The former Head of State, Rtd. Brig. Bio has concluded the second phase of his social mobilisation with a tour of his home district of Bonthe in the Southern Region.

Speaking in Mattru Jong on Wednesday 28th October as part of his social mobilisation to encourage citizens not to be complacent, Rtd. Brig. Bio pleaded with the people to continue to comply with all the hygiene practices related to Ebola and the protocols in place until Sierra Leone is declared free of the virus. He stated that he was impressed with the efforts being made to eradicate the virus in the district and thanked the people of Bonthe for effectively tackling the Ebola menace.

Also speaking during the social mobilisation event was Dr. Kadie Sesay who stated that Ebola affected women greatly as they are the caregivers. Dr Kadie Sesay said that now that Ebola has waned we must turn our attention to those affected by the disease. Dr. Kadie Sesay went on “After Ebola, we should spare no effort to take Maada Bio to state house in 2018 elections as President of Sierra Leone. But, we must first fight hard to get rid of Ebola.” As the SLPP Regional Chairman South, Hon. Edward Soluku made a statement on the social mobilisation tour amongst others.

Earlier, Rtd. Brig. Bio and entourage also visited officials at the Bonthe District Ebola Response Centre (Derc) in Mattru Jong. Briefing Rtd. Brig. Bio and his entourage, Mr Harold Kamara gave a brief background of the Ebola outbreak in the district and stated that lawlessness was key to the spread of the scourge. Mr. Harold Kamara also gave an update of the Ebola situation and lauded the coordination of local chiefs and Derc workers. He informed Rtd. Brig. Bio and his entourage that the district recorded one of the lowest Ebola infection cases.

In response, Rtd. Brig. Bio expressed his delight over a job well done in the district in eradicating Ebola. He thanked the military personnel manning the operations, traditional leaders and all those involved in the Ebola fight. He reminded them that during the peak of the Ebola he raised awareness of the plight of quarantined people through his donation across the country. He noted he was only adding his voice to the social mobilisation efforts. Various other speakers including Dr. Kadie Sesay and Hon. Edward Soluku made statements at the Derc office in Bonthe.

As part of his routine to respect traditional authority, Rtd. Brig. Bio also made a courtesy call to Paramount Chief Alie Badara Sheriff III, in Mattru Jong who welcomed him and his entourage home.

On Thursday 29th October Rtd. Brig. Bio and entourage travelled to Rutile, Mogbwemor, where thousands of people gave him a rousing welcome. Speaking at the Mogbwemor field, Rtd. Brig. Bio told the people the only message he came with was Ebola message. He told them that in a number of days the country will hopefully be declared Ebola free but warned against complacency.

In Gbangbama, Imperri Chiefdom, Rtd. Brig. Bio made a courtesy call to Paramount Chief Madam Hawa Kpanabum Sukan IV. Later, at the Court Barry, chiefdom speaker, Simeon Amara said they were moved by the theme “Paopa Ebola for don”. He said the people of imperri Chiefdom will support Rtd. Brig. Bio’s social mobilisation and thanked him for the visit and message.

The visit to Bonthe district which is the home of Rtd. Brig. Bio has been a fantastic spectacle with thousands of people singing praises and showing appreciation for the social mobilisation drive. It has concluded the tour of the Southern Region which has been a remarkable success with social mobilisation message reaching to hundreds of thousands of people including children, youths, adults and the aged. Rtd. Brig. Bio has travelled back to Freetown where he is expected to prepare for the final phase of the social mobilisation tour covering Kenema and Kailahun Districts.

Rtd. Brig. Bio will be the first senior national politician to travel the entire country with a social mobilisation tour targeting hundreds of thousands of people across the country as the final push towards the end of the 42 days of Zero Ebola cases. Despite all the unsuccessful smear campaign by few people, Rtd. Brig. Bio has remained focus and committed to making his contributions to the fight against Ebola. It can also be recalled that the Northern Region social mobilisation tour including the visit to Kono district was a remarkable success reaching out to people in many parts of the country where the social mobilisation tour has proven that he is truly a popular national politician whose voice carries enormous weight and respectability across the country.

However, in a sad development, Rtd. Brig. Bio is saddened to have learnt of the passing away of the late Alhaji Khalil Mustapha whose death took place on Wednesday 28th October 2015 in London. The late Alhaji Khalil Mustapha was former Acting Chairman SLPP UK and Ireland and former Chairman Council of Elders. On behalf of Rtd. Brig. Bio, his wife Mrs. Fatima Maada Bio and his entire family, we wish to express sincere condolences to the family and friends of the late Alhaji Khalil Mustapha and may his soul rest in peace.

Stay tuned for more updates and pictures as Rtd. Brig. Bio continues his social mobilisation tour with his theme “Paopa Ebola for don”.