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Housemates Salone Public Voting Continues in High Gear

April 11, 2022

By Amin Kef Sesay

Voting by members of the public to eventually get the twenty-two aspirants to go into the House continues in high gear. Individuals in various parts of the country continue to cast their votes for those whom they are convinced have the qualities to make the upcoming Reality TV Show, Housemates Salone Season 3, very thrilling as well as educative.

For those residing in the country they have been voting through the dialing of: *161*10# plus the NUMBER of their favourite contestants from an Africell line which is the approved link for voting until it closes.

With regards those aspirants residing overseas members of the public should call: +232 99 005500 as the approved line for voting.

In order to know the numbers of the individual aspirants their names and respective numbers could be seen on the footage of AYV Television broadcasts on a daily basis.

For now the number of the aspirants is Sixty (60) and the public voting is geared towards getting the best twenty-two (22) that will enter the House.

It is important for members of the public to know that as the Reality TV Show is slated to commence on the 8^th May, 2022 the public voting will end on that same day at 7:00 pm precise.

With the slogan “Di Game Get Yagba, If You Nor Able Na for Pull Hand”, the build-up to Housemates Salone Season 3 is one is indeed tasking in every respect for the aspirants and the public. Now it is the turn for members of the public to Yagba in choosing those whom they deem are competent to compete in the Reality TV Show.

However, it must be pointed out that to have a truly entertaining show members of the public must objectively vote for those who they believe actually have the wherewithal to make the show funny, spicy, educative and inspiring, devoid of sentiments,.

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 appear 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 talk harshly then it is because they are to intermittently use strong language and acting funnily as they are expected to be humorous. In a bid to manifest those qualities is what really will make the Reality TV Show very interesting to watch providing some form of relief for viewers and serving as a therapy to reduce stresses.

Housemates Salone is a Reality Television Show produced by AYV and Africell that will feature 22 young guys and girls living together in an isolated house with no connection to the outside world and viewed live on broadcast TV, Radio, online streaming and AfriTV (IPTV) for twenty-four hours a day, 7 weeks. The entire show will run for eleven weeks.

The show is about entertainment, fun, competition, games and exposure.

In the House the Housemates will benefit from motivational lectures and added to that they are given the opportunity to socialize, learn how to play different games, how to speak fluently etc. With all these it will definitely transform them from what their characters were before they entered the House.
But financially empowering these Housemates is one of the most important channels of making them relevant in society.

The Reality TV Show will be broadcast live on AYV Television and DStv on Channel 399 as well as other platforms.

It is the expectation that when the Show proper commences it will provide the fun, ignite the laughter, will offer valuable lessons and most importantly expose the Housemates to the outside world now fully mindful of some of the innate qualities they possess and ultimately emerged as empowered young people who have what it takes to make the world a better place for all and sundry.

Products and Services Offered by NP-SL Ltd are Exceptional & Highly Qualitative

April 11, 2022

By Amin Kef Sesay

The National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd), it has been confirmed, is a successful enterprise that is hugely contributing to the socio-economic development of this nation.

This assertion could be justified when cognizance is taken of the company’s serious deepening of the country’s Local Content Policy as vividly evident in giving exceptional preference to employing indigenes contrary to bringing in foreign expatriates to execute certain tasks. This laid down policy that is strictly implemented has created room for the employment of Sierra Leoneans who have the requisite qualifications and skills giving them the opportunity to take care of personal responsibilities.

This admirable quality that NP-SL Ltd has been exhibiting throughout the years by the proper implementation of the country’s Local Content Policy is geared towards giving preferential treatment to indigenes or making use of local ingredients, in the form of human and material resources, instead of depending on those that are acquired through importation.

The company has deepened the laid down policy of giving preferential employment consideration to indigenes instead of relying on expatriates. As long as Sierra Leoneans have the requisite qualifications and skills they are first considered for various vacant positions in the company. The greatest advantage is that the policy has made it possible for indigenes to be gainfully employed and live improved standards of living.

“I cannot find words to express how delighted I am as I can proudly say that NP-SL has changed my life completely since the company employed me,” one of the workers at NP Cotton Tree joyfully intimated The Calabash when this medium went out on a fact finding mission.

“As far as I have assessed in this country it is only NP-SL Ltd that has such a pragmatic policy of maintaining a policy that gives job preferential treatments to Sierra Leoneans and I have great respect for the indigenous company,” Raymond Cole, a Social Commentator eulogized.

With the introduction of NP Smart Card, which has gone viral, the Card can be credited with money and the amount of money utilized to buy fuel is debited after every transaction. With the use of NP Smart Card, customers are saved the hassle of having to always move with physical cash in their possession in order to purchase fuel and indeed there are times when one may not have time to rush to the bank to make withdrawals. Customers, who are holders and users of NP Smart Card, are at the vantage position to properly budget, through the amount that is contained in the card to buy fuel, during a considerable period of time, say a week or a month. Indeed, NP Smart Card has become trending.

In order to ensure that their customers derive value for money, it was thought prudent on the part of Shareholders and Management to make use of state of the art and highly modernized calibrated pumping machines which were installed at the company’s different Filling Stations capable of pumping the exact quantity of fuel, be it petrol or diesel, that a particular customer requested for.

This fine move by the company has helped to instill confidence among customers that they are really dealing with a very transparent business entity and getting what they are paying for. This singular business strategy has got many glued to a petroleum company that is considered to be marketing the best of petroleum products which include petrol, diesel, gas and high grade lubricants, one of which is the most sought out Castrol oil, said to be very good for the proper functioning of engines.

The company also markets NP Gas which is a cooking device that is manufactured in different cylinder sizes and sold at the company’s Filling Stations across the country. It can be easily refilled with gas, is said to be non-hazardous to the health of individuals and easy to operate. Its performance has been rated high and many are indeed going for it.

One yardstick that could be used to assess the potency and vibrancy of a company is how well it is entrenched or established. With regards NP-SL Ltd, one can actually see that the company, over the years, has grown by leaps and bounds as seen in its opening of branches in neighbouring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia. All these NP branches, within the sub-region, are functioning very efficiently and contributing immensely towards the socio-economic development of those host countries.

From all that have been said so far, it could be argued with all amount of certainty that NP-SL Ltd is indeed a highly successful and very competitive petroleum company that continues to stand tall within the business landscape of this country. And from the look of things it is poised to reach higher heights.

Adonis Abboud Trust Fund Awards Best Male & Female Graduates from COMAHS, IPAM & FBC

April 11, 2022

By Amin Kef Sesay

It was way back in 2005 when the Adonis Abboud Trust Fund (AATF) was launched during an auspicious programme during which it was underscored that the main objective of setting up the Fund is geared towards recognizing and awarding the best University Students, on a yearly basis, who academically performed exceptionally well leading them to graduate with flying colours.

The brain behind the establishment of the Fund was Dr Adonis Abboud, who also doubles as the Chairman of Transnational SL Ltd and Founder of Pikin Bizness.

In an exclusive interview, he intimated this medium that the recognition and support given to the Best Male and Best Female graduates from tertiary institutions is meant to identify and raise the morale of the recipients who over the years excelled in their various academic pursuits.

Dr Abboud furthered how students of FBC, IPAM, College of Medicine, Njala University, EBK University, MMTC, IAMTECK and University of Makeni (UNIMAK) at anytime stand the chance of benefitting from the Trust Fund as it has been in the past.

He underscored that the selection of the Awardees is strictly done by the Administrative Wing of the Universities.

On the 8^th April, 2022, the University of Sierra Leone conferred degrees on students of the College of Medicine and Allied Sciences (COMAHS), the Institute of Public and Administrative Management (IPAM) and Fourah Bay College (FBC).

During the graduation ceremonies, the Adonis Abboud Trust Fund awarded trophies and cash to the Best Make and Female Students. In addition, it also offered one (1) Oxymeter each to 54 graduands who graduated as Doctors from COMAHS. An Oxymeter is a digital gadget that gives instant reading of the percentage of oxygen in a person’s blood as well as the heart pulse rate.

At COMAHS, Abdulaziz Assim Bangura, emerged as the Best Male graduate and Adama Bernadeth Lahai as the Best Female graduate.

For IPAM the Best Male graduate was Uthman Ibrahim Kargbo and Best Female Graduate was Jenebah Bah.

With regards FBC the Best Male Graduate was Soriebah Kargbo and the Best Female Graduate was Mauria Blessing Wilson.

All the aforementioned graduates received trophies and cash from the Adonis Abboud Trust Fund in honour of their outstanding academic performances.

In his statement delivered, Dr. Abboud reconfirmed his organization’s commitment to recognize and motivate students who have excelled in Universities.

He further disclosed that the gesture marks another episode of the educational support that the Trust Fund has been rolling out with the main objective of enhancing educational standards in the country.

Dr. Abboud stressed that his organization has nothing to do with the choice of the winners of the awards as their names were provided by the three colleges of the University of Sierra Leone to the organization maintaining that such has been the norm or practice over the years.

The AATF Chairman averred that without a healthy and well educated citizenry a country cannot develop maintaining how it is against that backdrop that the Trust Fund has been providing support to University students or graduates in Sierra Leone.

He intimated that the Colleges provide the right type of education which will put the graduates at vantage positions to contribute positively to overall national development.

“It is your turn to use your qualifications as springboard for the currents that will dominate the nation’s landscape politically, socially and economically from now on,” he enjoined the recipients concluding that the gesture is his own little contribution to efforts to challenge students and get the best out of the dwindling pool of talents available to carry the burden of the nation’s future.

All the recipients from the three constituent colleges expressed profound thanks and appreciation to Dr. Adonis Abboud for what they described as a timely gesture and promised to positively contribute to overall national development in diverse ways.

On World Health Day… Africell SL Facilitates Medical Checkup for Staff

April 11, 2022

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In commemorating World Health Day on the theme: “Our Planet, Our Health” which is a global event that is celebrated every year on 7 April to commemorate the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO), Africell Sierra Leone in partnership with Ultimate Fitness Zone and Mariposa Hospital & Home Care has on Thursday 7th April 2022 embarked on medical checkup for its staff.

The one-day medical checkup which includes Blood Pressure Monitoring, fasting blood sugar check, Hypertensions/diabetes and a brief talk on the importance of World Health Day was held at the company’s Headquarters on Wilberforce in Freetown.

Speaking to this medium in an exclusive interview , the Human Resources Manager of Africell Sierra Leone, Patricia Jangah said that World Health Day is celebrated every year on 7 April and that the theme for this year’s celebration is tagged “Our Planet, Our Health”.

She maintained that the theme presents a unique opportunity for a green and healthy recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that puts the health of individuals and the planet at the center of actions and fosters a movement to create societies focused on well-being.

Patricia Jangah maintained that it against this backdrop that Africell as a company deemed it fit to embark on medical checkup for 250 of its staff working at Africell’s headquarters in Freetown, adding that these staff benefited from Blood Pressure Monitoring, fasting blood sugar check, brief talk on the importance of World Health Day and Hypertensions/diabetes, furthering that through the medical checkup staff will know about their medical status maintaining that such will put them in a good footing to know their health status.

She informed this medium that they also decided to involve Ultimate Fitness Zone, a gym that offers various state of the art works equipment and gym facilities to also ensure that staffs are advised in terms of their fitness.

The Human Resource Manager also used the opportunity to inform all that as part of the company’s support to health care service delivery in the country, Africell Sierra Leone during the launch of the National Health Summit & Recognition Award 2022 on the theme: “Transforming Health Care Delivery Toward Universal Health Coverage” by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation and Partners pledged their support to the Ministry to support the National Health Summit and Recognition Award 2022 which she said commenced 7th April, 2022 and will end on the 9th April 2022.

She concluded that Africell has, “Support to Health” as a key CSR pillar and that is why they were amongst the first responders to provide the much-needed support when an unfortunate disaster occurred referencing the November 5 fire disaster at PMB junction, Wellington, where in its wake they provided food and medical supplies to the victims that were admitted at Connaught Hospital in Freetown.

The Flagrant Abuse of Human Rights by Secret Societies is Becoming Alarming

April 8, 2022

By Fatmata Jengbe

In contemporary Sierra Leone the rate at which members of secret societies are using black magic to trample on the fundamental human rights of, especially young people, by forcefully initiating them into becoming members has become so rampant and alarming to an extent that it is high time for Government to heed to the clarion call of rights based activists and other stakeholders to put stringent measures in place to checkmate how they conduct their activities.

According to a formidable Civil Society Organization, Forum Against the Use of Harmful Practices, almost ninety percent (90%) of young girls and boys in present day Sierra Leone have faced situations of being coerced into becoming members of these secret societies and it is estimated that out of ten who are forced to join only four will survive or live to graduate from the secret society initiation ceremonies which can sometimes last for days or months.

The Civil Society Organization pointed out that in 2021 to 2022 close to twenty-five cases were reported of suspicious secret society deaths and attributed the disappearance of a sizable number of young people to forceful initiation.

For those who could not make it, usually it is stated that they were swallowed by the Sokobana deity and as a result of that matter questions should not be asked by anyone whatsoever.

It is worthy to note that there are various secret societies existing in the North, North-West and South-Eastern Provinces of country but, however, the two main dominant ones that cut across tribes and region are the Poro or Sokobana Secret Society for men and the Bondo Secret Society for female.

Both are considered to be rites of passage into adulthood for young boys and girls. It is mooted in certain quarters that members are sometimes involved in human sacrifices, eating of body parts and involvement in other uncanny super natural activities with the aim of acquiring supernatural and mystical powers.

According to reliable sources, the Sokobana Secret Society is currently and actively initiating young boys, sometimes, against the will of the victims who had no alternative but to subdue themselves to what they deemed as conforming to a traditional practice which others are frowning on as very uncivilized, uncouth and not in tune with modern trends and the tenets of the two major religions that the majority follow in the country, Christianity and Islam.

Of major importance is that there have been instances where young people, while undergoing forceful initiations, just passed away during the initiation ceremonies which, according to rumours, are so gruelling and torturing that if one survives any one of them then it is divinely destined that such an individual has additional time to spend on earth.

The violations of the fundamental human rights to Freedom of Movement and Association have become so alarming that it was understood that young boys are now forced to move to other parts of the country and even out of the country where they believe their lives are secured and they are safe to reside.

Lamentably and unfortunately, it has been recorded that when such forced migrations, induced by forceful initiations, are ignited most of those who undertake such find it extremely difficult to make ends meet in their new settlements and for those who are not so lucky to access life changing opportunities they resort to crime and become social misfits in society.

There are other cases in which some young boys, who are borne into ruling houses and whose parents were holding prominent positions in Secret Societies, were forced to be initiated into the Sokobana Secret Society with the objective that they will inherit those positions when their parents pass away.

In some cases, maybe as a result to Western influence, some young people who find themselves in such positions have expressed unwillingness to be initiated and in trying to force them to do so have either resorted to taking their own lives or succumbing to certain anti-social attitudes most times disturbing the peace and quiet of others in society.

As the awareness is spreading rapidly that secret societies are inimical to the personal well being of individuals and must be relegated to the dustbin of history there are rights based organizations that are vociferously calling for a total ban on the activities of secret societies.

However, there is a school of thought that holds the strong conviction that in as much as secret societies form part of our cultural heritage then they must be allowed to go on with their activities unfettered.

SLPA Deputy General Manager Appeases Aggrieved Bollore Workers

April 8, 2022

By Theresa Kef Sesay

An emergency meeting was summoned by the Deputy General Manager of the Sierra Leone Ports Authority (SLPA), Yankuba Bio, on the 5^th April 2022 as a result of a protest action staged by FTL workers relating to the payment of their terminal benefits pending the sale of Bollore Transport and Logistics and its smooth transition.

Chaired by himself in his office, those in attendance comprised a cross-section of the Managements of the Sierra Leone Ports Authority (SLPA) and Freetown Terminal, Dock Workers Union and Representatives from the Ministry of Labor. It was decided that the following issues must be addressed immediately:

That a Committee be formed to look into the situation at hand ( i.e – A critical look into the concerns raised by the workers and device ways to amicably address their concerns, moving forward.

Management of FTL to develop a road-map of the Sale process to ensure a smooth transition.

That the Management of FTL to fully engage the Dock Workers Union on the aforementioned road-map as they are the actual representatives of the workers. The Dock Workers Union should properly sensitize their constituents and members on the transition process.

In terms of outcomes immediately after the meeting, the DGM took the lead and went down to Freetown Terminal with other members present in the meeting to engage the aggrieved staff members.

The Deputy General Manager and members appealed to them to ease up on their grievances and be assured that everything will be done to appease them.

The workers assured him and team that they will resume work.

After that the DGM of SLPA called the Regional Head of Bolloré – Captain Kokan and Bertrand Kerguelen – FTL’s Country Manager – both of whom were out of the country and have both flown in to ensure that a more structured meeting is held to resolve the issues raised by their staff.

On the 6th April, 2022, the Management of SLPA engaged stakeholders of FTL, whilst the Committee proceeded with their own assignment to ensure that all issues are handled smoothly.

Newly Appointed IMC Chairman Pays Working Visit to Information Minister

April 8, 2022

By Esther Wright

Dr. Victor Massaquoi, the newly appointed Chairman of the Independent Media Commission (IMC) and other new commissioners on the 6^th April 2022 met with the Minister of Information and Communications, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, at his Youyi Building Office.

Speaking to the Minister after he was introduced by the Director of Information Emmanuel AB Turay, Dr. Victor Massaquoi thanked the Minister for giving them audience.

Dr. Massaquoi continued to say that he is determined to bring changes and reforms that would transform the commission into a more structured and effective institution, promising to improve on the work left by his predecessor. He also spoke about the present condition of the Commission’s office, citing issues of limited parking space and a noisy environment, which he said is making work difficult for the commissioners. He revealed that he is now working on plans to move to a new office.

In his response, the Minister said that he is pleased to formerly meet the new Chairman and other Commissioners of the commission for the first time after their appointments, saying that the Government of President Julius Maada Bio is always committed to ensuring that the media is promoted with all seriousness.

He disclosed that, in the coming weeks, there would be a media investment conference, geared towards looking at the challenges and opportunities in the media sector and wished them all the best in their work.

On Dominion University Award of Fake Degrees… Lawyer Rashid Dumbuya Expresses Disappointment in TEC & Proffers Recommendations

April 8, 2022

By Amin Kef Sesay

In an Advisory Opinion by Rashid Dumbuya Esq, the Executive Director of LEGAL LINK and Award Winner, of the Most Outstanding Lecturer in the Faculty of Law, FBC -2020/21, courtesy of ASA-USL AWARDS, he stated that as an academician himself, a potential PHD candidate and one who is currently serving as a Lecturer of law in the University of Sierra Leone, Fourah Bay college, he is overtly disappointed not only in the up-shoot of fake academic institutions in the country but also in the failure of State institutions to prevent the unfortunate situation of people being awarded with fake ‘Mango Tik’ degrees in Sierra Leone.

He continued that while many commentators may have succeeded in turning the unfortunate incident into comic relief, he made bold to call on all and sundry to cease from the jestings for once and evaluate the implications that such a travesty might bring upon the nation’s academic standing as well as the pursuit of future academic studies overseas at whatever level.

According to him, he will endeavour to objectively and contextually analyze the unfortunate situation showcasing the potential harm that might befall academics in Sierra Leone if not urgently addressed in a holistic way.

He stated that in many countries across the world today, particularly Africa, the mad rush for postgraduate degrees/education coupled with the associated benefits and significance that come along with it, has been the very precursor that has led to the demise of quality education in recent times within the African continent.

Lawyer Rashid maintained that while some countries have however made significant improvements towards the pursuit of quality education, it is no gainsaying to opinionate that Sierra Leone is still lagging behind in many aspects.

He said as a matter of fact, Sierra Leone has made significant retrogression over the last decade in ensuring quality education to its population in a sustainable way.

“The reasons for the sporadic decline in quality education over the years in Sierra Leone could be attributed to many factors,” Lawyer Rashid said maintaining that chief amongst many are the poor remuneration of teaching staff, overcrowding in class rooms, lack of technology and infrastructure, corruption, untimely budgetary support and subsidies from Government and weak internal management and controls to name but a few.

He stated that but of much more significance is the outright failure of oversight institutions to effectively carry out their mandate in ways that will help sanitize the academic environment and ensure quality education in the country.

The versatile Lawyer said it was against that backdrop of comprehensively addressing the retrogression of standards and quality in tertiary education coupled with the existence of mushroom colleges and universities all over the country that influenced the establishment of the TEC framework.

Amongst many other things, he furthered, the Commission’s mandate is geared towards ensuring standards and quality in the operations of tertiary academic institutions as well as the provision of educational services to the people of Sierra Leone.

He pointed out that the TEC was established through an Act of Parliament to carry out this sacred function within the academic landscape in Sierra Leone.

Lawyer Rashid underscored that in its legal framework of 2001 and the accompanied Regulations of 2006, TEC is not only given the task of granting licenses and accreditations for the operations of tertiary institutions in the country, it also enjoys wide range of powers to reject, withdraw, null and void degrees and impose sanctions on tertiary institutions that fall below expectations in terms of standards and quality especially in their delivery of tertiary educational services to the people of Sierra Leone.

He then asked the question: Has TEC failed in its regulatory and oversight function regarding the curtailing of facade tertiary institutions in the country?

The Legal Link Executive Director stated that while it may not be correct to state that the TEC framework has not realized any success since its establishment, from a cursory assessment of the current status quo however, it stands to reason that not much can be truly accounted for by the TEC in terms of effectively regulating the operations of mushroom colleges/ universities and their awarding of Mango Tik’ degrees to gullible buyers in the country.

In giving an instance, he underscored that the prolonged existence of Dominion Christian University and the African Graduate University in the country, awarding such degrees to the vulnerable population in an unhindered way are good examples to substantiate that TEC is ineptitude.

He said furthermore, their contributory negligence becomes even more repugnant when construed in the light of their very admissions that these so called universities had longed applied to them and paid the requisite application fees for accreditations and licenses to operate as degree granting institutions.

Quoting one of the Senior Management officers of TEC from a piece he sent out on social media regarding the awarding of Mango Tik PhD’s by Dominion Christian University few days ago, he had this to say:

“In 2020, our attention was drawn to a graduation ceremony by a so called Dominion University located at Waterloo. We invited the officers to the office and instructed them to close shop or apply for consideration as a Category C institution. They agreed, hence the purchase of an application form. The then Executive Secretary acknowledged receipt of their payment. They paid 5m to purchase the form…they went away only to surface about a year after to submit the form and requested for evaluation for which 6m was paid…In January this year, they deposited the completed application form….they were to be considered along with the next cohort in April. They have not been evaluated, hence not registered or accredited…”

Lawyer Rashid said from the above excerpt of the Senior Management officer of TEC, it is clear as crystal that grave lapses exist on the part of the TEC particularly in being proactive and speedy in dealing with such applications for accreditations made by tertiary institutions.

He said without necessarily imputing a defence for Dominion Christian University ( DCU), it is indisputable that the delay and acquiescence from TEC to speedily evaluate and make a determination as to grant or not grant accreditation to the above institution created a vacuum that DCU corruptly exploited to their advantage at the expense of gullible PhD thirsty Sierra Leoneans.

The erudite Lawyer continued that if in two years, the TEC is seen unable to make a concrete determination as to whether a tertiary academic institution should or should not be accredited, then it reveals the extent to which the TEC itself may either be handicapped in terms of men and money or infrastructure and technology in the carrying out of their tasks and functions.

He said also TEC was complacent and cavalier in allowing the African Graduate University operate in the country conferring “Mango Tik” PhD degrees to top Government officials without much condemnation and reprisals from them speak volumes of TEC’s selectiveness, insensitivity and contributory negligence to the problem at hand.

He asked another question: Are there any implications on future post graduate studies outside Sierra Leone?

He stated that no doubt, the ugly state of affairs will have cataclysmic effects on students intending to pursue postgraduate studies outside of Sierra Leone in the not-too distant future.

Based on what he said, with such a negative rumor permeating the electronic, print and social media platforms the world over, Universities in the West in particular, will certainly raise unnecessary doubts, questions and suspicions on the certificates and degrees of all intending applicants from Sierra Leone tendered for admission into their institutions of learning.

He went further to state that in some extreme situations, qualified applicants may still be subjected to further examinations or independent assessments before admission or recruitment can be guaranteed.

“This kind of treatment would certainly be embarrassing for Sierra Leonean students and may even serve as a disincentive to the pursuit of postgraduate studies outside of Sierra Leone by many people,” he lamented adding that an attempt by overseas academic institutions to question the degrees and certificates awarded in Sierra Leone will by extension impugn the integrity of the nation of Sierra Leone and its people.

In proffering recommendations Lawyer Rashid stated that to effectively mitigate the negative impacts of the unfortunate situation both in the short and long term, there is need for certain recommendations to be urgently considered.

He suggested that TEC should first apologize to the academic community and the nation as a whole for being cavalier in the execution of its mandate to effectively regulate the operations of tertiary institutions in the country, thus leading to this national embarrassment of our nation and its people.

That TEC should further adopt a more proactive approach and increase its speed in dealing with accreditation applications that come before it from tertiary institutions. Delay defeats equity.

Also, TEC should also endeavor to always make clear to the general public the status of all tertiary institutions in the country, stating those who can and cannot award certificates, degrees or post graduate degrees.

That such a comprehensive list of tertiary institutions must be kept in TEC’s data base and published annually in the Commission’s website to circumvent the challenges of access to information by the public.

Defaulting tertiary institutions must be seen to be properly dealt with and openly reprimanded by TEC either by way of suspension, withdrawal of license and accreditations, nullification of degrees awarded and or the taking of prosecutorial actions against them.

That TEC must also punish individual students who enroll into these institutions without cross-checking their accreditation status from TEC by naming and shaming them openly, declaring their degrees null and void and also jointly prosecuting them for conspiring with such academic fraudsters in duping the people of Sierra Leone.

TEC must ensure that its decision to grant or not grant accreditation to tertiary institutions intending to operate in the country as degree awarding institutions are not influenced by political or trivial factors but by merit, competence, and quality assurance.

That the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education should ensure to provide effective oversight on TEC and work with the Commission in a more collaborative way to enhancing quality assurance and standards within the operations of tertiary institutions in the country.

The Government of Sierra Leone should ensure that TEC is provided with adequate manpower, skills and resources to be effective in the discharge of its mandate over tertiary institutions in the country.

Potential students applying into tertiary institutions of learning must endeavor to cross check with TEC to see whether such academic institutions have been accredited by TEC to award such degrees they may be yearning to acquire from such tertiary institutions.

In concluding, Lawyer Rashid stated that it is no gainsaying to opinionate that the recent awarding of PhD degrees under a mango tree in Sierra Leone undermines the President’s quality assurance drive within the educational sector in Sierra Leone in a devastating way.

He maintained that if the negative impacts of the ugly situation is to be quickly overturned and the country’s academic standing in the world restored again, it may require all Sierra Leoneans to put aside the jestings and demand that the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, TEC and the Government of Sierra Leone float out the above recommendations as soon as possible.

Vote Responsibly via Africell for 22 Housemates out of 60 Aspirants to Enter the House

April 8, 2022

Housemates Salone Season 3 Reality TV.jpg

By Amin Kef Sesay

As the aspirants, who went through the audition process for the Housemates Salone Season 3 Reality TV competition are busy trying to convince members of the public to vote for them in order to qualify to enter the House, so equally too members of the public have the golden opportunity to vote for the right type of aspirants to make the show not only really competitive but truly entertaining.

To vote in Sierra Leone could be done easily via Dialing: *161*10# plus the NUMBER of their favourite contestants from their Africell line.

For International Voting just Call +232 99 005500.

In order to know the numbers of the individual aspirants their names and respective numbers could be seen on the footage of AYV Television broadcasts on a daily basis.

For now the number of the aspirants is Sixty (60) and the public voting is geared towards getting the best twenty-two (22) that will enter the House.

It is important for members of the public to know that as the Reality TV Show is slated to commence on the 8^th May, 2022 the public voting will end on that same day at 7:00 pm precise.

With the slogan “Di Game Get Yagba, If You Nor Able Na for Pull Hand”, the build-up to Housemates Salone Season 3 is one is indeed tasking in every respect for the aspirants and the public. Now it is the turn for members of the public to Yagba in choosing those whom they deem are competent to compete in the Reality TV Show.

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.

Organisers of the event, Africa Young Voices (AYV) and Africell are very enthusiast 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 added to that they are given the opportunity to socialize, learn how to play different games, how to speak fluently etc. With all these it will definitely transform them from what their characters were before they entered the House.
But financially empowering these Housemates is one of the most important channels of making them relevant in society.

The Reality TV Show will be broadcast live on AYV Television and DStv on Channel 399 as well as other platforms.

To sum up it is but timely to state that the forthcoming Reality TV Show will turn out to be truly entertaining because as they say a wedding that will become sweet is seen or detected from the Bachelor’s Eve. So far the audition has given a clue of how funny the show will be.

NP-SL is an Epitome of Astute & Admirable Indigenous Entrepreneurship

April 8, 2022

By Amin Kef Sesay

The National Petroleum (NP) SL Limited is an epitome of astute and admirable indigenous entrepreneurship which over the years has made commendable strides within the petroleum sector in the country.

From a humble beginning, NP-SL Ltd metamorphosed to become a successful business entity that has been contributing positively, in diverse ways, towards the overall national development of the country.
With a capable Board of Directors and Management at the helm of affairs NP-SL has contributed positively in the areas of job creation, timely payment of taxes to Government via the National Revenue Authority (NRA) as well as the steady and meaningfully execution of its Corporate Social Responsibility all improving standards of living.

If for a very time now this country has not been experiencing fuel shortage then such could be largely attributed to the pro-active and sterling initiatives that the Board of Directors and Management at NP have been implementing with regards timely procurement of the petroleum products and making such available on the market for public consumption.

Very mindful that without their cherished customers there will be no NP-SL, the shareholders and Management have made customer care a number one priority which is why the company is synonymous with 1^st For Customer Care. With the conviction that every experience matters, the Management is very receptive to new initiatives, ideas, suggestions and concerns as long as they could help in shaping the policies that the company outlines from time to time that will be translated into tangibles on the ground.

In order to give maximum and optimal satisfaction to customers, NP-SL has always ensured that it operates in tandem with international standards and best practices so that after any service delivery customers get the good feeling that they have derived value for money. The company’s filling stations are state of the art structures having modern calibrated pumping machines that are transparent and accurate in terms of measurement.

Their attendants are well mannered, always courteous and ready to assist both old and new customers whenever they are in doubt of what to do. Most have tire repairing sections, shopping marts and relaxation points where they can spend time doing what they think is right to do. All these facilities are made available to make customers feel at home and be comfortable.

“I always carry my NP Smart Card with me just in case my car’s fuel gauge will show red and I may not exactly have the required amount of money to refill or even if I have it such could be for another purpose. With my card I can just breeze into any NP Filling Station and by using my card the attendant will pump the quantity of petrol I need,” Vidal Smith, an engineer intimated adding how the card’s security features are unique and could not be easily falsified.

“When I first heard of ‘Your fuel on Smart Card’ I thought it was a joke but only realized its efficacy when I started making use of it,” he furthered saying he is really finding it very convenient in doing so and as such prevent him from withdrawing big cash from his bank account for purchasing fuel adding how it as well help in also saving him time.

NP Gas is now the talk of the day as numerous individuals are everyday coming to the realization that it is very suitable for cooking purposes without posing any serious health risks. Manufactured in different cylinder sizes NP Gas is marketed at all the company’s filling stations and by authorized dealers going at affordable prices. Advantageously, NP Gas can be refilled with gas that the company imports and markets making them simple for customers to continue their use.

With regards rolling out its Corporate Social Responsibility, NP-SL Ltd is rated high as it has been contributing effectively in improving lives and communities. The company has been making meaningful interventions, meaningfully supporting entities , like it did lately to the National Fire Force by facilitating the construction of a water facility at the Force’s Kissy Branch, in order to capacitate it with water supply to respond to any fire emergency in that part of the country and in other areas within Greater Freetown.

These interventions, worth millions of Leones, are ways by which the company is magnanimously giving back to society. Lives have indeed changed for the better as a result of NP’s interventions.

Utilizing local skills and talents has been topmost in the agenda of discussions relating to national development. The argument for embracing the Local Content Policy borders around enhancing entrepreneurship, comparatively making use of less financial resources to pay for accomplished tasks and creating job opportunities thereby reducing poverty.

NP-SL has made it an established policy to give priority, in terms of employment, to Sierra Leoneans as long as they are in positions or competent to perform. The same is replicated everywhere the company is operating. Such an acclaimed stance is contributing greatly towards poverty reduction and improving lives.

NP-SL, many have confessed, is indeed a big blessing to Mama Salone and it is poised to continue to do more and more to foster socio-economic development.

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