Friday 21st February 2025 SAMSUMANA THRILLED UNIMAK IN HIS PUBLIC LECTURE The Former Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, who doubled as a Global Peace Ambassador, Alhaji Chief Samuel SamSumana on Thursday 20th February 2025, was at the University of Makeni (UNIMAK) where he served as Guest of Honour and keynote speaker on the 'Chief Alhaji SamSumana Clash of Orators and Public Lectures Series' debate and also delivered a public lecture on 'The Power of Unity: Cultivating National Cohesion for a stronger Sierra Leone'. The program, organized by the Student's Representative Council in partnership with the UNIMAK Debating Council, attracted students from UNIMAK and other Tertiary Institutions in Makeni City. In his opening address, the Registrar of UNIMAK, Mr Foday Augustine Bangura, commended Former President Ernest Bai Koroma and his Vice President, Chief Samuel SamSumana, for their roles and contributions towards the establishment of the University in Makeni. In his Keynote address, Chief SamSumana thanked the students and the Administration of UNIMAK for allowing him to talk on such an important topic geared towards the unity of this country. He also congratulated the Debators for their various contributions, saying the University has the breeds to lead this country in the future. The Former Vice President reiterated that the only way a country can move forward is to put aside both tribalism and regionalism. Chief SamSumana told the gathering that when he was Vice President some UN Officials came to his office and asked how they were able to achieve peace and national unity in Sierra Leone and response he said they as a Government were able to achieve it through the TRC report by putting aside the odds that brought about the ugly civil war in our country. He called on all and sundry to put aside those issues of tribalism and nepotism that have excelled so far in our country, saying you don't need to be identified by your tribe or region before given a job or responsibility but as a Sierra Leonean that can contribute to the socio-economic development of the country. The Global Peace Ambassador admonished all to commence the unity of the country, adding that to achieve this, we have to put ourselves together as one family to make sure peace is sustained in our country. He said although we have eighteen ethnic groups in our country presently, we are at a crossroads and called on all to emulate a good example of Rwanda, which has gone through tribal conflict in which thousands lost their lives, but today they have put behind tribalism and regionalism and now moving forward as one Rwanda. As Politicians, he said they have the responsibility to cultivate national cohesion to enhance peace and unity in our country. The Students Representative Council and Debating Council of UNIMAK presented the Former Vice President with an Award of Recognition for his valuable strides in National Cohesion and Unity in the country as a Global Peace Ambassador. Finally, Chief SamSumana handed out certificates to the debaters as a high point of the ceremony. Story by Mustapha Juana