State House, Freetown, Friday 21 September 2018 – His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio has decorated three Colonels who have been promoted to the rank of Brigadier Generals and assured of his support to the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF).
While congratulating the new Generals at a State House, President Bio, who doubles as Commander-In-Chief of RSLAF and Minister of Defense, said the decoration ceremony reminded him of what he had to go through over twenty years ago, joking that whenever he stood in front of military officers he had always felt like going back home. He added that RSLAF as an institution had gone through a lot and had also been tested and proven fit for purpose. He stated that he was proud of his days in the military and called on members of the RSLAF to continue making the institution proud.
“Our institution is a unique one. Before now, people thought it was meant for dropouts but through our collective efforts, we have been able to change that perception and I continue to implore you all to give your best in your duties. Let us all, at all times, remember that our duty is to protect and defend the territorial integrity of our country and in doing so I want to be proud of you because this is the institution where I served,” the Defense Minister said.
The Commander in Chief also stated that as military officers, they must remain focused at all times because they were mentally trained and intellectually formed with discipline being the core in anything they do and warned that they must not be distracted in the cause of their respective duties.
Chief of Defense Staff, Major General Brima Sesay, said the event was a momentous one as RSLAF welcomed three of their own into the General rank. He said the three Generals had long-standing experience and had exhibited distinguished character in the military. He thanked the Commander-In-Chief for his consideration in approving the names of the officers recommended to him, saying that that illustrated the President’s confidence in the military.
“Let me congratulate you on assuming this covetous rank that is earned only by the chosen few. Promotions come from God through men and as you assume your new roles I call on you all to give more than your best in serving the people of this country. I have no doubt in you all as you have excelled and distinguished yourselves from colleagues, which earned you this well-deserved rank. Let me assure you, Mr President, of our loyalty to you and the people of Sierra Leone,” he said.
In his vote of thanks, Brigadier General Kinnie Fefegulah, who spoke on behalf of the new Generals, mentioned: “This is a historic day in our careers as we have attained a rank which every commissioned officer is looking for. We thank the President for the confidence reposed in us and we assure you of our undivided loyalty and continuous commitment to supporting the actualisation of your dream of not only the success of the RSLAF but also the progress of the nation as a whole. We are indeed humbled by and grateful for elevating us to this height”.
The new Brigadier Generals are Augustine Kinnie Fefegulah, Victor Vengeh Samba and Dauda Fred Alpha.
For more enquiries: State House Media and Communications Unit +232 76 758764/+232 88 269282
