President Julius Maada Bio has and his Kenyan counterpart, Uhuru Kenyatta
President Julius Maada Bio has met with his Kenyan counterpart, Uhuru Kenyatta at the State House in Nairobi to discuss issues bordering on tourism and trade.
At the meeting between President Kenyatta and President Bio, the two leaders discussed ways of promoting tourism and boosting trade between Kenya and Sierra Leone.
President Kenyatta commended his Sierra Leone counterpart, who was in Kenya together with his family for vacation, for choosing Kenya as a holiday destination.
The Kenya President encouraged other African leaders to pick Kenya as holiday destination of choice saying the country has a well-developed tourism and hospitality sector with so much to offer its visitors.
The two leaders agreed that time had come for the continent to join hands to improve intra-Africa trade so as to augment the continent’s economic bargaining power at the global arena.
President Kenyatta invited President Bio for a State visit so that the two countries could explore more areas of cooperation to boost their economic and people-to-people ties.
At the meeting with acting President Vyapoory of Mauritius who was in Kenya for the 21st COMESA International Trade Fair and High Level Business Summit, President Kenyatta praised the enhanced bilateral ties between Kenya and Mauritius.
The two leaders expressed satisfaction that implementation of the agreements signed between Kenya and Mauritius to boost trade and other areas of cooperation including tourism was progressing well.
The agreements were signed in April when President Kenyatta was in Mauritius for a State visit.
President Vyapoory commended Kenya for hosting a successful COMESA summit saying such meetings help in consolidating the region’s economic fortunes.
NASSIT has ended a three-day retreat for management, Board of Trustees and the Investment Committee. The retreat took place at the Golden Tulip Kimbima Essential Hotel from Thursday, 18th to Saturday, 20th July, 2019.
The three-day event was designed to apprise members of the Board on the various activities of the Trust, particularly its current investment portfolio.
Speaking to the participants, the Director General welcomed them to the retreat, saying that it is very pivotal to the very existence of the Trust.
According to him, the retreat laid a platform to school new entrants into the governance structure of the Trust, especially the Board Investment Committee members, and the Trustees’ role as supervisors that superintend the affairs of the Trust.
Mr. Mohamed F. Daboh went on to say that the retreat would hope to review the current investment portfolio of the Trust for proper monitoring and implementation.
The Director General drew the attention of members to Section 7 of the NASSIT Act (Act No. 5 of July 2001) which empowers NASSIT to invest surplus funds to complement benefit payment.
According him, there are critical provisions of the Section which give guidelines as to how the Trust’s investment portfolio should be carried out. He said Management would lead members into the issues that they would be challenged with as a Committee in the dispensation of their duty and to also inform new entrants about the entire portfolio of the Trust’s investment in other to enable they make sound judgement in their future deliberations. He concluded by registering his Management’s commitment to support the decision of the Board and to cooperate in the execution of the mandate of the Act.
On his part, the Chairman Board of Trustees, Prof. Joseph Lawrence Kamara joined the Director General in welcoming members to the retreat. He used the opportunity to congratulate the Investment Committee members on their appointment as it was the first time he was meeting them.
He expressed his gratitude to the Committee for the zest and zeal they had demonstrated in the short time of their appointment. He called on them to be faithful and committed to their national call as the future of the scheme rests on the decision of the Board. Presentations and discussion will be made in the next two days of the retreat.
It could be recalled that a Sierra Leonean woman, Memunatu Warne who was founder and principal of LICCSAL Business College in Freetown, was killed on September 6th 2018.
She was 46 years and a mother of two and she was due to fly home after a family visit in Woolwhich, London when her home was lit by arsons.
Two men have now been sentenced at the Old Bailey on Friday, 19 July having previously being found guilty for their role in the death of 46-year-old Memunatu Warne.
She was visiting family in Woolwich when the convicts set fire to her front door in a drug dealers’ row – on the day she was due to fly home.
William (Billy) Smith, 26, of no fixed address was sentenced to life imprisonment, to serve a minimum of 32 years for murder; 12 years each for two counts of GBH, to run concurrently; and five years for perverting the course of justice, also to run concurrently.
Elliott Robinson, 22, of no fixed address, was sentenced to life imprisonment, to serve a minimum of 31 years and 12 years each for two counts of GBH, to run concurrently.
The court had previously heard how Mrs Warne, who lived in Sierra Leone, was visiting her cousins at their home in Woolwich.
She was due to travel home on 6 September 2018, but never made that journey.
In the early hours of the morning on that same day, a fire erupted at her cousins’ home in Centurion Square on Berber Parade.
That fire was deliberately started with petrol from outside, at the front door of her home. Mrs Warne was sleeping downstairs and alerted the family to the fire.
Both her cousins, a man in his 60s and a woman in her 50s, who were sleeping upstairs tried to reach her, but the smoke was too thick. They had to jump from an upstairs window and suffered serious injuries as a result.
The fire spread quickly from the front and upwards, and thick black smoke soon filled the house. Despite emergency services attending the scene they were unable to save Mrs Warne. Her body was found in the front bedroom on the first floor.
A post-mortem examination confirmed that she had died from inhalation of fumes from the fire.
Police were called to the fire at 1.30am and officers quickly realised they were dealing with a deliberate arson.
The fire was started by someone who had arrived and left Centurion Square, as the pillion passenger on a motorbike. Witnesses saw him get back onto the motorbike, and saw the bike speed off out of the square.
Homicide detectives began an immediate investigation. As a result of extensive enquires they discovered that the fire was probably organised by Smith. The motive for the attack appears to have been a drugs dispute with a family member of Mrs Warne’s cousins.
However all those who were caught up in the fire were completely innocent of any criminality.
Smith was arrested on 30 October 2018 in Dartford after running onto the railway track to try to avoid arrest. As he did so he threw away a false passport that he had been using.
The person who set the fire was believed to be Elliott Robinson.
Robinson was arrested on 2 November 2018 in a chicken shop on Kimmeridge Road in Mottingham.
Detective Chief Inspector John Massey, from Specialist Crime, said: “Smith and Robinson planned and carried out deliberate arson that took the life of a wholly innocent woman.
“The motive was probably a drugs dispute, but their wanton viciousness led to Mrs Warne’s tragic death.
“I am glad that these two reckless criminals have been brought to account and they now begin lengthy prison sentences for their actions.”
Four men who had been charged with murder and arson – Kurtis Freeman age 21, Matthew John, age 20, Kye Kendall, age 19, and Martin McCardle, age 29 – were all acquitted during the trial.
Sierra Leone’s leading mobile operator Africell has informed the general public to insure their lives with Africell. The company has further informed the general public that it has a whole range of promotions and arrangements that are of benefit to its subscribers.
The latest intervention by Africell towards its contributions to complement government in improving the standard of education in line with the free quality education programme initiated by President Bio. In line with the above, Africell will be hosting free coding boot camp for one hundred and eighty (180) students from primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in August 2019.
Confirming the news to this medium over the weekend, the head of Afri Radio, John Konteh said the objective of the exercise is to bring together students who are currently excelling in Mathematics, Statistics and other related subjects. He said they are also targeting students who are interested in pursuing a career in computer programming.
Mr. Konteh said the Africell Coding Boot Camp will consist of two weeks intensive training exercise for the students that will finally meet the set criteria. He pointed out that candidates who will be making through the Desk screening will further undergo a one to one interview before the final selection of 180 students, 60 each from Primary to Secondary and Tertiary Institutions across the country will be selected.
He disclosed that customers can access the application form from any Africell Customer Care outlet nationwide or register on their website www.africell.sl.
He added that July 31st is the closing date for receipt of all applications and called on students to make good use of the opportunity Africell is offering.
This is not the first time Africell is coming to the aid of students. It could be recalled that in April this year, Africell donated over ten thousand Mathematical sets to pupils across the country that sat the 2019 National Primary School Examination (NPSE).
According to recent research on the viability and sustainability of oil marketing companies in Sierra Leone, it was found that the operations of the National Petroleum – Sierra Leone is the most viable and sustainable; apart from it being an internationally approved service deliverer.
The research included tests on the standard and quality of the National Petroleum-SL products which customers say they have never had cause to grumble about.
It should be noted that customer care is one key element to the success of the National Petroleum Sierra Leone (NP-SL).
Another most important feature of NP-SL is its smart cards which customers can use to make transactions very easy and convenient.
The public’s recognition of the invaluable contributions of NP both to its numerous customers across the country and to national development has seen it bag meritorious awards from different national and international organisations.
NP is a company worth its salt and the company has received many awards; the latest being: “Best Company of the Year” that was received on 6th July 2019 during the National Business Award 2018/2019 held in Sierra Leone at the prestigious Bintumani Hotel.
Being Sierra Leone’s leading and longest serving oil marketing company, the National Petroleum (NP) SL Limited continues to weather the storm gallantly as it endeavours to give optimum satisfaction to millions of customers across the country. NP-SL is also well anchored in neighbouring Liberia, Guinea, Ivory Coast and The Gambia where it operates as a truly multinational Sierra Leone company.
Since its establishment, NP has been meaningfully contributing to economic growth through payment of taxes and rolling out meaningful interventions in the discharge of Corporate Social Responsibility that are transforming lives and improving communities.
The company always ensures that petroleum products are always available, thereby preventing shortages that could create shocks in many quarters. The level of confidence which overseas business partners have reposed in the company has made it possible for it to enter into payment agreements thereby keeping the demand and supply chain open and running.
The company has gained international reputation for offering a variety of managerial and technical jobs to Sierra Leoneans and other individuals throughout the countries it operates.
NP-SL by giving preference to employing Sierra Leoneans is a clear indication that it adheres to the country’s Local Content Policy. Utilizing local talents make it possible for indigenes to acquire useful knowledge and skills through training courses that could be applicable in other places.
In addition, the company sells the best cooking gas that is available in hundreds of outlets across the country, thereby contributing to creating cleaner environments, thus aiding the work of EPA.
In this digital age, moving away from the traditional way of transacting business has now become the norm. As such, NP introduced the use of smart cards with which customers can procure any quantity of petroleum products easily.
On Saturday 20th July 2019, Monarch Beverages officially launched “Planet Beverages” in Sierra Leone at their head office on Percival Street in Freetown.
The launch came after a big partnership with the organizers of the Miss Fourah Bay College 2019.
Speaking at the event, Adeyemi Paul, Communications Director of Planet Beverages disclosed that Monarch Beverages has been in existence since 1919 in Atlanta Georgia, United States of America adding that Monarch Beverages is a diversified, international beverage company operating in over 50 countries and offering over 200 products spanning traditional carbonated soft drinks and new age categories such as Reaktor energy drinks, Planet Orange, Planet Cocktail, Planet Red mix, Planet Bubble Up Lemon, Planet Bubble Up Tonic, Planet American Cola and Planet Mango etc.
He said that over its 30- year’s history, the American Cole brand has grown from a premium quality cola to many highly customized flavors. The one constant factor has been that American Cole beverages offer excellent taste and superior value to customers.
He went further to say planet brand encompasses a premium quality of cola and an ever increasing list of innovative flavors. The brand was initially developed for the South African market but has found a loyal following in other countries like Sierra Leone.
Adeyemi Paul said that Reaktor energy is a classic energy drink packaged in PET bottles for more affordability and practicality (resalable). Reaktor energy’s packaging was specifically adapted for PET in order to deliver value: efficient & top notch ingredients, great taste, attractive packaging, and more content at a price accessible to everyone.
He ended by saying planet beverages are here to stay and they are ready to give their support to any other event as a way of fulfilling the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility.
Jacob Mansaray, organizer Miss Fourah Bay College 2019, thanked Planet Beverages for their partnership, sponsorship during their event which he said was not only important but timely adding that this partnership is just a start as they have big events to partner with them.
Mansaray, on behalf of the Miss FBC team, presented a Certificate of Appreciation to the entire Management of Planet Beverages Sierra Leone for their partnership.
He called on other companies to copy the footprints of Planet Beverages adding that they will continue to work in unison.
Aureol Insurance Company (AIC) on Friday 19th July 2019 held its 32nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Atlantic Hall of the National Stadium, Brookfields in Freetown at which event the chairperson of the Board of Directors, Mrs. Yasmin Fofanah revealed that the AGM is to receive and consider the Audited Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2018 and the reports of the Directors and Auditors thereon to declare a dividend, elect Directors and to fix their remuneration as well as appoint the Auditors and authorize the Directors to fix their remuneration.
“The insurance industry continues to be characterized by declining insurance rates and market shares, stiff bargaining powers of buyers and slow growth which are a reflection of the overall economy. Despite the economic challenges and the volatile business environment, Aureol Insurance Company continues to deliver a very strong performance. Claims paid amounts to Le8.25 billion in 2017 compared to Le9.23 billion in 2017,” Mrs. Yasmin Fofanah disclosed.
She also enlightened that the Sierra Leone economic growth slowed to 3.7% in 2018 compared to 3.8% in 2017 due largely to cessation of iron ore mining operations but that however, it is anticipated that there would be improvement in economic activity with the recommencement of iron ore production and export adding that increased foreign direct investments in the agriculture and tourism sectors and public investments in infrastructure in 2019.
According to Mrs. Yasmin Fofanah, inflationary pressures increased from 16.59% in June 2018 to 19.29% in October 2018 intimating that this was mainly due to increase in food prices, which was compounded by a depreciation of the Leone and an upward adjustment in the domestic pump price of fuel adding that inflation rate decreased to 18.14% by November 2018 due to stability in the exchange value of the Leone against major currencies and an improved domestic food supply during the harvest season and closed the year at 17.46%.
The Chairperson of the Board continued that the exchange rate appreciated against the United States Dollar slightly during the third quarter of 2018 underscoring that despite the injection of foreign exchange among other measures, the Leone depreciated against major currencies during the fourth quarter of 2018.
Mrs. Yasmin Fofanah further articulated that on the future outlook of the company, growth in wealth and improved income hold significant opportunity for the company although challenges remain including building efficient marketing network, educating customers about insurance and other financial products and developing affordable and relevant insurance policies.
She also underscored that in the medium to long term, Aureol Insurance Company would continue to play a vital role in Sierra Leone’s economy informing that homes and cars would remain central to the lives of a large and growing segment of the population reiterating that protecting these assets with insurance would continue to be essential for both businesses and individuals.
The Chairperson said looking ahead; the company has good prospects as they anticipate that profit levels would be sustained subject to large claims being kept within normal bounds and that profitability is not unaffected by severe movements in exchange rates, significant changes in fiscal parameters or other exception factors stressing that the company intends to continue to underwrite profitability that would not be unaffected by severe movements in exchange rates, significant changes in fiscal parameters and other exceptional factors.
She assured that Aureol Insurance Company would underwrite profitability and consistently pay dividends regularly to its shareholders in addition to enhancing shareholder value affirming that indeed experience has shown that Aureol Insurance Company operations combines capacity, integrity and more importantly good judgment in a manner unique in the insurance business underlining that this blend of strengths is a huge asset for the company’s shareholders that would only become more valuable with time.
Shareholders unanimously voted for all the resolutions with no objections.
Earlier, the representative of BDO, the auditing firm, in his financial report stated that the financial statement of Aureol Insurance Company presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial performance and its cash flows for the year that ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards and the requirements of the Companies Act 2009 and the Insurance Act 2016 highlighting that the company complied with all legal and regulatory requirements.
Highlights of the AGM were the reading of the audited financial statements by BDO, the question and answer and the interactive sessions.
UBA Marketplace, Africa’s biggest trade fair will be hosting some 20,000 visitors and over 100 small and medium enterprises, plus top private and public sector players on the 26th & 27th July 2019. This year’s Forum, themed “Empowering African Entrepreneurs”, will take place at the iconic Transcorp Hilton Hotel, in Nigeria’s capital city of Abuja. Top artists like Wizkid, Niniola, Dj Cuppy, Dj Neptune performing as Cynthia Nassardine, RMD will also be gracing the 2-Day event. More Sierra Leonean entrepreneurs were captured in this year’s TEF Entrepreneurship Programme. The event seeks to promote young entrepreneurs and business people across Africa and create the enabling environment for interaction among business owners and the mentorship of youths.
Kenneth Uzoka, Group Manager of UBA Plc had this to say about the event “I think everyone realises the fact that we need to prioritise the private sector. We need to encourage entrepreneurship and the youths. This is the driving factor and the major reason why we are organising an event of this magnitude’.
It could be recalled that at the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Business Forum, a partnership agreement was signed between the UNDP and the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) to financially support 100,000 young entrepreneurs in Africa over 10 years. The partnership is dubbed TEF-UNDP Sahel Youth Entrepreneurship Programme. The President of Niger, H.E Mahamadou Issoufou joined UNDP and TEF to launch the programme.
The partnership was announced at the 12th Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU), where TEF Founder, Tony Elumelu and UNDP Regional Director for Africa, Ahunna Eziakonwa joined African Presidents at that forum.
The TEF Youth Entrepreneurship Programme has benefited 7,520 local entrepreneurs across 54 African countries in five years of existence. Selected applicants will each receive a maximum of $5,000 non-refundable seed capital, access to mentors, a 12-week business training and networking opportunities and will join the previously announced 3,051 beneficiaries of the 2019 cohort of the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme.
The applications will be run on TEFConnect and forms will be available in any of the branches of the United Bank for Africa (UBA). Following the end of the application window, an initial longlist of 5,500 applicants will be selected to undergo the 12-week business training. After the training, the final shortlist of 2,000 applicants will be announced to join the previous 2019 TEF cohort.
Music is the simplest and most powerful means of connecting the people of this country. It bridges linguistic and cultural divides, and it is a vehicle for identity and expression. Collectively, with music we can generate rich social, cultural and economic benefits for this country.
For the industry to grow, our artists must create meaningful lyrics in their songs – lyrics that are good and entail important issues, not just about love that has dominated the music industry.
There are many good songs by other artists that talk about women’s rights and other important issues. We should be able to put morals and values into the music industry.
The government through its ministries must be able to invest into the production, promotion and sustenance of the industry, as we have seen in other countries like Nigeria and South Africa whose government have spent huge amount of their taxpayer’s money to invest into their entertainment industries.
This in turn has yielded good dividend by not only creating jobs for the youth but also developed both the social and economic sectors of their countries.
Music producers are most important when it comes to moving the music industry to its best.
Even though we have good engineers that have produced well in the past and present, they must try in every way to improve their talent when it comes to producing music.
We must also be able to train unprofessional singers to know how to sing and make quality songs which is where we have entertainment experts. The government must come in.
Young artists must endeavour for now to learn from both local and international artists that have made their mark in order to improve their talents.
There is a saying that amongst many good singers and writers; if you want to be a good rapper, listen to every song of Tupac Shakur and if you want to be a pop singer if you listen to Michael Jackson.
Radio and club DJs must also help in their own way by banning all inappropriate music from the radio and night clubs that they spin.
Have less foreign artists music played on both the radios and in night clubs as many others have done.
The clubs and radio owners must instruct their workers to play at least 80% of our local music if they want to help in the promotion of our local artists.
Our artists and there video producers must be able to create more attractive videos with good technical qualities that will attracts viewers whenever aired on TV.
Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Francis Kai Kai
Sierra Leone has joined several other nations to present a 2nd Voluntary National Review Report on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), at the on-going High-Level Political Forum 2019 at the United Nations General Assembly.
In his presentation, on behalf of the multiple stakeholders in Government, civil society, the private sector, youth and women’s groups and development partners in Sierra Leone, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Francis Kai Kai emphasised on the need for the global community to pay special attention to countries in fragile situations. He said in order for countries to walk out of fragility, they have to continue the hard work in making the people central to the planning and development of their countries.
Sierra Leone also organised a Side-Event on the theme: ‘Walking out of Fragility: Education and Justice for All” to showcase progress made in the implementation of the SDGs with a particular focus on SDG 4 (Education) and SDG 16 (Justice). The event was co-sponsored by the Canadian Mission to the United Nations. The panel of discussants included Ministers of Government (Foreign Affairs, Basic Education, Justice and Attorney General and Planning and Economic Development), Members of Parliament, and Civil Society, youth and UNDP / New York.
As the co-Chair of the International Dialogue on Peacebuilding and State-building (IDPS), Dr. KaiKai also launched the 2019-2021 Peace Vision, which focuses on three mutually reinforcing themes: Enhancing National Cohesion; promoting Gender Equality & the Women, Peace and Security agenda; and supporting a peace-promoting private sector. The vision articulates a series of commitments against which the IDPS members will hold themselves and each other accountable.
The 2019 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) is the global forum for reviewing successes, challenges and lessons learned on achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
