NOSLINA: Sierra Leone’s Coveted Award Ceremony
Sierra Leone’s Annual Awards and forty-ninth Independence Anniversary Gala hosted by the National Organization of Sierra Leoneans in North America (NOSLINA) has successfully ended at the Best Western Capital Beltway Hotel in Lanham, Maryland. Widely regarded as Sierra Leone’s “Golden Globes” or the “Academy Awards” in North America, this annual event is one that Sierra Leoneans from across the continental USA and Canada and friends of Sierra Leone look forward to with great pride and anticipation. (Photo: Outgoing NOSLINA Chairman, Dr. Don Taylor (right) introduces incoming Chairman, Engineer Melbourne Garber (left))
Members from the Sierra Leone community who were awarded the 2010 NOSLINA Awards for promoting “interconnectedness” with a deep sense of responsibility for making a difference in the lives of others that have positively impacted Sierra Leone include among others:
Gemina Archer-Davies who recently became the first female Sierra Leonean to hold a top executive position with the African Development Bank with the responsibility of leading the Human Resources department. In her role, she is the key decision maker in providing expert advice on HR best practices to AfDB senior management. She also ensures that qualified and critical appointments are filled to meet and exceed the bank’s vision of promoting sustainable economic growth and reducing poverty in Africa.
Gemina Archer-Davies travelled from Tunisia for her award!
Prior to her appointment at the AfDB, Gemina worked at the International Monetary Fund for 35 years where her unparalleled work ethics enabled her to join the managerial ranks of the fund. Her courage and concern for the wellbeing of others around her at work or her local community as well as the Sierra Leone community at large earned her the 2010 NOSLINA Diamond Award; the highest competitive award for outstanding all round contribution to Sierra Leone in the Diaspora.
“The 2010 Diamond Award is very significant for me because I see myself as one of the country’s strongest advocates who never miss the opportunity to sing praises of Sierra Leone and to contribute as needed. With this award, I intend to do my best in fulfilling the responsibility that has been bestowed on me.” Gemina Archer-Davies.
The NOSLINA 2010 non-competitive Special Distinguished Award was awarded to Madieu Williams, National Football League – Minnesota Vikings player for his numerous accomplishments on and off the football field and for his recent donation of $2 million to the University of Maryland to establish the Madieu Williams Centre for Global Health.
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“A lot of people are caught up on the numbers of what this investment is. But honestly, you cannot put a number on the number of lives that we can change
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The Old Makeni Franciscan Association – an alumni association of Saint Francis Secondary School in Makeni was one of three recipients who were awarded the 2010 NOSLINA Community Service Award for actively engaging OMFA members in building and sustaining a viable network that promotes education. Recently, OMFA commissioned a Resource Centre worth over $150,000 that was designed, engineered, constructed and equipped by members of the worldwide Franciscan family.
A cross section of Franciscans join Anthony Kamara at the podium as they proudly sing their school song
“As proud Franciscans, we have one single and great vision; to see that our Alma mater St. Francis Secondary School in Makeni not only regain her past glory but to be recognized as the pre-eminent Catholic Secondary School in Sierra Leone. We have one single feeling because we are proud and passionate about St. Francis for having provided us with the foundation necessary to become what we are today. We have one single duty and the moral imperative to give back to our school and afford the current and future generation of Franciscans an opportunity for a decent and strong education which ultimately will help to develop our communities and train our young people who are the future of our country, Sierra Leone.
Dr. Don Taylor with MC Dr. Fuambai Sia Ahmadu
Our shared vision,  feeling and single duty embodies the Franciscan spirit; a spirit that teaches us to show love and appreciation to our Alma mater, give back generously because giving is in itself a privilege and in the words of St. Francis of Assisi “ it is in giving that we receive.†– Anthony Kamara, Jnr receiving the award on behalf of OMFA National President, Siray A. Timbo and the worldwide Franciscan family.
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