The Inspirational Journey of Sheku Putka Kamara, So Far…
By Sheku Putka Kamara
Sheku Putka Kamara
Truth be told; I cannot recall much about my Primary One days at the DEC Primary School Kasongha, Lungi. My mother, Mrs. Kadiatu Kamara says I was too small to recall. It is reported that I began schooling because I was regarded too stubborn at home. I wonder. We had no day-care or nursery in Lungi by then and so by 1998-99, I was already in Class 2. This is someone who surfaced on planet earth in 1993. So, and logically, I was compelled to start school in 1997 as a four-year-old (already in Class One). If at all I was that stubborn, let it not be, Kikiki. So, these days when people complain about the stubbornness of my boys, I am urged to recall some traits 😁. Back in school, I reached every stage with care and class and in Class 6, I scored some resounding grade back then and was to move to St. Augustine. However, that was the very year that the St. Joseph Secondary School at Masoila was established. Most of us were moved to the new school. The rest is history. I could recall a few primary school activities. In Class 6, I was made Prefect for Late Coming. My home at Robis is not too close to the Kasongha school, but never had I been late. My father, Mr. Ibrahim K.S Kamara will buy me a new bicycle every academic year. On that though, it is not too cool to allow a kid to constantly ride a bike from primary to secondary. There’d likely be side effects. I faced some issues before writing WASSCE, but God made a way. As young as I was, it is obvious that I may not be too clearer on what my actual purpose was, but that did not stop me from making progress.
At St. Joseph (2004) JSS1, the same cool and calculated trend continued, but it was said that I became very playful in JSS2 to an extent that I scored a double digit as a promotional position. I recall the class teacher remarking that I was brilliant, but very playful in class. We sat the BECE in 2007 and moved to SSS at St. Augustine. That was in 2008. I was the excellent English and Themne pupil in class. I could tell how much I was truly on top of my game to a point that each time we took English Language exercises, our then English Language teacher, Mr. Anthony Freeman will single me out and a few others. He would praise some of the things we did during the test. I loved that. Maybe every deserving pupil will, too. I scored A1 in Both Themne and English. Other strong competitors in English were, Sahid Amadu Jah, Papa K, Tegbatis, Sallie Sesay, Ibrahim Khong and our then Head Girl, Adama Conteh. By the way, Adama was Head Girl in primary and junior secondary. Two different schools, but let’s just say that authorities saw the leadership traits in her. In all of those years, I developed an interest in music and sports. I wrote songs. I still have that book in my current home library. Alusine Wuire will still ask about those songs. Lol. Things happen and people change, but I remain a lover of music. I’d leave the house at Robis almost daily and head to Rotifunk along with a number of others to watch some premier league or Laliga matches at any cinema. Those experiences…We have come a long way, indeed.
After the WASSCE in 2010, I moved to FBC in 2011. I was not too sure of what I wanted to study. Because I was the smallest pupil in class, I never had very close male friends, save for Alhaji Turay and Sylvester Elleamoh, now Esq (who I relied on to copy some notes when I fell sick at the time of writing the WASSCE). The females will see me as an errand boy and so I was mostly associated with them. Marian Tina Conteh, Rachel Mason, Beatrice and the late Salamatu FY were my buddies. Tina, FY and Rachel opted to read Mass Communication at FBC and so as you’d imagine, because they were my buddies, I decided to read Mass Comm too. As jokingly as that would sound and or sounded, this is the reality. The rest they say is history. God is to be praised, I’d say.
Back in school, I developed some passion about debating and public speaking. At St. Augustine, Saffia Amara (now a Police Officer), Thomas Sengeh (now in the US) and Hassan Dondem Conteh (now Esq.) were unarguably the best pupil speakers in school. They were a step ahead of me. We all adored them and yes, we still respect them greatly. Today, when I judge debates and sessions on public speaking, I am compelled to remind myself about how far I have come. At FBC, I was a topnotch student and an eloquent speaker, coach and debater. Today, I cannot be thankful enough. The journey continues.
The BBC’s Russel Fuller and Lee James were my men back in the days. Oh, I’d not miss Sports World on weekends for anything, except otherwise. I’d even take my radio set or small phone to the cinema and follow-up accordingly. That was how informed I was. I’d not miss the news on the hour too or Focus on Africa. I groomed myself as a lover of media. I used to send text messages all over this country with the name ‘Sheku P in Lungi.’ At Robis, I started that trend; texting and calling on air. From Kalleon radio, to Sky, to Mount Aureole to Free Radio, to Culture and all others, I was indeed all over the place. MAK by bro at Robis joined me and a few others. Some of them are still into same. These days, you know what I do (at least some). Kikiki. So, and to my current students, remember what I always say about being informed? I am certain that you all including my former students (hundreds of whom are now grads) will comprehend this.
Having graduated with a first-class degree in 2015, I went in for my Master’s degree and again, the rest is history. During my days, I became the most popular Mass Comm student. Between 2011 to date, it is almost impossible for you not to know the names, Sheku Putka Kamara, Sheku P or Putka. That was how it was and still is. I developed a passion to teach and help. I was doing revision classes on everything. I cannot recall how much I aided colleagues and the like. It has been truly remarkable. I command some greater respect and I thank God, indeed. Without blowing my trumpet, actions speak, yeah? I still do these things. It’s a passion, I will say.
After my Master’s degree, I landed a lecturing contract at Limkokwing. I was Principal Lecturer at the Faculty of Communication, Media and Broadcasting. Again, the rest is history. I moved to the then Canadian University now Central University in Mile 91 and I was made Lecturer and Director of Marketing. Again, the rest is history. My records are not shrouded in secrecy in both institutions and everywhere. Alhamdulilah.
Today, I am back at where it all started; the then Mass Communication department at FBC, now Faculty of Communication, Media and Information Studies. Alhamdulilah. I now serve as Lecturer and Examination Coordinator plus Students’ Coordinator too. I am very grateful for the opportunity. Our current Dean and former HoD, Dr. Francis Sowa Esq and all others had shaped me greatly. This is someone who taught me from BA1 to Master’s level. I am thankful and grateful.
I gained so much knowledge from the late, Justice Dr. Binneh Kamara and the late Prof. Ritchard Mbayo. May their souls continue to rest in peace. Today, I see myself demystifying the most complex theories and perspectives. Alhamdulilah indeed.
Aside from the Lecturing and Academic field, I serve as Senior Communications Personnel for the Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO) and I’m Managing Editor/Partner for the Expo Media Group too; publishers of the Expo Magazine and Expo Times Newspaper. Before that, I served as Managing Editor for the Sierra News Newspaper, Sierra Leone News Agency, under the then Ministry of Information and Communication now Ministry of Information and Civic Education. I was also a consultant editor for the Front-Page newspaper. Mr. Alpheus Rogers of blessed memory incorporated me accordingly. I met him as Lecturer at Limkokwing and we became buddies. May his soul rest in peace, Aameen. At Limkokwing, I met my boy Charlie Muctarr Kamara. Again, the rest is history. 😊
I did a few things here and there too, I was Managing Director for the LAKE Group of Companies and I currently serve as a Board Member. LAJ K has been doing a great job.
In student politics, I was PRO for the Mass Comm Students Association, FBC (MACOSA). I was in fact an all-rounder as already explained. I also became PRO of the St. Augustine Students Association FBC and later became the President. I was also founding President of the St. Joseph Old Students Association, Lungi. I was also the national PRO and Secretary General for SAOSA. Again, the rest is history.
I still do a lot of things here and there. My media and communication consultancies are running and yes, we thank God. I also work as National Mass Communication Examiner and Media Consultant for NCTVA. Today, we thank God indeed.
I had written this article to remind young people and students that with determination and purpose-driven mentalities, everything is possible. Do not leave God behind. Pray and put in the hard work. On that, I am grateful to the late mother of Uncle Ing. MA Jalloh, Aunty MJ, VP Juldeh Jalloh and Uncle Musa. The late Mammy Haja was family and she encouraged me to pray my five daily prayers since I was in Junior Secondary School. May her soul continue to rest in peace, Aameen.
To the younger people and all others; believe in yourself. Do good, pray, work hard, be distinctive, be purposeful. Leave the rest to God. Do not relent and do not give up. Do these and see how you’d progress as you get along.
Thanks for reading.
ABOUT
Sheku Putka Kamara is a Journalist, Lecturer/Media and Communications Professional, among other things.
He is an Associate Lecturer at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone; Faculty of Communication, Media and Information Studies. He is also the Senior Communications Officer for the Sierra Leone Water Company and he equally serves as the Managing Editor/Partner for the Expo Media Group; publishers of the thrice weekly Expo Times Newspaper and the once monthly Expo Magazine.
Copyright –Published in Expo Magazine, September-October 2025 Edition Vol.3, No.6, (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
