Sierra Leone Telegraph: 23 October 2020:
Newly appointed United Nations Resident to Sierra Leone – Mr. Babatunde Ahonsi, last Thursday called on President Dr Julius Maada Bio to present his letter of appointment by the UN Secretary General.
”It is with utmost humility and great honour that I present my credentials as the United Nations Resident Coordinator appointed by His Excellency, the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres, to serve in Sierra Leone. I am privileged that your excellency speedily approved my designation and wish to express my sincere appreciation and profound gratitude.
“I am cognizant of the fruitful relations that exist between the Government of Sierra Leone and the UN system. Thus, I am eager to deepen UN partnerships with the Government, and our other partners in development towards accelerating the country’s quest for the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals and a middle-income country status,” he said.
Mr Ahonsi noted that 2020 has been a challenging year worldwide, especially for Sierra Leone, after having gone through Ebola in 2014 to 2016, and now affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He added that despite those health challenges and their adverse development impacts, the admirable resilience of the people of Sierra Leone has kept the country going.
”Your Excellency, this is a time for a change. We can defeat COVID-19 by being responsible citizens and heeding the call of our health experts. Sierra Leone needs all of us to overcome this outbreak. While we are still battling this virus, the UN system in Sierra Leone remains committed to supporting your Government not only with the health response but also with recovery,” he told the president.
Responding, president Bio welcomed the new UN chief and congratulated him on his appointment, noting that he has taken office at an exceedingly difficult time for the world over. He agreed with him that the novel Coronavirus is ravaging the lives of people and the economies of the world.
“Sierra Leone and the United Nations system enjoy a very strong, multilateral and beneficial relationship. I think we are contributing to the UN success around the world. You are going to build on that very good relationship that my country has with the UN,” president Bio said.
The president reiterated that the UN is supporting Sierra Leone in achieving its sustainable development goals which it is hoped, would foster social and economic development.
“The country has identified peace and national cohesion as a means that would provide the ecosystem for sustainable economic development. We are putting our own architecture together that pays specific attention, at all times, to instigators of violence and unrest.
“We believe that those fundamental grievances that are left unaddressed can lead to challenges and political upheaval. We want to make sure that they are addressed within a framework,” the president noted.
Butterflies in the sun, here I come, and though it is still dawn, catch you I must before the day is gone. Butterflies big blue beautiful butterflies that rise and rise to the heavenly skies, gliding and sailing as smoothly as kites, leaving frustrating ties with deceits and lies far behind, resolutely aiming forever to become undeniable partners with the glorious liberating light of Truth, there is none that truly compares to thee.
Butterflies, graceful, peaceful majestic butterflies is Mr Babatunde Ahonsi fully aware that he now stands on the most shaky, quaky volatile soil, under the undisputed control of infernal SLPP forces? Butterflies, big magnificent, fluorescent butterflies in countless thousands resembling a fabulous fantastic painting in the celestial skies, who else has been known to gallantly compete with the invisible winds with their strongest wings in speed but thee? Is it possible dearly beloved to be able to achieve sustainable development in a tense, explosive environment of rampant blatant tribalism, nepotism and corruption?
Is sustainable peace, mutual respect and genuine tranquillity not worth protecting at all costs in order for any nation to thrive, prosper and succeed? Why then are soldiers in boots disguised in designer suits, looting, bullying and killing innocent citizens with opinions totally contrary to their own? Mr Ahonsi is this what Democracy in its infancy and most vulnerable forms really looks like? I think not!
Thank you so much Mr President, keep up the good and sustainable development you are trying to put in place for the development of Mama Salone; and moreover, we the youths need good and sustainable jobs.