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UBA’s Kennedy Uzoka Receives Zik Prize for Professional Leadership

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Kennedy Uzoka, was on Sunday night presented with The Zik Prize for Professional Leadership. The award was presented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, under the chairmanship of Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka at a glamorous event held at the Civic Centre in Lagos, and organised by Public Policy Research and Analysis Centre(PPRAC).

Uzoka was announced as the winner of the much-coveted award alongside the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer at the Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof Umar Danbatta.

As he applauded the efforts of the organisers, Kennedy Uzoka said, “The Late Nnamdi Azikiwe is someone to whom I accord great respect; he is an iconic African statesman (Zik of Africa as he is fondly called). I am proud to be receiving an award that was first conferred on the late premier 25 years ago. I dedicate this award to the staff of the UBA Group in all our 23 countries of operations. They really are the best”.

Kennedy Uzoka received the award after a thorough, careful and rigorous selection process. His name was announced by Members of the Advisory Board, PPRAC, Professor Pat Utomi, and Executive secretary, Emeka Obasi, who stated that Uzoka was selected as a result of his outstanding contributions to the development and growth of the Banking and Financial Services Industry and also for an unblemished record of service as a banker of international repute.

Apart from Uzoka and Danbatta, other winners in various categories of public service, good governance, business, and professional leadership include Senate President Ahmed Lawan; Borno Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum; Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa; Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde; SGF, Boss Mustapha; Dr. Stella Okoli amongst others.

As it celebrates the silver jubilee anniversary of the Zik prize in leadership awards, the PPRAC, organisers of the award, reminisced that in the last 25 years, some other notable leaders have been recipients of the prize including: The former President of Ghana, Jerry Rawlings; former President of Tanzania, Nwalimu Julius Nyerere; former President of Kenya; Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim; former President of Namibia, Sam Nujoma; former President of South Africa, Dr. Nelson Mandela; Former President John Agyekum Kufuor of Ghana, and President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda.

Other past winners include the former Senate President David Mark; former Defence Minister, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed; founder, First City Merchant Bank, Otunba Subomi Balogun; former President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf; former Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Ahmed Joda and the Nigerian Central Bank Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele.

The Zik Leadership awards is organised by the Public Policy Research and Analysis Centre (PPRAC) and was instituted 25 years ago, in 1995, in honour of the first President of Nigeria, Late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, primarily to encourage and nurture leadership on the African Continent and in the Diaspora.

United Bank for Africa Plc is a leading Pan-African financial institution, offering banking services to more than twenty-one million customers, across 1,000 business offices and customer touch points, in 20 African countries. Operating in the USA, the UK and with presence in France, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail, commercial and corporate banking, innovative cross-border payments and remittances, trade finance and ancillary banking services.

MMCET Commissioned as a Technical University

  By Theresa Kef Sesay

All roads led to Goderich on the 6th December 2020 as President Julius Maada Bio was there in order to officially commission the Milton Margai College of Education and Technology to a Technical University as well as the rehabilitated hospital, Staff Complex and Great Hall all at the Goderich Campus of the college at which event he articulated that the college is changing the narrative for a skilled and resourceful labour force that would transform the country.

The auspicious and well-attended ceremony took place at the Peace Amphitheatre, Goderich Campus in Freetown.

The President asserted that youths form the majority in the country, that his Government would invest in the workforce and cater for all, informed that Government pays the salaries of 80,000 teachers every month, went on to state that the country is preparing for the future, that technical/vocational education had been neglected in the past, underscored the need to have a Technical University to train people who would help advance the country reiterating that the new University would focus on science and technology.

The President stressed, “there are very strong reasons to transform the college to a Technical University. The reviewed draft University Act will soon be approved by Cabinet. I am proud of Dr. Philip Kanu and staff for their tremendous support to the college. Dr. Kanu is an exemplary leader who is excelling against all odds. Great things are happening in this college.”

The President also disclosed that funds have been secured from BADEA to expand the college, enlightening that the essence of education is to have a critical mind and stand for the people.

The Principal of the college, Dr. Philip Kanu revealed that he would ensure that the programs of the President succeed, that he will ever be grateful to the President for the appointment, that he has a committed staff, that all the transformations in the college took place under the SLPP affirming that the college has been transformed in name and statue.

He continued that the community is solidly behind the college, that it is now 25 years since the college started offering degree programs, that his administration has blocked leakages, paid Le17 billion arrears to the National Revenue Authority, NASSIT and other contractors and service providers and Le3. 5 billion end of service benefit to ex-workers.

Dr. Kanu also informed that his administration has rehabilitated the toilets, lecture halls, provided a bus for staff, rain boots and coats, a state-of-the-art laboratory that can conduct DNA tests and commended sponsors like Rokel and Sierra Leone Commercial Banks, the Food and Agriculture Organisation and Lintex.

He went on to state that the college has zero tolerance for examination malpractice and sexual harassment, that results are published on the college’s website and on time, that prospective students can apply online, a Research and Publicity Unit established to which Le100 million seed money has been allocated, a Quality Assurance Unit also established informing that there has been no strike action as salaries are paid on time.

Other developments he highlighted are the CCTV and digital tools installed in all three campuses of the college, resurveying of the college’s land and documents handed over to the administration but appealed for additional staff to run the college three shifts, a sports complex and assured prudent financial management.

The First Lady, Mrs. Fatima Bio underscored the need for girl child education that is the key to development, that 2.5 million pupils are on Government scholarships, that 22 % of the country’s Gross Domestic Product is allocated to education, encouraged all to learn skills and promised 50 scholarships to girls in the community to attend the Technical University.

She also disclosed that she has donated 10 beds to the college’s clinic and another 10 to the Lakka Clinic.

Speaker after speaker at the ceremony underscored the development as another milestone in the history of academia in Sierra Leone stressing that the history of the college is incomplete without the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) and President Dr. Julius Maada Bio who is pivotal in the transformation of the college.

It was also emphasized that the college is community-owned citing as example the presence of 11 Paramount Chiefs from Bombali and Karene Districts, sand and stone miners, fishermen and fishmongers and traditional authorities at the ceremony.

Earlier in his welcome statement, the Chairman of the Polytechnic Council, Dr. Victor Kabia revealed that the college is 55 years old, commended Government for supporting state-owned institutions like the college to celebrate its core values, share its rich history recalling that the college is among the first three teacher training colleges to be established in Africa, the others being in Ghana and Kenya, affirmed that the college is at the crossroad of civilization and is the center of excellence in teaching and research.

According to Dr. Kabia, the college has matured and competent enough to become a Technical University and that its vast land has made it an envy of land grabbers.

The representative of the community, Rev. Arthur Coker-Davies said the country’s forefathers had vision to secure 250 acres of land for the college and that the community has gained a lot from the college highlighting that within the past two years rapid and tangible developments have taken place at the college and warned land-grabbers to hands off the college’s land.

The representative of the Alumini Association, Mrs. Julia Fofanah said that the college is ready to take up the challenge of a university and that the Principal is the right choice.

On behalf of Paramount Chiefs in Bombali and Karene Districts, Paramount Chief Bai Shebora Kasanga of Bombali Shebora Chiefdom, Bombali District said they are grateful to be part of the epoch-making event.

The Chairman of the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC), Professor A.M. Alghali underscored that transformation of the college to a Technical University is another remarkable day in the history of higher education in the country and recalled when they received the application from the college for the new status.

He disclosed that they looked at the college’s governance and administration, facilities, course curriculum and subjects, that the Commission reviewed the proposal and confirmed the upgrading of the college on 25th May 2020 stating that the Technical University would commence in October 2021 adding that they spared no effort to ensure high standard and international best practices in unanimously approving the college and wished the college all the best.

The Minister of Technical and Higher, Professor Aiah Kpakima reiterated that due process was followed to the latter to avoid past mistakes and that Cabinet would approve the college’s new status to ensure that the right thing is done.

Other dignitaries who made statements included the SLPP aspirant for Constituency 110, Madam Josephine Jackson.

Highlights of the ceremony were the presentations of a bouquet of flowers to the First Lady on arrival, painted pictures of the First Couple by the wife and children of the Principal, Mrs. Jestina Kanu, display of chairs, cloths, various drawings, baskets, necklaces, beads and other items produced by students of the college and a conducted tour of the facilities by the President and entourage led by Dr. Emmanuel Gaima, Presidential Adviser on Local Government.

7 Imprisoned For Sexual Penetration

By Foday Moriba Conteh

It was indeed a momentous day in the history of the Judiciary of Sierra Leone as on the 7th December 2020 a total of seven (7) accused persons standing trial at the Sexual Offences Model Court (SOMC) for sexual penetration and its related offences were sentenced to serve various years in jail at the correctional center.

This was the first time seven (7) accused persons in just three (3) days since the court was established on Friday the 24th July 2020.

On Thursday, 3rd December, Justice Manuella Harding J, convicted Brima Koroma to serve an imprisonment term of fifteen (15) years at the correctional center for sexually penetrating  a fourteen-year-old  pupil at Ogoo Farm in the West end of Freetown. On Friday, 4th December, 2020, Justice Manuella Harding J, also sentenced Tamba Foday for penetrating a child under the age of eighteen years.

In similar development, Justice Komba Kamanda JA, sentenced Augustine Bangura; Abdul Bangura and Mohamed Pessima to ten years imprisonment each, for sexually penetrating children below eighteen years of age.

On Monday 7th December, Justice Alhaji Momo-Jah Stevens JA, sentenced 24-year old Amadu Bah of No. 4 Bass Street in Freetown to ten years imprisonment and 36-year old Arnold Samuel Beckley, a petty trader to fifteen years imprisonment.

Before delivering his judgement, Justice Momo-Jah Stevens gave stern warning to sexual offenders, stressing that, “this is a warning to those who are still engaged in committing sexual offences. We would continue to make crime of this nature very costly and expensive.”

He said those who are in the habit of destroying the integrity and dignity of women and children will be prosecuted and dealt with as provided for in the Sexual Offences amendment Act of 2019, Act No. 8 of 2019.

According to the medical reports at the time of examination, there were no physical injuries seen. The genital findings also revealed that the hymen of both victims were completed ruptured but the anal findings showed that the victims were normal.

Today Is Anti-Corruption Day…   Traffic Police & Wardens Daily Collecting Monies From Commercial Drivers

Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Francis Ben Kaifala

By Amin Kef Sesay

Admitted, Francis Ben Kaifala and the Anti-Corruption Commission under the new 2019 ACC Act have made tremendous gains in the fight against corruption in terms of recovery, prosecution and putting in place preventive measures in MDAs to forestall commission of corruption.

The truth of the matter is that, for us ordinary citizens who daily use the roads, we are not impressed that the new IG and the ACC have done virtually little or nothing to stop once and for all the blatant corruption of Traffic Police and Traffic Wardens who daily extort tens of millions of Leones at various booking points in the Western area and the country from bus, poda poda, taxi, okada and kekeh drivers that goes directly into their pockets and their bosses sitting at divisional headquarters.

Whether Mr. Kaifala and IG Sovula know it or not, over 70% of people has little or none confidence in the Traffic Police Force because the rampant corruption in the traffic division is directly responsible for half way and the immeasurable suffering that passengers face at the hands of commercial drives who pay anything up to Le100, 000 daily as bookings to Traffic Police and Wardens with us the poor helpless passengers left to pay for the losses to drivers.

A typical case might involve a Traffic Police Officer halting a driver without explanation, and demanding bribes before letting him or her proceed. Processing unjustifiably demanded driver licenses and vehicle certificates is another example.

Corrupt Police bring inefficiency and unfairness. Further, genuine traffic policing is diluted by corruption when officers’ efforts are diverted away from meaningful enforcement. Instead of time going to bribery, it should go to the impaired driver, speeding in an unsafe vehicle.

Anticorruption measures can improve traffic safety.

Measures concerning Police Officers involve: added employment benefits, monitoring and control of their operations and increased sentence if involved in bribery/extortion.

Further, education of both officers and the public through the media is a common approach.

Finally, advancement of technology is extensively used for decrease of contact between officers and public, and for easier corruption detection.

Studying Police corruption by surveying Police Officers and citizens usually encounter resistance. The reason is either “Code of silence” practiced by the officers or lack of motivation to reveal misconduct by citizens who were involved in it.

Anticorruption measures include providing anti-corruption training programs to traffic officers and wardens and the penalty for violation if caugh.t

Immunity for reporters of a bribe if reported on time, protection of whistle-blowers:

Clearly defined core principles and high standards of behavior for traffic officers and wardens:

Officers subjected to a range of integrity and suitability checks.

Using technology to automatically enforce traffic (cameras where officers are deployed).

Payments through bank accounts:

To help wipe away corruption in the traffic sector, the public should be asked by the IG and ACC for their opinion on what are the reasons for traffic police corruption. This helps define weak spots in traffic department and provides ideas for future anticorruption measures. It also convinces public that the Government is enthusiastic about fighting the corruption.

The consequences of corrupt activities need to be emphasized to both the Police and citizens. Public needs to be informed on their rights and obligations not to give money to Police Officers or Wardens not only through the media (TV, radio, internet), but through formal education as well. The result of this will be early involvement of each citizen in the fight against corruption.

As added prevention measure, increase penalty for unethical behaviour, Police Officers or Wardens caught in corruption should be fired and lose retirement benefits

Enhanced Customer Care: Key to NP-SL’s Modus Operandi

By Amin Kef Sesay

It is strongly incontestable that the leading petroleum marketing company in the country, the National Petroleum- Sierra Leone Limited, is well known to stand tall within the realm of enhancing customer care by making it a key objective in its modus operandi. This is indisputable when thorough cognizance is taken of how Management is very keen in optimizing customer satisfaction in its service delivery on different fronts.

Members of staff of the company are very mindful of the fact that it is the customer that comes first and therefore needs the utmost attention always ensuring that transactions are conducted under a congenial atmosphere that result into a win-win situation. For this brilliant and managerial initiative the company has been making positive headways positioning to stand tall among other business entities in this part of the world.

With a capable and result-oriented ‘Team NP’, working collaboratively and assiduously, where even the cleaner is regarded as highly relevant there is bound to be positive outcomes and the company has mastered this by ensuring that synergy is enhanced.
One admirable quality that NP-SL Ltd possesses is working tirelessly and effectively using its contacts with oil producing countries in order to ensure that there is timely purchase and delivery of petroleum products to avoid shortages.

It goes without saying that fuel, for example, could be a political commodity in the sense that fluctuation in its price would make a Government likeable or unpopular. When the price goes up then people blame the Government for that but if it goes down it is kudos for the political administration.

Its timely importation of petroleum products has earned NP high commendations from various quarters simply because it helps to cushion unrest and other forms of disadvantageous effects one of which is increase in transport fares, increase in the prices of certain commodities. The pro-activeness of the company invariably has a direct impact on poverty reduction in variable ways.

Some who may not be aware of the fact that NP-SL Ltd is wholly owned by Sierra Leoneans vis-à-vis the visibility of the company and how it is remarkably striving could find it hard to believe that it a truly indigenous company.
However, that remains the plain truth when it is learnt that it was Sierra Leonean 35 workers formerly working for British Petroleum (BP) who pulled together their end of service benefits to purchase shares which were used to establish NP, which today is a success story of an indigenous company, having branches in various parts of the country and in other four West African countries namely Liberia, Guinea, Ivory Coast and The Gambia. The company’s operations right across the spectrum is contributing towards revenue generation and job creation for many.

With gas as one its marketable products it was thought wise to be producing gas cookers, popularly known as NP Gas, which could be access at their different filling stations. According to investigation conducted NP Gas is cooking-friendly, safe and long lasting. It is going at an affordable price and many are going for it.

When reference is made to Local Content, which by law is a Policy, then NP-SL Ltd stands tall within that realm as nearly all its members of staff are Sierra Leoneans thereby making use of local talents everywhere they are operating. The Local Content Policy is indeed an engine of growth and NP is making full use of it.
Without any iota of doubt NP-SL Ltd is growing taller and taller as time goes by.

As Predict and Win Offers Le10M…   Pool Party & Special Male Eviction Today

Housemates Salone Season 2

By Amin Kef Sesay 

Housemates Salone Season 2 continues to offer members of the public a lot of goodies, all in a vain to give them the best in terms of entertainment. One of these is a promotion that is known as Predict The Winner which is a draw that could be entered into in order to win the attractive prize of Ten Million Leones (Le10, 000,000). To enter the draw an individual only needs to dial *5500# and choose Option 3.

The other special offer is a double one, both, expected to bring out intriguing episodes and suspense, the two are a Pool Party and a special Male Eviction Segment both slated to take place today, Wednesday 9th December 2020.

For a member of the public to keep his or her favourite Male contestant in the Safe Zone he or she must VOTE by sending the number of that contestant via SMS to 5500 or Dial *5500#
and for International Voting CALL +232 99 00 5500.

Members of the public can double their VOTES via #AfriMoney, dial *161*9# and follow the instructions. The program could be watched via the LIVE Stream online at www.ayvnews.com,, AYV YouTube and Facebook platforms.

The drama that the Reality TV Show is exhibiting is indeed very interesting and infectious. This time round it relates to Fatmata Mansaray aka Kama Diva and Mariahma Walker alias Stainless. Both of them were disqualified on the 6th December 2020 and asked to leave the House by the Moral Guarantors, Ethics and Anger Management Committee of Housemates Salone Season 2. Their crimes involved the putting up of rude manners and fighting.

Before disqualifying them, footages of their untoward behaviour and actions were shown on screen and they were given the opportunity to comment but at the end of the day none of them showed any sign of remorse.

However, Sir Chief and Madam Chief expressed dismay over their attitudes making it categorically clear that everyone is been treated fairly in the House with no strings attached saying “to whom much is given, much is expected”.
Meanwhile the remaining Housemates have been asked to learn from the ugly situation and comport themselves as the organizers are now at the tail end of the show.

What is up for grabs is the covetous staggering winning prize of Two Hundred and Fifty Million Leones (Le250M) plus undertaking a round trip to Dubai.

However, each day that any of the Housemates stays in the House, he or she is entitled to One Hundred Thousand Leones (Le100, 000).

It must be highlighted at this juncture that it is the amount of votes that the Housemates bag from members of the public that will determine their fates, that is their continued stay in the House or face eviction. Members of the public should know that their votes do matter, and as a result, they must step up the pace at which they are voting for their favourite Housemates.

All the Housemates are displaying his or her God-Given talent, as well as what they have learnt over the years in tandem with what the Show requires of them. Those could be brought to the fore when they are assigned  tasks  by Sir Chief or Madam Chief, to perform, and depending on how it is carried out, will determine points to be scored.

Indeed, it is against such a backdrop that it could be deduced that the entertaining Reality TV  Show is serving as a learning pad or ground, where all the Housemates are learning valuable skills and acquiring knowledge that will position them to contribute positively towards nation-building. They are availed the opportunities to imbibe new skills, polish existing ones, learn how to play new games, improve on their debating skills, setting life targeting agendas, interact and a host of others.

LAKE Production Postpones Proposed Kizz Daniel January 16 Show  

By Foday Moriba Conteh

The Management of LAKE Production (SL)Limited has on Tuesday the 8th December, 2020 revealed that the proposed January 16th show in Freetown with global hit maker, Kizz Daniel, has been postponed indefinitely. This disclosure was made during a Press Conference which was held at the SLAJ Headquarters on Campbell Street in Freetown.

Chief Executive Officer of Lake Production, Alhaji K. Tarawalie disclosed that it disheartening and heart-breaking to inform the general Public, including the entertainment industry that arrangements for the proposed January 16th show in Freetown with global hit maker, Kizz Daniel, continue to face challenges revealing how already they have put in so  much time, efforts, energy and resources into the venture but they were informed by the COVID-19 Response Secretariat that it does` not consider using concerts as the right vehicles to sensitize the populace with COVID-19 health measures  at this material time considering the public momentum which the show has gathered.

He said the Secretariat furthered that the current COVID-19 restrictions require that among other things large scale gatherings will not be encouraged especially against the backdrop of COVID-19 surge in other parts of the world.

The CEO revealed that the Management of LAKE Production [SL] Limited initially decided to use the event to embark on a massive National Mask UP Campaign.

It was arranged that the event would follow and adhere to all COVID 19 prevention protocols and it was also their aim of distributing twenty thousand masks (20, 000) on the day of the event ,which he said, they thought will help to remind people that the corona virus is still with us and that it is real.

He added that the musician in question KIZZ DANIEL, who was slated to perform alongside other artists, has been one of the most consistent artists in Africa and has released a film in the past twelve months.

“It therefore means that despite all our efforts NaCOVERC has refused to partner with us and to give approval for the show to go ahead after an initial approval to go ahead. We shall continue our engagement with NaCOVERC and the Sierra Leone Government to see how things will turn out before we postpone the show to another date as would be approved by NaCOVERC,” he also stated.

Alhaji K. Tarawalie asked for understanding by all Kizz Daniel fans as they continue to battle it out, adding that payments had already been made for this event with regards Hotel, Air flight, Transportation, Media campaigns and other expenses.

“The LAKE Production Team is only now left with an option to carry on with its NEA 2020 Award that will take place on the 23rd December, at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Aberdeen. We’re very much optimistic, despite the challenges, that the KIZZ DANIEL show will take place in 2021,” he expressed hope.

APAL Global Chairman Blasts APC

Global Chairman and Leader of the APC Progressive Alliance (APAL) Bumneh Suaymani Kamara

By Foday Moriba Conteh

During a Press Conference held on Monday 7th December, 2020 at Oniel Street in Freetown, the Global Chairman and Leader of the APC Progressive Alliance (APAL), who also happens to be one of the three plaintiffs that filed a law suit against the APC Executive in the High Court of Sierra Leone, Bumneh Suaymani Kamara, has urged the Leadership of the All People’s Congress (APC) to address certain issues before entering into any negotiation or  any further peace facilitation process with the Party.

In his statement, Bumneh Suaymani Kamara reiterated that he is one of the three plaintiffs that filed a law suit against the APC Executive in the High Court of Sierra Leone, adding that he is also a prominent figure in the NRM and have contributed immensely during the past years furthering how he is also the CEO and Founder of the ‘Red Siren”, a reformer group that analyzes political issues in the APC and the country with the sole objective to advocate for good governance, promotion of human rights, the rule of law, and democracy in the country.

Bumneh Suaymani Kamara stated that he joined the NRM wagon to challenge the undemocratic antics that were allegedly perpetrated by the leadership of the All Peoples’ Congress  (APC)  Party pointing out that their aim is centred on  fostering the democratization of the APC Party and facilitate the amendment of specific clauses notably, the ‘SELECTION CLAUSE’ in the 1995 APC Constitution. He said after that they will later focus on advocating for good governance, the rule of law and democratic practices in the country with the hope of enhancing the inclusiveness of members of their party and the entire citizenry but, however, lamented that it had been a tedious fight that has span more than two years now and more.

Bumneh Suaymani Kamara revealed that few months ago, a peace facilitation process was started to bring the APC and NRM  together disclosing that it was during that peace process  that the leadership of the NRM limited consultations with its membership, especially the plaintiffs and only concentrated having consultations with a small group; a semblance of college camaraderie or fraternity. He revealed how a decision was taken by the NRM to visit Dr Ernest Bai Koroma in Makeni and that was later communicated in a short time but said many other reformers, including him, vehemently opposed the said trip, raising concerns of manipulation by the APC Executive stating how he gave a warning that he would make a public disclaimer disassociating himself from any outcome of that said meeting.

He pointing out that the NRM leadership issued a statement to assure the membership that no Memorandum Of Understanding or Consent Judgment issue will be discussed or reached but to his chagrin, a MoU was signed and consent judgment for the withdrawal of the case from court was reached and that a consent judgment agreement has already been prepared and signed by other parties of which he did a public disclaimer that he was not a party of the team that visited Makeni where the MoU was signed.

Bumneh Suaymani Kamara said that he will not take responsibility of the outcome of the said MoU which involves the signing withdrawal of the case in court and he has notified the legal team representing the plaintiffs on the matter as well as notifying the leadership of NRM in writing and verbally.

He said he is aligned with the ‘APC’s PROGRESSIVE ALLIANCE’ (APAL) as its Global Chairman and leader which is a group of like-minded reformers in Sierra Leone and the Diaspora that seek the true democratization of the APC party.

On this note, he said APAL seeks the following issues to be addressed before entering into any negotiation or further peace facilitation with the APC party:

The drafted APC Constitution (2020) must be adopted before a consent judgment agreement is entered into, the APC Executive must educate the party membership on the drafted APC Constitution (2020) thoroughly before adoption of same, the APC Executive needs to educate its membership on the positive/negative impact of the Government’s   COI/ white Paper on the persons of interest as the party considers entering into the electioneering process, and the APC Executive needs to further educate its membership on any MoU entered into for inclusion and better understanding of issues thereof.

On behalf of APAL, Bumneh Suaymani Kamara made an appeal to the Judiciary to expedite the court case noting that as the saying goes “Justice Delayed is Justice Denied” disclosing how they strongly believe in the independence and integrity of the Judiciary system.

NP-SL: Maintaining High Standards in Qualitative Service Delivery

By Amin Kef Sesay

One of Sierra Leone’s successful business entities, the National Petroleum (NP) Sierra Leone Limited, is really maintaining very high standards in terms of qualitative service delivery, as well as enhancing effective marketing strategies that have made it very sustainable and admirable to many.

The company is on record for importing and installing latest calibrated pumping machines, which have the capability of displaying the unit prices of certain petroleum products sold such as diesel, petrol, kerosene, thereby enhancing transparency in all its transactions.

“This is a marked departure from what used to transpire in the past, when what was pumped into the tanks of vehicles could not be properly displayed, leaving room for doubts and certain unsavory games to be played. I am really impressed with how NP is today doing it,” Mohamed Mansaray, a Poda-Poda driver said with some amount of satisfaction.
The company has good tankers that move with fuel to different parts of the country where it is operating With dedicated and highly motivated members of staff manning the company’s various filling station, dotted in different parts of the country, NP has been efficiently providing good services to its numerous customers and has been gaining widespread attention for timely qualitative service delivery.

“Offering accessible services to their numerous and cherished customers seems to be well maximized by Management and such is contributing immensely in enhancing visibility of the company,” Mohamed Barrie, an entrepreneur highlighted.
Though in the past some mischievous individuals have attempted to drag the good name of the company to the mud by fabricating falsehoods, history can testify that there has never been any period of time when NP has been named for illegality.
Rather it has been timely tax compliant and operates within the confines of business laws that are binding on companies operating within the country.

The company is held in high regard for availing Sierra Leoneans job opportunities, which have somehow helped in drastically reducing the unemployment rate in the country. If this country was to have had similar businesses owned by purely indigenous shareholders, then this problem of unemployment must have long been a thing of the past.

The humble beginning of NP will make an interesting reading or story that depicts how determination and resoluteness can indeed make wonders to transpire. It is very inspiring to say the least.
The former British Petroleum (BP) Company decided to sell its shares to the Government of Sierra Leone that was in existence at that time.
In 1996 the Government sold its 60% shares in BP to some of the company’s members of staff. 55 % was paid upfront from the end of service benefits of the workers from BP and the 5% offered to all the other workers. Thus a new company known as LEONEOIL started operations.

It was the World Bank that proffered advice for the privatization of the company. The 55% sale of Government shares to NP therefore came as a result of the World Bank’s admonition. 4 companies took part in the bid, but it was LEONOIL that won the international competitive bidding that was conducted by Arthur De Little (a United States based Management consultancy firm). LEONEOIL later on metamorphosed into NP, meeting all the set criteria.

It was understood that the members of staff were very serious and capable enough to properly manage the company to such an extent that, unlike others, it survived most of the challenges that it had encountered.
It was learnt that the 40% PMMC’s stake in the company, owned by the late Jamil Sahid Mohammed and Tony Yazbeck, was given as collateral for a loan from a Bank by one of the parties.

Jamil Sahid Mohammed, later sold to Cape Oil PMMC’s 40% shares to offset a fidelity loan, but LEONE OIL was not satisfied with that move and took the matter to court on the grounds that it was in violation of the M and A, which dictates that the other side has the first option to buy. The outcome of the matter was that the High Court gave judgement in favour of LEONE OIL.
Certain people have suggested that the Government and other stakeholders must give NP all the necessary support it deserves to make it further formidable and highly competitive.

Housemates Salone: Getting Spicy & Hotter

Housemates Salone Season 2

By Amin Kef Sesay 

The Reality TV Show, Housemates Salone Season 2 has now become one the most dominant topical issue that is discussed in various social circles. Indeed, as the days go by, this adorable entertainment show is getting very spicy and hotter with the showcasing of interesting episodes that are not only thrilling, but getting most viewers nearly laughing their sides out.

Each of the Housemates is displaying his or her God-Given talent, as well as what they have learnt over the years in tandem with what the Show requires of him or her. Those could be brought to the fore when he or she is assigned a task by Sir Chief or Madam Chief, to perform, and depending on how it is carried out, he or she will score points.

Indeed, it is against such a backdrop that it could be deduced that entertainment show is serving as a learning pad or ground, where all the Housemates are learning valuable skills and acquiring knowledge that will position them to contribute positively towards nation-building. They are availed the opportunities to imbibe new skills, polish existing ones, learn how to play new games, improve on their debating skills, setting life targeting agendas, interact and a host of others.

One thing that is striking about the entertainment show is that the Housemates are from time to time visited by motivational speakers, who take them through steps that should be followed in order to become successful in life. One of these motivational speakers is Joe Abass Bangura, the Chief Executive Officer of Life By Design.

During these motivational speaking sessions, the Housemates listen attentively, taking notes, which they will have to go through in order to reinforce what they have already learnt.

It is along such lines that it is endorsed that Housemates Salone Season 2 is really a Youth Empowerment platform, because, looked at from whatever perspective, after going through a lot in the House, it is definite that these participants will never be the same again. They have been publicly exposed and there maybe entertainment promoters who may be interested in tapping their talents and adding value to them, which in the end, could be marketed.

The Housemates are also battling to be financially empowered, as they are competing to win the covetous staggering winning prize of Two Hundred and Fifty Million Leones (Le250M) plus undertaking a round trip to Dubai.

Besides, each day that any of the Housemates stays in the House, he or she is entitled to One Hundred Thousand Leones (Le100, 000).

It must be highlighted at this juncture that it is the amount of votes that the Housemates bag from members of the public that will determine their fates, that is their continued stay in the House or face eviction.

All the Housemates have their unique numbers, which members of the public should use to vote by sending them via SMS to: 5500 or Dial *5500#. For International voting an individual can call: +23299005500.

Members of the public should know that their votes do matter, and as a result, they must step up the pace at which they are voting for their favourite Housemates.

It is an open secret that since its inception, the African Young Voices (AYV) has been providing opportunities for young people to have their voices heard, to learn new skills and meaningfully contribute to overall national development.
This youth empowerment drive is one of the cardinal objectives of this renowned media empire, and it has been successfully rolling it out.

On the part of Africell, the telecommunications service provider had been supporting various entertainment activities, and even young artists in the country, with the avowed aim of catching them young and as well contribute to enable young people to realize their full potentials and bring them out.

The show is now streamed live online at Africa Young Voices Media Empire Facebook page, AYV entertainment TV, Africell Sierra Leone Facebook page and on website at www.ayvnews.com.

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