25th June 2022—Fachima Hall, Kono District: The Chief Executive of the National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA), Chief Ibrahim Brima Swarray, who is also the President of the Ibrahim Brima Swarray Foundation has again in his bid to complement President Julius Maada Bio’s Free Quality Education through Literary and Debating Championship across Sierra Leone organised the Second Episode of the Ibrahim Brima Swarray’s Academic Trophy in Kono District.
The competition attracted schools across Kono District. The theme for the Second Episode of the Championship is: Adapting to COVID-19 disruptions: Students’ Engagement in Practical Exploration of Behavioural and Cognitive Skills for Professional and Entrepreneurial Development.
As the Keynote Speaker of the auspicious edutaining gathering, Chief Ibrahim Brima Swarray started by asking a series of rhetorical questions ranging from what has the Diamond and Gold from Kono District changed the status quo of the district to what has all the people and companies that have enriched themselves through these natural resources contributed to the development of Kono. He said he was proud of being in Kono to organise a Quiz and Debate competition that will capacitate the children of Kono District to have the spirit of self-esteem so they will be able to express themselves on whatever platform.
Chief Swarray continued by confessing that Kono was endowed with a lot of Natural Resources. He said what the district needs now was to back up those endowments with Education.
*”For Sierra Leone to move forward and to see ourselves as One Country One People, we need education and self-esteem. For that reason, I know His Excellency Brigadier (RTD) Julius Maada Bio and his wife, the First Lady Fatima Bio were right to prioritise the Free Quality Education, especially for girls. I will confirm to you all that I’m convinced that girls need education and self-esteem. The reason is, that educating a girl child is like educating a whole community. If we want this country to grow faster, we (men) need our female counterparts to work together.”
Responding to why he has decided to ensure that he has organised the Quiz and Debate Competition across this country, Ibrahim Brima Swarray said, it was his contribution to the quality aspect of the Free Quality Education. The reason he said, the Quiz and Debate Championship will kill glossophobia in children; hence prepare them to express themselves.
Chief Swarray confirmed that the Quiz and Debate competition was going to continue until it has taken the National Stage.
*”It’s My dream to host all the brains currently going to school under one roof to engage in an Academic Championship. And that is going to be a Quiz and Debate Competition.”* Chief Ibrahim Brima Swarray stressed.
At the climax of the Championship, the Unique International Academy, Kono emerged as the Best Quiz Team. Clary Free the Children Junior Secondary School and the Koidu Junior Secondary School both clinched the Second Position. Both Schools scored the same marks, thereby leaving no room for Third Place.
Sahr Philip James of Koidu Junior Secondary School bagged home the Best Quizzer’s Award worth One Million Leones. Hannah Sesay of Unique International Academy and Mary Sia Quee of Clary Free the Children Junior Secondary School won the Second and Third Place Awards respectively.
In the Debate category, the Islamic Secondary School, Kono won the Best Debate Team Award. Koidu Senior Secondary School took the Second Best Debating Team Award and Clary Free the Children Senior Secondary School emerged as the Third Best Debating Team.
Sallaymatu Sangarie of the Universe Senior Secondary School has been crowned the Best Debater.
According to the Country Director of the Ibrahim Brima Swarray Foundation, Massaquoi Mannah Massaquoi said, their next line of action will be to stage a regional final to identify the Brain of the East for the Second Episode of the Ibrahim Brima Swarray’s Academic Trophy.
By Media and Communications. Ibrahim Brima Swarray Foundation.*
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