By Thaimu T Kamara
Students and teachers of St. Augustine Agriculture Senior Secondary School were filled with excitement and inspiration following a special mentorship and career guidance session conducted by former pupil Mr. Sheku Putka Kamara, a renowned journalist, lecturer of the University of Sierra Leone (FBC)and communication specialist in Sierra Leone/
Mr. Kamara, who currently serves as the Managing Editor of Expo Times Newspaper and Magazine, Senior Communication Officer at SALWACO, and a respected/academic member of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists, returned to his alma mater in Lungi to mentor students on public speaking, media and communication, leadership, career development, and personal growth.
The engagement, which attracted a large number of students and teachers, created an atmosphere of motivation and encouragement as Mr. Kamara shared his personal journey from being a student at the school to becoming one of Sierra Leone’s respected media personalities and communication experts.
During his presentation, Mr. Kamara encouraged students to believe in themselves, remain disciplined, and take their education seriously. He stressed the importance of effective communication and confidence-building, especially in public speaking, noting that such skills are essential for leadership and professional success in modern society.
He further advised students to avoid negative peer influence and instead focus on developing their talents and abilities. According to him, determination, hard work, discipline, and respect for education can help young people achieve their goals regardless of their background.
“As students, you must understand that education is the foundation for success. Believe in your dreams and work hard to achieve them. Public speaking and communication are powerful tools that can help you become future leaders,” Mr. Kamara told the students during the session.
Many students actively participated and expressed appreciation for the practical advice and encouragement they received.
Speaking after the engagement, teacher Mr. Alphaus Amadu Sankoh described the visit as a significant moment for the school and praised Mr. Kamara for returning to contribute to the development of the institution.
“I am overwhelmed and very happy to see Putka back in the school to give back through mentoring and coaching the children. This is something we truly appreciate as teachers and as a school community. We encourage him to continue coming, and we will always cooperate with him fully,” Mr. Sankoh said.
He further noted that the mentorship had positively impacted the students, especially in building their confidence and encouraging them to take their studies seriously.
Several students who spoke in interviews expressed happiness and excitement over the engagement, describing Mr. Kamara as an inspiration and role model to many young people in the school.
“We are very happy to see Mr. Putka in our school. He has motivated us to improve our public speaking and communication skills. We want him to come back again because we have learned many important things from him,” one student explained.
Another student said the mentorship session had encouraged many of them to think seriously about their future careers and leadership potential.
“He made us understand that success comes through hard work and discipline. We are inspired by his story because he was once a student here like us,” the student added.
Teachers of the school also commended the initiative, emphasizing the importance of old students returning to support and mentor younger generations.
One teacher noted that such engagements help bridge the gap between education and career development while motivating students to aim higher in life.
“It is always good to see former students returning to support their alma mater. This is a positive example for the pupils, and we hope more old students will come back to contribute to the growth and development of the school,” the teacher stated.
The mentorship session ended with words of encouragement from Mr. Kamara, who urged the students to remain focused on their education and avoid distractions that could hinder their future success.
He also promised to continue supporting the school and mentoring young people whenever possible, noting that giving back to his alma mater is one of the ways he can contribute to national development and youth empowerment in Sierra Leone.
The visit by Mr. Sheku Putka Kamara has been widely praised by both students and teachers, with many describing it as an impactful and inspiring engagement that will leave a lasting impression on the school community.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 1st June 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
