Dear Steady,

It is almost 3:30 am on Monday, the 23rd of December, 2024. I’m about to get on the road from Freetown to Daru, in the Kailahun District, to pay my last respect and bid you FAREWELL. Today, you’ll be laid to sleep at your final resting place. So many will wonder why you, Why now. So many will be in tears as they say their final goodbyes.

Well, Steady, I will not cry, not because I am untouched by this devastating loss but because I choose to celebrate the life of a friend, a colleague, and a brother. Someone who was more than just a musician. Someone who was a patriot. Someone who used his God-given talent to uplift the spirits of a war weary people at a very dark period in our history.

With music, you helped change the narrative of a country at war with itself. You showcased a different Sierra Leone at a time when all that the international community saw was a self-destructive people who offered nothing good to write home about. Not only did you preach peace, but you also lived peacefully.

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As a major stakeholder in our ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY, you commanded a great deal of respect from all of us. There was never a doll moment when Steady is around. You had jokes for days. Even in the midst of a very serious recording session, the jokes never stopped. You were just a pleasant brother.

You and I were the Kao de Nero and LAJ of our time….lol
And yes, we had a subtle competition going on, but it was a healthy and positive one.
As time progressed, we not only became good friends but brothers. So to both Ambassador Kao and Ambassador LA,
Na di word dat o’
Anything is possible.

During the war, when people were running away from our country, you and I would share ideas on how we could use our craft to not only preach and live peace, but also create innovative ways to give back to the LAND THAT WE LOVE.

Sometimes, with government officials and United Nation reps, or on our own, we would go into different rebel strongholds to perform and motivate our brothers and sisters to drop their guns.
You, with your cultural heroes, and I, with the Paradise Family.

We were even commissioned by Search for Common Ground or Talking Drum Studio to record a musical album on peace. Though the album was never released, from time to time, we would perform some of the songs in different venues to the delight of fans. We did all these for the genuine love of our country.

Today, you are no more. Today, I wish it wasn’t so. Today, we speak of you in past tense. Today, we cry. Today, I wish you were given the recognition you so rightly deserved when you were alive. Unfortunately, we live in a country that will give you your FLOWERS, only when you’re dead.
Unfortunately, we live in a country that most times forgets the quiet heroes, but celebrate the noise.

Today, I wish the failure of succesive governments to honor you when you were alive regardless of tribal, political, or regional background wasn’t so. The Bible says in John 8:7, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” Today, I recognize that even though you were far from being perfect, you did much good. I pray posterity judges you kindly.

Today, I ask that our father in heaven show you mercy for your shortcomings, the sins you committed knowingly or unknowingly.
And I pray for his grace to be upon family, today and always, and may he give them the strength to go through this difficult period.
Rest well, my friend.
Rest well, my brother.
Rest well, Steady.
Rest well……

Yours Truly
Ngor Jimmy (as you fondly use to call me)
Jimmy Bangura