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The Independent record label, Kabaka Multimedia entertainment, has recently announced the signing of two new acts to their roster. The signing was done on their sixth year anniversary to mark their return back to the business of managing artists, after their bitter sweet experience on their last sojourn. According to the label owner, AbuBakarr Turay, past efforts had all but confirmed mutterings that the entertainment business, specifically the managing of talents, is not one of gratitude or profits but maintained that his belief in the Arts and the necessity of sacrificing for a belief, has renewed his commitment to give it all another go. The two signees, named King Piper(real name Othman Tao) and Dove Mambu(real name Ahmed Mambu) are singers with experience in music production. KME also revealed a re-signing of Rapper Kracktwist, a departee and returnee to the label. During the unveiling in a live video, AbuBakarr Turay ESQ known as Kabaka commended other entertainment contributors of years past who had made entertainment into the business that it is currently but remarked that the agenda was missed a little bit which allowed other West African countries to grow past our level and reach in music for instance. Kabaka furthered that challenges within the industry include discontinuance of entities well before the decade mark, lack of utilization of modern marketing and streaming platforms, as well as disregard for national entertainers as well. He delighted that these talents were checked and inspected on all levels and he is now confident that they can rejuvenate the label and his personal drive to push entertainment a little bit further.

President Julius Maada Bio has today 28th April, 2023, made a visit to the opposition’s stronghold of Port Loko to thank them for their support during his tenure as the Head of State of the Republic of Sierra Leone. He was accompanied by stakeholders of the northern province who have been supportive to his agenda, most notably, the Hon. Alpha Kanu, a former Executive member of the All People’s Congress Party, who had reportedly tendered his resignation earlier on today. Speaking, Honourable Alpha Kanu remarked to the people assembled that His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio had been dedicated to fulfilling his promise to complete the forty bed Field Hospital in Lokomasama, to ensure a reduction in the rate of infant and maternal mortality rate. Alpha Kanu also pointed out President Bio’s securing of a modernized ambulance, to safely transport people to and from the hospital, which was a genuine challenge in the recent past. He reminded that though President Bio or his immediate relatives might never come in need of the use of the facilities, he had pursued the completion tirelessly with no urging from anyone. Minister of Health and Sanitation Dr. Austin Demby explained that President BIo’s narrative of human capital development engulfs the improvement in health and facilities which prompted the construction of a smaller forty bed hospital in Lokomasama despite the larger hospital in Lungi. He continued that facilities such as the digitally equipped lab, fully stocked pharmacy and theater for surgical procedures, makes this hospital one that is situationally prudent. President Julius Maada Bio addressing those gathered acknowledged the challenges faced by the people of Port Loko and promised to continue working towards addressing them. He explained his longtime relationship with the people of the north, reminiscent of his selection of his running mates, in the persons of Dr. Kadie Sesay and current Vice President Juldeh Jalloh who both hail from the Portloko district, Northern province. He informed the gathering of undertakings such as the newly constructed Lungi terminal, hospitals and newly commisssioned industrial zone all within Portloko and its surroundings, demonstrating his ties and hopes for development of the province. He emphasized the importance of unity and called on all Sierra Leoneans to put aside their political differences and work together for the betterment of the country, in this case a support for his reelection bid in the June 24th Presidential elections. Residents of the long-standing opposition stronghold in Sierra Leone welcomed the President and expressed their willingness to work together with the ruling party for the development of the district. They further promised an eighty percent voter turnout in favor of the ruling government of the Sierra Leone People’s party, guaranteeing their continued stay in office.

High Court Judge Justice Adrian Fisher, presiding over the Anti-Corruption Commission’s case against one Mr. Saidu Nallo and five others, including the Presidential Candidate of the All People’s Congress Party, has refused the defense’s application to release the passport of Dr. Samura Kamara to enable him to travel out of the country to the United Kingdom, for a twelve days period. The application was filed for leeway for the use of his passport for days between the 2nd to the 14th May, 2023 to allow him to attend a meeting with the Marlborough House dialogues, organized by the Commonwealth Secretariat. The defense had emphasized that Samura’s visit was of national importance to promote peace and security during this current electioneering process. The state had outlined a circumvention of State and Judicial procedures required for an invitation organized by the Commonwealth and a past deviation from a scheduled visit, on a previous granting of the use of his passport. The court had also pointed out delays in informing the court in ample time to verify details stated and had all in all rejected the application on these grounds. Justice Fisher had advised the defense to refile with clarified details therein, on the 3rd May 2023. The matter has been adjourned to 14th July, 2023 to prevent any interruptions to the electioneering process in which Dr. Samura Kamara is a main participant and his bail continues. Kamara is facing charges of corruption related to his time as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

With a mere 500 days until the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games , the President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Andrew Parsons has okayed the Preparation of the Para games, expressing his satisfaction with the progress made so far, considering that up to sixty five thousand (65,000) spectators will be attending the opening Ceremony with Athletes Parading through the bottom of the Worlds famous avenue , the Champs-Elysees and arrive at the iconic place de la Concorde. He added that he thinks the organizing Committee is doing some great things in promoting the games and creating awareness. The Para Sports Chief Maintained that the legacy is key for any games and he is aware of the impact of those two weeks of sports lasting for generations afterwards. He explained that already France as the host city is ensuring all bus routes remain accessible, developing enhanced accessibility neighborhoods and aiming to have 1000 accessible taxis for the games, all parts of improvements triggered by the Paralympics.

Former Executive member of the All People’s Congress party, Honourable Alpha Kanu has reportedly tendered a letter terminating his membership of the APC party, today 28th April, 2023. In the letter shared on social media platforms, his main reason for ending his membership was given as wanting to focus on helping Sierra Leone to move forward, agenda’s that now seem impossible to achieve within his known party, the APC. He had also highlighted his gradual ousting from the party by actions of other executive members, such as the removal of his executive position without notice and his exclusion in management matters of the party. He had also reportedly outlined his support to the APC party, spanning sixty years. The news of his resignation was revealed online by Dr. Sylvia Blyden, on her official Facebook page. The Secretary General of the APC party Lawyer Kalokoh however stated to this medium that he is yet to receive the aforementioned letter but that he will not disregard the news.

Madam Yvonne Aki Sawyer has on Wednesday 26th April 2023 completed her nomination process for a rerun as the Freetown city Council Mayor representing the All People's Congress Party, ahead of June’s upcoming local Council elections. After submitting her nomination, Madam Yvonne emphasized the importance of a free, fair, and peaceful election. The Unity Party leader, Madam Femi Claudius Cole, and a senior All People’s Congress party’s member Mohamed Omodu Kamara, popularly known as Money Jagaban, were among those who nominated Madam Yvonne for the mayoral seat. Madam Yvonne previously served as the Mayor of Freetown from 2018 to 2023 and is seeking another term to continue her work in driving development and progress in the city. Speaking after the nomination process, Madam Yvonne expressed her appreciation to her supporters and promised to work tirelessly to ensure that the needs and aspirations of the people of Freetown municipality are met. The local government and presidential elections are scheduled to take place on 24th June 2023, and Madam Yvonne is confident of a successful campaign and a positive outcome at the polls.

Psychology of Winning, an organization that is focused on building generational leaders has held a one day Educative National Youth Festival for Youth Groups at the Prince of Wales School at Kingtom. The youthful festival started off with a Libation ceremony by the Co-founder Khadija Grace in a bid to appease the ancestors for the many wrongdoings in the past and to project a brighter future for Sierra Leone, she said. Messages of Peace and hope we're cascaded to the School pupils and the many young people who were present during the edutainment festival. Khadija Grace noted that the only way to capture the hearts and minds of young people is through music and that was what prompted her to composed a song that befits the motive of taking the mindset of young people away from counter productive ventures to becoming drivers of change. On his part , Chernor Jalloh, a beneficiary of the Youth Festival told this medium how he intends to share the message of psychology of winning to help tune the minds of his peers. Singer and songwriter Rev. Justine Mavah thrilled the young generation with his famous hit " Let give Peace a Chance" after which be remarked that his desire is to always reach out to young people with the peace song and added that the festival came in the nick of time , as the country is preparing to hold its general elections on the 24th of June 2023. An exhibition was also organised with booths displaying locally made Sierra Leonean attires as a show of support towards the Country's 62nd Independence Anniversary.

His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio has on Wednesday 26th April 2023 launched the groundbreaking ceremony for the development of the Special Koya Industrial Zone, SIZ-Koya, a joint venture between the Republic of Sierra Leone and ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms, IIP. During the ground breaking ceremony President Bio said he is delighted to be at this event, particularly as it is an actualisation of the vision he presented in his manifesto in 2018. It is also a welcomed outcome of visits to Special Economic Zones in Gabon, Rwanda, and other countries, and business relationships negotiated in the best interests of Sierra Leone over the last five years. President Bio maintained that a stronger manufacturing sector in the country that had access to regional and international markets and, therefore, would support foreign currency inflows, adding that the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme had given custom-free access to the ECOWAS market. President and Chief Executive Officer of African Finance Cooperation, Samalia Zubairu, said Sierra Leone and the African continent were faced with a lot of challenges around food security, inflation and the exchange rate, among others. This he noted was as a result of the fact that the economies had not transformed from lots of primary focus, exports of basic raw materials, and significant imports of goods that could be produced in the country. He promised that they will spend as much time here in Sierra Leone as was spent in Benin. During his statement, the President of AFREXIMBANK, Professor Benedict Oramah, acknowledged His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, noting that he is honoured to celebrate with the government and the people of Sierra Leone the groundbreaking ceremony for the launch of the Special Economic Zone. He also congratulated the people and government of Sierra Leone on the auspicious occasion. “We thank His Excellency President Bio and the management and partners of ARISE IIP for their partnership with the AFRIXIMBANK on this historic investment venture” he added. The SIZ-Koya investment programme will be constructed on 1,600 hectares of land with a dedicated area for exports, is a $300 million investment and is expected to employ 10,000 Sierra Leoneans. This facility is expected to be powered by 100 megawatts of solar panels.

Sierra Leonean born Ali Koroma playing forward for America’s division one team, Cal Poly Mustangs has disclosed his desire to play at the NBAs. Prior to relocating to the United States of America, Koroma represented the red flames basketball Club and won the Most Value Player in 2017 and got a scholarship to further his studies and pursue his career in basketball. In 2019 as a freshman in Cal. Poly College Basketball team, Ali appeared in 26 of 30 games with six starts , averaged 14.9 minute per appearance and led Col Poly with a 57.4(54 for 94) percent field goal mark scored in a season high 14 points on 6 for 8 shooting Versus Siena in December and added another 10 points Versus LIU (November 29) and at Long beach state in March. Ali grabbed a career high 12 rebounds at number 15 San Diego State (Dec 28 ) and eight at Long Beach state shots versus CSUN (Jan 11). During a high profile match in the League , Koroma carried the team on his shoulders, dominating affairs as a shooter. To date , the memory of the youngster outclassing his opponents on that day remains a well shared anecdote. Koroma's Nephew , Who plays in the Philippines for KBC , Mohamed Tosh Sesay, recounts his first experience of Ali's career and added that his drive for greatness will indeed guard his path to the NBA Someday. Ali Koroma hopes to represent top teams in the NBA with hundreds of fans cheering him, with the loudest hurrah coming from the Sierra Leonean Community in the United States of America, after he’s scored a thousand(1000) points in four years , 515 rebounds 91 blocks , top fifteen in Col Poly's history in points and rebounds , coupled with the big West All conference Honourable mention in 2022 and 2021.

Impact Sierra Leone, an organization focused on farming to create opportunities for all, especially women have made their first harvest of chains of peppers at Foindu village. According to co-founder Dr. Adama Kalokoh , her team was able to pull through the first harvest of a total of 28 Cups, proceeds of which will go towards purchasing more seedlings and other Supplies to achieve the desired objective of the Seeds of Life Program. She explained that the seeds of life program is aimed at reaching the unreachable through the bolstering of the farming community with needed resources to thrive in every step of the way. She maintained that they have to improve the volume and value of the pepper , to meet the growing needs of the people of Sierra Leone but praised the women for achieving this for their start. As part of their other projects , Impact Sierra Leone is also supporting children who are going to school with learning materials and clothes among other things to improve on their learning and way of life.

Hon. Kandeh Yumkella representing his party, the National Grand Coalition, signed an alliance with the Sierra Leone People’s party represented by President Julius Maada Bio, at the Bintumani Conference centre on Sunday 23rd April, 2023. According to Hon. Yumkella during the launch of the alliance and on AYV Wakeup program, the alliance titled “Transformative Alliance” is predominately to ensure development and national cohesion, sorely lacking in the last decade. According to Dr. Yumkella, the alliance prioritizes peace, stronger governance and unification, aiming to close divisions along tribal and regional lines, demonstrated by their agreement to work together for a united Sierra Leone, apart as individual parties but together based on agreement, with a common vision. Hon. Yumkella furthered that his decision was based on his ideology of strategic alliance made public two and a half years ago, which is a belief system that only an inclusive government similar to that of late President Kabba’s, possess the possibility of succeeding, a government that the nation can accept and genuinely work with. Dr. Yumkella stated that he had been warning of rising tensions which if left unabated could lead to catastrophic occurrences and hence his decision to collaborate now before elections to jointly map out the next agenda, starting with a joint manifesto to be presented soon. He furthered that based on their agreement, the National Grand Coalition will not be presenting a Presidential candidate or a running mate for Vice President but his party will be presenting candidates for Council and Parliamentary elections. He says his decision was reinforced by President Bio’s personal call for his assistance to achieve the common goal of development. He maintains that the NGC has diverse expertise capable of presenting alternatives with more lasting solutions and maintained that this prompted his setting aside of his ego and personal ambition. He commended the SLPP administration for coping with economic challenges by absorbing global shocks and improving on revenue generation and implementing the single treasury account. He concluded that focusing on strengthening infrastructures for exporting, should be a focus to stabilize forex and thereby the economy.

The start of Men's T20 Premier League opening at the Prince of Wales Oval showed a radiance of hope for the country's men's T20 Premier League on Saturday as the Police Officers led the way with a massive 29-run win against a resurgent Copper Safe squad. As the brawl in the horizon of the east intensified, it cast its beaming rays over the Prince of Wales seaside Oval. There at the center of things , the officers won the toss. Without hesitation, they chose to bat first to exhibit their firepower. Yegbeh Jalloh opened the batting order for the law-abiding men, scoring 35 runs off 25 balls. He smacked five 4s and had one graceful 6 at the start of the men's top show, pulling a strike rate of 140.00 before being bowled out by Copper Safe's Alfred Ndanema. Jalloh gone, Eric Musa Turay came in for the officers and batted for impressive 22 runs off 15 balls before being caught out by Alfred Ndanema who bowled in 4 overs, taking 4 wickets with an economy of 4.75. In all, nine batsmen from the Police side collectively posted 176 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in 20 overs, setting a target of 177. Copper Safe replied with 147 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in 20 overs, handing over a decent 29-run win to the officers who had 28 extras predominantly from wide balls. According to the Member of the Media Team Alie Sonta Kamara , the lynchpin of it all was to promote Cricket Sierra Leone Men's T20 Premier League and the development of cricketers for forthcoming Competitions. Though the Competition is too early to tip Police to retain a back to back Championship, chances are if they continue to extend the winning ways , they could possibly reclaim the Championship therein.