By Dadson Musa
The Radisson Blu in Freetown buzzed with ambition and creativity as Sierra Leone’s youth gathered for the Javis Master Class, a pivotal event empowering young content creators to shape the nation’s digital future. Led by Nigerian digital sensation Javis, the workshop drew hundreds of aspiring influencers eager to master the art of impactful storytelling. Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey, joined by Minister of Youth Affairs, Ibrahim Sannoh, and communications dynamo Myke Berewa, hailed the event as a cornerstone in Sierra Leone’s journey toward innovation and empowerment.
Far more than a training session, the master class sparked a movement. Javis, whose own career weathered multiple account bans and setbacks, shared a powerful message of resilience and professionalism. She urged participants to embrace fresh ideas, pursue lifelong learning, value feedback, and choose collaboration over rivalry principles she called essential for thriving in the digital age. Her words resonated deeply with attendees, many of whom saw her journey as a blueprint for overcoming their own challenges.
Minister Sackey, in a passionate address, framed the event as a call to action. This isn’t just about social media it’s about building a generation that innovates, advocates, and leads, he said. He emphasized empowering young women to use digital platforms to drive change, particularly in combating Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), a key focus woven into the sessions. The inclusion of such social issues underscored the event’s commitment to purpose-driven influence, inspiring participants to create content with impact.
Minister Sannoh, newly appointed to champion youth initiatives, extended a heartfelt invitation to attendees. My door is open your ideas will shape our future, he said, signalling a shift toward inclusive governance. Myke Berewa, with his trademark energy, rallied the crowd, amplifying the message that Sierra Leone’s youth are ready to lead.
For participants like 19-year-old Kadijatu Bah, a budding content creator from Waterloo, the master class was transformative. I learned how to tell stories that matter, she said, already planning a campaign to raise SGBV awareness. Others left with concrete skills to grow their platforms, from crafting engaging posts to navigating algorithms, all while staying true to their values.
The event also highlighted Sierra Leone’s growing digital potential. With mobile internet penetration rising over 25% of Sierra Leoneans were online in 2024, per national stats opportunities for young creators are expanding. Yet challenges like limited access to devices and data costs persist, particularly in rural areas. Minister Sackey pledged to address these gaps, advocating for policies to make technology more accessible.
Javis’ closing words left a lasting mark, your voice is your power use it to uplift, not divide. As attendees dispersed, their enthusiasm signalled a new wave of digital advocates ready to tackle issues from education to gender equality. The government’s support, evidenced by the ministers’ presence, suggests a commitment to nurturing this momentum.
