Ambassador Bassir advocates for more Ukranian scholarships for students
Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the West African State of Senegal H.E. Ambassador Khadijatu Bassir, has while meeting with the Ambassador of Ukraine H.E. Ambassador Andriy Zayats, in Dakar Senegal, advocated for a continuity of more scholarships for students from Sierra Leone to study in Ukraine. (Photo: Ambassador of Ukraine H.E. Ambassador Andriy Zayats and H.E. Ambassador Khadijatu Bassir in a warm handshake)
H.E. Ambassador Andriy Zayats was over the weekend, paying a courtesy call on Ambassador Bassir at her office in Dakar, as one of his duties to countries that has diplomatic ties with Ukraine.
Ambassador Zayats, said that his government has clearly watched and monitored Sierra Leone’s gradual developmental strides and stability over the last five years and have rated it as satisfactory, taking into consideration that the present government took over during the world’s recession in 2007.
“My prayer is that your coming elections be free of violence and successful as the people of Sierra Leone needed it for growth, stability and development” Ambassador Zayats said. This, Ambassador Bassir assured the Ambassador, that her government under the unique leadership of President Ernest Bai Koroma has taken the necessary action and put in place, concrete modalities for a free, fair and stable period of elections.
According to Ambassador Zayats, though there is an Honorary Consulate of Ukraine in Sierra Leone but that the issuance of visa for citizens of Sierra Leone should be channeled through the Embassy of Ukraine in Senegal while issues regarding trade should be done through the Ukraine Embassy in Nigeria.
Ambassador Khadijatu Bassir thanked her counterpart for the visit and committed herself and her government to further strengthening the bilateral and diplomatic ties between Ukraine and Sierra Leone. She appealed to Ambassador Zayats on behalf of her government for Ukraine to continue offering scholarships to students from Sierra Leone, noting that the areas of studies in the field of mining, petroleum, marine and gas exploitation will no doubt further help to strengthen and contribute to Sierra Leone’s development and economy.
Replying, Ambassador Zayats said his government will doubtless consider the request and that it will be discussed with his country’s education Ministry. He informed that two Sierra Leonean students are presently studying in Ukraine in the fields of Mining and gas exploitation. He further promised that come next May, he will transmit information for available scholarships in Ukraine. Ambassador Zayats further disclosed that Ukraine will next year, host the Championship for Athletics and that Sierra Leone is expected to participate.
Responding to Ambassador Zayats’s question as to the Government of Sierra Leone’s position on the Malian conflict and present deteriorating situation especially in the north, Ambassador Khadijatu Bassir replied. “My government is standing by decisions taken collectively by ECOWAS States, especially with regards bringing lasting peace to not only the country but the region as a whole.
H.E. Ambassador Andriy Zayats said that Sierra Leoneans and the world over should now consider the country’s past civil conflict, as a thing of the past. ‘‘The minds of Sierra Leoneans should now be relaxed and focus towards creating a peaceful, stable and developing nation”. He stated.
He said he has been reliably informed that the government of Australia will open her Embassy in Senegal next year, the first he said to be opened in a French West African nation.
by Ralph Ese’ Donnu Sawyerr, IA, Senegal and The Gambia.
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