In a remarkable and historic ceremony at the Pujehun District Youth Council Hall, the Screening Committee officially granted one-year college fee scholarships to the recommended and approved applicants of Commissioner Abu Kanneh’s Scholarship Fund 2023/2024.

The event, held on Thursday, January 25, 2024, saw the presence of elated beneficiaries alongside their parents, who submitted all necessary documents for identification, including their Offer of Admission Letters.

The list of approved applicants was released on Monday, 22nd January 2024, by the Secretary to the Screening Committee, Mohamed T. Massaquoi. The selection process was conducted meticulously by a committee chaired by Dr. Isaac Massaquoi and comprised esteemed individuals from various fields, ensuring transparency and fairness.

Notable figures present at the ceremony included District Mamie Queen Madam Mamawa Kaikai, Ward Councillor Madam Hawa Swaray of the Pujehun District Council, and Madam Josephine Sowa representing the Women of Wanjama and many more.

Commissioner Abu Kanneh’s commitment to empowering the youth of Pujehun District was evident in the allocation of funds to support fourteen (14) university students throughout their first year of studies, with the promise of extension based on performance each year.

The scholarship criteria were stringent, requiring applicants to be indigenes of Pujehun District and hold a valid offer letter from a recognized university in Sierra Leone. The application process, which concluded on November 3rd, 2023, involved a thorough interview panel assessing English proficiency and understanding of the proposed course of study.

Over thirty (30) students applied for the scholarship opportunity and twenty (20) of them were shortlisted for interview. Each of the shortlisted candidates was assigned a transport refund of NLe 150 each.

However, upon completion of the entire process, the recommended and approved beneficiaries now include Fataba Mansaray, currently pursuing a Higher Diploma in Public Health; Jacob Hassan Kamara, actively engaged in a Bachelor of Arts program in Community Development Studies; Josephine Rogers, dedicatedly studying BSc (Hons) Nursing; James Banya, immersed in the fields of BSc (Hons) Accounting & Finance; Josephine Susan Pessima, committed to BSc (Hons) Nursing; Julius Sheku Massie, immersed in the study of BSc Health Education; and Hassan Bangura, undertaking studies in BSc Business Administration & Management. All of these deserving individuals are enrolled at Njala University. Additionally, Hawa Kpaka pursuing a Higher National Diploma in Business Administration at Eastern Technical University (ETU) in Kenema.

It is worth to note Fourteen (14) students in total received the grant.

Commissioner Abu Kanneh’s initiative not only invests in education but also emphasizes the role of local talents in shaping the district’s future. These scholarships represent a significant step towards fostering progress and development in Pujehun District.