APC-NA – highlights from the Inauguration ceremony in Philadelphia, USA

The inauguration of the new APC North America executive took place in Philadelphia this past Saturday, 8^th May, 2010. Before I give you highlights of the events, I would, on behalf of the administration, like to use this moment to thank the president and members of the great Philadelphia chapter for hosting the event and for their selflessness. (Photo: Brima Turay, Asst. PRO)

Chapter Presidents and Members

The administration would also like to thank all Chapter presidents who attended the event as well as their members for the great joy that they brought to the occasion.

Attendance

The event was well attended by members and non-members of the APC. The MCs were Mr. Dauda Bangura of New Jersey and Ms. Maimuna Conteh of Philadelphia both of whom demonstrated their best with a high level of composure and regard for all participants. Their participation and contribution will not go unnoticed. The administration would therefore like to thank both of them for a job well done.

The keynote speaker was Dr. Abdulrahman Kamara of New Jersey. He demonstrated high level eloquence and mastery of everyday events as they relate to our national politics. The administration would remember and continue to recognize Dr. Kamara for this great sacrifice to his nation. We thank him very much.

The DJ

Our DJ, Borbor “K” of Philadelphia rocked the night taking us into different planets of music, closely in sympathy with the body moves and dancing dexterities of our attendees. It was a moment to be proud of and one that must be cherished by all of us. Joy, fun and amusement permeated the entire hall, often translating to hugs and smudges and chants of “APC” “We All Na One!”

Administering of the Oath

The oath of office was administered by the Hon Dauda Tombo Bangua. Observing all protocols, Hon Bangura gave all of us a clear picture of the fact that if you’re once APC, you would always act APC and do things according to the APC tradition.

It should be recalled that Hon Dauda Bangura was the first official APC youth president for Freetown East III Constituency, which is a larger constituency in the Western region. He joined the PMDC and worked with Mr. Charles Margai to build that grass root political institution before and during the 2007 parliamentary and presidential elections. He was very instrumental in getting the PMDC to concede to the APC and, as a consequent, earned Dr. Earnest Bai Koroma the presidency of our nation. Honorable Dauda Tombo Bangura has recently left the PMDC and joined the APC, bring with him over 400 PMDC supporters. Since president Koroma strongly believes that politics “Is a Game of Numbers”, the Honorable Dauda Bangura has therefore demonstrated the kind of politicians that president Koroma desires to have in his New APC. We want “Bringers” and not “Takers”. Honorable Bangura’s mastery of grass root politics will be a great asset to the APC in 2012 and the years to come. The administration would therefore like to thank him for greatly representing what Ambassador Bockarie Stevens would have done if he were in the country.

Members of the New Executive

Members of the new executive wore the recommended attire of black suit and red tie for male and black suit or dress for female and every member seemed to carry an air of gorgeousness and flamboyance through out the night. They each performed their assigned duties alongside the dancing and joking in the hall.   

SLPP Participation

Another amazing thing at this event was the presence of the chairman of the SLPP Philadelphia Chapter, Mr. Salieu Saidu, commonly known as “Sparko” and 19 of his members. At a time when those who are still buried in the politics of the past might say the SLPP has no business attending an APC fundraising event, the SLPP chairman in Philadelphia and his members proved them wrong through their active participation in the fun and friendly deliberations that took place in the hall on the night of this event. This must be enough reason why every APC supporter and lover of APC must always rise to the occasion when it comes to patronizing our party. If the chairman of the SLPP Philadelphia Chapter and his members could give us $400.00 and more at that moment, we expect every APC member to give even five times more to the party that they love so much.

Out-going Interim Chairman’s Comments

The out-going Interim chairman of APC North America, Mr. Leslie Edward Allen, gave a very eloquent but passionate speech, calling for peace, unity and fuller participation by all members in all APC business. He embraced and appreciated the current chairman’s peace initiative and vowed to work with the administration to further strengthen the peace process so as to perfect our union and restore our glory which was fast diminishing as a result of certain detractions in the past.

The Chairman’s Speech

The Chairman’s speech was centered on bringing peace to the branch and helping members to understand the beauty of peace and working as a team. He highlighted his administration’s areas of focus, which would be Internal Peace as a major area of his administration’s philosophy; Healthy Communication with the home office; Fundraising for the branch as well as “Unconditional” support for our Party and its leadership. He concluded his speech amidst thunderous applauses from every corner of the hall.

Certificates of Appreciation

The chairman and his executive issued out certificates of recognition to notable individuals in past and current administrations, presented by Mrs. Mamusu Conteh-Luke. This is part of the process of bringing everyone into the fold by simply pointing out what they have contributed in the past and could still do for the NA branch in the months and years to come.

Apology from the Assistant PRO

The assistant Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Brima Michael Turay, commonly known as BMT, who was the architect behind the many articles that went out in condemnation of the handling of events during the dark days, seized this moment to openly apologize to all those who may have felt offended by any of the said articles. He promised to seek a better and appreciable approach in future.

The Masquerades

The event was also punctuated by the exhibition of performances from two masquerades; drawing to mind our cultural and traditional cohesiveness as people of one nation.  I saw “Oni Billehs” and Oni Farghons”, some of whom we would subject to some kind of interrogation whenever we meet in Freetown (Smile). 

The entire event was videotaped and very soon the administration will release the DVD for sale at a minimal price so that those who did not witness the event would have the opportunity to feed their eyes and emotionally experience the connection to what it would feel like when people decide to work together for the land that they love, Sierra Leone!

Brima Michael Turay, Asst. PRO, APC-NA Executive

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