Master Peace-Sierra Leone announce 2016 ‘Nelson’ award
September 23, 2016 By Hassan G. Koroma
Master Peace-Sierra Leone, with support from Master Peace Foundation in the Netherlands, Wednesday, 21 September, 2016 awarded the ‘Nelson’ tittle to one Bernard S. Kargbo, with the aim of inspiring, recognising and empowering young people who have in diverse ways contributed to national development, read the citation.
They organisation also issued ‘Peace Ambassador’ certificates to people that have contributed to transforming young people in the country.
Speaking during the award ceremony, hosted at the Miatta Conference Hall, Country Director of Master Peace -Sierra Leone, Ambassador Charles Sylvanus Boye Jr. stated that the Nelson Award project was aimed at inspiring young people that are using their talent to inspire others in the country.
He said they selected over 58 nominees from across the country and that the judges selected the winners.
Giving the background to Master Peace-Sierra Leone, Amina Bangura said the organisation is an innovate global grassroots peace movement affiliated with Master Peace Foundation, headquartered in Cairo, Egypt, and their support office in the Netherlands.
She said Master Peace-Sierra Leone is legally registered as a youth serving agency with the National Youth Commission with the aim of inspiring young people to use their talent and energy for building peace and togetherness.
She further stated that Master Peace would help lead the way to a more sustainable Sierra Leone without armed conflict.
“Master Peace-Sierra Leone, in partnership with Master Peace Foundation, officially launched the International Nelson Award Initiative in March, 2016. The award was directed at inspiring, recognising and empowering young people who are change-makers and have in diverse ways contributed to national development,” she explained.
She added that the award was aimed at catalysing creativity and optimising change for sustainable and more prosperous Sierra Leone.
The Nelsons Award, named after the iconic Nelson Mandela of South Africa, searches for those who best represent and promote the ideals of the late former President and anti-Apartheid leader and uses those ideals to rise up and make positive impacts in their communities, societies and the country at large.
Also speaking, Chief Judge of the award ceremony, Dr. Adonis Abboud, who was also a recipient of the award, said he has over the years observed that there was a vacuum between leaders of the country and youths even before the 11-year civil war.
He observed that such vacuum was making the youth population feel marginalised and prone to violent activities.
He cautioned young people that violence was never a solution to their problems, but noted that they should always be focused and make use of their talents to transform their communities and the country at large.
Dr. Adonis Abboud, Mamaja Jalloh (D.J. Base), Alex Nallo Jr., Kelvin Doe, and Ester Michael Emeh were certified as ‘Peace Ambassadors’ for 2016,while Bernard S. Karbgo won the bronze sculptured ‘Nelson’ tittle for 2016.