London Mission hosts massive Independence celebrations
After weeks of fruitful deliberations at the Conference Hall of the Sierra Leone High Commission in London, Sierra Leoneans from all walks of life joined members of the Sierra Leone High Commission in the United Kingdom to celebrate their country’s 49th Independence Day. (Photo: High Commissioner Eddie Turay delivering his speech)
Working in collaboration with a group of Sierra Leoneans under the umbrella of the 49-50 Committee, the celebrations which started on Friday with Muslims prayers at the Brixton Mosque, then Christian prayers on the following Sunday, ended last evening with a reception at the Camden Centre, Judd Street, West Central London.
Head of Chancery Florence Bangali welcomed guests, saying they were very happy to celebrate the country’s Independence in peace considering how impossible it was in the past to have such celebrations.
Bangali introduced the Chairman of the occasion, veteran politician Dr. Seray Wurie, who later formally introduced Sierra Leone’s High Commission to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Edward Mohamed Turay.
Peter Penfold just after receiving a Sierra Leonean flag from Counsellor Josephine Marah
Dr. Wurie paid special tribute to the former British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Peter Penfold and Nigeria whose Ambassador His Excellency Dr. Dahaltu S. Tafida was represented at the occasion, for their tremendous sacrifices played to Sierra Leone during those trying war period.
Dr. Wurie also informed his audience of the 49-50 Group of Sierra Leonean which was formed two years ago to compliment the mission’s efforts towards the organising a successful Independence Day celebrations.
The High Commissioner read out a speech on behalf of His Excellency the President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma which was delivered on Independence Day.
Edward Mohamed Turay also called on Sierra Leoneans to take into consideration the speech of the President in which he called on all to forget about their respective political differences and work in the interest of the country.
“We are one people in one country – for us here we don’t have any SLPP, APC or PMDC – what we have here is one Sierra Leone,†Turay said amidst thunderous applause.
The High Commissioner disclosed of plans ahead of the country’s 50th Independence Day celebrations which he said will also be organised in grand style in both Sierra Leone and the United Kingdom.
He disclosed of a meeting he had in Freetown with his British counterpart who disclosed of plans by his country to join Sierra Leone in organising a successful Independence Day celebrations.
Deputy High Commissioner Tamba Ngegba and his Wife at the ceremony
Deputy High Commissioner Tamba Mansa Ngegba also re-echoed the message of the President and paid special tribute to the Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, describing his country as ‘a big brother’ to Sierra Leone.
The vote of thanks was given by the Head of the 49-50 Group Fund Raising Committee Kadie Kuyateh.
The Sierra Leone 49-50 Group had spent the last three months meeting and strategising on a weekly basis for the successful organisation of the anniversary celebrations which turned out to be a massive success story.
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