*Requires Africa’s Financial Independence
Linus Aleke in Abuja
Former Vice-President of Sierra Leone, Mr Samuel Sam-Sumana, has expressed profound gratitude to Nigeria for its sacrifices in restoring peace to his nation, pronouncing the contributions of Nigerian troops will stay indelible in Sierra Leone’s historical past.
The previous Vice-President also referred to as for Africa’s financial independence to deter younger other people from migrating to Europe and The united states on the lookout for higher alternatives and residing stipulations, regularly on the chance in their lives, owing to a loss of alternatives at house.
Sam-Sumana made those remarks when the management of the Defence Correspondents Affiliation of Nigeria (DECAN) paid him a courtesy seek advice from in Abuja.
He stated Nigeria had performed a pivotal function in supporting Sierra Leone all the way through its struggle through offering troops and different types of help that helped repair peace and balance.
He stated that army team of workers and civilians had paid without equal worth within the battle, stressing the want to make certain that their sacrifices have been by no means forgotten.
“As a Sierra Leonean, I want to specific my profound gratitude for the function Nigeria and different nations performed in serving to Sierra Leone regain peace and balance,” he stated.
The previous Vice-President described Nigeria as a large brother in West Africa, stressing that the rustic’s balance and prosperity had far-reaching implications for the subregion.
“When Nigeria catches a chilly, the remainder of us sneeze,” he stated, underscoring the interconnectedness of West African nations.
Sam-Sumana additionally prompt DECAN to maintain its engagement with the army and enhance skilled cooperation between defence correspondents and safety establishments.
He described newshounds as indispensable companions in governance, responsibility and nationwide building, caution towards the tendency of political leaders to treat vital reporting as an act of hostility.
“Positive complaint is very important to bettering public establishments and making sure that the ones entrusted with public duties stay responsible,” he stated.
In line with him, public officers will have to now not worry complaint when it’s honest, correct and supposed to advertise the higher public excellent.
Reflecting on Sierra Leone’s civil battle, Sam-Sumana stated the struggle, influenced through the spillover of the battle in neighbouring Liberia and competing pursuits in diamond sources, had led to monumental losses of lives and assets.
He stated the painful enjoy will have to enhance collective efforts to forestall the recurrence of violent conflicts throughout West Africa.
“We will have to by no means omit the ones reviews. Moderately, we will have to use them to enhance our collective dedication to peace and save you an identical tragedies within the subregion,” he stated.
Sam-Sumana additional cautioned political leaders towards permitting private ambition to undermine nationwide balance, insisting that non violent political pageant remained crucial to democratic building.
He stated peace was once a collective victory that transcended political events and particular person ambitions.
On Africa’s building, the previous Vice-President referred to as for a elementary shift from dependence on international help against mutually advisable partnerships, industrialisation and larger financial self-reliance.
He argued that African nations will have to transfer past exporting uncooked fabrics and uploading completed merchandise through making an investment in native industries, including worth to herbal sources and growing employment alternatives for younger other people.
Sam-Sumana stated the continent’s lack of ability to harness its huge sources absolutely had contributed to financial hardship and compelled migration, together with bad trips around the Mediterranean Sea.
In his remarks, DECAN President, Mr Odita Sunday, stated the courtesy seek advice from was once supposed to precise the affiliation’s appreciation to Sam-Sumana for accepting its invitation and taking part within the DECAN Convention and Awards 2026.