By: Fatmata Grace Okekearu, Bo City
In a historic and emotionally resonant ceremony, His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, accompanied by the First Lady, Madam Fatima Bio, returned to his alma mater, the Bo Government Secondary School (Bo School), to commission a series of transformative development projects aimed at enhancing the school’s infrastructure and academic environment.
The event, held on Saturday, 19 April 2025, began with a formal gathering in the school’s Great Hall. President of the Old Bo Boys Association (OBBA), Ing. Hadji Dabo, welcomed dignitaries and guests, delivering a comprehensive presentation on the various completed projects. He lauded President Bio for his unwavering commitment to education and his continued support for Bo School and other academic institutions across the country.
The President’s visit marked the official commissioning of several landmark initiatives, including the “Beijing Building”—a state-of-the-art dormitory personally initiated and financed by President Bio. Other projects commissioned included a fish pond and fish farming initiative by OBBA Western Area, a staff quarter constructed by OBBA Bo Branch, a school canteen and mini-mart donated by philanthropist K.O. Bah, and four Greenhouse Vegetable Projects designed to promote sustainable agriculture on campus.
Project coordinators addressed the audience, explaining the goals, impact, and successful execution of their respective initiatives. These projects, they noted, reflect a shared vision to transform Bo School into a center of academic excellence and self-reliance.
In his keynote address, President Bio expressed profound pride in contributing to the school’s ongoing transformation. He emphasized that the Beijing Building was more than just a dormitory it was a symbol of his belief in education’s power to shape future leaders.
“Bo School has produced generations of leaders, and we must ensure that it continues to nurture the next,” President Bio remarked. “The Beijing Dormitory Block is not just a structure; it is a statement of belief in the power of education and legacy. Let us give back in ways that speak to the future we want to build for Sierra Leone.”
The President also connected the greenhouse agricultural initiatives to his government’s flagship Feed Salone programme, noting their importance in promoting food self-sufficiency in schools and contributing to national goals of food security and sustainable development.
Following the speeches, the commissioning ceremony began, with President Bio cutting ribbons and unveiling plaques to mark the official opening of each completed project. The Beijing Building a fully furnished, ultra-modern dormitory with self-contained student rooms and staff accommodations was dedicated in honor of the school’s founding fathers and fallen heroes. Prayers were offered in their memory, invoking their legacy to guide Bo School’s continued pursuit of excellence.
At the future site of the Digital Innovation and Research Hub, President Bio performed the symbolic turning of the sod, officially launching the construction phase of what is envisioned to become a cutting-edge space for digital learning, research, and innovation.
The event brought together alumni, students, community leaders, and government officials in a spirit of pride and celebration. The day concluded with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to advancing the legacy of Bo School—an institution renowned for producing many of Sierra Leone’s most distinguished leaders.
President Bio’s homecoming not only honored the school’s past but also ignited a bold, forward-looking vision for education, innovation, and national transformation.
