KONSALCAN Inc. [K-PUSH] People United to Save Humanity

 

SUNDAY OCTOBER 11th, 2020.

By Sahr David Lebbie

The Sierra Leone National Senior Team (Leone Stars) has arrived safely in Niamey with a 26-man delegation ahead of their second friendly match against the Menas of Niger.

The Leone Stars of Sierra Leone are presently camped at Noom Hotel in Niamey as the players look forward to having their first training session on Monday morning and subsequently in the evening.

Unfortunately, they lost their first friendly encounter against Mauritania by two goals to one. However, the team is in high spirit and motivated ahead of the Menas of Niger on Tuesday 13th October 2020.

Meanwhile, four of the six foreign based players who were part of the squad in Mauritania have left for their respective football clubs as the head coach Keister is only left with to boast of.

Minister of Finance, Hon. Jacob Jusu Saffa today, Friday 21st August 2020 together with The Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs, Hon. Lusine Kallon facilitated the securing of an office space for Sweissy Youths Organisation at Lightfoot Boston Street in the Central Business District of Freetown.

This gesture according to the Finance Minister, was President Julius Maada Bio's initiative to empower youth development across the country. He said all is not rosy but they will continue to support young people for national development.

The Deputy Youth Minister said the President is translating his campaign promise into action by providing the enabling environment for young people across the country.

The Chairman of Sweissy Youth Organisation, Mohamed Kallon thanked the President through his representatives and assured that they will continue to support development.

EMMERSON SAYS: “WE ARE A NATION OF “COCONUT HEADS”

It is always good for someone to know when he or she is being disrespected, especially for his/her intellect or poor perception. I recall an incident at our company bar at Sierra Rutile, when in a mood to take the mickey out of a barmaid who was not known for her intellectual prowess (How could she? -She “corrected” me when I called for a Beck’s beer, saying I should have used the singular, “Beck”- but that’s another story!). Anyway I asked Alice (not her real name)- “You know why a lek u? She answered, “No”. I said – “Because you IQ loooow!” She gave me a big smile and asked- “Lef me, na now u day praise me, way u bin day provoke me?”

This is the same thing Emmerson has done to us by calling us Sierra Leoneans collectively as “Coconut heads”. But let us take a step back and learn what a “coconut head” is. Urbandictionary.com defines it as “Someone who is zany, silly, kooky” or “a round shaped cranium resembling a hairy dome, void of contents”. But I like the definition in Naija dictionary, the Nigerian pidgin English dictionary - “Empty head, of low intelligence, a fool, an academic failure”, which also lists synonyms as “mumu, fool”. Aye Emmerson!

So when Emerson calls us “Coconut heads”, stop dancing to the music and reflect on why you are called by that derogatory term.

“Coconut head” is one of the tracks in Emmerson’s new album called “9 Lives”. He has for a long time aired out his views on the national political situation. One thing is for certain however-he has never been pigeon-holed as belonging to one party or another; hence the respect he has gotten from many quarters as a fairly impartial commentator on the national political scene.

The song has a litany of complaints about the performance of the current government. He complains about poor medical facilities, poor quality of education, partisanship, lack of productivity, economic hardship, land problems and a host of other issues.

He claims things have not changed much and the government is likely to blame the COVID crisis for its failings. President Bio, he says wants us to be patient and judge him at the end of his term but it is already getting too late.

In the midst of all this, there is inter party and intra party warfare. Meanwhile the government is trying very hard to “divide and conquer”. Things have stayed the same. “You can’t do what you criticised others about”, he advises. Despite all this, us “coconut heads” unwittingly join the fight-“Coconut head, we nor day frade for mix pan fool man fet”, he quips. It is a “mental hustle to survive”.

But let us simplify Emmerson’s sayings for “Coconut heads” by simplifying what he seems to be insinuating:

1. Our Problems have been with us a long time and change is difficult

All political parties that have governed us since independence 59 years ago have failed us -“Any wan way cam day turn we say we na coconut ade”. And he accuses us of acquiescing to their whims- “Sharp sharp bobor den day dance to the coconut hade”.

2. Translating ideas into success has been a pie in the sky

Many good ideas were floated during the election campaign and the SLPP claimed to have an inordinate capacity to govern this country. This has not been borne out by its performance in government. “What happened to all these ideas?”, he asks. “What about the claim that the economy could be turned around in six months?”. “Whatever happened to the commitment that we would be food self-sufficient?”. “It would seem the rice seeds did not sprout up”, he quips.

3. “Connectocracy” trumps meritocracy

“How do you get jobs?”, he asks. You would have to be a “party pikin or D Pa in paddy”, he claims. The claim of the absence of meritocracy and of jobs being dished out to party supporters and close associates of the President is one he makes repeatedly. “All tin na politics”, he asserts.

4. Indiscipline and lawlessness are still rampant

Emmerson makes mention of top people who have become “gun toting governors” and the general indiscipline amongst the “new governors” and in the country generally. “Whatever happened to the punctuality drive that was initiated when this government got into power?”, he asks. “Whatever happened to plans to rationalise the use of government vehicles?”.

5. We are still a divided country along tribal lines

You can read in between the lines when he makes mention of “Mua lay lay mia”, “Nya vote a Ngewo va” and “Gbinka Kurumasaba”. Tribal associations and considerations are at the core of most decisions.

6. Corruption has not gone away-the “bigger fish” still get off unscathed

He talks about “sophisticated corruption” being rife and says “they only catch ‘Dem small small cockroach dem””.

7. Youth problems abound

Youths still bear the brunt of our problems and are exploited. Emmerson says- “A hungry man is an angry man”. He also says “Hangry man go bumbu d fet because of bread and butter”. Youths face what he terms “a mental hustle” and are “brutal for survival”.

8. The Local private sector is not thriving

Though he does not analyse the private sector, he claims foreigners are the ones doing well in business- “Salone bizness don dry”, he claims.

9. This current generation offers little hope for the future

He claims- “We don boku na facebook” and calls them “the play station generation”. They wallow in confusion and he refers to them as “confuse.com”. They are full of excuses-he also refers to them as “excuse.com”.

10. Avariciousness is rife amongst our new political masters

He says “munku den boss” and calls some of our political masters “munku by packet”. Many lack sophistication and he claims they are avaricious. But he warns-“You can’t give what you don’t have”. He makes light of the purchase of “30 SUVs” when medical workers were being denied their allowances as an example of a decision that reeks of vanity and lack of sensitivity. “Lef gbagbati-lego mi pan mi yopoti”, he advises.

11. Economic difficulties are rife

Emerson says times are hard and the economy is “shitty”

Well, anyone familiar with Emmerson’s modus operandi would know he is a critic, not a praise singer. As would be expected, some government supporters have retorted on what they claim are the successes of this government to which Emmerson has turned a blind eye. These include the launching of Sierra Leone's first Sexual Offences Model Court, repealing the Criminal and Seditious Libel Laws, the introduction of Free Quality Education, recruitment of health care workers and commissioning of hospitals, increases in pensions, rehabilitation of electricity service in provincial towns and many other projects.

Not surprisingly, some opposition critics, mindful of the fact that Emmerson’s criticisms also rope them in as being complicit in the country’s mess claim he has treated this government with “kid’s gloves”. “Why did he not mention the recent killings, the violence at elections, the incarceration of opposition members, the usurpation of powers in Parliament etc.?”, they ask.

It would seem that Emmerson has succeeded in ruffling the feathers of both major parties, whom he claims have been responsible for our current predicament as a nation.

Many government supporters however caution against attacking Emmerson headlong. One writes:

“One thing I know for sure is the fact that we have an honest and genuine President determined to improve the lives of everyone in this country. Emmerson's new song is an eye opener to our President. It’s now time for HE to step in and make things right. Too many mistakes that require quick corrections in order for him to deliver safe and sound. Trust the process.”

But a few words of advice may be in place for government.

Criticism can be a God-given instrument of needed correction! There will be times when negative judgments about how you handle some situations are entirely appropriate. It does not necessarily have to be 100 percent correct. Listening to criticism is a leadership responsibility that does not appear in the job description, but it can make you a more effective and trustworthy leader if you handle it constructively.

But let’s get back to Emmerson. “What does he think is the solution?” He says past generations had the forlorn hope it would be their great grandchildren who would fare better but this generation is also making the same claim. Though this government comes in for a large share of his ire, past governments have also not got off lightly. And as for the rest of us the populace who Emmerson calls “Coconut heads”, it is up to us to prove we are not “coconut heads” and that we indeed have high IQs and are perceptive. Holding the hands of any government to the fire to address our myriad problems and making them pay dearly if they fail should be seriously considered if we are to move this nation forward. Emmerson has thrown down the gauntlet to us. If we don’t do this and become excuse.coms and wallow in confuse.com, we will have nobody to blame but ourselves. Let us put Emerson to shame and show that we are not a nation of “coconut heads”. Arise, ye “coconut heads” repent and change your ways. For the day of reckoning is nigh!

Ponder my thoughts. (WhatsApp)

Thursday 23rd July, 2020.

Report reaching this medium has indicated that an Inspector of the Sierra Leone (SLP) who also doubles as the Line Manager for the Tankoro Police Station in Koidu Town, Kono District has been transferred to another Police Station for failing to compromise with the file of the alleged sexual penetration investigation against Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray. The Inspector's transfer was completed on Monday July 20, 2020 just when the file arrived in Freetown as delivered by Tankoro Police LUC Sankoh.

The Inspector of Police who took all the allegation statements from the 15 years old, his Father and Mother gave his honest findings with his investigative team's findings that, the information given by the 15 years old where the alleged sexual penetration occurred could not be substantiated and that there's no credible evidence against Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray. The Investigative team in Kono went to Diamond Lodge Hotel where the alleged sexual penetration occured and records from the hotel verified that Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray has any point in time stayed in that hotel.

This medium further confirmed that another Investigation Team from Freetown left on Wednesday July 22, 2020 to Kono to try and manipulate the investigation and possibly bring up cookup evidence against Kamarainba.

The alleged sexual penetration was reported by the 15 years old and his parents that it occurred on February 14, 2020. To the astonishment of the general public, why did they waited for more than five (5) months before the allegations was reported? This is a clear ploy and orchestrated plan because no medical doctor can verify specimen of sex after five (5) months.

We are also calling on all media houses and Civil Societies Organizations to verify why the Inspector of Police who also doubles as Line Manager was transferred immediately after the file was transferred to Freetown. We can now clearly confirm that this allegation of sexual penetration that occurred way back on February 14, 2020 is a setup and politically motivated to silence Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray since he is the most vocal opposition leader in the country. Stay tuned for more revelations.

~Stardard Media outlet, Freetown, Sierra Leone.

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In the bid to examine their work, challenges, future plans and achievements towards the development of students of Fourah Bay College Student Union Government Executive has on Sunday 19th July 2020 concluded a three-day retreat at York Village in the Western Rural District.

The three days retreat attracted former Student Union Presidents, members of the Cabinet and a cross section of students of Fourah Bay College in order to discuss issues relating to the welfare of students, the college and the Student Union Government.

In his address, former President of Fourah Bay College, Ibrahim Sorie Kamara, described the gathering as not only important towards the development of the college but one that was timely at a moment like this when the welfare of students is their priority, adding that as former President of the Union he is very pleased with the tremendous work of the current President of the Union, Augustine Bona, and his Executive in lifting the name of Fourah Bay College high.

He assured the Student Union Body of his unwavering support towards the development of the college.

FBC SU President , Augustine Bona, said that since a decade of break in Student Union politics students have not been able to get access to better welfare and services stating that therefore his Government has recommitted itself to ensure that students receive the best of services at all times.

He said the resolutions adopted are central to bringing the best for FBC, stating how they are ground-breaking but very realistic and achievable too, adding that they are a recollection of the Rebuilding dream, with a renewed spirit of acceleration and achievability, as put forward by their Government.

He further disclosed that he is currently organizing an online Writing Competition as a great step to be taken by his Government to keep students mentally active during this period of the COVID-19 pandemic maintaining how he believes that he has a moral duty to serve the interests of students at all times. Further noting that the competition is also geared towards achieving their dream of rebuilding Fourah Bay College.

Giving the vote of thanks, Vice President of the Union, Claudia J.D Redwood-Sawyer extended appreciation to the entire cabinet members of the Union for their tireless efforts in trying to achieve their goals as a Government.

She urged them to continue the good work in working for the interest of the students of Fourah Bay College, adding that with determination and collectiveness they can achieve their mandate as a Union.

Source: (C) The Calabash Newspaper

After suffering in darkness for 30 years...

Kambia District To Enjoy Electricity Supply

By Bampia James Bundu:

Strategic Communications Unit,

Ministry of Information and Communications

After being in darkness for 30 years, Kambia district is on the verge of enjoying electricity supply, thanks to the intervention of the astute Minister of Energy, Alhaji Kanja Sesay, who on 17th July 2020 signed and handed over to the contractor the Kambia Township Electrification Project. The signing ceremony which took place at the Kambia District Council hall was witnessed by eminent personalities within and without Kambia District.

Addressing the people of Kambia, Energy Minister Alhaji Kanja Sesay said that signing of the contract agreement for the electrification of Kambia township and handing over of the contractor to the authorities of Kambia is in fulfillment of the manifesto commitment of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio to the people of Sierra Leone and Kambia Dictrict in particular.

He recalled that the President in his thank you visit to Kambia last year reassured the people that he would electrify the township which is exactly what they have started doing in Kambia and other district headquarter towns.

Minister Kanja Sesay underlined that electricity is not a privilege under the New Direction administration as it is considered by this government a fundamental human right that must be enjoyed by everyone irrespective of their political affiliation, ethnic or regional background. He maintained that the project will last for 18 months as government through the Ministry of Finance has committed resources to ensure that it is actualized.

"This project is 100% funded by the Government of Sierra Leone. We are electrifying Kabala, Kambia, Moyamba, Pujehun, Kailahun and Bonthe," he said, adding that the governing SLPP believes in giving back to the people of Sierra Leone; but not costmetic projects that die out in few years.

Alhaji Kanja Sesay urged the security sector and traditional authorities to monitor the contractors and ensure that the equipment are not stolen or misused by any person or persons within and out of the district.

He informed that the project will get underway in two weeks time and will be completed within the stipulated timeframe as government remains committed to providing the funds as required.

The Chief Administrator Kambia District Council, Dr. Edward Alpha, stated that as administrators and not politicians, their job is to actualize the policy statements of politicians.

Kambia District, according to him, has a huge growth potential and with energy there will be economic boom in the district.

As Council he said that the intervention will enable them raise more revenue from own source businesses.

He assured the minister and the contractor of their commitment to the success of the project and appealed to the contractor to always visit the Council if they need any assistance.

The Chairman Kambia District Council, Mohamed Yaya Bangura, described President Bio as a listening President who cares about all Sierra Leoneans irrespective of political affiliation.

He furthered that what the President is doing in Kambia is in fulfilment of the promise he made during his thank you visit to the district and they are happy to see that he is a man of his words - TALK AND DO President.

He disclosed that since 1980 to date Kambia District has been in total darkness which he referred to as a recipe for backwardness and hardship in the district. He noted that with the electrification of the township business and the the livelihood of the people will improve significantly.

He thanked the President through the Energy Minister and assured him of their total support to making the electrification project a reality. Giving an overview of the project, Engineer James Rogers discribed it as massive, assuring that it will stand the test of time.

He disclosed that the company will be installing One Thousand Five Hundred (1500) poles, 18 transformers, 64,000 meters of cable used, and 21 Ring Main Units installed, among other accessories. He added that the project will serve about *300 households within* the township during the first phase.

Following the declaration made by His Excellency and of commercial flight operations on the 22ndJuly 2020, the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Transport and Aviation in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority, Sierra Leone Airports Authority and the National COVID19 Emergency Response Centre (NACOVERC) publishes the following safety and public health guidelines which shall be strictly adhered to by all arriving and departing passengers at/from the Freetown International Airport.

ARRIVING PASSENGERS

1. All passengers shall produce a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) COVID-19 test result issued no longer than 72hrs before departure at point of origin.

2. At the check-in desk at the airport of embarkation, passengers are required to display travelers’ authorisation to Sierra Leone, received through the Government of Sierra Leone travel portal (www.travel.gov.sl). The travel authorization consists of:

• Negative PCR COVID-19 test result issued no longer than 72 hours before departure,

• Pre-departure public health passenger locator form

• Proof of payment for COVID-19 testing on arrival, paid through the online platform

3. Health officials will collect temperature, basic health screening data, and seat number on arrival.

4. All passengers shall be subjected to a mandatory COVID-19 test upon arrival:

• Passengers will simultaneously have a PCR test swab and an RDT test on arrival.

• If the RDT screening is negative, passengers are allowed to depart from the airport and observe public health protocols (mandatory proper mask wearing, hand washing, and physical distancing) while awaiting their PCR test result.

• If the RDT screening if positive, passengers will be isolated at a hotel in Lungi while awaiting their PCR test result. Note, the cost of the accommodation at the hotel shall be borne by the passenger.

• For all test results, the PCR result supersedes the RDT result.

• PCR results will be disseminated via the local contact number confirmed by the passenger on arrival.

5. All children under 2 years shall be exempted from pre-departure and arrival PCR test requirements.

6. Airline crew are exempted from the pre-departure and arrival PCR test requirements and should follow airline policy for testing. Airline crew must adhere to public health protocols.

7. Two temperature screenings will be conducted by Port Health Services. If temperature is

37.5 degrees Celsius or above, passenger will be taken aside for further observation.

8. All passengers shall go through a walk-through disinfectant channel/Infrared temperature scanner at the entrance of the arrival hall.

9. All passengers with machine-readable passports shall go through the Immigration E-gate system. Passengers with Emergency Travel Certificates or non-machine-readable passports shall go through the Immigration booth.

10. At the Baggage Reclaim section passengers shall maintain social distancing and observe all public health protocols, including proper use of face mask always.

11. All passengers will be directed to a Reception Lounge while awaiting their COVID-19 test.

12. Passengers with a negative RDT screening test are cleared to proceed to their destination, while awaiting their PCR result and adhering to public health protocols. PCR test results (available in no more than 48 hours) will be distributed via the contact confirmed on arrival.

13. If a passenger’s PCR test is positive, s/he will be contacted by public health authorities and taken to an appropriate treatment centre.

14. Passengers sitting near a positive case on the plane will be considered primary contacts. Self-quarantine and monitoring by public health officials will be required.

15. All passengers are strictly advised to observe all public health protocols (proper and constant use of face mask, hand washing/sanitizing, observing social distancing) as directed by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation / NaCOVERC.

16. The same protocols shall apply to all VIP passengers.

DEPARTING PASSENGERS

1. All passengers are subjected to a mandatory Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) COVID19 test with a negative result issued no longer than 72hrs before departure at the Freetown International Airport. Cost for this test will be borne by the passenger.

• Passengers will use the Government of Sierra Leone Travel Portal to request their pre-departure test, to pay for the test, and for scheduling sample collection.

• Passengers with negative PCR results will receive e-confirmation and certificates ahead of travel. Physical copies can be collected at the airport at a designated desk.

• Passengers with positive PCR results will not be permitted to travel and must follow public health protocols for isolation and contact tracing. They will be re-tested after seven days.

• Passengers who have entered Sierra Leone within five days shall be exempted from the mandatory additional test on departure.

• All children under 2 years shall be exempted from PCR test requirements.

2. On arrival at the airport, passengers shall be directed to a reception area to avoid congestion and ensure social distancing during the check-in process.

3. All passengers are encouraged to complete their check-in online before arriving at the airport.

4. All departing passengers shall go through the thermal screening/disinfectant channel at the airport’s departure entrance.

5. All departing passengers shall have their passport/travelling document verified before proceeding to the check-in counter.

6. Departing passengers shall proceed to the check-in counter for baggage drop and collection of their boarding pass. While at the check-in counter, they are mandated to produce their COVID-19 PCR negative test certificate or e-certificate issued within past 72 hours.

7. Departing passengers shall proceed to the immigration services for onward travel authorization via the e-gate or immigration booth.

8. All departing passengers shall go through security screening before proceeding to the departure hall.

9. All departing passengers shall proceed to the waiting lounge where social distancing, proper use of face mask and other health protocols shall be strictly observed.

10. All passengers shall proceed to the final screening and verification point prior to boarding the aircraft.

11. Boarding procedures shall be in accordance with the approved SOPs of the respective airlines.

12. All passengers are strictly advised to observe all public health protocols (proper use of face mask, hand washing/sanitizing, observe social distancing) as directed by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation / NACOVERC.

13. The same protocols shall apply to all VIP passengers

TRIBUTE TO THE LATE EMMANUEL FATOMA----MY SIERRA LEONE TEACHERS UNION (SLTU) COLLEAGUE AND NEPHEW IN--LAW

My tribute to the late Honourable Emmanuel Fatoma, former National Secretary General of the Sierra Leone Teachers Union (SLTU) and later husband of my niece Simeah Miata Fatoma nee Jonjo is also a story of how perfect strangers meet and how, GOD-willing, even enemies or people publicly perceived as professional and political opponents end up reconciling and becoming one family especially through marriage.

I am sure the truth of the details of the story I am narrating here can be corroborated by the Honourable Alpha Timbo, former teaching colleague of mine, former National Secretary General of the SLTU succeeding Emmanuel Fatoma, former Social Welfar Minister and more recently Minister of Education in Sierra Leone.

I am also sure the Honourable Joe Jackson, former APC-government Minister of Education in Sierra Leone can also testify to the truth òf aspects of this story in which he evidently played a positive part at a time when my senior brother the late Simeon Morsay Jonjo (widow Simeah Fatoma's father) was Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education.

The years were mainly 1983--1988 when I was a senior teacher at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Secondary School, Kissy Dockyard, and the school, having more than a hundred teachers was one of the largest institutional members of the Sierra Leone Teachers Union (SLTU). During this period the Honourable Emmanuel Fatoma was 'National Secretary General' of the SLTU.

As a secondary school teacher, and as I always do everywhere, I took my job seriously and during this period wrote two books that were widely accepted by teaching colleagues for use by pupils in Forms 4, 5, and for the 6th Form years.

With this background of committed professionalism as a teacher and popularity among professional colleagues, it was no surprise that the multinational staff team at the Ahmadiyya Secondary School had collective confidence in me and elected me in 1984 as the Shop Steward of the school to the Sierra Leone Teachers Union (SLTU) at which meetings thereafter I first met Emmanuel Fatoma as National Secretary General. At this time, I am sure no member of the entire JONJO Family knew Emmanuel Fatoma or had any social contact with him. I say this because first impressions go a long way to inform and build our perceptions of other people.

Emmanuel Fatoma in the 1980s was a medium-build, handsome, tall, intelligent and a very pleasant personality. No wonder my niece fell for him though not easily. As a professional teacher, trade unionist, and National Secretary General of the SLTU, Emmanuel Fatoma's eloquence and power of persuasion in the SLTU and beyond was remarkable. He was a true master of the public podium.

The 1980's was a period of severe economic hardships in Sierra Leone following especially the unwise financial decision of the APC government to host the $150 million Organisation of African Unity (OAU) Conference in 1980 and the subsequent 'Vouchergate' and 'Squandergate' affairs.

Civil servants, nurses, doctors, teachers, other professional workers and all public servants stood to suffer most as their monthly salaries were either not paid on time by the APC government or delayed in some cases for months.

Teachers, who naturally had no other means of making any extra money on their jobs (popularly known and called in local parlance as 'mass-mass') were naturally the most negatively affected by these economic hardships. So when 10,000 teachers of Sierra Leone in the Western Area of the country met, for example, at SLTU level to discuss these matters, it was a potentially explosive atmosphere of heated speeches and debates.

In these SLTU meeting scenarios, the very eloquent Emmanuel Fatoma ruled the roost until I arrived on the scene as a teacher colleague, SLTU member and Shop Steward of the Ahmadiyya school, later accompanied by the younger Alpha Timbo of the same school.

Right from the word 'go' the battle line was drawn because it was a battle of brains and brawns to decide whether teachers of Sierra Leone wanted continuity of the APC system of ' "late or non-payment of teachers monthly salaries and poor conditions of service"

OR

radical change that meant "prompt payment of teachers salaries and better conditions of service".

The officially better known and more eloquent Emmanuel Fatoma was relied on by the APC government to mesmerise and pacify teachers with his eloquence and send them home from these meetings without resorting to the government's much-dreaded strike action.

I represented and spoke on behalf of the overwhelming majority of the teachers of Sierra Leone.

Without him realising, the APC government further politically compromised what should have been Emmanuel Fatoma's independent Trade Unionist stance on national issues by nominating and appointing him as a "Nominated Member of Parliament"----a position or post which only the heads of politically-compromised institutions at the time such as the Armed Forces and the Police also held.

From quarterly regional meetings to annual conference of the Sierra Leone Teachers Union and in the local media, the JONJO--FATOMA battle raged with the teachers of Sierra Leone and the APC government as referees until the first opportunity of compromise surprisingly emerged.

It was at an SLTU National Conference and Emmanuel Fatoma accompanied by a delegation of supporters from the other regions of the country (North, South and East because I was in the Western Region delegation) decided to discuss issues of disagreement between himself and I.

TO my astonishment, and I am sure to Emmanuel Fatoma's surprise, many executive delegates from the Northern, Southern, and Eastern regions of the country who must have attended school in Moyamba Town headed by the late Joe Pyne from Bo and Mbayo from Kono rose up to talk not about the issues of controversy under discussion but to publicly commend my late mother Mama Abie Jonjo of Moyamba as:

"a kind and generous woman who helped them when they went to school. Therefore, they wanted compromise and unity between us as professional teachers and also as Sierra Leonean brothers and sisters---all serving the same motherland."

I thanked them profusely for their expressed sentiments but insisted and saw that resolutions agreed and decisions taken at the conference met the approval of a majority of Sierra Leone teachers. Thereafter, especially after seeing that most of his key executive supporters from the North, South and Eastern regions of the country were so well disposed towards me, the Honourable Emmanuel Fatoma's attitude and disposition toward me became cordial and friendly, if not intimately friendly.

It was during one of the many recociliatory meetings disputing members of the SLTU had with high government officials such as the Vice President, Ministers and Permanent Secretaries that Emmanuel Fatoma first met the late Simeon Jonjo who was my older brother and Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education.

At this stage, the Honourable Emmanuel Fatoma, fully respectful of the capability of the name 'JONJO' and the JONJO Family, became friends with my older brother.

Also at this time in the late 1980's Mr Simeon Jonjo had a daughter called 'Simeah Miata Jonjo' who had just graduated from university and was single while the Honourable Emmanuel Fatoma was a young, handsome, well--to--do and an eligible bachelor.

Miss Simeah Miata Jonjo soon became "Mrs Simeah Miata Fatoma nee Jonjo" and the rest is history.

Through this marriage, former protagonists Samuel Jonjo and the Honourable Emmanuel Fatoma became family and even when Hobourable Alpha Timbo later approached me in the late 1980's to inform me that:

"the teachers of Sierra Leone wanted me (Samuel Jonjo) to be their Secretary General of the SLTU in replacement of Honourable Emmanuel Fatoma,"

I turned down the offer on grounds that 'the Honourable Emmanuel Fatoma and I were now family.'

That is how Alpha Timbo took over the Secretary Generalship of the SLTU in succession to the Honourable Emmanuel Fatoma.

I have narrated this history of interaction between me and my nephew in--law, the late Honourable Emmanuel Fatoma to honestly and frankly honour him at his passing into eternity and also to vividly illustrate the following points:

1. That oftentimes in life, if we are kind and generous to children growing up, even if they are not our own, we end up making unexpected grateful friends, brothers and sisters for ourselves and our own children in the future.

Probably my relationship with the Honourable Fatoma could not have transformed from hostility to mutual respect and cordial friendship without his Northern, Eastern and Southern executive supporters' public praise and aporeciation of my late mother's kindness and generosity to them growing up as school kids in Moyamba.

2. That a good family name or a good family reputation is not built in a day, not even in a single generation.

Therefore, as President Obama of the United States said regarding his civil rights predecessors, "we in the present should always consider ourselves walking on the shoulders of giants---those who came ahead of us, worked hard, passed and left a legacy we have to continue. So we must always be respectful, grateful and thankful to them."

As a JONJO myself, I can readily say that the current crowd of JONJOs and JONJO-related familes, especially abroad, need a heavy dose of this.

3. That although in-house we Sierra Leoneans can sometimes under-estimate and sometimes even disrespect each other especially on tribal and ethnic lines, we are nonetheless a nation of very brilliant people everywhere we go, among fellow Africans and even the rest of the world.

The Honourable Emmanuel Fatoma was not only an eloquent and persuasive Sierra Leone trade unionist but also an intelligent and international teacher; which explains his professional sojourn and good reputation abroad in countries like Liberia, Ghana and Belgium where he lived for many years.

4. That as Sierra Leoneans, we are more connected in various ways than we think and working together with patriotism, respect and confidence in the abilities of each other, we can accomplish and achieve anything for our country.

There can be no monopoly of patriotism. So in the heat of arguments about what is right for the country, we should listen to others as well. The Honourable Emmanuel Fatoma was a good listener even if you disagreed with him. He was never violent as some so-called 'professional people and politicians' in Sierra Leone become when they realise they cannot win the argument. Emmanuel was always graceful in defeat.

5. That marriages do bring people and families together and by marrying Simeah Miata Jonjo many years ago, the late Honourable Emmanuel Fatoma brought unity between the JONJO and FATOMA families. I hope and pray that unity continues even after he has passed.

6. That every handsome, intelligent, educated, dashing and influential young man, such as the late Honourable Emmanuel Fatoma in the 1980s, needs a beautiful, educated, loving and submissive wife from a good family.

That wife or widow now left by the late Honourable Emmanuel Fatoma is my niece Mrs Simeah Fatoma nee Jonjo. To her I say: take courage and trust GOD in all things.

CONCLUDING, we say 'adieu' to you Honourable Emmanuel Fatoma and hope and pray that you rest and abide in GOD's peace till we meet again someday. RIP.

Uncle / Grandpa,

Samuel Jonjo (UK)