By: Mohamed Abu Conteh Fatmata Grace Okekearu (Bo City)
In a groundbreaking move, First Lady Dr. Fatima Maada Bio inaugurated the Adolescent and Youth Empowerment Training Center in Tuba Sembehun 17, Tikonko Chiefdom, Bo District, on January 25, 2024. The center, aimed at addressing youth unemployment, offers a diverse range of courses from tailoring to computer skills training.
Paramount Chief Professor Joe Kangbai Macavoray III, former Vice President Hon. Victor Bockarie Foh, and various government representatives attended the event, emphasizing the government’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment and economic development in Sierra Leone.
During her address, the First Lady underscored the importance of education and skills training, emphasizing their pivotal role in national development. She expressed gratitude to contributors, including the EU, NAO, and Mr. Mohamed Sillah, the initiator. The First Lady envisioned a Sierra Leone that prioritizes education, women’s empowerment, gender equality, and justice for survivors of sexual violence.
The occasion concluded with a generous donation of 200 thousand new Leones by the First Lady on behalf of the Maada & Fatima Bio Foundation. This contribution will support staff salaries and essential equipment, underscoring the commitment to fostering inclusivity and human capital development in Sierra Leone.