By: Mohamed Sahr mohamedsahrpro@gmail.com
In an effort of promoting President Bio’s Human Capacity Development, Ibrahim Brima Swarray Foundation has held another eminent fourth edition of quiz and debate competition with a star prize of ten million old Leones (Le10, 000.00) at the Eastern Technical University in Kenema.
Chief Ibrahim Brima Swarray, Commissioner General of National Revenue Authority (NRA) and pioneer of the Ibrahim Brima Swarray Foundation said the only goodies parents could leave with their children is quality education as the benefit for poverty alleviation and national development. He said the reliable source of income generation in Sierra Leone is through taxation and the Government of Sierra Leone could only foot the bill of the Free Quality Education through tax collection.
Chief Swarray revealed that it is the moral responsibility of the government to provide affordable welfare for Sierra Leoneans inasmuch as taxes are paid. He encouraged the pupils to tell their parents to always collect their GST receipt whenever goods are bought at various shops.
NRA Boss noted that the foundation remains committed and living to the expectation to school going pupils across the nation in staging credible and consistent academic contest. “The foundation is keen to take the quiz and debate competitions nationwide particularly in Freetown,” Chief Swarray affirmed.
He urged parents to continue providing quality education to their children as it is the only conscious effort for an existing generation of which President Bio remains passionate and committed throughout his first and second term.
Speaking on behalf of the foundation, Mannah Massaquio who happens to be the Country Director of Ibrahim Brima Swarray Foundation said this year’s episode of the debate and quiz competition gears towards amplifying President Bio’s “Big Five Agenda” with premium on promotion the Human Capital Development nationwide. He added that the fourth edition of the inter-secondary school debate and quiz competition is not business as usual, but paying emphasis on discussing issues relating to taxation, revenue mobilization and some legal frameworks binding the National Revenue Authority which the pioneer of the foundation Chief Ibrahim Brima Swarray is passionate about.
He encouraged pupils to fully work in the interest of their schools so as to adding more prestige to their represented schools. “The foundation is well known for its credibility and fairness in staging academic contest among school going pupils in the country,” Country Director said.
Making her remark on behalf of the Legal and Corporate Services at NRA, Martina Baindu Egbenda, Director of Legal and Corporate Services said creating positive and desirable social change for the future is a progressive collaborative footstep that requires perseverance, dedication and commitment in order to make a better tomorrow.
She mentioned that the only way to ensure a self-sufficient Sierra Leone is by implementing domestic revenue mobilization and making sure that taxes are collected in a fair and transparent manner. “Some of these taxes collected include Goods and Services Tax (GST)/VAT which is a consumption tax paid by you and me,” Madam Baindu averred.
She added that active public education is a cornerstone of societal progress, and remains paramount for numerous reasons; emphasizing that it plays a critical role in shaping individuals, communities and societies.
Madam Baindu thanked the Commissioner General of NRA for giving back to society and applauds his vision on long term impact of the foundation’s objectives.
The Best Debating team for the Fourth Edition of the Ibrahim Brima Swarray Academy Trophy happens to Bilingual Academy. The Door International Academy takes the second position and Government Secondary School bags the third position.
Best Quizer is Mohamed Ramadan Jalloh alongside Ramatulai Koroma taking the second place and Ansu Konneh goes with the third position.
The Best Debater goes to Jamie Allieu and Juliana Dimoh bags the second position.
The Best Debate team goes to Jane Jamie Allieu and Emmanuel Johnbull. Second best debate team goes to Zainab Turay, Juliana Dimoh and Christina Bockarie. Third best debate team lies in the hands of Kadijatu Kamara, Anthony Abenego and Alhassan Barrie.
