STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE*

*SIERRA LEONE THANKFUL TO NIGERIA, OTHERS AT 60TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY*

**Osinbajo:* _Celebrations worthwhile after W/A nation's 11 years of Civil War._

Nigeria and some other West African countries were appreciated yesterday by the Sierra Leonean government as the country marked its 60th Independence Anniversary at a series of events in the capital city of Freetown.

Before several other West African leaders including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, the President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio mentioned how Nigeria and other countries in the subregion have been helpful in the course of the peace and development of his country.

Historically, both Nigeria and Sierra Leone have shared cherished and cordial relations at least right from colonial times. The relationship has continued and evidenced in the socio-economic, technical and security cooperation over the years, including the deployment of Nigerian troops in Sierra Leone to uphold the peace and preserve democracy.

In a show of appreciation and gratitude yesterday, President Bio honored Nigeria and the other countries that he said have stood with Sierra Leone, a nation that survived an 11-year civil conflict from 1991 to 2002.

Bio, at the celebrations in Freetown, decorated a number of West African countries through their leaders that attended the celebration.

Besides the Nigerian Vice President, others decorated with Sierra Leone's insignia of honour and dressy tokens were the Presidents of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo; Guinea, Alpha Conde; Liberia, George Weah and Gambia, Adama Barrow.

Prime Minister Nuno Gomes Nabiam of Guinea Bissau and a Special Envoy of the President of Ivory Coast were also in attendance at the event.

Speaking with the press in Freetown after the 60th Independence Anniversary event, Prof. Osinbajo said it is a worthwhile celebration, "especially considering all of what Sierra Leone has been through in the 11 years of Civil War and they have emerged from that terrible experience, much stronger, a united country and developing everyday economically and socially."

According to the VP "it is a very happy event and we are all extremely proud of what the Sierra Leoneans have been able to do.

"We were very warmly hosted by President Bio and all the members of his cabinet and the good people of Sierra Leone. It has been a very exciting, warm and joyful event."

On arrival yesterday morning at the Lungi Airport in Freetown, Vice President Osinbajo was received by his Sierra Leonean counterpart, the VP, Dr. Mohamed Jalloh. Prof. Osinbajo returned to Abuja last night.

*Laolu Akande,*
*Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity,*
*Office of the Vice President.*
28th April 2021.

Congratulations to the people of Sierra Leone

“Though Nigeria is going through storms and adversity, the country will overcome it's challenges and realize it's aspirations”.– VP Yemi Osinbajo

A big Congratulations to the people of Sierra Leone on their 60th Independence day celebration.

Congregations to SL.

congrats

Congratulations to the citizens of Sierra Leone

Yes we are always good at being of help to others but can't help ourselves.
Nigeria what a great nation ruin by unfortunate people

The fvck

Niggarr!!


Well how the giant has fallen.

Nigeria is a shadow of it's former self.

It is fair to say we are in crisis.

Meanwhile I keep roaming online, tryna get paid while I clean my money through investments in the cryptomarket. Dogecoin to be precise.

I said what I said.

our incoming President

who knows how I can get a SL passport?

Ok

Nigeria is on burning fire

Happy Independence Anniversary to Sierra Leone....

We need their help now. Have you heard about laptop powerbank? More than ten hours guaranteed and up to double that possible

Thank and continue. Don't allow nigeria contaminate you. Well soon there will be no Ni ger ia

Ok

It is well

I can say an App can do the job of most of these politicians comfortably In this time and age .... Especially baba alaye himself.

If you abuse Abacha there... you might be publicly flogged.

When the world ignored the civil war there, Sani Abacha single-handedly mobilized ECOMOG to fight the rebels.

Sierra Leone is forever grateful to him for this, he has streets named after him.

Our darling daddy is working

We're very grateful Sierra-Leone.

If we no help una, who will

Even when we did not help ourselves in our own country sef. It's well jare Sierra-Leone

yes they should better be thankful.. that's the kinda work Nigeria can do but to help ourselves is always the problem... I wondered if it's another country that will build Nigeria.. let our leaders tell us..

Nigeria my country! Eye service is our hobby...no doubt

And now maybe we might need their soldiers

It's a shame

You go fear eye contact ....