Many a time the most respected animal (The Bird) is always being ignored when it comes to very important State functions.

It is the practice of President Bio to organize “A MEDIA COCKTAIL EVERY YEAR FOR JOURNALISTS” where he will have the opportunity to catalog all his successes and failures.

Unfortunately, the brave bird was never invited to witness the program and this is not the first time the bird is snubbed, it has always been the case.

The brave bird had to navigate his way into the meeting hall at the cocktail unknowingly though.

As the Wise Bird was inside the hall, and he overheard President Dr. Julius Maada Bio making a marathon statement on his achievement since he was elected in 2018 to date.

He said among other things that, firstly he would like to commend everyone for their tireless efforts to foster more engaged and enlighten populace.

President went further to say that, a well-informed society is better equipped to make decision, and he spoke about press freedom as not merely a constitutional right enshrined in the laws, but a fundamental pillar of democracy, an empowering force for citizens.

He touched on renaissance of media expression with an increasing number of voices contributing to national narrative.

According to the President, he was proud to witness the signing of the monumental US$480 million Energy compact between the Millennium Challenge Co-operation (MCC) and additionally, he said, his administration was able to pass the 2018-2024 control of corruption indicator above 70% and as high as 83%.

He spoke of how he has mobilized US$800 million pledges from Development partners to support the FEED SALONE PROGRAM AND ENERGY transition, alongside with US$100million pledge from the African Development Bank to support the development of rice clusters, and he talked a lot more.

But what beats everybody’s imagination was when the President started to tabulate the amount of monies the SLPP government had given to the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), the brave bird busted into tears.

President Bio said in 2020 the government allocated Le 200million old Leones, which was raised to Le 500million old Leones in 2021 and further increased to Le 700million old Leones in 2022.

In 2023 and 2024 respectively President said SLAJ was provided with a total of 1.5 billion old Leones as subvention.

President Bio further stated that, in line with his commitment, his administration will increase the annual SLAJ subvention to 2.5 billion old Leones.

The question that comes to mind is, is SLAJ now a school to be receiving subvention yearly?

The bird cannot hold his emotion; he left the hall before time, having heard all the presentations of the President.

If the government of President Bio happens to go wrong will SLAJ have the morals to say it out?

The fact of the matter is you don’t bite the finger that feeds you.

So, simply put, the bird will not hesitate to say that SLAJ is under bondage.

The Wise Bird rests his case!