas, lofty visions, lofty mandates, but nobody is actually doing the thing. But we’ve seen here today your immigration officer talking to us … we’ve seen implementation on the ground of these policies,” she said.

This was in response to James Cooper, Sierra Leone’s Head of Border Management at the Immigration department. Cooper was concerned that while Sierra Leone Immigration accepts emergency travel Certificates from ECOWAS member states including Nigeria, Nigeria on the contrary rejects Sierra Leonean citizens traveling on emergency certificates.

The team on Wednesday paid field visits to Sierra Leone’s land border crossings, the seaport and the Lungi International Airport to witness first-hand operations of border management and other immigration services.

IOM Nigeria is currently implementing a phase two project in biometric identity management systems which targets strengthening ECOWAS ID Card with common features. The working visit was facilitated by IOM Sierra Leone in collaboration with IOM Nigeria.

Housemates Salone Season 3 Eviction was a Bitter-Sweet Moment

Housemates Salone Season 3

By Amin Kef-Ranger

Another eviction took place on Sunday 12th June, 2012 and it was a bitter-sweet moment for the competitors. It is worthy of note that whenever there is an imminent eviction naturally all the Housemates become very apprehensive, although some are confident of going through it. However, it is a day of reckoning as it cuts short an amazing journey for some were as, on the other hand, those who survived thank their stars and keep on wishing that it will be like that to the ultimate end when the ultimate winner will be announced.

It was indeed a somber moment to see those evicted escorted out of the House as they were in tears with the shattering of their dream of winning and dislocation of plans of what they intend spending the Le250M prize, going on a round trip to Dubai and owning a brand new car to be offered by Zarlux Car Rental.

For those who survived the eviction, they now have to step up on how they comport themselves and put up performances that will woo likes from members of the public watching or interested in the Reality TV Show.

It must again be noted that after the latest eviction the Housemates will be uncoupled by the Chief of the House for a new coupling. They will be given the opportunity to choose someone whom they will be comfortable with for the week and performer their different tasks to win points.

However, it must be borne in mind that the fate of any of the Housemate is determined largely by the public through voting. Members of the public could vote as many times as possible for their favourite Housemates.

To do so, 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.

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. It must also be noted that Housemates Salone Season 3 is also shown on what is widely referred to as Nigeria and Ghana DSTV.

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

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

Again, if sometimes they are seen talking harshly then it is because they are to intermittently use strong language and act funnily as the expectation is for them to be humorous. Manifestation of these traits is what is really making the Reality TV Show very interesting to watch, providing some form of comic relief for viewers and serving as a therapy to reduce stresses.

In actual fact, the Reality TV Show is serving as a conduit through which the Housemates are taken through mental and physical exercises that will end up to mould and shape their characters.

Having been exposed to the outside world, talents possessed by the Housemates have been spotted and there is every possibility that with time they would be contracted to serve as Brand Ambassadors, advertisers, film characters etc.

Indeed, Housemates Salone is all about enhancing Youth Empowerment and the Reality TV Show is already thrilling many with its funny episodes.

 

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