Sierra Leone: WAII, Civittan award President Koroma
President Dr Ernest Bai Koroma on Monday 17th February received a certificate of appointment to serve as the Grand Chief Patron of the West African Institute of Insurance (WAII). The presentation, which was made by the Director-General of the institute, Fredrick Bowen-John, is in recognition of the services rendered to the institute by the President.
Civita award
Receiving the award at State House, President Koroma expressed profound delight in welcoming Mr. John home as he is the first Sierra Leonean to hold such a position at WAII. He described his leadership as very young, and said “we expect a new thinking.”
President Koroma pointed out that the institute has come a long way with substantial contributions, ranging from its relocation from Liberia to The Gambia, and therefore encouraged the new leadership of the institute to address the emerging challenges by way of restoring sustainability. He encouraged the Director-General of WAII to consider the diversification of courses offered by the institute.
The President assured the institute of his continued support, saying he is always ready to share and have fund memories with his colleagues in the industry. He however reminded Mr. Bowen-John that he is not only going to represent himself and the institute out there, but Sierra Leone as a country.
CIvittan group
On his part, the Director-General described his visit as a unique opportunity for him to be the first Sierra Leonean alumni of the institute to pay a courtesy call on President Koroma.
He further noted that the visit and presentation of a letter of appointment was in recognition of the services rendered to the institute by the President as they were now ready to revive the Sierra Leone chapter of the institute.
Presenting the delegation to President Koroma, Alhaji Minkailu Mansaray said Mr John holds a bachelor’s degree from Fourah Bay College, Executive masters degree and series of professional diplomas and certificates.
In a related development, Civitan International also presented an award of appreciation to President Koroma for his long standing support to the organization’s programmes in Sierra Leone.
Welcoming the group, President Koroma described the initiative of Civitan International to encourage young people for leadership programmes as a welcome development.
WAII group
He said Sierra Leone has made tremendous progress towards encouraging youngsters to inculcate the spirit of leadership and the culture of volunteerism, particularly among school-going children in order to nurse the spirit of nationalism.
President Koroma said Civitan International youth leadership drive is firmly tied up with government’s new national programmes to motivate school-going children and other Sierra Leoneans. – By State House Communications Unit
