Timbo unites SLPPNA at the USA Caucus for Alpha O Timbo first fundraising dinner and dance
On Saturday, 23rd Oct. 2010, the USA Caucus for Alpha O Timbo (in photo) proved beyond all reasonable thought that Hon. ALPHA O. TIMBO, among all the other aspirants that have stormed the diaspora so far, he stood out clearly as a real quality crowd puller of diasporans from all the four corners of Sierra Leone. The event was a historic one that attracted Africans from many major cities from the United States both young, middle, old age and people with different political opinions like the SLPPNA and the SLPP-ALLIANCE, hugging, talking, eating and dancing together. It was very amazing, the parking lot was full to capacity, the sidestreets of New York Ave. Day’s Inn, the venue for the event were also occupied with vehicles, and people had to return home for lack of parking. Considering, the fact that on that very day in our community there were several events where people could have gone to eat, drink and wine for free but instead chose to come and pay to listen to this young, dynamic and visionary leader, clearly indicates, that if our party really wants to bounce back to power in 2012, TIMBO IS THE MAN that can do it for us. He has the charisma, ability and strategy to bring people from all walks of life together regardless of tribe, region and political preference to support him.
In the banquet hall, you will be proud to be part of the Timbo Movement to see the kind of people that were seated, waiting patiently to welcome a man whom many see as the OBAMA, of SIERRA LEONE. These are people that matter very much in the SLPP, the Sierra Leonean and African communities of Washington DC. Metro. The able Financial Secretary of the Timbo Caucus, Mr. Mohamed L. Bah, called the occasion to order and welcomed Mr. & Mrs. Timbo, into the hall. When the couple entered, they were given a standing ovation with thunderous applauses. If even you are not a supporter of the aspirant, you cannot help yourself but admire, as he looks very Presidential. The program was started by Mr. Alex Bangura, the secretary general who welcomed the audience with some bombastic words of praise that added some laughter and humor into the never to be forgotten night of fun. He introduced the MCs’ of the occasion, Mr. Fofi Baimba and Mrs. Neneh Bah Jalloh. This was followed by the introduction of the chairman of the USA Caucus for Timbo, Alhaji Mohamed Sadu Bah, by Mrs. Neneh Bah Jalloh. The chairman then made brief opening remarks and introduced the current members of the Caucus. Its composition is a microcosm of the tribes of Sierra Leone. He further appealed to all and sundry, to join the Caucus. Mr. Gbonda Se – Deputy Secretary- General of the A. O. T Caucus, introduced the guest speaker Mr Amara Kuyateh, who gave a very inspirational speech about the achievements of the REAL ALPHA O.TIMBO. After that speaker after speaker elaborated on areas that impressed them of Hon. Timbo’s very progressive achievements starting from his days as a student at Fourah Bay College, Secondary School Teacher, SLTU Sec. Gen, Sierra Leone Labour Congress – Leader, Civil Society Movement Activist to those of his tenure as Labour Minister in the Dr. Ahmad Tejan Kabba, government and also as a law student at Fourah Bay College, while serving as Labour Minister. The spreadsheet of experience that he had gained while serving Sierra Leone, in all the afore-mentioned positions the speakers re-iterated, qualified him to be the next President of Sierra Leone that has the tremendous potential to save our country better than what we have now.
Dinner was served and a brief video clip was shown depicting the history of Sierra Leone before and after independence and the consultative tours of Hon Timbo, in Sierra Leone before coming to the diaspora. However, the video session was cut short due to lack of time. The highlight of the night manifested itself when Mr. David Nyakoi, ascended on the stage with vigor to introduce the Keynote speaker, Honorable Alpha O. Timbo. Mr. Nyakoi, in his introduction wasted no time that in pointing out that A.O.T became a community organizer way back at Fourah Bay College, during the turbulent days of the Dr. Siaka Stevens’ Administration. And that a man of his caliber is what we needs to put us back on the map of progressive African Nations. Many people in the diaspora and home share his beliefs as pointed out by Mr. Gus Kebbie, in his defense for endorsing Hon. Timbo, “Our country is beckoning for a kind of leadership that is uncontaminated by the prejudices and tribalism of the past. We want a leader who is selfless and who is ready to serve Sierra Leone, not just the North and West, or the East and South. After listening to some of the aspirants, the one most suitable for that job is Hon Alpha Timbo. He has a track record of organizing and helping people to earn their daily bread. He has a track record of keeping his words, and does not betray the confidence or trust of the people. He has no history of caving in to temptations, and he is loyal only when such loyalty is appropriate”. Such testimonials coming from some of the doyens of the SLPP in America, proved that the man is a real God sent for the people of Sierra leone to utilize, if only we in the SLPP can do the right thing, which we believe will happen that’s why yes! We can with A.O.T, is now the popular mantra in some quarters of the Sierra Leone communities in America.
At about 2:15 AM, the man of the hour took over the stage from comrade David Nyakoi, to give his keynote address to the people present in the banquet hall and even beyond because as he was speaking folks were busy sending clips and messages of the high points of the speech with their cell phones to friends, relatives and social networking communities like the SLPP List serve, Facebook etc.. It was a night of oneness and common cause solidarity. Hon. Timbo, started his message by recognizing members of the high table which included the leader of the NDA party Alhaji Amadu Jalloh, by thanking all for leaving their busy schedules to grace this very important event with their presence. The message itself was simple, straight forward and based on four items – Tejan Kabba Administration record, Appeal to all Sierra Leoneans and friends of Sierra Leone to join in moving the country forward, Why is he the best among a stream of qualified aspirants to lead the SLPP and subsequently Sierra Leone and a brief explanation of his strategy to defeat the current APC government. He went on to point out that as one of the members of the past Tejan Kabba, administration, he was not at all happy to hear people say “ Tejan Kabba, did not do a thing for SIERRA LEONE”. He furthered that what Tejan Kabba, did for our country besides the achievement of sustainable peace and security which are foremost key ingredients for development as against getting electricity first, should not be forgotten so soon due to the robust propaganda machine of the APC, who cannot point at one new initiative of their own. He said, that Ex-president Kabba, handed over a growing economy, road network construction projects, newly constructed schools, health centres, markets and community centres, almost completed Bumbumna Hydro Project and above all, a country that has recovered tremendously from a nearly failed State, to one that is ready for speedy development, if only the right leadership is in place.
He humbly, appealed to all peace and progress loving Sierra Leoneans to be involved in the country, that is, if we truly want to get away from the status quo. He spoke lengthily about the development he wants to steer in Sierra Leone, one of inclusiveness, where the taxi driver, labourer and the man with a PHD in whatever discipline, are given equal opportunity to engage in whatever legal business they are interested in.
As to why he is the best aspirant to lead the SLPP, and eventually Sierra Leone, he invited all to take some moment of their time to research his record by any means necessary. He said, he believes he has served Sierra Leone impeccably for a long time and that he is young, healthy and more equipped now to seek the highest office in the land. He summed up his message by briefly citing his famous soccer field strategy to defeat the current President. That is keeping the ball permanently in the half of your opponent’s part of the field. In so doing, appoint a robust assistant captain with a formidable defense to man your own half of the field. In that light, he went to say, the chance for your side to score either through penalty or otherwise are great.
He recognized the presence of the First Lady of the SLPP, Mrs. Benjamin and daughter and thanked all for coming and prayed that GOD, grant the SLPP victory. At this moment, the crowd erupted with thunderous applauses and scrambled for photo opt. with the aspirant. A fund raising marathon was then lunched by the MCs’ Mr. Fofi Baimba and Ms. Neneh Bah Jalloh, assisted by Alhaji Sadu Bah, Mr. Sallu Saidu (SPARKO). As reported by the great Jaiah C. Kallon “ The former minister reminded his audience that unlike the other political parties, SLPP has got zero tolerance for tribalism”. “We’ve always been over and above tribalism, which is why our motto is ‘One Country, One people.’ Had the SLPP been a ‘Mende-man’s Party’ as is part of the other side’s pin-headed propaganda, I wouldn’t have been a member of its national executive council for ten years, and the only one who was repeatedly elected unopposed.”
“Mr. Timbo had a message for pundits who doubt whether the SLPP’s predominantly Mende supporters would elect a Fula man as its flag-bearer: “To those of my people who ask, ‘Den go gie you?’, (Will the Mendes give it to you?) I say, they won’t just take it and give it to me. I have to fight for it. Even the Mende people who want it are fighting for it right now. If it were a Mende-man’s Party, the Mendes themselves wouldn’t be fighting so hard for the nomination.”
Among the many SLPP leaders and other dignitaries who rallied to honor the rising star and help raise funds for his campaign were former Parliamentary Whip, Hon. Victor Reider; SLPP North America vice chair-elect, Momodu Maada Sheku; SLPP Alliance interim chair, Foday Sesay; Regional Secretary General Murtada B. Tunis; former Regional chair, Sallu ‘Sparko’ Saidu; former Regional Publicity Secretary, Alpha Saidu Bangura; SLPP Washington-DC Chapter chair, Namisa C. Koroma; Maryland Chapter interim Organizing Secretary, Abu-Bakarr Barry (Barry Whyte); Dover-Delaware Chapter Chair, Fofie Baimba and vice-chair Commander Bobor Bayoh; former Regional Women’s Leader Mariatu Bah; Virginia Chapter Secretary General, Bockarie Year Kargbo; Interim Maryland Chapter Financial Secretary, Gbonda Sei; and Washington-DC Women’s Leader, Isata Gboyah.
Also in attendance were Tegloma-Washington-Metro chair, Victor Tarmoh; Fula Progressive Union president Abu B. Jalloh; Kailahun District Association chair, Julius L. Aruna; and Delaware Valley (Philadelphia) Young Generation leader Martin Sama Banya. Also present were many local SLPP elders, including Messrs Francis Bundu, Ernest Pettiquoi, Tony KaiKai, Sheku Kallon, Moinina Sawi, Abu Barrie, Bockarie Conteh, and Abu Jalloh.
The great Attila rocked the crowd with some of his most popular tracks after which Madam. Patricia Bakarr, of Afro National Fame started her performance by calling Mr. & Mrs. Timbo, to join her on the stage. When she sang such mende tracks like SONJO the whole place was turned upside down with hugging, dancing and remembering the good old days of Sierra Leone. Patricia, vowed that she would do whatever that is within her power to help Timbo, succeed. The party continued till the wee, wee, hours of the morning.
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