Media Icon Dr. Bernadette Cole Passes Away

Dr. Bernadette Cole, a highly respected media personality and trailblazer in Sierra Leone passed away earlier today, Tuesday, May 23, 2023, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in journalism and academia.

Born and raised in Sierra Leone, Bernadette Cole received her early education at St. Joseph’s Secondary School, where she excelled and graduated with a Division 1. She continued her studies at St. Edwards Secondary School May Park, Kingtom, before pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, History, and International Relations from Fourah Bay College, USL.

Her thirst for knowledge and passion for journalism led her to obtain a Master of Arts degree with distinction in Journalism from the University of Wales, Cardiff.

Throughout her illustrious career, Bernadette Cole broke barriers and overcame gender biases that existed in the media industry during her prime.

She started as a Correspondent for the London-based West Africa magazine, representing Sierra Leone from her home country. Her dedication and expertise propelled her career forward, and she eventually held the position of Principal Information Officer at the Ministry of Information.

In a transformative move, Dr. Cole became the former Public Relations Officer of the University of Sierra Leone (USL), where she played a pivotal role in establishing the Mass Communication Department at Fourah Bay College. This department became instrumental in shaping the careers of numerous journalists, inspiring hope and building a brighter future for aspiring professionals in the field of journalism.

From 1993 to 2009, Dr. Bernadette Cole served as the head of the Mass Communication Department, leaving an indelible mark on its growth and success. Her contributions were further recognized when she assumed the role of Dean of the Faculty of Arts at Fourah Bay College (FBC) from 2009 to 2013.

In 2014, she was appointed as the Director of Alumni and International Relations at the University of Sierra Leone, a position she held until her passing.

Beyond her impactful career, Dr. Cole was also a published author, with her book titled “Mass Media, Freedom and Democracy in Sierra Leone” serving as a valuable resource for students in the Mass Communication Department at Fourah Bay College (FBC). Her scholarly work provided insights into the intersection of media, freedom, and democracy in Sierra Leone, contributing to the academic discourse in the field.

Dr. Bernadette Cole is survived by her husband, Mr. Tunde Cole, a retired Solicitor General of the Sierra Leone Judicature, and their two children, Avril Tundette Cole, an International lawyer residing in Canada, and Barton Cole, a civil engineer.

Her passing leaves a void in the media industry and academia, but her legacy will continue to inspire future generations of journalists and scholars.

The nation mourns the loss of an exceptional woman who dedicated her life to promoting the power of media, championing gender equality, and advancing education in Sierra Leone. Dr. Bernadette Cole will be remembered as a true icon and a source of inspiration for generations to come.

Comment(s)

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Lamini | 2023-05-24 04:42:45

I woke up this morning in California to the sad news of Dr. Bernadette Cole's passing. I remember her as a quiet, unassuming but formidable academician and an energetic promoter of journalism and quality writing. She relentlessly pursued knowledge acquisition in her discipline at every opportunity. Without her professional strength of mind and commitment to learning and knowledge sharing, it would have probably taken a little longer to establish the Department of Mass Communication at my alma mater (FBC) after one had been established in neighboring Liberia some ten years prior. She once tried to get me interested in a teching job at the dept., but given my commitments at the time as UNDP Communications Consultant, I only managed to do a one term stint there as an 'Adjunct Professor'. I remember also interracting with her briefly when she served as a member of the Independent Media Commission of Sierra Leone. That was when we were trying to obtain a broadcast license for the proposed George Soros-sponsored West Africa Democracy Radio (WADR)--which Sierra Leone eventually lost to media progressive Senegal, along with the huge multi-million dollar media investments the project had in store for the proposed host country. With Dr. Cole's passing, Sierra Leone has indeed lost an invaluable repository of knowledge and experience about the media in the country and in the sub-region as a whole . Condolences to her bereaved family, and may her soul rest in peace.
Lamini Waritay | 2023-05-23 23:20:04

I woke up this morning in California to the sad news of Dr. Bernadette Cole's passing. I remember her as a quiet, unassuming but formidable academic and an energetic promoter of journalism and quality writing. She relentlessly pursued knowledge acquisition in her discipline at every opportunity. Without her professional strength of mind and commitment to learning and knowledge sharing, it would have probably taken a little longer to establish the Department of Mass Communication at my alma mater (FBC) after one had been established in neighboring Liberia some ten years prior. She once tried to get me interested in a teching job at the dept, but given my commitments at the time as UNDP Communications Consultant, I only managed a one-term stint in teaching one course there (as an adjunct professor) when there was a critical need to help the dept's faculty under the acting chairmanship of veteran English Prof. Kenneth Osho. I recall also interracting with her briefly when she served as a member of the Independent Media Commission of Sierra Leone. That was when we were trying to obtain a broadcast license for the proposed George Soros-sponsored West Africa Democracy Radio (WADR)--which Sierra Leone (during the Tejan Kabba administration) eventually lost to media progressive Senegal, along with the huge multi-million dollar media investments the project had in store for the proposed host country. With Dr. Cole's passing, Sierra Leone has indeed lost an invaluable repository of knowledge and experience about the media in the country and in the sub-region as a whole . May her soul rest in peace.
Frederick PRATT-DAVIES | 2023-05-23 17:31:06

A remarkable, friendly and family oriented lady. She will be missed. May her soul rest in eternal peace.
Abdul Malik | 2023-05-23 15:37:11

I’m deeply saddened by the passing of a mentor who was dedicated to her work. She was a role model. May her soul rest in peace.
Septimus Koroma | 2023-05-23 12:11:10

I'm deeply saddened about the passing of this highly respected and distinguished figure of the USL. My heartfelt condolences during this difficult time. Her contributions will be greatly missed by the entire university. May her soul rest in peace, and may the Cole family find strength and comfort in the cherished memories Dr. Cole shared with humanity.