The Former Vice President of Sierra Leone and a Global Peace Ambassador, Chief Alhaji Sam Sumana was on Thursday 20th January, 2025 served as guest of honour on clash of Orators Debate and also delivers a public lecture on the power of unity, cultivating national cohesion for a strong Sierra Leone.

The programme which was 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 Deputy Registrar of UNIMAK commended former President Ernest Bai Koroma and his Vice Chief Sam Sumana for their roles and contributions towards the establishment of University in Makeni.

In his address as keynote Speaker and Guest of Honour, Chief Sam Sumana thanked the students and the administration of UNIMAK for giving him the opportunity to talk on such important topics that gear towards the unity of this country.

He also congratulated the debaters for their various contributions, noting that 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 Sam Sumana told the gathering that when he was vice president, some UN officials went to his office and asked how they as government were able to achieve the peace and national unity in the country and in his response, he told that they were to do so through the implementation of the TRC Report, putting aside the odds that brought about the ugly civil war in our country.

He called on all and sundry to put aside the issues of tribalism and nepotism that have excelled so far in our country, insisting that: “You don’t need to be identified by your tribe or region before giving 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 embark on unity of the country, adding that in order 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 crossroad and called on all to emulate the good example of Rwanda that has gone through tribal conflict in which thousands lost their lives in the process, but today they’ve put aside tribal and regionalism behind them and now moving forward as one Rwanda.

He said they as politicians they have the responsibility to cultivate national cohesion to enhance peace and unity in the country.

Presentation of award by the Student’s Representative Council and Debating Council of UNIMAK to the ex-Vice President Chief Sam Sumana for his valuable strides in national cohesion and unity in the country as Global Peace Ambassador of Sierra Leone and the distribution of certificates to the debaters by Chief Sam Sumana formed high points of the ceremony.

In another development, the erstwhile VP gave a lecture on the role of political leaders in tribalism and regionalism to enhance national cohesion in Sierra Leone at the Ernest Bai Koroma University in Makeni city.

In his opening statement, the Deputy Registrar of EBK University thanked Chief Sam Sumana for honouring their invitation.

Delivering his address, the Global Peace Ambassador Chief Sam Sumana described tribalism and regionalism as key factors that have destroyed the socio-economic growth of this country.

He said in order to move this country forward in terms of development, they as politicians need to set aside the two evils behind them, noting that these factors contributed to the ten years civil war in the country.

National cohesion is important for a national, adding that we have ensure people are placed into positions not based on region or tribe but on merit devoid of his tribal or regional affiliations.

Questions and answers from the students of EBK University formed part of the programme.