Post a comment 
First Lady of Sierra Leone, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, has been honored with an award recognizing her advocacy for the empowerment of women and girls in Sierra Leone and across Africa.
The award was presented during the annual Bonthe District Reunion celebration, held as part of the Christmas festivities. The event was attended by President Dr. Julius Maada Bio and his wife, who joined residents and indigenes of the district for the celebration.
In a statement released following the event, Dr. Fatima Bio said she and the President were pleased to be part of the annual reunion, describing it as an important gathering for the people of the district.
“As part of the annual Christmas festivities, my husband, His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, and I were pleased to join our compatriots in Bonthe District for the annual reunion celebration,” she stated.
According to the First Lady, this year’s celebration went beyond the usual activities of dining and dancing, serving instead as a platform to promote peace, unity, and social cohesion within the district.
She said she was deeply humbled by the recognition she received, noting that the award acknowledged her “tireless advocacy for the empowerment of women and girls in Sierra Leone and across Africa.”
Fatima Bio also expressed gratitude to the people of Bonthe District for hosting what she described as a well-organized and peaceful event.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the people of Bonthe for hosting a well organized and peaceful event,” she said.
Using the occasion to address broader national concerns, the First Lady called on citizens to preserve peace and move beyond past divisions. She urged people to work together toward a shared future.
“I take this opportunity to urge all citizens to maintain the prevailing peace in our district, to eschew past differences, and to collectively embrace a brighter future,” she said.
Dr. Fatima Bio further emphasized national unity, invoking a familiar saying to reinforce her message. “As the adage goes, ‘United we stand, divided we fall.’ Let us continue to acknowledge and celebrate our shared identity as one country, one people,” she added.
The annual Bonthe District Reunion is traditionally held during the Christmas season and brings together residents, leaders, and indigenes to celebrate culture, unity, and development within the district.
