Elias Bangura
The Sierra Leone Telegraph: 25 August 2014
Philip Abubakarr Kamara is a Sierra Leonean youth, presently stranded at Tokyo International Airport.
He says he wants to return to Sierra Leone, because he has been unjustly thrown out of Tokyo University of Science, where he was studying on a Masters Scholarship program, since 2013.
Philip Kamara said his troubles started when he refused to take part in cult activities at the University, of which one of his lecturers was a key member.
His refusal found him at odds with this particular lecturer, whom Philip subsequently changed for another.
But this decision did not please the lecturer. It provoked other cult members into hounding Philip out of Kuki Campus, Saitama,Tokyo University of Science.
Philip appealed to the University’s authorities, who decided to transfer him to another campus.
But he was afraid of the activities of the cult, which he believed also extend to the other campus.
So he refused to join the proposed campus, and was issued with a ticket to leave Japan.
However, when he arrived at the airport he discovered that the destination of the scheduled flight was Brazil.
To make matters worse, cult members also arrived at the airport, threatening his life.
Philip called home as he has done since his ordeal started. But the Ministry of Education officials in Freetown refused to assist.
They said that they only facilitated the awarding of the scholarship, which was offered to the public at large and Philip was a winner.
The Japanese Consular Office in Freetown reported that the Consul is on leave, and the issue would be followed up, but refused to say how soon.
Philip said he doesn’t want help, he needs it. And he is calling on the Government of Sierra Leone to step in with urgent help, otherwise he will lose his life.
The Sierra Leone Embassies in London and Brussels have been notified of the issue, since Europe is closer to Japan. But how soon or whether they will help Philip, is uncertain.
Yesterday, Philip had to sleep on the streets because he was driven out of the Tokyo International Airport.
Cult members followed him out of the airport, so he had to abandon his bags and ran into hiding.
From his hideout, he is crying out for someone to help him return home to Sierra Leone.
In the meantime, Philip’s only comfort seems to be his cell phone, with which he is able to stay in contact with friends and relatives.
It is useful to realise that there are two sides to every story. I suggest that the student ,Philip, seek the services of Dr Nahim (the only qualified psychiatrist in Sierra Leone) when he arrives back home.