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By Ibrahim Joenal Sesay
The Fourah Bay College (FBC), University of Sierra Leone over the weekend marked its 196th years anniversary with a flag raising ceremony at the new multi-purpose hall, FBC.
In his welcome remarks Deputy Registrar, Brima Bah, said they also look forward to the promise of a brighter future as they are recognised as the Athens of West Africa.
He said they were focussed on attaining the goal of rebranding FBC.
The Chairperson of the ceremony, Dr. Willitte P.R.O. James congratulated and wished the FBC administration a happy birthday. Quoting from the bible, she said they must be grateful to reach such age.
“FBC has been blessed in many ways and has given birth to many children. Today God has blessed this month with a unique opportunity. Can your hands make or break? Remember the future of FBC lies in your hands,” she stated.
The President of ASA, FBC, Ambrose T. Rogers said FBC has brought enlightenment, honour and pride to Sierra Leone. He added that they have enjoyed support from local and international partnerships.
He outlined some of the huddles they were facing such as lack of housing facilities and transportation for staff, rampant theft and general insecurity on campus, porous and noisy environment, delay in salary of promoted staff and gratuity of retired staff, among others.
“The needful must be done if we must move forward. The staff are highly motivated and ready to work to move the institution to higher heights. We need more class rooms, teaching and learning facilities,” he called.
The Registrar, USL, said it’s not easy to get to 196 years but FBC has been a beacon of learning in and out of Sierra Leone.
“We need to take a recheck before we get to 200 years, where we are currently. Can we look at ourselves individual and say we have done our best in our little way from the cleaners to the professor’s? We all have something to give to make FBC better and we are positioned to make things better. We own more than 500 acres of land; I don’t think if we have up to 300 acres. Can we make the best of FBC?” she asked.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, FBC Mr Mansaray, thanked the past administration for the foundation they have laid which he is working on.
He said their focus will be on revenue generation for FBC. Soon, he disclosed FBC will be producing bottle water, petroleum products and gas station on campus.
“We are in the process of getting two 59 seater buses, formation of FBC football club, ITC portal. He pointed out that they were working on it, serious security lapses on campus.”
He continues to outlines that soon they will rehabilitate the volleyball and basketball courts.
“FBC is a world-class institution. We are putting together a strategy plan to capture all our projects. As we celebrate today I wish to thanked all staff and faculties. I am also pleased with the leadership of the student union government; I look forward to work with them. Let us all continue to support FBC, a national heritage, world-class institution,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor and Principal, USL Prof Foday Sahr, said so much has been achieved over the years, a lot has been learned and more needs to be done.
“Let us offer the new administration unwavering support so that he can succeed. I applaud the move taken by the administration in the area of Infrastructure, increasing access to education…” he said.
Representative of the Minister of Technical and High Education, said FBC product is almost in every factor of life. He said FBC has done so much for them and described flag raising as a way of instilling a source of reference, loyalty and giving to their institution.
In her keynote address, Ms. Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles, congratulated FBC for her 196 years. She said despite their problems, they must strive to be happy.
She advised the administration to set up committee by departments and sectors ahead of the 200 years’ anniversary.
The ceremony was climaxed with the hosting of the College’s Flag.
