𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬

The Choithram International Foundation yesterday awarded 264 scholarships to various primary and secondary school pupils across Sierra Leone.

This academic year, the annual scholarship donation which is awarded by the Choithram International Foundation is worth Le250 thousand, according to the Head of the Choithram Foundation, Harish Agnani.

During a ceremony held at Choithram at Rawdon Street in Freetown, Mr Agnani said the scholarship grant started in 1967 and has continued ever since as members of the Choithram International Foundation continue providing the funds while the Scholarship Committee decides eligibility criteria each year.

“Although the Government has announced the Free Quality School Education which is very good and commendable, but still kids need some things such as transport, bags, and books,”Mr Agnani said. “So this is why we give a token money to every student who is eligible for our scholarships.”

Mr Agnani further said that the Choithram International Foundation does not only give scholarships but also does many other things including supplying food to old people, buying equipment for children’s hospitals, and many other charitable activities.

The Chairperson of the Choithram Scholarship Fund, Madam Easterline Palmer said parents of the beneficiaries should use the grant for necessary expenses that the children need that the Government of Sierra Leone is not providing although it is providing Free Quality School Education for Government and Government-assisted schools across the country.

Mrs Palmer said parents of the beneficiaries should take part of the grant money to buy food, shoes, do the hairs of kids, but should not waste the money.

She said parents should make the scholarship money very useful for the children. She also emphasized that all beneficiaries do well in their respective classes to be eligible for the subsequent scholarships.

Meanwhile, Madam Palmer explained that 56 primary schools and 102 secondary schools were selected by the Committee. In addition, 197 school pupils were selected from different secondary schools across the country.

Each primary school pupil would collect Le800; secondary school pupil Le900, and each SSS pupil would get Le1,000 in a blend of continuing students who are doing well in their respective classes, and new applicants for the scholarship.

****Court Martial…

Additional Witness Testify

By Jane B. Mansaray

Senior State Counsel Joseph Andrew Khalil (JAK) Sesay yesterday led the 5th and 6th prosecution witnesses in the ongoing Court Martial trial of twenty seven serving members of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Force (RSLAF).

Sheku Marrah is a Military Officer and an additional witness presented to the Court by the State Prosecutor JAK. Sesay as the 5th prosecution witness (PW5).

The 6th prosecution witness (PW6) Staff Sergeant Ibrahim Sorie Bah was also led in evidence on oath.

Both witnesses attacked to the Quick Reaction Force at the Headquarters of the Joint Force Command at Cockeril Barracks in Freetown.

PW5 Sheku Marrah in his evidence on oath recognized and identified the 8th accused, and PW6 Ibrahim Sorie Bah who led evidence in the local creole language recognized and identified the 3rd 4th 8th and 9th accused persons.

Both witnesses recalled on a date between the 25th and 26th November, 2023 respectively of the failed attempted Coup in Freetown.

The witnesses will be crossed examined today 25th January 2023 by Defense Counsel based on the evidence before the Court.

The accused persons are before a Judge Advocate Marke Ngegba, standing trial on related joint charged of mutiny contrary to law.