By Cheryl Thomas and Juliana Kabba in Kabala
In a significant display of culture, scientific and educational prowess, the 7th National Science and Leadership Festival (Scieleadfest2024) commenced in Kabala on Thursday.
The opening ceremony was garnished with cultural diversity through entertainment by traditional entertainers from some of the major ethnic groups in Koinadugu District. The performers from the Koranko, Fullah and Limba ethnic groups beautifully filled the atmosphere with singing and dancing.
ScieLeadFest is an annual event which brings together scientists, innovators, artists and policy makers, among others, to discuss science and leadership. It is organized by Project 1808, a US registered non-profit that is dedicated to improving community livelihood and technical capacity through school, university, and community projects and global partnerships in Sierra Leone.
Dr Alhaji Umar Njai, Founder and Chief Strategist of Project 1808, said in a statement in the opening ceremony that the organization seeks to build capacity and leadership to ensure that young people are able to aspire, think big and be motivated to seek opportunities.
Dr Njai told the audience that it shouldn’t be about where people come from or where they started in life, instead, it should be about what opportunities and what motivation they have to achieve their goals.
“That is what will take you far,” he said in a statement primarily targeted at young people. “Project 1808 is about taking people far away in life,” he added.
ScieLeadFest2024, which runs from January 11 to 14, is being held on the theme: “STEAM and Leadership: Ideas to Action, Promoting Action, Promoting Food Security, Climate Resilience, Opportunities for Youths and Combating Sustainable Peace.
Dr Njai told ManoReporters that his organization aspires to provide a platform that nurtures and unleashes hidden talents in young people through which they can maximise their potential.
“The project stretches its arms to culture consciousness by integrating culture into education and science. Hence, beneficiaries are equipped as productive citizens to solve problems within their communities,” he said.
The scientist and Pan-Africanist also said that this year’s festival have a strong push for capacity building, leadership and motivation for pupils within the Kabala community.
Since its founding in 2011, Project1808 has worked towards promoting sustainable community development in the Koinadugu district, especially in Kabala. It does so by aiding young students in their efforts to identify and address the root causes of poverty, public and environmental health challenges, and other community-identified concerns. The ScieLeadFest is part of this effort.
The Koindudgu College, opened this year to students, is also part of this initiative. ScieLeadFest 2024 is being held in the Red Cross campus of the college.
Dr Njai said holding the festival this year on the grounds of the college is a testament of the progress of Project 1808.
Over 1000 people were expected to attend the event, with over 200 traveling from outside Koinadugu, including scientists and cultural enthusiats from overseas.
