April 29, 2023
By Joy Osiagwu
The Sierra Leone Community Association of Ottawa comprises Sierra Leoneians in the capital region and Gatineau with a strong commitment and passion for their home country. It was evident in celebrating the nation’s 62nd Independence Anniversary in Ottawa under the distinguished Grand Chief Patronage, His Excellency, the Honorary Consul, Mr David Pratt, at the Margaret Rywark Community Building, at 68 Knoxdale Road on Nepean, Ottawa.
Executive members of the Association and the Honorary Consul, Mr David Pratt
A cross-section of ladies at the event
The President of the Association, Mr Odofie Williams, applauded the remarkable conduct of members in keeping to the tenets of the Association’s vision and showing tremendous respect for the multicultural policy of Canada as they co-exist in harmony with other communities.
President of the Association, Mr Odofie Williams
He described Sierra Leonians in Ottawa as peaceful, tolerant, and responsible for the sole governance of their community. He also thanked the Association’s Executive members for coordinating its community and social events peacefully, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Members of the Community
Reliving his memorable experience in Sierra Leone in 1990 on his first trip to the country and Africa and subsequent visits, the Honorary Consul, Mr David Pratt, described the Sierra Leone as one of the most beautiful and religious tolerant nations on the continent.
The Honorary Consul, Mr David Pratt delivering a goodwill message.
He encouraged the Association to keep the spirit of unity in Ottawa alive while supporting their country of origin in accelerating development.
A cross -section of community members
Following the mood of the celebration, the guest speaker, and Assistant Professor and coordinator of the African Studies Program in the Department of Social Science at York University, Dr Mohamed Sesay, focused on the significance of independence and the Sierra Leonian diaspora’s role in Sierra Leone’s development efforts.
Guest speaker, Dr. Mohamed Sesay
He commended the resilient nature of the people and how the gesture has contributed to the significant developments in the country, despite coming out of a series of catastrophic events, including a protracted civil war. The summation of the speech was a clarion call to all Sierra Leonians in the diaspora to decolonize the colonial structures hindering the process of ensuring an authentic experience of independence.
Members of various communities in Ottawa also join the association to make the celebration remarkable.
Dr Nduka Otiono, Dir. Institute of African Studies, Carleton University, and his wife, Mrs Onyisi Otiono
The Association is passionate about caring for all Sierra Leoneans residing in Ottawa.
The Honorary Consul, Mr David Pratt, former President Monty Domingo and another guest
Other objectives of the Association include but are not limited to contributing towards the national development of Sierra Leone, to sustain Sierra Leone’s education system through an annual scholarship program.
Guests at the event
The association is also keen on promoting the visibility of Sierra Leoneans residing in Ottawa while promoting cooperation between the Association and other associations with similar interests in the capital region.
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Joy Osiagwu is a Project Officer with Black History Ottawa. She has over two decades of experience as a broadcast journalist in Nigeria and North America. She holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Cumbria in the United Kingdom, plus a post-graduate diploma in Broadcast Performing Arts from the Columbia Academy, Vancouver, British Columbia.