By Foday Moriba Conteh
In recognition of his immense extraordinary leadership passion and vision in the country, one of Sierra Leone’s outstanding and prolific politicians and philanthropists, Saidu Jabbie (Mr.) commonly known as Jabs was on Saturday 3rd November 2021 among other selected personalities who proudly bagged the “Prestigious Visionary Award” from the Springs of Joy Ministries during a well-attended ceremony climaxing the 3rd Annual Vision Conference of the Springs of Joy Ministries with the theme: “As Far as You Can See” held at the Destiny International Worship Centre on Bass Street, Brookfields in Freetown.
Giving a background, the Founder of Springs of Joy Ministries, Abraham Siafa, described Saidu Jabbie as one of Sierra Leone’s outstanding philanthropists who has been working tirelessly towards poverty alleviation and facilitating lasting change in the lives of most vulnerable people in the country.
He maintained that Saidu Jabbie is the Chief Executive Officer of Jabs Group of companies in the United States of America and Sierra Leone and holds an MBA from Syracuse University in New York.
The Founder pointed out that Saidu Jabbie hails from Kono District where he attended both primary and secondary schools and furthered his studies at the Albert Academy where he did his ‘A’ level.
He also attended Fourah Bay College where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics, adding that he also holds a Honors Degree in Accounting from Syracuse University, New York, USA, a MBA from Syracuse University in New York and a Certificate in Sustainable Business Strategy from Havard Business School.
He also disclosed that Saidu Jabbie worked as Payroll Accountant at SALCOST Sierra Leone, Finance Manager Sierra Leone Oil Refinery, Operations Manager Glass Distributors, in the United States of America, and he is a retired US Army Veteran, furthering that he was also the former Chairman AWOL America Branch, present god-father of AWOL America and also former President KFCEO, USA.
Abraham Siafa further used the opportunity to throw light on the Springs of Joy Ministries. Abraham Siafa said the Ministry started about 15 years ago as a Music Ministry in Sierra Leone but said over the years it was transformed into full Ministries with churches also disclosing how they also have at free tuition school in Lungi.
He continued that they do render assistance to less privileged children by offering them school items , adding how they have also been doing other charitable work by providing free medical support to deprived communities as well as engaging in feeding people living with disabilities in the country.
Abraham Siafa maintained that 3 years ago they commenced a Vision Conference with the aim to raise up visionaries in the country and beyond in order to make a difference in society, noting that this year’s conference marks the 3rd edition of the Annual Vision Conference which so far has attracted over 200 participants.
He said that as part of this year’s conference they deemed it fit to celebrate people who are contributing to nation building by awarding them with Visionary Awards, of which Saidu Jabbie falls among those personalities who are considered worthy to be recipients of the remarkable award.
Receiving the award, Saidu Jabbie copiously thanked the God almighty and the Springs of Joy Ministries for recognizing his extraordinary leadership passion and vision in the country.
He applauded the Springs of Joy Ministries for their tireless efforts towards serving humanity as the ministries has been rendering assistance to the less privileged children in the country.
He maintained that he is not too surprise to be a recipient of the award owing to the fact that he has been working tirelessly over the years towards the development of young people in the country through mentorship and embarking on massive development projects in Koinadugu District which includes the construction of water wells, schools, mosque etc.
Saidu Jabbie revealed that during the Ebola outbreak in the country he was among one of the Sierra Leoneans who came from the United States of America to work as a volunteer during which time he stood firmly by the Koinadugu District Ebola Task Force, supporting quarantine homes with food and Ebola survivors in the post Ebola era.
He also provided clothing for persons in quarantine homes and members of the Ebola Task Force providing security at checkpoints in almost all the chiefdoms in the district.
Saidu Jabbie said these, among other things, are the reasons why he was not too surprise to be a recipient of the award, adding that the award will serve as a motivation for him to continue to do the things he has passion for.
He concluded by assuring all that he will continue to work in that direction towards the development of country.
