London Mining collects two awards at the Sierra Leone Excellence ceremony
The African Child Youth Centre in collaboration with the Sierra Leone High Commission held its second Sierra Leone Excellence Awards on May 2nd 2010 at the Royal National Hotel, Russell Square, West London in the United Kingdom. This well attended ceremony attracted high profiled dignitaries including Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner UK/NI, H.E Eddie Turay, the Ghanaian High Commissioner UK, H.E Kwaku Danso Boafo, the Norwegian and Swedish Consul UK, H.E Arne Johansen and the Minister of State from the Nigerian Embassy.
Over twenty awards were handed out to worthy winners among which included:
H.E Ernest Bai Koroma- Life Time Achievement Award British Council- World Class Buisness Award Pikin Business- Philanthropist AWOL and London Mining –Community Champions Sierra Gem Media- Best TV Production Radio Democracy- Best Radio Mo Entertainment- Best Music Production Jeneh Amara Bangali- Creative Innovation London Mining –Best Mining Company War trust- Education Courage and Bravery- Sierra Leone Women’s Forum FC Johansen- Sports Sickle Cell Foundation- Health Merikan- Sahid Koroma – AgricultureAccording to the organizer of the awards who is also the proprietor of the African Child and Youth Centre (ACYC) – UK Aminata Conteh, she mooted the idea for the need to recognise those who had contributed in one way or the other to the new beginning and new emancipation of Sierra Leone and to the nation’s new beginning in the aftermath of the ten year old war.
She noted that they need a boost to highlight the current spate of new developments and after the conception she decided to put it to the Sierra Leone High Commission. The Commission then under the former High Commissioner, Melvin Chalobah agreed to assist with the project and from then on the Executive committee set the ball rolling.
Aminata Sesay Conteh, ACYC Organizer
Mrs. Conteh pointed out that the idea was actually conceived against the background that many had contributed to the new development, especially the youths who had actually done a lot but remained in the background, even though they had contributed in their own little way to help development the country.
Mrs. Conteh noted that the ACYC executives started work by linking the African communities in Europe, especially in the city of London where we have the largest concentration of Sierra Leoneans outside of Africa. A selection committee was established and they started the nomination work which took them to the length and breath of the Sierra Leonean community in the entire world, she added.
The planning and preparation culminated in the maiden edition of the Sierra Leone Excellence Awards was held on Bank holiday Monday, May 4, 2009.and it recorded a huge success and over achieved its maximum objectives.
The aftermath of the occasion however saw the largest publicity for Sierra Leone for many years as media organisations publicised the award to put Sierra Leone once again on the world map of positive recognition.
The success of last year’s event triggered a lot of interest and passion this year as SLEA (Sierra Leone Excellence Awards) were planned.
The new High Commissioner, Mr Edward Turay supported this year’s Award and his presence at the event demonstrated his support to helping Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora achieve their dreams.
His Excellency the Sierra Leone High Commissioner H.E Eddie Turay welcomed all present, especially his colleague High Commissioners for gracing the occasion. He commended Aminata and her team for such a holistic venture which will leave a mark in the history of Sierra Leone as the first to award Sierra Leoneans and friends of Sierra Leone for their contribution towards national development. H.E Eddie Turay informed all present of the strides made by the government to foster growth in the country and called on all to emulate Aminata to compliment the president’s vision in moving the country forward.
He disclosed plans for the 50th Independence Anniversary which he noted will be celebrated in grand style in the UK and assured all of his cooperation and collaboration. The High Commissioner informed the gathering that the High Commission has taken a bold step to register all Sierra Leoneans in his areas of operation which include the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, Spain, Germany, and Holland, among others, and the reason being is for them to have a database of citizens leaving abroad. H.E. Eddie Turay encouraged Sierra Leoneans to stay united and call on the High Commission in times of need.
Side attractions from Alim Kamara who gave a wonderful poem titled “MAMA†a performance by DJ Lulu, Micheal Fayombo Snr and Jrn (The Jacksons Imitators) formed part of the ceremony.
It has been disclosed that the Sierra Leone Excellence Awards will be held in Freetown next year as part of activities marking the 50th Independence Anniversary.
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