Obituaries

Obituaries

Late Aminata

Yei James (RIP)

Late Yei James

Sad to announce the death of AJP Lebbie. He died on June 7, 2020 in Koidu.

Kono District, Vaama Community in Koidu City and the God is our Light Family has lost a leader. MR AIAH JOSEPH PRESCOTT LEBBIE fondly called AJP died early this morning in Koidu City. He was G/Overseer of the UGIOL Church SL.

He served as Deputy Town Clerk and Town Clerk of the Koidu City and for many years was Director of Local Government in the GoSL.

He leaves to mourn him, the church, Kono District, friends and family at Home and abroad.

On behalf of the GIOL Mission, my family

I extend our deepest condolences to the family and pray His soul rest in peace.

Rest well Bro. A J P. (Rev. Moses Komba)

RIP Pa SAS LEBBIE

(Alumnus of Boys School Magburaka)

Much to my surprise and consternation over the death of Pa Sas Lebbie, one of the grass root founding members of the unbeatable C4C in Kono.

The late man was one of the brilliant breeds from the Magburaka Boys Secondary School who later studied about the dynamics of Communism in the former Soviet Union/Russia in the 70s.

His dedication and commitment to the welfare, peace and development of Kono was unquestionable. He was a former Councillor who headed the Finance Committee at the Koidu New Sembehun City Council with distinction.

He was an encyclopedia, highly intelligent and knowledgeable in Kono customs and tradition; more so in proverbs, short stories and rich in Kono folklore.

The late Pa Sas Lebbie was selfless, easy of access and regarded in the entire Kono District. It may be relevant for me to point out that the C4C Party has indeed lost a gem.....cries😭😭😭

In a sombre atmosphere:

Hon. Saa Emerson Lamina

Koidu City.

TRIBUTE FOR PC ABL ABU

A very sad news. I came to know PC Abu Kongorba in 1974 when he and Hon. S. R. Kassegbama returned from the UK and America respectively

He was an ambitious young man who wanted to represent Kono North East Constituency in the Parliament of Sierra Leone. He made his first attempt to go into the Parliament of Sierra Leone in 1977 after he resigned a year earlier from his lucrative position at the Ministry of Health. But destiny did not permit him until May 1982 when all of us contested the General Election and he won.

Even as an elected Paramount Chief of Mafindoh Chiefdom, we still remained as friends. When he came to the United Kingdom for Medical Checkup in 2005, I took him out for dinner together with the then KDDA News Letter Editors, Messrs Sahr Sylvanus Sinah, Tamba Theophilus Gborie and Tamba John Ndomaina at Queens Restaurant at New Cross, London SE 14.

He was a very good Chief in Kono District. I will greatly miss him and may his gentle soul rest in perfect peace (RIP ).

Hon. Chief Tamba Opel PSS.

The United Methodist Church Resident Bishop in Sierra Leone, Dr. John K. Yambasu, died this morning in a road accident on his way to church. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. We call on the public to please stop sharing videos of him at the Mortuary. Thank you! August 16, 2020

Dr. John Lansana Musa (RIP).

A Tribute to John Lansana Musa (1950-2020)

Dr. John Lansana Musa (JLM) was born in Kamiendor, Mafindor Chiefdom in Kono District, to Chief Sorie A. Musa and Bintu Janneh-Musa. He died in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on July 24. JLM was a schoolmate, colleague, and friend. We attended Yengema Secondary School (YSS) where he was four years my senior, graduating in 1970. In the U. S., he pursued further education, earning a diploma in dentistry from Career Academy and a Bachelor of Science degree in zoology from Howard University in Washington, D.C. After a brief stint in medical school, JLM switched to Howard University School of Law where he obtained a Juris Doctor (J.D.). He practiced law for many years in the D.C. area where we reconnected years later.

In 2007, JLM decided to return to Sierra Leone to work on the presidential campaign of Ernest Bai Koroma (EBK). Through his efforts, I became involved in ground-level presidential campaign politics in Sierra Leone for the first time. It was in support of EBK of the All People’s Congress (APC). JLM was tireless in his advocacy of EBK’s candidacy for reasons that had to do with the welfare and advancement of the people.

Even before we arrived in Freetown in July-August 2007, we reviewed the Anti-Corruption Act of 2000 which, JLM told me, was a priority concern for EBK. I shared my assessment of the ACA’s strengths and weaknesses with JLM who forwarded the report to the presidential flag bearer. In the report, we suggested that Parliament should strengthen the law’s public sector provisions, include other provisions dealing with the private sector (asset declarations and forfeitures, conflict of interest, transparency/accountability, education, etc.). These provisions, we argued, should be harmonized with international legal instruments to which Sierra Leone is a signatory. Parliament eventually repealed and replaced the act with the Anti-Corruption Act 2008.

Next, JLM emailed me a copy of a survey report which the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), a major provider of news programs to Sierra Leone, had conducted about people=s knowledge of the pending general elections, their priorities, and trust in national and local politicians. The BBC released the report, “Sierra Leone Elections 2007: A Comprehensive Baseline Study of Knowledge, Priorities and Trust,” in June 2007. We analyzed it, drafted a concise summary (position paper) of the various issues, and made it available for use by EBK and party leaders in Freetown. During the campaign we utilized the position paper in drafting talking points for the vice presidential and presidential debates.

Once in Freetown, we settled into the office of Alhaji Alpha B.S. Kanu (who became EBK’s Minister for Presidential and Public Affairs) on the second floor of the APC headquarters where JLM worked assiduously with other team members to ensure EBK’s victory. That meant drafting position papers and press releases, analyzing provincial and district voter registration numbers the National Electoral Commission (NEC) had compiled, and responding to communication from the main rival Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP). We spent election night at party headquarters where we tallied the votes for president and members of Parliament as reported by various radio stations. We then compared the results with NEC’s voter registration numbers for each constituency to ensure accuracy in the vote count. Interestingly enough, while tallying the votes, word reached us that some elements of the military were prepared to attack the party offices. With JLM at the helm of the tallying center, we resolved to remain in the building with EBK. Mercifully, UN and other elections monitoring personnel showed up outside the party offices and the putative attack did not materialize.

Sia Mbawa (RIP)

It is with pain and sorrow that I announce the passing of our sister, daughter, niece, mother and grandmother, Ms Christiana Sia Bona. This sad event took place today, Saturday 8/15/2020 in Dover, DE where she was visiting our brother Solomon Bona. Please remember us in your prayers during this difficult time. Details of funeral arrangements will be made in due course. Dr Mohamed Dauda

Dr. Tamba R. Mbayo

Professor Ritchard Tamba M’Bayo, a senior Fulbright Research Scholar (2006- 2007), has served in senior faculty positions teaching both graduate and undergraduate courses and supervising master’s and doctoral dissertations.

Widely travelled journalist and media research scholar with over 30 years of successful teaching, research and administrative experience at graduate and undergraduate programs in the United States and Africa. He is author of several books and journal articles, and currently working on Political Culture, Media and State Governance, (Palgrave-MacMillan).

In 2015 – 2020 he led the Department’s staff capacity development at the University of Sierra Leone, Fourah Bay College (FBC), coordinated and supervised five doctoral candidates who were awarded PhD in 2020.

Recently (2015), as a UNDP media consultant, he completed a comprehensive curriculum review at FBC leading to new degree programs in Journalism, Public Relations and Advertising, Master of Arts (MA) in Mass Communication, and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Communication and Media Studies.

Prof. M’Bayo has helped design new programs in Communication and Media Studies at the University (FBC), provided leadership in accreditation plans at Bowie State University-USA, and at the University of Lagos-Nigeria while serving respectively as Head of Department at both institutions

John Lansana Musa cont.

In the first round of the presidential elections on August 11, no candidate obtained 55 percent of the valid votes to win the presidency as required by Section 42(2)(e) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone 1991. With college set to reopen, I returned to the U.S. two days after the first round of balloting. JLM remained in Freetown to help secure EBK’s victory against Vice President Solomon E. Berewa of the SLPP in the run-off presidential elections on September 8. Later, JLM served in the EBK government as Director of the Cabinet Oversight and Monitoring Unit (COMU) that monitored the performance of cabinet ministers. As director, JLM reported directly to President EBK.

As a Fulbright scholar to Sierra Leone during the 2013/14 academic year, I attended several meetings in Freetown with JLM and members of the Yengema Old Students Association (YOSA) as YSS prepared to celebrate its fiftieth anniversary at the end of 2014. With JLM’s support and a ten-page “Statement for YOSA Launch/Press Conference” from our former English language and literature teacher Mr. Eddie Finnegan, I led a fact-finding team (Gloria Bayoh, Christopher Jimissa, Juliette Morsay, and Joseph M. Sembo-Kabia) to YSS on February 6-9, 2014. After discussions with Principal Sahr Nano, teachers, and students, team members prepared and submitted a report to YOSA and Mr. Finnegan in London.

JLM’s passion for the constitution and laws of Sierra Leone earned him a place in the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC, 2013-2016) which the president appointed to review the Constitution of Sierra Leone. JLM was a tenacious advocate of the rule of law, a keen observer of Sierra Leone’s political landscape, and a great essayist. May his soul rest in peace! ~ Professor Peter A. Dumbuya

Fanta Janneh (RIP)

Fanta The late Fanta Janneh, is one of the victims of the tragic accident that occurred in Kono today July 21, 2020. May her soul rest in peace.

Late Fode Mariga

Khoumba Kanawa (RIP)

Earlier today in Freetown, we lost one of the architects and a big fan of Kono Reunion/Kono JC idea and a dedicated women’s and children’s rights advocate Sister Aminata Khoumba Kanawa. May God have mercy on her and grant her Paradise.

Tribute By Berns Komba Lebbie

“Sad!! I am devastated! Kono district, and Sierra Leone at large lost a Development Agent, Gender Warrior, Champion for the Oppressed, Fighter for the Emancipation of Women and Girls, a Crowd Mover, a Motivator, a Community Facilitator, a Smart and Passionate Kono Musu is gone to be seen no more. Kono is mourning the departure of a brave female child. When I joined NMJD years back, she was one of the happiest. We worked through all the tough and hard times Kono went through. We have fought many social battles that restored hope to many vulnerable and marginalized victims of SGBV. From the corners of the fourteen chiefdoms of Kono through the steep hills of the community radio stations, to the police stations, we have never shot door on any voice that cried out for help. Go in peace, Sister Amienatta Khoumba Kanawa (as you would emphasise for your name to be spelt correctly - Khoumba). May your soul be received heartily in Heaven for all the smiles you brought on the faces of the widows, the single-parents, the sexually abused women and girls, the abandoned mothers and their suffering children, the vulnerable youth, the soccer boys of Diamond Stars, the youth in mining, the market women, the hard to reach community women....you touched them all. Your invaluable contribution to humanity was remarkable. Bye Sis.... Go in peace, till we meet again.

Mrs Doris Kumba “Kandomoe” Mei Mboma (RIP)

Another big blow to our Sandor Brothers and sisters, and the African community at large. The late Doris Mei Mboma was an elder sister in our community who was very caring and giving to all of us. She was a mentor in the Kono and African Communities. She will be missed greatly by her Family and the communities she served as an authentic Social worker for the Maryland state! May her sins be forgiven and soul rest in perfect peace!🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

Tribute By Dr. Sama Sahr Monde, Ph.D., JUNE 2020

Mrs Doris Kumba “Kandomoe” Mei Mboma—A TRIBUTE

First, on my own behalf and my family, and on behalf of relatives and loved ones in Sierra Leone and abroad, I wish to convey our deepest condolences to Mr TK Mboma and the Mboma children, and all bereaved persons everywhere, more so our sister aunt and mother Mrs Sia Rosaline Mondeh Gbondo for the loss of our beloved Doris.

Some 66 years ago in Kayima town the capital of Sandor Chiefdom in the Kono District God ignited a torch in the lives of Pa Mei and Madam Finda Kadiatu Mei of blessed memories.They named her Kumba Kandomoe. That strange Kono name”Kandomoe” denotes a person residing afar,up-the-street,upcountry, upstream; perhaps coming under a special cosmic body, some star value- adding some mystique to her person.So from her childhood relatives were always eager to know what that young lady would blossom into in future.With keen interest we watched diligently her growth and development patterns through school in Sierra Leone .

To our greatest delight as family in 1967 she proceeded to the United States a land of limitless opportunities for immigrants the world over.

During her five plus decades living in the US Doris designed and pursued proficiently her life long journey into this world.First she met and married Mr TK Mboma, a gentleman pleasant and affable in all respects.That they were married for over 50 years itself was an Olympian endurance record noting the number and rate of divorces and broken homes among African diasporas, Sierra Leone being no exception.

The Mbomas were blessed with three wonderful children, Bambay, Sia Kadiatu and T-Boy Mboma itself resonating her biological fitness to foster the inheritance of her very own DNA into the timeless future of man, any man.But Doris’ fitness surpassed child bearing alone. As a wife, mother and equally also as a family breadwinner in very good standing, Doris was too fit.Academically a no mean achiever with a Masters degree in Social Work, we are told.

Outside the home she demonstrated huge social fitness by the ways she enchanted her wider world everyday with her goodness of heart.By so doing Doris always instinctively brought abiding solace and hope to the countless multi- ethnic constituents of her society, more so from her professional platform as a social worker with a great track record.

Fellow mourners therefore, even in tears, we must search our hearts the more for memories that will forever endear us to Doris, a person so attractive in looks, so stunning in spirit. She loved humanity so much that she had no room in her heart for grudge, envy and hate.As family, friends, as a vibrant community elder and as a life long Kono Union functionary in the US, Doris carved and sustained a blissful domain in the hearts of all for being a devout disciple of the law of self-sacrifice; all embracing, all giving, all the time! Surely we will miss this great Matriarch for her infectious sense of humour which often enamored and enraptured her world. Her footprints in the sands of time will make Brother TK and their children and all other loved ones proud enough not to mourn bitterly forever. Rather we should celebrate into the heavens her touching personality and her remarkable stewardship in this world.

For Doris the curtain on her life’s drama has closed forever. That beautiful and vibrant flame which the good Lord had ignited in the lives of the Mei family, which ultimately became a blessing to so many more,which survived and prevailed the best of times and the worst of times, eventually emerging victorious in service to her God and to her fellow man, that flame has now succumbed graciously to the Devine covenant detailed in Ecclesiastes 3:2. “There is a time to be born, a time to die”

So, for you, Doris:

“The Strife is over the battle done.

The Victory o’er life is won.

The Sung of triumph has begun, HALLELUJAH”

HALLELUJAH that the Lord brought you forth into this world cultivated and nurtured you for 66 blessed years.

HALLELUJAH that in your life time you touch positively countless lives.

HALLELUJAH that in life you loved so much your God and your neighbours accordingly.

Oh yes, your sung of triumph has just begun, HALLELUJAH!

Doris, May you be favoured in eternity with the saints, and may peace everlasting crown your soul, AMEN.