By: Audrey Raymonda John
On Monday, 15th September 2025, the First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, officially commissioned and cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony of Olive B Academy (OBA), located on Olive B Drive, Kerry Town.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Bio reaffirmed her commitment to advancing girls’ education in Sierra Leone, describing Olive B Academy as a “beacon of opportunity and a foundation for future leaders.”
In her emotionally charged speech, the First Lady expressed deep gratitude to the founder, Mrs. Olive, for entrusting her with the honor of inaugurating what she called a “legacy of hope and possibilities.”
“This is not just an opening it is a new beginning. We are not merely unveiling walls and roofs, but dreams. We are igniting sparks,” she said.
Dr. Bio emphasized that every girl in Sierra Leone deserves the best, and *Olive B Academy is not just bricks and mortar, but “a sanctuary for learning, a safe space for empowerment, and a beacon of progress.”
She declared the opening of the Academy as a “declaration that our daughters matter, that teachers are valued, and that education is the ultimate key to unlocking national potential.”
Quoting Malala Yousafzai, she reminded the audience: “One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world.”
Dr. Bio hailed Olive B Academy as “proof of that truth,” equipped with world-class facilities and representing what Sierra Leone can achieve when vision meets action, aligning directly with President Julius Maada Bio’s Free Quality Education initiative.
Highlighting her own campaign, “Hands Off Our Girls,” the First Lady reiterated that education for girls is not only a right but a “shield against child marriage, gender-based violence, and exploitation.” She praised Olive B Academy for being part of that protective shield.
“This school is a fortress of dignity and empowerment. Parents and teachers, your encouragement is the wind beneath our girls’ wings,” she added.
She called on the teaching staff to remember that they are “nation builders” and urged them to teach with passion, mentor with love, and guide with integrity.
To the students, she gave a powerful message “You are not here by chance but by destiny. I see engineers, artists, scientists, and presidents among you. Do not let anyone silence your voice or shrink your ambition.”
She encouraged the girls to dream big, stating that the Academy is their launchpad to greatness. “A tree cannot make a forest, but brilliant girls together will form a forest of wisdom, courage, and hope,” she concluded.
Dr. Bio also addressed serious societal issues affecting the youth, particularly the rise in drug abuse, with a specific reference to the “Kush” drug epidemic. She expressed concern that more girls are now using Kush than boys, and strongly condemned those selling these dangerous substances.
“The people selling Kush won’t give it to their own children but are willing to destroy the futures of others. I lay a curse on them,” she said.
She criticized the Hastings Police Station for allegedly releasing drug suspects, reminding the public that the President cannot be blamed for everything.
“President Bio doesn’t live in anyone’s house. Some problems need community solutions,” she added.
She also warned members of the security forces to stay away from young girls, warning of severe consequences for misconduct. Citing a recent example, she referred to a St. Joseph’s Secondary School teacher who was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for abusing a student.
Also speaking at the event was the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Hon. Conrad Sackey, who lauded the vision behind Olive B Academy.
“We are here not just to celebrate a school, but to celebrate a vision one that prioritizes education and human capital development,” he stated.
Hon. Sackey praised the First Lady’s ongoing efforts to protect and empower girls, emphasizing that “a child’s potential should never be limited by circumstance.”
He added “Olive B Academy is proof that excellence in education is more than ambition it is responsibility. With its state-of-the-art facilities and emphasis on innovation, this Academy will shape the next generation of leaders.”
The ceremony concluded with a call to action for parents, teachers, government, and communities to support the dream Olive B Academy represents. As Dr. Bio rightly put it:
“Education is not cheap and it is not easy. But what Olive has done in Kerry Town is plant a seed of excellence. We should no longer send our children to Ghana, Nigeria, or South Africa. Excellence is now right here in Sierra Leone.”