Government to Honour Music Veteran Jimmy B at 2026 Salone Civic Festival
Alex Fefegula Harding The Ministry of Information and Civic Education has announced plans to honour veteran Sierra Leonean musician Jimmy B with a special tribute concert during the 2026 Salone Civic Festival in Freetown.
Information and Civic Education Minister Chernor Bah disclosed the initiative on Monday, November 2, 2026, during a meeting with entertainment industry stakeholders at his office in Freetown.
Bah said the concert would celebrate Jimmy B’s contributions to Sierra Leone’s music industry and mark his anticipated return to the stage after an extended absence.
Under the proposed arrangement, several artistes will perform one or two of the veteran musician’s popular songs during the festival’s closing concert as a tribute to his musical legacy.
The minister called on the country’s Entertainment Ambassador and Peace Ambassador to coordinate artistes’ participation and work with the ministry to ensure the entertainment industry plays an active role in the event.
The 2026 Salone Civic Festival is scheduled to run from December 9 to 11, following a revision of the previously announced December 10–12 dates.
According to the programme outlined by Bah, the festival will open with a ceremony expected to be attended by President Julius Maada Bio, who is also scheduled to visit exhibition booths showcasing the activities of various ministries, departments and agencies.
The second day will feature civic engagement activities, including town hall discussions, debates, quizzes and theatrical performances. A separate town hall session will bring together entertainment industry stakeholders to discuss challenges facing the sector, development opportunities and ways to strengthen collaboration with the government.
The final day will feature the Jimmy B tribute concert, with performances from different artistes.
Entertainment industry representatives welcomed the proposed tribute and expressed their willingness to support preparations for the festival. They also made recommendations on promoting the event and improving cooperation between the government and entertainment stakeholders.
The ministry said the engagement was part of efforts to strengthen the entertainment industry’s involvement in the festival, which is expected to combine civic education, public engagement and cultural performances.
The proposed tribute concert is expected to make Jimmy B’s musical legacy a major feature of the 2026 Salone Civic Festival’s closing celebrations in Freetown.