By: Fatmata Binta Bah
Alhaji Almamy Mohamed Sajor Jalloh, the current Head of the Fullah Tribal Administration, on the 28th January 2024 summoned an August gathering at the City Council Auditorium to crown sub chiefs and give awards of merits to those who have diligently executed their roles as custodians of the law.
The event was graced by dignitaries from within and outside of the Fullah community. Amongst those who made it to the event is the honourable Minister of Local Government, Council of Tribal Heads, Honourable members of Parliament, members of the business community, the media, youths, and people of ranging ages from among the people of Sierra Leone.
Strengthening a peaceful coexistence was central in speeches made by various stakeholders.
Chief Almamy Mohammed Sajor Jalloh started by thanking the honourable Minister of Local Government,council of tribal heads,honourable members of parliament,members of business communities and media outlets for gracing the wonderful event.
He also thanked and recognized the presence of other organization and representatives and the Vice President of Sierra Leone Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, the Fullah Progressive Union (FPU),TabitalPulaaku Sierra Leone JuldehSowe, The Vice President of Tabital Pulaaku International Abdul Razak Bah,Western Area Fullah Youth Association rep Ghandal Folly, and Bantal Fulbe for a job well done throughout the event.
He admonished the newly crowned chiefs to be fear and prevail justice amongst other tribes in their various constituencies, regardless of where they belong.
Chief Almamy Mohammed Sajor Jalloh continued by stating that he did not crown them in order for them to harass their subjects and also to sacrifice their time,energy and resources for their people,indicating that failure to comply with the rules will face the consequences of their actions.
He ended his speech by admonishing the youth to be hardworking and industrious and also stop the consumption of illegal drugs as they are the future leaders, adding that they should be responsible law-abiding citizens.
The chief also paid respect to the former chief in which the transformation of power for the past years unto him as the current Chief of Fullah Tribal Heads and Chairman of the Council of Fullah Tribal Heads.
The Fullah community is one that has over the years positively impacted the Sierra Leonean society in almost every facet of life. Just like other tribes, the Fullahs have a central system of leadership where the head of the community is known as the “ALMAMY”. This chief resolves conflicts that arise from among the members of his community and helps in the maintenance of law and order.
Added to the mediation process, the chief also serves as the father to whom other Fullahs run to when they have issues of pressing needs. The Chief is seen as the fatherly figure and this has filtered into this generation.
In Sierra Leone, the Head of the Fullah Tribal Administration, like other tribal heads, is selected by the President of the umbrella Fullah body to serve for an unspecified period of time. The chief in turn selects his cabinet and sub-chiefs at zonal, constituency and ward levels. The essence is to decentralize leadership.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Friday, January 2nd, 2024 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
