SMA Vote Sierra Leone

now browsing by tag

 
 

President Bio visits site of the fallen centuries old Freetown Cotton Tree

Sierra Leone Telegraph: 26 May 2023:

Sierra Leone’s most globally recognised and iconic landmark – the Freetown Cotton, succumbed to heavy rains and ferocious winds two nights ago. With only its stem now standing proudly as if taking its final bow before leaving the stage, after centuries of battering from the monsoon rain and dry harmattan winds, questions are now being asked about the future of the site.

The centuries old Freetown Cotton Tree was an historic monument, gifted by nature to the hundreds of freed Trans-Atlantic Slaves who arrived on the shores of Sierra Leone from USA, Canada, the Caribbean, and mid Ocean, following the abolition of slavery.

The new arrivals to the shores of Sierra Leone in an area christened – “the Land of the Free” – FREETOWN, became known as the Krios. Thousands of acres of land – “the Land of the Free” – bought by the British colonial government from local chiefs for the settlement of the new arrivals became home to the Krios.

A new Sierra Leone was born with the arrival of the Krios and the creation of Freetown the capital of the nation, and the Cotton Tree – at the heart of the capital.

With its roots and branches representing all the diverse people, cultures and languages of Sierra Leone, the death of the Freetown Cotton Tree has left behind not only its stem standing but questions about the country’s political and economic future.

Survived by over 7 million people, the Freetown Cotton Tree has not only witnessed generations of political leaders that have come and gone but has served as the only living thing standing right next to the seat of power – just yards away from the country’s Law Courts Building – to have witnessed centuries of human rights abuses, poor governance and bad leadership that have brought so much misery to the people of Sierra Leone – a country classed as one of the poorest in the world.

But as the saying goes – “where there is life, there is hope”. And this was poignantly captured yesterday on social media by Idris Elba who said this about the fallen Freetown Cotton Tree:  “This is very sad. The roots remain. Sierra Leone.”

Speaking just hours after the Cotton Tree had fallen, President Bio said: “The iconic Cotton Tree has fallen due to the heavy downpour of rain in our capital this evening. A great loss to the nation. It was regarded as a symbol of liberty and freedom by early settlers. We will have something at the same spot that bears testament to the great Cotton Tree’s place in our history. All voices will be brought together for this.”

Yesterday, the President went to the site as though to pay his last respect to a fallen hero. After his visit, President Bio said: “Today, I visited the site which has hosted our historic Cotton Tree for over two centuries in the centre of Freetown. It was a surreal sight to behold as I walked past the fallen Big Cotton Tree.

“The Cotton Tree is engrained in the rich cultural heritage of Freetown. To preserve this legacy for future generations, the relics of the fallen Cotton Tree will be taken to the National Museum by the Monument and Relics Commission. The preservation efforts will be spearheaded by the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs to serve as a reminder of our shared heritage and history.

“For us, the Cotton Tree wasn’t just a tree, it was a connection between the past, present and the future and we must strive to immortalise it. We also take solace in the knowledge that when a tree falls naturally due to extreme weather, a new life spring forward.

“Thank you to all the patriots who came out in solidarity. I implore all Citizens to respect the rich cultural heritage of the iconic Cotton Tree by applying restraint to tamper or demolish the fallen Tree. Together, we will preserve the legacy of unity, freedom and liberty of our iconic Cotton Tree.”

 

Credited to: www.thesierraleonetelegraph.com/

GREATEST INDEPENDENCE COMMEMORATION AS SIERRA LEONE CAPTURES THE TRUE ESSENCE OF INDEPENDENCE

Children were given top priority in this years Independence commemoration. The new government fully understands that true independence comes from liberating the mind.

President Bio made it categorically clear that “the Ministry of Finance make no budgetary allocations to fund Independence Day celebrations until generated domestic revenue makes up 20% of our Gross Domestic Product. ” This is a move that proves that our President puts the development of our great Republic above all else.

The First Lady working with the JMBWW, Security Services, some government ministries and goodwill from Sierra Leoneans both home and abroad, decide to commemorate the governments new vision on Human capital development, and a move from Partisan politics to patriotism.

Only schools in Freetown were invited with strict quota on the number of school kids. Schools in other district celebrated in their districts. Each school represented in the stadium , came with banners that prioritised Human Capital development, and full support for the Free Quality Education. To portray patriotism, the longest flag in Africa was paraded by over 1000 persons at the stadium.

The Chief Minister Prof. David Francis, stated in very stern terms, that Sierra Leone must take it’s place as a role model in Africa. This is not the time for unnecessary fanfare, but time for serious business. The First Lady in her vote of thanks, reiterated , that the new government is about working together to build a great Republic, so we will be truly independent. First Lady said “We should love our Sierra Leone more that we love ourselves “.

Strategic Communication Division
Office of The First Lady
info@officeofthefirstlady.gov.sl
+232 303 68273

SMA 2018 OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Special Movie Awards 3rd edition was a great success on Saturday 1st December 2018 at Djembe
hotel Senegambia. The event Special Guest of honour H.E Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of the
Republic of Sierra Leone was ably represented by the Sierra Leonean High Commissioner to The
Gambia. The Gambia Government officials, The Nigerian High Commissioner, The Oba of Yoruba
community in The Gambia, Film Makers, Actors and Actresses, Heads of institution, Private/
cooperate bodies and other sophisticated guests. The memorable night was filled glitz, glamour
and paparazzi as it generated a fantastic exposure for movie makers in the Gambia and beyond.
Out of 45 nominees, 16 lucky winners went home with beautiful SMA 2018 awards for the 16
different categories. 9 SMA Honorary Awards and certificates of appreciation was also given on the
night.
Her Excellency Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone our Special Guest of
honour was awarded “SMA 2018 Life time Award”

SPECIAL AWARD AWARDS (SMA 2018) 25 AWARDS GIVING AS FOLLOWS:
SMA 2018 Best Leading Male Actor ………JOHN JAITEH in Fatou 2
SMA 2018 Best Leading Female Actress…. MONICA DAVIES in Jangi Jollof
SMA 2018 Best Supporting Male Actor…….. ABOU MBYE in Beyond Greed
SMA 2018 Supporting Female Actress ……..MARIAMA BAJO in Don’t I Have A Right To Education
SMA 2018 Best Hair/Makeup Artist………….OMO IRABOR in Desperate of Wealth
SMA 2018 Best Costumier ………………….. MARIE MARENA in Why Me
SMA 2018 Best Sound ………………………..AYISATOU AIYEGBO in Beyond Greed
SMA 2018 Best Editor ………………………… ABEL MADU in Fatou 2
SMA 2018 Best Picture ……………………….. ALHAGIE MANKA in Sarata
SMA 2018 Best Documentary ………………… MY AFRICA Documentary
SMA 2018 Best Indigenous Film……………… KUBUKALABANG Movie
SMA 2018 Best Short Film …………………….. DESPERATE OF WEALTH Movie
SMA 2018 Best Feature Film …………………. SARATA Movie
SMA 2018 Best Comedy ………………………. AM FASTING Comedy
SMA 2018 Best Story/Screenplay……………. MOMODOU SABALLY in Jangi Jollof
SMA 2018 Best Director ………………………IBRAHIM CEESAY in Sarata
SMA 2018 HONORARY AWARDS
SMA LIFE TIME AWARD H.E FATIMA MAADA BIO. THE FIRST LADY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SIERRA
LEONE
SMA 2018 BEST INTERNATIONAL MEDIA AYV TV
SMA 2018 BEST MEDIA PARTNER PARADISE TV
SMA 2018 SPECIAL RECOGNITION PRINCE BUBACARR AMINATA SANKANU
SMA 2018 SPECIAL RECOGNITION AYODELE IYKE-IBEH
SMA 2018 ROYAL FATHER OF THE DAY HRH OBA (DR) MOSHOOD K.B ABOLADE (JP) ARIWAJOYE 1
SMA 2018 PARTNER AFRICELL
SMA 2018 PARTNER GAMCEL
SMA 2018 PARTNER AFRI ESTATE AND CONSTRUCTION

SL Best Picture

sma

Nominees

Voting officially opens on the 26th of August and closes 25th of September

Before voting please take a minute to watch your candidate’s short clips videos below,

SMA 2017 WINNER OF “BEST PICTURE SIERRA LEONE 

SL Best Editor

sma

Nominees

Voting officially opens on the 26th of August and closes 25th of September

Before voting please take a minute to watch your candidate’s short clips videos below,

SMA 2017 WINNER OF “BEST EDITOR SIERRA LEONE 

SL Best Director

sma

Nominees

Voting officially opens on the 26th of August and closes 25th of September

Before voting please take a minute to watch your candidate’s short clips videos below,

 

 

SMA 2017 WINNER OF “BEST DIRECTOR SIERRA LEONE 

SL Best International Film

sma

Nominees

Voting officially opens on the 26th of August and closes 25th of September

Before voting please take a minute to watch your candidate’s short clips videos below,

 

SMA 2017 WINNER OF “BEST FILM SIERRA LEONE 

SL Best Female Actress

sma

Nominees

Voting officially opens on the 26th of August and closes 25th of September

Before voting please take a minute to watch your candidate’s short clips videos below,

 

SMA 2017 WINNER OF “BEST FEMALE ACTRESS SIERRA LEONE 

SL Best Male Actor

sma

Nominees

Voting officially opens on the 26th of August and closes 25th of September

Before voting please take a minute to watch your candidate’s short clips videos below,

SMA 2017 WINNER OF “BEST MALE ACTOR SIERRA LEONE 

Copyright © 2014-2024 Afrinity Productions.

Powered By SML Media
| KABBO Theme by: D5 Creation | Powered by: WordPress