OKSA 50th Anniversary fundraising ball was extraordinary and superb
July 16, 2011 was a night to remember at Mirage Hall, University Boulevard in Maryland where alumina and friends of Old Kolenten Secondary School converged to celebrate and raise funds for the construction of a multi-purpose building in Kolenten Secondary School Kambia. (Photo: Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella, Director General of UNIDO keynote Speaker)
Old students of Kolenten from the establishment of the school in 1961 to the 1980s were gathered with a spirit of friendship in retrospection of the good old days in which most of the students are thanking the Almighty for the great achievement they have received through the foundation laid by principals and teachers of Kolenten Secondary School.
Partial view of awardees
In his opening remarks, Chairman Hassan Baraka thanked attendees for honoring this great occasion. He outlined the developments OKSA has initiated in Kolenten since the organization was founded. He particularly mentioned the multi-purpose building which is under construction and called on old students to give their unflinching support for the realization of the project which will be dedicated to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Kolenten Secondary School. He however commended Mr. Sidi Sheriff the Secretary General of OKSA for his outstanding and relentless efforts in promoting the affairs of OKSA. Chairman Baraka said, “I will never have succeeded in my role as chairman if it were not for my able secretary general. He is always there and goes beyond the call of duty when issues pertaining OKSA props-up.”
Awards were given to individuals that made greatest contributions towards the multi-purpose project under construction. However, certain individuals were concerned that an occasion marking the 50th anniversary should not have been limited to donors towards the project but should have been extended to teachers and students who made indelible contributions to the fame of Kolenten for years since its founding.
OKSA members singing the school song
The keynote speaker of the occasion was Mr. Kandeh K. Yumkella, Director-General of UNIDO. Born in July 1959, Kandeh K. Yumkella is Director-General of UNIDO since 2005. Former Minister of Trade, Industry and State Enterprises of the Republic of Sierra Leone, he has 15 years experience in international development including 8 years of managerial experience within UNIDO. Mr. Yumkella said he accepted the honor of being the keynote speaker because he admired the good work OKSA are doing. Besides, his late father Kandeh Yumkella was one of the brains behind the establishment of Kolenten Secondary School in Kambia. Though he was not privileged to attend Kolenten but revered the school because of the discipline and academic achievement the school was known for at the time. He therefore called on members of OKSA to keep spirit of Kolenten Secondary School burning and work assiduously for the realization of the multi-purpose building.
The occasion was climaxed by the singing of Kolenten Secondary School song followed melodious music that sent attendees dancing to their heels.
By Joseph Sherman, The Salone Monitor
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