BY IBRAHIM JOENAL SESAY
232NEWS, FREETOWN
The Master of Ceremony (MC) for the 119 Foundation Day of Albert Academy, a renowned Journalist, Thomas Dixon has described the school celebration as one that has come at a time when Sierra Leone as a nation is faced with a choice of pursuing the road of perpetual peace and prosperity or going down the easy path of doom.
He made this statement on Wednesday at the school’s ground where the Foundation Day was observed. Among other guests were the Presiding Bishop, the United Methodist Church, the President of the Albert Academy Alumni Association, Alumni, staff, and Present pupils of the school with the theme “Honouring Our Past Shaping Our Future”.
He went on to say the theme may not have come at a proper time other than this. At a time in which young people have resorted to drug abuse instead of embarking on something meaningful to themselves and society at large.
“It has come at a time when Sierra Leone as a nation is faced with a choice of pursuing the road of perpetual peace and prosperity or going down the easy path of doom.”
He stated that it is no mistake that the founders of the Albert Academy decided to establish the school on the foot of the hill leading to Fourah Bay College, as it was a difficult journey both academically and literally to come to the Albert Academy.
Although it is often said that they must not dwell in the past the Academician will always highlight the past to shape the future because the footprint on the sands of time has shown that Academician has always contributed greatly to the development of Sierra Leone, Africa, and the World At Large.
“It was the path which our first Prime Minister and father of independence Sir Milton Margai walked and left behind the example of a United Sierra Leone devoid of tribe, religion, region, and party affiliation. It was the same road, Dr. Siaka Probyn Steven, the first Executive President of Sierra Leone walked and left behind tangible infrastructure in Sierra Leone,” he said.
According to him, there is hardly a sector where one cannot see the contribution of Academician ranging from Toboku Metzeger, Dr. Karefa Smart who helped design the foreign policy of Sierra Leone to those proud academicians now serving the state both in the private and public sector
Therefore, he added, the present pupils must see a need to follow the bright examples of past pupils who have lit the torch of fame in the nations and beyond.
“Finally, as the third Stanza of the School, Our School and Christ Stand Forever we are loyal to them to the end, whatever the praises will be singing academy show forth their worth. We can show true loyalty to this school by teaching the present pupils discipline, by contributing to the development of this school, and by contributing to the development of our nation. Let’s continue to be what we truly are and not what we are not as espoused by our school motto, Esse Quam Videri (Rather To Be Than To Seem),” he called.
The 119 Foundation Day was full of excitement as Rev. Raymond Bola-Williams served as Keynote speaker, Strategic planning committee representative Mrs. Zainab Kabba, Dr. Salie Mahoi, Cohorts of 1980/90s, Anniversary committee Chairman, Roudolph C.V.M Wilson made manful contributions.
The Presiding Bishop, of the United Methodist Church was awarded honorary Alumni of Albert Academy while the scripture union dramatis a song.
