Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh has described true leadership as the ability to know when to serve and when to make space for others, as he paid tribute to the late Chairman Rev. Smart Kelson Senessie during funeral rites marking his laying out.
Addressing mourners, the Vice President said the occasion marked a significant loss not only to the family of the deceased but also to the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the Government. He described the day as “a very sad moment in the contemporary history of our party,” noting that Rev. Smart Kelson Senessie had devoted his life to service, discipline and principled leadership.
Speaking on behalf of the party’s leadership and membership at home and abroad, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh extended condolences to the bereaved family and acknowledged the broader impact of the loss. He said Rev. Smart Kelson Senessie’s contribution transcended personal relationships, adding that his legacy would remain deeply embedded in the party’s history and national life.
The Vice President described the late Chairman as a man of character, purpose and integrity, as well as a devoted family man whose conduct reflected consistency and moral strength. According to him, those qualities defined Smart Rev. Kelson Senessie’s approach to leadership and service.
Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh recalled key moments that illustrated Smart Rev. Kelson Senessie Senessie’s discipline and respect for timing, including his decision, following the party’s electoral victory in 2018, to honour an existing church commitment before assuming national responsibilities. He said the choice demonstrated wisdom, humility and a strong sense of responsibility.
He also highlighted Rev. Smart Kelson Senessie’s voluntary decision to step aside from party leadership to allow others to lead, describing it as a rare and powerful example of selfless leadership. “True leadership,” the Vice President said, “is knowing when to serve and when to make space for others,” a principle he urged party members and public officials to reflect upon.
Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh noted that the large turnout at the funeral was a testament to the respect and admiration the late Chairman commanded across society. He said the gathering reflected a life lived with purpose and urged mourners, particularly party members and young leaders, to draw lessons from Rev. Smart Kelson Senessie’s example.
The Vice President concluded by encouraging continued reflection on values of humility, discipline and service, describing them as essential to leadership within the party and the nation. He said Rev. Smart Kelson Senessie’s life and legacy offered enduring guidance at a time when Sierra Leoneans are seeking credible and principled leadership.
