The High Commission of Sierra Leone in Nigeria, in collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission on Saturday 26th, September, 2021 organized a send-off ceremony in honor of the outgoing High Commissioner of Sierra Leone to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Solomon Momoh Christopher Gembeh Sr. at the High Commission, located on Plot 308 Diplomatic Drive in Abuja.
The ceremony attracted Ambassadors and other Members of the diplomatic community, the Sierra Leonean Nationals Association, friends, ECOWAS Commission staff, among others.
The outgoing High Commissioner received farewell messages from his compatriots, friends and from his successor, the incoming High Commissioner, H. E. Rupert Davies.
In her farewell speech, the Deputy High Commissioner who is currently acting in the capacity of High Commissioner, Ms. Anna Betty Moussa, showered praises on her former boss, Dr. Solomon Gembeh for his dedicated service, patriotism and his fine display of professionalism.
She thanked Dr. Gembeh on behalf of President Dr. Julius Maada Bio for his remarkable services to the nation during his tenure as High Commissioner.
“The Sierra Leone High Commission will dearly miss your remarkable services done on behalf of our great nation during your diplomatic service,” she added.
In another farewell message on behalf of Sierra Leoneans at the ECOWAS Commission, the Vice President of ECOWAS, Madam Finda Koroma extolled the good work of the outgoing High Commissioner within the Permanent Representative Committee at ECOWAS and also for his contributions in developing the strong bilateral relationship with the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The Ecowas Vice President also praised Dr. Gembeh as an intelligent and hardworking diplomat that represented Sierra Leone very well in the diplomatic mission.
“I am totally assured that His Excellency the President Dr. Julius Maada Bio will assign you to a new job where you can always shine,” the ECOWAS VP alluded.
The Acting Head of the Diplomatic Corps described Dr. Solomon Gembeh as a true patriot and a man that demonstrated love and respect for President Bio, adding that he had always praised the good leadership of the President at every encounter in their diplomatic engagements.
Bidding farewell to the High Commission staff and the diplomatic community, the outgoing Sierra Leone High Commissioner, Dr. Solomon Gembeh expressed his strong appreciation to all for organizing the event on his behalf.
He stated that with the help of the diplomatic staff, he was convinced that the relationship of Sierra Leone, both within the bilateral arena and inside the ECOWAS Commission has been enhanced and strengthened.
HE Dr. Gembeh encouraged and assured Nigerians to go to Sierra Leone and invest in a country that they fought to stabilize and to which they helped restore democratic governance during the war years.
Outgoing High Commissioner Dr. Gembeh called on the diplomatic and local staff at the High Commission to be supportive and work in collaboration with the incoming High Commissioner, H.E.Rupert Davies.
Also, the President of the Sierra Leone Nationals Association (SLNA), Mustapha Fofanah and a childhood friend of Dr. Sheikh Mamoud, all made excellent farewell speeches in honour of their friend and brother, Dr. Gembeh and bidding him farewell to his new posting.
Present at the event were chargé d’affaire of the Ghana High Commission, H.E. Eddidson Agberryegay, the Ambassador of Cameroon, the Ambassador of Guinea, the Ambassador of Gambia, among other notable dignitaries.
At the climax of the event, the outgoing high Commissioner and his wife Mrs. Gembeh received gifts presented to them by the Sierra Leone High Commission, the Sierra Leoneans from the ECOWAS Commission and from the Sierra Leone Nationals Association (SLNA).
The programme was moderated by the Head of Chancery (HOC) Mohamed Sorie Conteh
Sheku Tanga
Information Attaché
Sierra Leone High Commission
Abuja- Nigeria
Email: [email protected]
Mobile:+23276216550
