By: Mohamed Sahr
President-elect Mohamed Rex Bonapha has been officially inaugurated as the constitutional and legitimate President of the National Union of Sierra Leone Students (NUSS) at the Foreign Service Academy, Tower Hill, and Freetown on Saturday 15th April 2023.
NUSS which is a lawful body that steers the welfare of students across different public and private universities as well as colleges in the country came into existence in the early 1960s in order to bridge that ageing bane of friction among students in Sierra Leone as well restore inclusive sanity into all learnings institutions.
Making his inaugural speech, His Excellency Mohamed Rex Bonapha said the union serves as a shield for students with the overall goal of maximizing the welfare and common interests of everybody irrespective of tribe, section and religion. President Bonapha mentioned that his administration is well-positioned and ready to actualize these essential duties.
“Students make up a sizeable portion of our population and they have a significant impact on decision-making within families, social groups and communities,” His Excellency said.
He emphasized that each and every student has a distinct story to tell especially when it comes to streamlining the educational legacy the country has amassed over time; adding that they should work on a golden platter to rekindle the respect Sierra Leone had been known for and equally bring a unique perspective and value to NUSS.
President Rex Bonapha furthered that the union seeks a substantial transformational goal that would foster social mobility driven by a sincere commitment to education. He affirmed that NUSS remains incredibly grateful to replicate the energy, sacrifice and innovation to making education worthy enough for Sierra Leoneans.
He urged his executive members to serve as partners in development as well as impact the lives of students by building bridges to enormous opportunities. H.E Bonapha reaffirmed that the administration of NUSS involves a diverse group of active Sierra Leoneans from different backgrounds who are ready to outfight many unprecedented challenges and act as an example to many.
H. E Rex Bonapha disclosed that the leadership of NUSS would be guided by a unified strategic plan which has an amazing working agenda that includes hosting the first National Students’ Conference, establishing the National Students’ Farm, establishing of the National NUSS Secretariat, a Students Newspaper, National University Debate and Quiz Competition, National Students and Leadership Awards, the National Students Parliament and a radical inclusion of other institutions to be part of NUSS among other things.
He said this is how NUSS wants to be known, and be remembered in every step or count it makes. President Bhonapha noted that the Government Grants-In-Aid and other opportunities are still in high demand from parents and students and he would endeavour to meet those demands.
Reminiscing his arrival as a president in the initial stage, he reported that since he became President of this union, he has strongly but professionally advocated for students, conducted a national tour across universities and colleges, negotiated with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) regarding the welfare of students and most importantly implemented the 30% gender consideration in his cabinet as well as other assigned responsibilities.
Honourable Solomon Jamiru, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications said students in universities and colleges have also championed courses on behalf of their associates. He applauded the astute leadership of President Rex Bonapha for steadfastly upholding good governance, and student welfare and serving as a channel in cascading the plights of students in Sierra Leone. “I urge you all to stay together, act with caution, values and aspirations that bind you always subsume the narrow and parochial issues that will want to put you guys apart,” Honorable Jamiru said.
He mentioned that NUSS should behold one another as an agent of change, peace and national cohesion amid such a deep-seated political divide that has made the country stand with lame feet. He discouraged those who find themselves as symbolic object of strife, division, hates, tension and war.
Delivery the handing over statement, Thomas Gbabai, outgoing President of NUSS said that the National Union of Sierra Leone Students has always been an active member of all Africa Students Union bodies as well as the West Africa Students Union body; noting that his emergence into the radar of the affairs of NUSS was entirely sponsored by the popular will of all students across the nation.
Gbabai revealed that despite all his success stories, he underwent overarching challenges ranging from fraternal divide to others. He vowed to make himself available and always ready to make needful input and suggestions as and when necessary. He wished the Bonapha-led administration a perfect spell of tenure and successful rides.
