All Stars Musicians President speaks
The President of the Sierra Leone All Stars Musicians and Chairman, Artistes for Development, Youth Advocacy for Good Governance, at 9 Sackville Street, Freetown, has disclosed in an exclusive interview with this medium past Saturday that the ongoing rumours about artistes meeting the World Bank and that they received $10,000 from President Ernest Bai Koroma were being peddled to paint them in a bad light in the eyes of the general public.
Mr. Milton Coker aka Colabo explained that it was the World Bank that called some musicians and showed them a document of a project they are funding in the country, for them to publicize World Bank activities in Sierra Leone.
“A gentleman named Christopher Gabelle, came to us and told us that we should think like Sierra Leoneans and act positively for the development of the country,” he revealed.
Mr. Milton Coker further explained that they told Mr. Gabelle that popularizing the document was part of their mandate as an organization that wanted to see development in their country.
He noted that they thought it fit to name and celebrate good performance of public officials, name and shame those who were not working in the interest of the country.
He stated that their meeting with President Koroma was to discuss the way forward in the music industry in the country.
He noted that 52 stakeholders in the music industry were present at the meeting where, he said President Koroma told them that he recognized their talents and believes in their complementary role of building this nation and their provision of job opportunities for young people.
He also explained that President Koroma also threw a challenge to them to think as great motivators who should lead the forward that will bring development to the music industry in Sierra Leone.
Mr. Coker disclosed that at the end of the meeting, local musician, Ragga-Spice requested for transportation from President Koroma who gave them $10,000, about Le40 million, which he said, they shared among themselves.
He said that he was not happy with the public’s misconception that the money was for official purposes.
He concluded by calling on all musicians to converge on the Main Bowl of the National Stadium on Thursday, October 31, to discuss issues and the way forward for the music industry in Sierra Leone.
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