As 2024 is coming to an end, SALONE TIMES puts together its annual 10 Most Influential Sierra Leoneans who have blazed the trail in all spheres of life. This year’s 10 Most Influential Sierra Leoneans are selected from business, politics, entertainment and the media. People who in the year under review have become the movers and shakers in their profession in the country.
- IBRAHIM COLE: SMART AND COURAGEOUS: Ibrahim Cole is the Chief Executive Officer of LEONEOIL, one of the petroleum companies in Sierra Leone. Ibrahim Cole’s Leone Oil impacted the business sector in the year under review by bidding to take over one of Africa’s biggest rutile mining companies, SIERRA RUTILE. The Bid to take over Rutile was tough. Ibrahim Cole’s work at Leone Oil over the years have seen the company so big that they have now taken over Sierra Rutile Limited after a serious battle with US Business Magnate, Craig Dean. It was good news for Sierra Leone, when the Board of Sierra Rutile Limited announced on the Australian Market in July this year that indigenous Sierra Leone Company had taken over Sierra Rutile. The $76M take over saw Leone Oil defeating foreign companies like Gemcorp Commodities and Assets PRM Services LLC. Ibrahim Cole has shown that Sierra Leoneans can also do better in the mining sector.
- FODAY DUMBUYA: BRAVE AND INNOVATIVE: Dumbuya is the designer of Arsenal Labrum Jersey that has received global commendation. He was born in Sierra Leone and grew up in London. He is the founder and director of Labrum, a designing company making waves in the world of design and fashion.
The Kit, he developed for Arsenal celebrates the club’s strong connection to its African supporters with the black base features a bold white zig-zag graphic designed. Traditional pan-African colors of black, red, and green further emphasize this connection.
“This shirt is a mural of our past and present connection to the African diaspora,” said an Arsenal in a statement. “It champions the rich cultural heritage within the team and across our supporter base,” a statement by Arsenal Football Club.
- NDYEYE KOROMA: INTELLIGENT AND HARDWORKING: The hardworking women behind the Millenium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact. Madam Ndeye has been working as the head of delivery team of MCC in Sierra Leone. She has been the head when Sierra Leone implemented the threshold program. Her hard work at the Sierra Leone Compact Development Office together with Vice President of Sierra Leone Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh has been rewarded with over $400M grant that will help ameliorate the energy crisis. She explained the project which they submitted and will include transmission backbone, 225KV from Newton all the way to the provinces, reinforcing the system in Freetown and enhancing reforms in both Electricity, Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) and Electricity Generation and Transmission Company (EGTC)
- KHADIJA BANGURA: CREATIVITY AND MEDIA ENTERPRENUER: With online journalism gaining momentum, former Radio democracy broadcaster, Khadija Bangura decided to set up an online television together with her former colleagues, Liberty On Line Television. In just a year, Liberty On Line Television has been reporting and discussing what others are shying from doing and in just 1 year they are becoming a huge presence online
- PETER KOMBA- MOVIE SUPERSTAR: Peter Komba is doing well in Nollywood, the Nigerian Film Industry. He is being featured in recent Nigerian Movies like Memories of Me, From Crush To Lovers and Sun Kissed. He is becoming a rising Nollywood Superstar as he showcases his talent in acting.
- INCREDIBLE JJ- BLOCKBUSTER: The Musician Incredible JJ took the Sierra Leone Music Industry by storm with his song Freetown, explaining the expectation of young man from the provinces coming to Freetown to survive but noticed that the reality is different from the expectation. Since then, he has produced songs like Bad Bush and Freetown. He is now an official artist of Sierra Leone’s biggest producer Nashito.
- AUGUSTINE SORRIE SENGBE MARRAH- ADVOCATE AND PEOPLE’S LAWYER: Some say he is a stubborn lawyer but he has been very consistent in his legal approach on public interest matters to the point that he is acclaimed by both her colleagues and ordinary Sierra Leoneans. He contested for the Presidency to lead the Sierra Leone Bar but due to alleged rigging and vote manipulation which did not only impugn the reputation of lawyers but put the once sacred profession in a bad light. Marrah was quick to condemn the action of his Friend and Sierra Leone’s antigraft Boss for leading what will become a scar in the legal profession. Marrah has formed the Lawyers Society which will uphold rule of law and promote democratic values.
- HON MARIAMA MUNIA ZOMBO: COURAGEOUS AND DETEMINED- Hon Mariam Munia Zombo from Pujehun District is the member of Parliament who presented a private member motion bill entitled, the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act that has become the Bill, Prohibits Child Marriage, Prohibits Cohabitation with a Child, Annuls Child Marriage, Compensates Victims of Child Marriage, Protects Victims of Child Marriage and Harmonises and Amends Age, Penalty and other loopholes in other laws regarding Child Marriage.
“As we move forward, I urge all citizens, organizations, and policymakers to join us in this vital movement. Together, we can create an environment where every girl can thrive, learn, and grow without the threat of early marriage. Let us stand united in our resolve to protect our children and ensure that they,” she said.
- Francis Trevor Samura: Chairman Cricket Sierra Leone- Under the regime of Francis Trevor Samura, Sierra Leone after years will return as host nation after been given the hosting right to host one of the ICC Senior Men’s T20 Africa regional World Cup Qualifier in 2026. The Association is presently constructing an ultra-modern two pitch Cricket Ovals at FBC. U-19 Men’s national team Junior Patriots qualify to division1 ICC W/C Africa qualifier, U-19 Women’s ended in 3rd position in the ICC U-19 W/C qualifier in Rwanda, The Senior Men’s national team (Senior Patriots) ended in 3rd position recently in the ICC Senior Men’s W/C qualifier in Abuja Nigeria. In the recent World Cricket ranking ICC rank Sierra Leone 17 out of 92 in good governance. He has contracted some of the unemployed players both male and female to help them sustain life along the sport.
- Juma Bah: A TOWERING DEFENDER-Sierra Leone’s sensational central defender Juma Bah playing his trade in Spain with Real Valladolid is presently on the sport light in the world. The 18 years old made his 14th appearances on Friday since he stated his professional career in Spain.
In his 13th appearance he helped his club with brilliant performance to defeat Valencia CF at home. The above victory helped his club to move out of relegation.
His brilliant performance, stopping top strikers in Spain has drawn the attention of top clubs in Europe with clubs in the English Premier League leading the chase. Juma was one time contacted by the head coach of Leone Stars to represent his country but he declined, saying he is yet fighting to be a permanent player for his club in his position. Sources also stated that Juma has said he is happy with Valladolid. The sources went on that officially he said no club has contacted him to join them. Meanwhile fans in Sierra Leone are worried not to lose him to another country in Europe like the other Sierra Leoneans who have naturalized in other countries in Europe.
