Annual
Sierra Leone
48th
Independence
Anniversary Celebrations
On Friday April 24th, 2009 there was a massive
turn-out of central Ohio Sierra Leone community at the Ohio State
House Lawn to witness their Green, White and Blue flag hoisted to
commemorate Sierra Leone’s
48th Independence Anniversary.
Before that, they were hosted at the Governor’s Office for a
brief meeting, in which the Governor’s Representative, Mr. Matthew
Colopy, expressed words of felicitation and read a Proclamation from
Governor Ted Strickland on the occasion to celebrate
Sierra Leone’s 48th
Independence Anniversary. The keynote address for that brief meeting
was given by Ambassador Alhaji Ibrahim Sorie Conteh,
Sierra Leone’s Deputy Chief of Mission to the United States of America and Canada,
who deputized for Ambassador Bockarie Stevens.
In his address, he highlighted on the achievements of the
present government, headed by Dr. Earnest Bai Koroma and his vision
for the way forward during his term of office.
The meeting was chaired by Dr. Dennis Koroma.
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The celebrations continued on Friday evening, after Christian and
Muslim prayers, with dinner, speeches, and cultural entertainments.
Several organizations in Columbus, including the
APC
and SLPP, made speeches that cited Sierra Leone’s milestone since
independence, unity, the sustenance of peace after the 11 years
brutal war, tolerance and vision for our beloved country.
There was also a large turn-out for the gathering, which
included friends from other African countries.
Mr. Napoleon A. Bell, II, Executive Director, Community
Relations Commission represented Mayor Michael B. Coleman of
Columbus, Ohio. He
conveyed the Mayor’s greetings and sentiments on the occasion to
commemorate the 48th Independence Anniversary of Sierra
Leone. He spoke of his
close connection with members of the
Sierra Leone
community in Columbus, Ohio, and expressed his desire to visit Sierra Leone.
Ambassador Alhaji Ibrahim Sorie Conteh as the Guest of Honor
expressed delight at the unity and love that Sierra Leoneans in Columbus, Ohio
showed for their country.
Mr. Ahmed Kanu and Mrs. Marian Kanu were chairpersons for the
evening occasion.
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On Saturday April 25th, 2009, there was a soccer
match between
Sierra Leone
and Guinea,
in which Guinea
suffer a humiliating defeat of 3-1.
This was followed by a fund raising dance that lasted till
4:00 am. Again, members
of the Central Ohio Sierra Leone community showed solidarity by
coming out in their hundreds to the dance to celebrate a memorable
occasion.
The celebrations ended with a Thanksgiving Service at Christ Liberated Sabbath Mission Church on Sunday April 26th 2009.
Throughout the celebration that started on
Friday, April 24th, 2009, Sierra Leoneans in Columbus,
Ohio were blessed with the presence of their Ambassador to the
United States of America and Canada.
The Sierra Leone Club of Columbus, Ohio appreciated his
presence, especially, for choosing to come to Columbus, Ohio amidst
all other Sierra Leone Communities in the United States of America.
We love his humility and the lasting friendship that he made
with the Sierra Leone Community in Columbus, Ohio.
Long live the Sierra Leone Club of Columbus, Ohio!
Long live Sierra Leone!
Emmanuel
S. Leigh
Public Relation Officer
