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Showing posts from April, 2025

FTL-AGL Celebrated World Day For Safety

By: Zainab Sunkary Koroma Freetown Terminal Limited, a subsidiary under Africa Global Logistics (AGL), celebrated World Day for Safety and Health at Work, a UN international day that is celebrated on April 28 each year, which aims to promote the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally. Work-related accidents and diseases are a major concern worldwide, affecting millions of workers and their families. African Global Logistics Regional Managing Director Captain Fabjanka Kokan said as a company, safety is their priority, and it is a must to put on safety gear while working because when you go home with money, it is okay, but when you lose your life in the process, it is not okay, and it will be for nothing. So everyone should prioritize safety and take it seriously, as safety is not just a rule but respect and mindset.  He further stated that last year and early this year, the terminal had two fatal accidents that claimed two lives, so to prevent such incidents, if ...

Two Arrested in Mile 91 for Alleged Possession of Cannabis Sativa

Mile 91, Tonkolili District — Police in the North East Region have arrested two individuals for allegedly being in unlawful possession of sixteen (16) bundles of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis sativa, commonly known as Jamba . The suspects, identified as Yama Kaprr Kamara and Aiah Abu Conteh , both from Makondu Village in the Tonkolili District, were arrested on Sunday, 27th April 2025, at about 10:30 a.m. during a police operation in Makondu Village, Yoni Mabanta Chiefdom. According to police sources, the operation was carried out by officers from the Mile 91 Division, following an intelligence tip-off from concerned community members. The team, led by Divisional Operations Officer DSP Sao Conteh and supervised by the Local Unit Commander, Superintendent Ishmael Koroma, reportedly found the suspects with a large quantity of the suspected illegal substance without any lawful authority. The arrest is said to be part of an ongoing crackdown on drug-related crimes in the Nort...

University of Makeni holds 13th congregation ceremony, graduating 756 students across seven faculties

By: Benedict AbuBakarr Conteh - Makeni, Sierra Leone – April 28, 2025 The University of Makeni (UNIMAK) on Saturday, 26th April, 2025, hosted its 13th Congregation Ceremony for the conferment of degrees, diplomas, and certificates, a landmark academic occasion witnessed by dignitaries, families, friends, and members of the academic community. A total of 756 students graduated, comprising 401 females and 355 males, showcasing the university’s ongoing commitment to gender equality and academic excellence in Sierra Leone. Chancellor of UniMak and Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education  Students from seven faculties — Agriculture, Business Administration and Management, Education, Law and Humanities, Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Mass Communication and Computer Science, and Social Sciences — were awarded their qualifications during a festive and celebratory event. In his welcome address, the vice-chancellor and principal, Rev. Fr. Dr. Joseph Turay, commended the grad...

The Sudden Death of SLBC Deputy Station Manager in Magburaka Left Tonkolili District Devastated

By: Richmond B. Tholley Sadness gripped Tonkolili District and its people following the announcement of the death of one of the community's industrious journalists and young people. Abdul Karim Kanu, a respected journalist and the Deputy Station Manager of the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) in Magburaka, was announced dead in the afternoon hours of Tuesday 22nd April 2025. According to information, he died at the Makeni regional hospital after he reported a heart attack. Announcing Kanu's death, SLBC Magburaka Station Manager Mohamed Adam Jr. described his late colleague as one of the organisation's greatest assets. "With regret and extreme sadness, we announced the dearth of Mr Abdul Karim Kanu, the Manager's obituary announcement reads.  At age 39, Kanu was the deputy manager and finance officer of SLBC Magburaka and a former branch youth chairman of the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society, among others. A condolence book is open at SLBC Magburaka for th...

AGL Supports Education with Donation to Freetown Terminal Limited Primary School

By: Mariama Bundu On April 19, 2025, a wave of excitement and gratitude swept through the small community of Manthagba Village in the Sanda Tendaran Chiefdom of Karene District, northwest Sierra Leone. The source of this joy was Stanley Bangura Jr., a senior regional journalist representing Africa Global Logistics (AGL), who distributed essential educational materials to the local Freetown Terminal Limited Primary School. This initiative is part of AGL’s ongoing commitment to support education and empower children in some of Sierra Leone's most underserved areas. Manthagba Village, like many remote regions in Sierra Leone, has faced severe challenges regarding access to quality education. Over the years, the community experienced significant hurdles, with children having to trek five miles daily just to attend school, which often resulted in high dropout rates and diminished interest in education. Recognizing this dilemma, AGL took a proactive stance, and four years ago, the compan...

People’s Development Foundation Extends Operations to Karene District in a Historic Meeting at Gbinti

By: Benedict AbuBakarr Conteh - Gbinti, Karene District—April 20, 2025 The People’s Development Foundation (PDF) Sierra Leone has officially extended its operations to the Karene District, following a well-attended meeting held on Saturday, April 20, 2025, in Gbinti, Debia Chiefdom. The event brought together traditional authorities, local stakeholders, community representatives, and political party figures in what has been described as a landmark step toward inclusive rural development in Sierra Leone’s North-Western Province. All thirteen paramount chiefs from the district’s chiefdoms were present at the gathering, expressing their collective support and appreciation for PDF’s expansion to their communities. The paramount chiefs from Sanda Tendaren, Sella Limba, Libisgahun, Sanda Loko, Buya Romende, Gbanti Kamaranka, Mafonda Makerembay, Safroko Limba, Debia, Tambakha Simibungie, Tambakha Yobangie, Sanda Magbolontor, and Romende Chiefdoms all emphasized the urgent need for development...

Sierra Leonean Media Practitioner Benedict Conteh selected for the Kwame Karikari Fact-Checking and OSINT Fellowship

  By: Veronica Koroma In a significant stride toward strengthening ethical journalism in Sierra Leone, Benedict AbuBakarr Conteh, a media practitioner with Beline Media Empire, has been selected to participate in the Kwame Karikari Fact-Checking and OSINT Fellowship 2025 . The fellowship, named after Prof. Kwame Karikari—one of Africa’s leading voices in press freedom—seeks to empower journalists with skills in fact-checking and open-source intelligence (OSINT), equipping them to challenge disinformation and improve accountability journalism across the continent. Speaking on the selection, Benedict AbuBakarr Conteh said, “This opportunity means a lot to me both personally and professionally. In an age where misinformation spreads rapidly, fact-checking and verification are more critical than ever. I’m grateful to be part of a program that prioritizes truth and journalistic integrity.” The fellowship brings together a diverse group of journalists from different African countries ...

Masingbi Police Station Transforms into Divisional Headquarters, Authorities in Kunike Sanda Chiefdom Handed Over Buildings to the Sierra Leone Police

By Richmond B. Tholley In their efforts to support the Inspector General of Police, William Fayia Sellu, to transform the Masingbi Police Station into a Divisional Headquarters, the authorities in Kunike Sanda Chiefdom in the Northern District of Tonkolili led by the Chiefdom Speaker Abass Bundu has on behalf of the Paramount Chief handed over buildings to the leadership of the Sierra Leone Police in the Northeast region.  The handing-over ceremony, which was held at the gateway of the Masingbi township, took place on Sunday, 13th April 2025. About nine (9) buildings were handed over to a joint team of North East Region and Magburaka Personnel headed by the Regional Support Officer Supt. Mr. Moray Kamara. According to the Northeast region Police spokesman, Sgt. John Abass Kamara, the buildings will be used as dwelling rooms for Police officers, cells, and administrative purposes.  Receiving the structures on behalf of the Regional Commander, Assistant Inspector General of Poli...

Ahmed Saybom Kanu Re-elected SLPP Chairman of Tonkolili District

By Richmond B. Tholley The Sierra Leone People's Party membership in the Northern District of Tonkolili has overwhelmingly re-elected Ahmed Saybom Kanu. The elections took place on Saturday, the 12th of April, 2025, at the Tonkolili District Council hall in Magburaka town. The party's district membership gathered to elect a new district leadership and executive. While many were expecting a tight political race between two of the District's influential politicians, Mohamed Orman Bangura, Kanu's main challenger and former youth minister, boycotted the process, and he wasn't seen around throughout the day. The reason for his absence remains unclear. Because of the absence of his opponent, Kanu was declared the winner, making him back-to-back chairman. The party's regional chairman and former resident minister of the Northeast, Abu Abu Abdulai Koroma, declared Ahmed Saybom Kanu the winner and Chairman-elect. Koroma is the returning officer as per the SLPP constituti...

FACT-CHECK: Viral Image of State House in Flames Misrepresents Reality

MISLEADING Claim: A photo making rounds on social media shows the entire State House engulfed in a massive fire. Beline Media Empire’s Findings: After a close review and verification with multiple sources, Beline Media Empire can confirm that the image does not accurately represent the real situation. While it is true that there was a fire incident at the State House, it was limited to specific sections of the building—not the entire structure as the image suggests. The viral photo appears to be either digitally manipulated or taken out of context, aiming to create fear or exaggerate the extent of the damage. In an official statement, the Ministry of Information and Civic Education clarified: Preliminary information indicates that the fire started around 4:00 p.m. on the 4th Floor of the West Wing and has since extended to the 3rd Floor… The Office of the President, located on the 2nd Floor, has not been affected. The Ministry also confirmed that emergency services were actively workin...

Fire Outbreak at Makeni Government Hospital’s Special Care Baby Unit

By: Benedict AbuBakarr Conteh  A fire incident has occurred at the Makeni Regional Government Hospital that resulted in the destruction of valuable medical equipment and other essential properties at the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) in the early hours of Friday 11th April, 2025. Our team was on the ground to gather firsthand information and can confirm that swift efforts were made to bring the situation under control. At this point, the extent of the damage is still being assessed, and investigations into the cause of the fire are underway. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they unfold. Stay Updated! Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now

External Influence in Mara Chiefdom Case

By: Benedict AbuBakarr Conteh During our visit to Mena Police Station on the 2nd of April, 2025, we discovered that external forces had influenced the release of the chiefdom police officer accused of assaulting Zainab Sesay and her baby. Despite this, we remain committed to following the case alongside human rights activists to ensure justice is served. The Head of Media for the Sierra Leone Police, North Eastern Region, Sergeant John Abass Kamara, assured us of his full compliance in handling the matter. Stay tuned for more updates. #JusticeForZainab #PressFreedom #SierraLeone  Stay Updated! Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now

Farming Communities in Mambolo's Matatie section Struggling as Blocked Waterways Threaten Livelihoods

  By Shebora Samba Kamara - Voice of Wusum Radio 88.5fm  The livelihood of thousands of residents around the Rokel-Kalaikay community, Mambolo Chiefdom, Kambia District, has been under severe threat for over a year now, as the construction of a major road has caused severe disruption to local agriculture. These farming communities, where the majority of residents depend on agriculture for their daily sustenance, have found themselves in an increasingly dire situation as critical waterways have been blocked and key infrastructure, including bridges, have been closed, some damaged. The ongoing road construction from Matatie to Tombo Wala has inadvertently caused extensive damage to the area’s vital river systems. With rivers blocked and bridges impassable, waterways that are essential for irrigation and transport to and from farms have been severed. The immediate consequence of this disruption has been devastating for local farmers. The previous farming season saw a dramatic hal...