For his great leadership and fantastic strides in health care and education in Sierra Leone, His Excellency President Brig. (Rtd) Dr Julius Maada Bio, has at the just concluded 36th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union Heads of State and Government, received laurels from members of some international organisations such as ย WHO, UNESCO and Africa CDC.
During a high-level fringe event that marked the launching of the Continental Report CESA 2016-2025 and SDG4ย by UNESCO in partnership with the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia under the theme; “Placing Equity At The Heart Of Education Policy” on Saturdayย 18th February 2023, the Assistant Director General ofย UNESCOย Madam Audrey Azoulay applauded President Dr. Julius Maada for introducing free quality education in Sierra Leone which she said has increased school enrolment in the country.
On her part, the Ethiopian President, Her Excellency Sahie-Work Zewde during her official remarks described President Bio as a young, determined and visionary leader that is poised to transform his country into a stronger and more prosperous nation, through education. She saluted the Sierra Leonean President and encouraged him to do more.
The high-level event was chaired by the Sierra Leone Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh. Dr. David Sengeh was very recently recognized as the World’s Best Minister, at an event held in Dubai, UAE.
Earlier in the morning of 18th February 2023, His Excellency Brig (Rtd) Dr. Julius Maada Bio served as the Distinguished Guest of Honour at the Ministerial Executive Leadership Programme organised by the Africa CDC alongside few of his colleagues from across the Continent that were in Addis Ababa to attend the 36th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.
He was praised by the moderator for his visionary and transformative leadership back home, as well as for his self- discipline.
Also on Saturday 18th February 2023, the President, during a side event organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO), was recognized and commended by several high profile personalities including the Organisation’s Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, Regional Director for Eastern Mediterranean Dr. Ahmed Al-Manddhari as well as from a representative of the Commission for Health and Humanitarian Affairs of the African Union Commission Her Excellency Ambassador Cessouma Minata Samate. They all praised Sierra Leone under the leadership of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, for improved health system but more so for the country’s exemplary position in the fight against COVID-19 which they all alluded posed serious challenge to all nations of the world including the global North. Sierra Leone, they said, registered one of the least cases and came out of the pandemic quickly before most of the World leading economies. The programme was chaired by the Sierra Leone Minister of Health Dr. Austine Demby.
President Julius Maada Bio also served as a Distinguished Guest of Honour at an event organised by UNICEF on the margins of the 36th Session of the Assembly therein, on Sunday 19th February 2023. He delivered a statement bordering on health and immunization. Sierra Leone health system was also highly commended.
Meanwhile, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio during the presentation of his report as Chairperson of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and the Committee of Tenย (C10)ย Heads of State and Government of the African Union on the Reform of the United Nations Security Council respectively, received thunderous applause for a precise but efficient presentation of the report. He is believed to be the only Head of State that is at present serving as Chairperson of two major Committees set up by Assembly Decisions.
On Monday 20th February 2023, His Excellency the President and entourage visited the Chancery of Sierra Leone in Addis and had breakfast with staff members.
During his welcoming statement, the Head of Mission, Ambassador Adekunle Joliff Milton King thanked the President for his personal intervention towards the completion of the Ambassador’s residence located at the Chancery.
The Delegation of His Excellency the President yesterday departed Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for Frettown.
Demba Kanji Daramy
Information Attache
Embassy of Sierra
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
