By Sorie Sudan Sesay & Fatai Ogunribido in London.
Sierra Leone’s First Lady has said she was lucky to be crowned Mother Of The Nation at the London Awards of Excellence organised by the African Children and Youth Centre (ACYC).
Sia Koroma made this remarks in London when she was presented with the award by ACYC’s Executive Director Aminata Conteh.
Conteh said the nomination of the First Lady by people was unanimous and that she was honoured for her outstanding contributions towards the cause of women and the plight of children in Sierra Leone.
’I am accepting this award in good faith because it is very special to me,” the cheerful First Lady said at a ceremony also witnessed by the Chairperson of the All People’s Congress United Kingdom/Northern Ireland branch Kumba Momoh.
Sia Koroma said the award means a lot to her reputation considering the fact that hundreds of Africans have contributed towards the welfare of their people without being identified and recognised, adding “it is therefore why I consider myself lucky that somewhere my activities are being recognised”.
Other members present at the special presentation included; the award publicist, Fatai Ogunribido of Eclipse Media Network, Fyna Dowe an executive member and young Mariama Conteh, representing ACYC Young People.
Apart from her role towards the plight of women and children, Sia Koroma had made significant contributions in complimenting the efforts of her husband since his election as President of Sierra Leone.
While previous First Ladies in Sierra Leone reduced themselves into domestic affairs, Sia Koroma had been a tremendous support to her husband’s cause and this had earned her great respect not only locally but internationally over the years.
It is perhaps the reason why her award as Mother Of The Nation did not come as a surprise to many Sierra Leoneans.
According to her, news of the award by the media in Sierra Leone brought sharp memories on Sierra Leoneans who responded with congratulatory messages as well as mild celebrations in the country.
Mrs Koroma has worked in various capacities as a mental nurse and consultant in the United Kingdom.
Over the years, the First Lady had centred her activities in Sierra Leone more on building of hospitals and the rehabilitation of homes to bring comfort to the less-privileged.
Several other distinguished Sierra Leoneans were also honoured during the ceremony. They include Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Melvin Chaloba, popular businessman and philanthropist Vincent Kanu, footballer Mohamed Kallon and musical group Jungle Leaders and Emmerson Borbor Belleh to mention but a few.
Aminata said the awards are aimed to encourage and motivate other Sierra Leoneans to contribute towards national development which is very much needed now after years of senseless civil war which left the country heavily devastated.
Photos, top to bottom: Aminata (left)explaining a point to First Lady Sia Koroma, Aminata with First Lady, Kumba Momoh(APC-UK chairlady), First Lady and Aminata.
Comments