February 23, 2021
Acting Vice Chancellor and Principal, Njala University, Professor Osman Alimamy Sankoh (Mallam O.) has on Friday 19th February, 2021 addressed thousands of students of Bo Campus and informed them of his Administration’s effort to address their concerns. Key among the concerns of the students is the increased University charges.
The brief engagement took place at the Great Hall of Towama in a masked-up and socially distanced fashion under the auspices of the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Bo Campus, Professor Mohamed Syed Fofanah with senior Administrators including Deans and Heads of Departments in attendance.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor while welcoming the Acting Vice Chancellor and Principal once again to the Campus, thanked him for his support and commitment to make amends at this material time of need.
Professor Osman Sankoh made his brief statement on issues surrounding ethics, students’ welfare, specifically the recent fee increment which he said is in tandem with the prevailing inflationary trend.
Mallam O. went on to briefly narrate his humble beginning from his village at Warima unto his life at Njala University stating jokingly that he was mostly misunderstood by his colleagues in those days as a student.
Acting VC&P disclosed to the more than three thousand students present that the recent increment in the University charges has been reduced for second to final year students. This message was received with great joy and the students chanted the praise of their Students’ Union President, Ishmael Koroma for his relentless engagement with the University Administration that has produced fruit.
Professor Sankoh added that students should always channel their issues to the appropriate authorities rather than reverting to social media threats.
As Mallam O. in a characteristic fashion implored the students to be adapative to his notion of ‘Bongology’ based on the principle of FIAT- Fairness, Integrity, Accountability and Transparency.
The brief statement was followed by Questions and Answers session from students. Katta Sheriff, a Social Work HND year one student asked the VC&P why the reduction only affected second to final year students leaving the first year. Amadu Kamara, a Social Work year three student also asked about the status of the SLG application fee refund and Issa Labour, a Peace and Development Study student asked about the publication of grades and the production of student Identity cards by the Administration.
In response, Mallam O. laid it bare that the current economic situation triggered the reduction of fees but in actual fact Njala University is not on the same fee structure with other public Universities in Sierra Leone. He promised to produce students I.D cards.
Anthony Habib Kamara, Acting Deputy Registrar made it clear to the students that refunds for application forms have not started because the Administration is yet to receive funding from the Government.
