*Calls for Africa’s Economic Independence
Linus Aleke in Abuja
Former Vice-President of Sierra Leone, Mr Samuel Sam-Sumana, has expressed profound gratitude to Nigeria for its sacrifices in restoring peace to his nation, saying the contributions of Nigerian troops will stay indelible in Sierra Leone’s historical past.
The former Vice-President additionally referred to as for Africa’s financial independence to discourage younger individuals from migrating to Europe and America in search of higher alternatives and dwelling circumstances, usually on the threat of their lives, owing to a scarcity of alternatives at dwelling.
Sam-Sumana made these remarks when the management of the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN) paid him a courtesy go to in Abuja.
He mentioned Nigeria had performed a pivotal function in supporting Sierra Leone throughout its battle by offering troops and different types of help that helped restore peace and stability.
He acknowledged that navy personnel and civilians had paid the last word value in the battle, stressing the necessity to make sure that their sacrifices had been by no means forgotten.
“As a Sierra Leonean, I wish to express my profound gratitude for the role Nigeria and other countries played in helping Sierra Leone regain peace and stability,” he mentioned.
The former Vice-President described Nigeria as a giant brother in West Africa, stressing that the nation’s stability and prosperity had far-reaching implications for the subregion.
“When Nigeria catches a cold, the rest of us sneeze,” he mentioned, underscoring the interconnectedness of West African international locations.
Sam-Sumana additionally urged DECAN to maintain its engagement with the navy and strengthen skilled cooperation between defence correspondents and safety establishments.
He described journalists as indispensable companions in governance, accountability and nationwide improvement, warning in opposition to the tendency of political leaders to treat crucial reporting as an act of hostility.
“Constructive criticism is essential to improving public institutions and ensuring that those entrusted with public responsibilities remain accountable,” he mentioned.
According to him, public officers shouldn’t worry criticism when it’s honest, correct and meant to advertise the better public good.
Reflecting on Sierra Leone’s civil warfare, Sam-Sumana mentioned the battle, influenced by the spillover of the warfare in neighbouring Liberia and competing pursuits in diamond sources, had resulted in monumental losses of lives and property.
He mentioned the painful expertise ought to strengthen collective efforts to forestall the recurrence of violent conflicts throughout West Africa.
“We must never forget those experiences. Rather, we should use them to strengthen our collective commitment to peace and prevent similar tragedies in the subregion,” he mentioned.
Sam-Sumana additional cautioned political leaders in opposition to permitting private ambition to undermine nationwide stability, insisting that peaceable political competitors remained important to democratic improvement.
He mentioned peace was a collective victory that transcended political events and particular person ambitions.
On Africa’s improvement, the previous Vice-President referred to as for a basic shift from dependence on overseas help in the direction of mutually helpful partnerships, industrialisation and better financial self-reliance.
He argued that African international locations should transfer past exporting uncooked supplies and importing completed merchandise by investing in native industries, including worth to pure sources and creating employment alternatives for younger individuals.
Sam-Sumana mentioned the continent’s incapability to harness its huge sources absolutely had contributed to financial hardship and compelled migration, together with harmful journeys throughout the Mediterranean Sea.
In his remarks, DECAN President, Mr Odita Sunday, mentioned the courtesy go to was meant to specific the affiliation’s appreciation to Sam-Sumana for accepting its invitation and taking part in the DECAN Conference and Awards 2026.
