Commissioner Gembeh Engages Nigeria Minister of Foreign Affairs, allays fears of threats

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February 21, 2021

Commissioner Gembeh Engages Nigeria Minister of Foreign Affairs, allays fears of threats

Sheku Tanga
Information Attaché
Sierra Leone High Commission
Abuja, Nigeria

Plenipotentiary, ECOWAS Permanent Representative and Commissioner of the Sierra Leone High Commission in Nigeria, His Excellency Dr Solomon Momoh Christopher Gembeh Sr. and a cross-section of the Diplomatic staff on Thursday 18th February, 2021 ended a diplomatic briefing with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Government of Nigeria Geoffrey Jideofor Kwusike Onyeama.

Briefing the Minister, High Commissioner Gembeh first congratulated the Federal Government of Nigeria on behalf of President Bio and the Government of Sierra Leone for the successful landing of their candidate Bankole Adeoye to the Africa Union position of Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security.

He said Nigeria as a bigger nation within the sub region has played very important part to maintain peace and security and hoped that more will be done as they are now at the helm of affairs in terms of the maintenance of peace and security at the African Union.

Commissioner Gembeh, in his briefing, also figured out Sierra Leone as one of the major beneficiaries in terms of support from the Federal Government of Nigeria, especially during the interregnum wherein they provided adequate military support to end the civil war and restore peace and stability in the country.

He said that the rationale of the visit was to respond to allegation of the Federal Government of Nigeria that banking institutions owned and managed by Nigerians are under social media attacks in Sierra Leone, something that has caught the attention of the Federal Government.

He said if the allegations are fact based then it could have been propelled by detractors and may be other banking institutions for competing interest. He added that the central Bank of Sierra Leone has very close collaboration with Nigeria banks and that relationship will continue on a fruitful ground.

Referencing the Bank Governor of Sierra Leone, Commissioner Gembeh said that “Nigerian banks are of very good standings and are major players among other financial institutions that are boosting the local economy due to the employment opportunities created for Sierra Leoneans”.

On behalf of the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr Julius Maada Bio, High Commissioner Gembeh assured the Foreign Minister and the Federal Government of Nigeria a strong determination to deepen and consolidate the already existing bilateral ties both countries are currently enjoying.

On his part, the minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Geoffrey Jideofor Kwusike Onyeama first appreciated Sierra Leone for the sacrifice made to support Nigeria for the position of Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security at the Africa Union. He assured that Sierra Leone has a lot to gain in compensation for backing Nigeria adding that they will ensure collectiveness in working towards maintaining peace and security in the sub region and Africa at large. He promised to take forward concerns projected by High Commissioner Gembeh for further engagements.

The minister and the High Commissioner had a closed-door engagements at the end of the briefing

SWASAL ENDS REFRESHER TRAINING FOR SPORT JOURNALISTS

Sports

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February 21, 2021

By Mohamed Konneh

The Sports Writers Association of Sierra Leone (SWASAL) has ended a two-day training and symposium for sports journalists at the Harry Yanseneh Memorial Hall, SLAJ Headquarters, 56 Campbell Street in Freetown.
The training is part of an effort to capacitate sports journalists in the country, starting with a symposium on 18th February through to 19th February 2021.
The training was made possible through the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) COVID-19 relief fund provided by the world governing body FIFA.
SWASAL also received additional support from its parent body the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) for this training.
Making his presentation, Lead facilitator, Dr. Francis Sowa, dealt with the repeal of Part 5 of the Public Order Act of 1965 and the newly enacted IMC Act 2020.
Dr. Sowa noted that sports reporting is among the finest reportage across the globe citing the best of commentaries during the match day.
This makes sport reporting unique adding that Sierra Leone could also boast of fine sport journalists men and women in the country.
He however noted that no sports journalist is exempted from the law noting that on daily basis journalists especially come in conflict with the law.
“The criminal libel law is no more hanging over us but there are still laws that guide and regulate the media. The civil libel is still in place and this is the more reason I was happy when told SWASAL will be having training in this direction. As journalists we all have to adhere to the rules and regulation governing the profession, he said”.
He also touched on the COVID 19, SLAJ CODE of Ethics, the Independent Media Code of Practice and other statutory instruments related to operations of journalists in Sierra Leone.
Making his presentation also, Dr. Abdulrahman Swaray, spoke on professional journalism, its practice using the 5Ws & H in reporting more especially during the COVID-19 era.
He encourages journalists to always cross-check their fact before publishing.
Speaking earlier, SWASAL President Frank Ernest Magnus Cole, described the training as very important noting that under his tenure this is the fifth training organized under his watch.
He said the capacity building was part of his manifesto during the campaign while noting that his executive has done a lot during his tenure.
“My term is coming to an end but my support will continue especially in the area of building the capacity of colleague journalists. This training and many of the other training done was geared towards building your capacity and I called on you to do your work professionally and accurately, and be a good example to society, he said”.
Hawa Dauda is among beneficiaries who noted that the training was timely and very educative.
“We learnt so much during these two days. There are lots of things I never knew about but this training has opened my eyes to them. Thank you SWASAL for this opportunity and we will make sure we put what we have leant into practice, she said”.
The 2021 SWASAL training and Symposium treated relevant topics including Olympic Reporting, Principles of professional media reporting, introduction to ethical reporting, Public Order Act 1965 (repeal) and the new IMC act and Media Code of practice.
The training was climaxed by the presentation of certificates.

Kuwait Trade Union Federation Provides Domestic Workers Training For Sierra Leoneans

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February 21, 2021

Kuwait Trade Union Federation Provides Domestic Workers Training For Sierra Leoneans

20th February 2021
Hawally, Kuwait

As part of its mandate to address legal issues affecting migrant workers, the Kuwait Trade Union Federation, in association with Solidarity Centre, has organized a Domestic Labour Law Seminar for Sierra Leoneans working as domestic workers in the State of Kuwait.

The purpose of the seminar was to provide orientation for workers against ill-treatment faced during work. The Domestic Labour Law (NO. 68, 2015) provides a remedy to the legislative gaps in connection with the regulation of domestic workers’ affairs.

Welcoming participants, the Secretary-General of Kuwait Trade Union Federation, Mohamed Al-Arada revealed that the Domestic Labour Law Seminar was the 13th training programme organised to give Sierra Leoneans a better understanding of the precepts of Domestic Labour Law and how to seek redress in case of any eventuality. He assured that the Kuwait Trade Union Federation was open to addressing domestic complaints as well as providing other assistance in the future.

“More specifically, we thank the Sierra Leone Embassy in the State of Kuwait for honouring the invitation. We believe this is a demonstration of their love and service for the country and readiness to address issues affecting Sierra Leoneans who are working as domestic workers in the State of Kuwait,” he said.

Abdulrahman Al-Turki, the Program Coordinator of Solidarity Centre, extends thanks and appreciation to Kuwait Trade Union, Sierra Leone Embassy, the Union and Sierra Leonean for participating in the seminar. He emphasized that domestic workers in the State of Kuwait must know their rights in defence against injustices, adding further that the seminar would serve as a source of empowerment for them.

In his statement, the President of the Sierra Leone Union, Alpha Vangahun appreciated the Federation and Solidarity Centre for organising the seminar, which he considered as a useful guide in addressing the daily issues affecting Domestic Workers and for recognizing Sierra Leone Union as one of the major interest groups agitating for migrant workers in the State of Kuwait.

“Sierra Leoneans, especially females, are here today to learn the various provisions of the Domestic Labour Law because it concerns them. Though it was not easy to assemble them because of work and other perturbing issues relating to documentation, we realised that this seminar is pivotal in addressing most of the problems associated with their sponsors,” he stated.

Presenting the legal basis of the Domestic Labour Law, the Legal Consultant of the Kuwait and Middle East Financial Investment Company, Khalid Al-Shurman informed Sierra Leoneans that the Domestic Labour Law was a powerful weapon with which workers must arm themselves with. Disclosing the many sections protecting domestic workers, he mentioned that problems facing domestic workers required close collaboration.

“The law is important because it grants enforceable rights to domestic workers, and these rights border on a weekly rest day, one-month paid annual leave, number of working hours (12) with an hour break, provided that continuous working hours for domestic working does not exceed five hours; and end-of-service benefit estimates at one month for each year. In addition to the above, sponsor should also provide adequate housing, food, clothing and treatment for domestic workers. It is not allowed for any recruiting agency to collect money from domestic workers for the purpose of recruitment; the law sees it as extortion which is punishable,” he highlighted during the presentation.

In his closing remarks, he advised participants to always have a copy of their contract as this had prevented many the opportunity of lawfully seeking redress. Depending on the severity of the issue, he admonished them to always use the Embassy and the recruiting agency as official channels for complaints instead of absconding.

Kuwait Trade Union Federation plays an integral role at the national policy level, maintaining a vigorous presence in deliberations on proposed labour law reform, economic restructuring, trade union rights and democratic freedoms.

Cyril Barnes,
Information Attachè,
Sierra Leone Embassy,
The State of Kuwait
Contact: +96599827207

PRESIDENT BIO APPLAUDS EU, NAO, MoYA, NAYCOM, CSE & PARTNERS FOR YOUTH SKILLS DEVELOPMENT IN ROAD CONSTRUCTION

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February 21, 2021

PRESIDENT BIO APPLAUDS EU, NAO, MoYA, NAYCOM, CSE & PARTNERS

20th February 2021- HE President Julius Maada Bio has applauded EU, National Authorising Office (NAO), NAYCOM, CSE and partners for giving life skills in road construction to youths in Pujehun district along the Bandajuma-Liberia border road project funded by EU.

Addressing some of the youths at Malema 2 on his way to Jendema, President Bio thanked CSE for training the young people noting that these young people will form a ready workforce for work in future road construction projects in the country “ours is a human capital development government, therefore, people should be at the center of everything that we do.”

He acknowledged the gender sensitivity of the project that gives the opportunity to young women whom he said have been disadvantaged for a very long time.

Commissioner Ngolo Katta said the project will train 1540 young people in various skills in road construction including welding, masonry, carpentry, steel bending, heavy-duty machine operators etc. He added that the project trains community youth with no qualification and graduate youth who require hands-on training as engineers. Commissioner Katta also said that the project provides stipends to the youth who will also benefit from the end of training support.

Mr. Katta thanked all the partners National Authoring Office NAO, Ministry of Planning and Economic Development MoPED, Ministry of Youth Affairs, CSE, Sierra Leone Roads Authority, Sierra Leone Institute of Engineers, Sierra Leone Local Content Agency and NCTVA.

Few young women training as operators of heavy-duty machines demonstrated their new skills in view of the President and entourage.

Meanwhile, the Director of NAO Mr. Ambrose James presented a summary update report of the road construction works as of January 2021 to President Bio.

©️NAYCOM

NaCOVERC MEDIA UPDATE 19th FEBRUARY, 2021

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February 20, 2021

NaCOVERC MEDIA UPDATE 19th FEBRUARY, 2021

MRU NEW CONFIRMED CASES

SIERRA LEONE = 12

GUINEA = 66

LIBERIA = 0

IVORY COAST = 115

TOTAL = 193

CUMULATIVE DEATHS

SIERRA LEONE = 79

GUINEA = 85

LIBERIA 85

IVORY COAST = 183

TOTAL = 432

CUMULATIVE TESTS FOR SIERRA LEONE

= 420

Districts Aggregation

WAU 12

First Lady Free Sanitary Pads Distribution: Pujehun District

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February 20, 2021

Her Excellency, Madam Fatima Bio on Friday 19 February 2021 commenced the distribution of free sanitary pads to school girls within Pujehun District as part of a nationwide distribution process targeting 60,000 beneficiaries.
The distribution exercise in Pujehun District was witnessed by senior government officials including the Sierra Leone Ambassador to China H.E Alex Ndomahina and members of both Julius Maada Bio Women Wing and Associate and the Fatima and Maada Bio foundation.
In her statement at the distribution event in Holy Rosary SecondarySchool in Pujehun District,
Madam Fatima told the cheerful young girls that menstruation was natural and they should not be ashamed of it.
“Menstruation is not a choice, you need not be ashamed because it is not a crime,” Madam Fatima told the girls and called on them to focus on their education and say ‘no’ to early marriage and teenage pregnancy.
She said the delivery of the free sanitary pad was in fulfilment of a promise she and H.E President Julius Maada Bio made to provide hygienic sanitary pads to school girls as part of the ‘Hands off Our Girls’ Campaign to keep them in school during their menstruation period.
The free sanitary pads were safe to use and it is certified by the United Nations. One pack contains 120 pieces of pads to last for a year. She displayed the pads to girls and explained it’s proper use, emphasizing the pads should not be sold.
The First Lady told the girls to ignore fake news on social media, this was the first time she was giving out free sanitary pads. The pads were to support the girls to stay in school and not be hindered by their menstrual circle.
The principal of the Holy Rosary Secondary School in Pujehun District, Philip E Mando praised the First Lady and President Bio for the Free Quality Education, noting that most of the girls were in school because of the Free Quality Education.
The CEO of Maada and Fatima Bio Foundation, Mrs Samba in her statement said she stands as a proud woman to see this historic event, the foundation has been existing for over 3 years and they have been working towards developing girls.
The “????? ??? ??? ?????” initiative is the flagship program of the first lady. It includes advocacy work both national and international in creating awareness for the need to protect and educate our children, with emphasis on girls. The distribution of sanitary pads to girls was the climax of the event.
Strategic Communication Division
Office of The First Lady
info@officeofthefirstlady.gov.sl
+232 303 68273