By Ralph Simeon Sesay
Njala University – 2nd April, 2020– “If you may forgive me Professor Sankoh, at a time like this, it is more about Professor Abdullah Mansaray, the outgoing Vice Chancellor & Principal,Njala University than you his successor,” says Professor Adlyn Johnson, Dean, School of Education, Bo Campus,Njala University while giving the vote of thanks at the handing over ceremony between the outgoing Vice Chancellor and Principal and his successor ,Professor Osman Sankoh.
The low key ceremony which took place on Thursday 2nd April, 2020 at the Njala University Secretariat, Conference room, Njala Campus was attended by Deputy Vice Chancellors of the Bo and Njala Campuses, Deans of Schools and members of the administration.
Introducing the outgoing Vice Chancellor and Principal, the Registrar, Dr.Muneer Jalloh lamented on some of the successes of the outgoing Vice Chancellor and Principal.
Professor Mansaray according to him came to Njala University in 2002 as a visiting Professor from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. He added that he became the Dean, Schools of Education, Environmental Sciences, and Head of Postgraduate School and Deputy Vice Chancellor & Principal, Bo Campus for two consecutive terms.
The Registrar applauds Professor Mansaray for the many accomplishments at Njala University which he described of being in tatters before him taken over in June, 2018.Notable among these accomplishments according to Dr.Jalloh includes relieving the University of a very high debt burden, undertaking various infrastructural development projects and a review of the administrative and management systems of the University as part of its rebranding efforts.
The Registrar while welcoming the new Vice Chancellor and Principal, Professor Osman Sankoh noted that he is an alumnus of Njala University and was President of the most stable and peaceful Student Union government in the history of the University.
He noted that they at Njala were impressed of Professor Osman Sankoh’s successes in Ghana and at Statistics Sierra Leone and is hopeful that such will be replicated in his new appointment.
Welcoming his successor, the outgoing Principal and Vice Chancellor recounted that he was disappointed when he received a letter relieving him of his duties as Principal and Vice Chancellor but on the other hand confident by the fact that his successor has the clout and pedigree to continue with his legacies at Njala University.
Professor Osman Sankoh thanked his predecessor and confessed that he was saddened by the news but he couldn’t resist the appointment to serve the institution he cherished the most. He was crystal clear that he is only holding on the forth for the substantive Vice Chancellor and Principal.
He pleaded with the administration to find a place for Professor Mansaray in the University.
The newly appointed Vice Chancellor and Principal who also doubles as the Statistician General and Chief Executive Officer, Statistics Sierra Leone craved on the guidance and support of the outgoing whenever the need arises.
He emphatically noted that his ‘Bongology concept’ for him means hard work, transparency, and credibility and urged everybody present to imbibe this concept for the betterment of Njala University.
The event was climaxed with the two Deputy Vice Chancellors (Njala and Bo) expressing their parting note to the outgoing VC&P lauding him for his short and exemplary contributions to uplifting Njala University.
