ALL SET FOR SIERRA LEONE’S INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY PARADE IN NEW JERSEY ON SATURDAY

By Kabs Kanu

All roads lead to New Jersey this weekend as hundreds of Sierra Leoneans and Friends of Sierra Leone congregate in the Garden State to participate in the 65th Independence Anniversary parade.

Though it is an annual event, this year’s program will be very huge because of the landmark occasion—65th anniversary of the nationhood of a country that was the prima donna of West Africa in education, health, culture , technological developments and governance under British rule in the 1800s to about 1940s.

Sierra Leoneans will be traveling from other states in the Continental USA to be part of the big program, which is always designed to embrace Sierra Leoneans of all political, religious, social and cultural persuasion. The chief organizer, the Sierra Leone Community of New Jersey ( SLCNJ) , is a non-political and non-partisan organization.

The day will be enlivened and punctuated with colorful parades and floats representing social , religious and cultural organizations, as well as the two leading political parties in Sierra Leone -The ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party ( SLPP ) and the opposition All People’s Congress ( APC ) . There will also be live musical performances, cultural dances, family-friendly activities. Delicious Sierra Leonean cuisine will also be served.

The keynote address will be delivered by the Deputy Permanent Representative for Legal Affairs of the Permanent Mission of Sierra Leone to the UN, Madam Eddinia Michaela Swallow. The Mayor of Franklin Township, Dr. Philip Kramer , the Chairman of the Sierra Leone Community of New Jersey ( The umbrella body of organizations in the state ) , Mr. Abdul Hardy Gabisi and some distinguished personalities will deliver short statements.

The floats parade will start at 10 am , at the Franklin Middle School at Hamilton Street , with the Franklin Township Police escorting the procession, and it will end at the Naaman Williams Park at Matilda Avenue, where the day’s events will be held.

Chairman Gabisi, his deputy, Madam Christiana Kenny, Secretary General Mr. Hindolo Barnet , Organizing Secretary , Mr. Donald Cline-Thomas, one of the personalities working on the program, Madam Khadijah Jalloh ( K.J. ) and other officials of SLCNJ have assured the public that it will be another thrilling, never-to-be -forgotten event. They all emphasized the primary purpose of the program—-to bring Sierra Leoneans together in an indelible spirit of oneness, love and patriotism ( Values that embody SLCNJ ) — to celebrate Mama Sierra Leone.

One of many novelties added to this year’s Independence Anniversary is a celebration of Sierra Leonean authors and writers. According to Mr. Gabisi, various Sierra Leonean authors have accepted to come together and showcase their literary talents during the program. Said Gabisi, …”It will inspire others inclined to write and publish books to do so. “

As part of the Independence Anniversary celebrations, SLCNJ, in collaboration with the Franklin Police, held a flag-raising ceremony on Monday April 27, during which the flags of the Republic of Sierra Leone and the United States of America were hoisted at the Naaman Williams Park.

Also , on Tuesday April 28, at the Franklin Township Municipality Building, the Sierra Leone community received a Proclamation for the country’s 65th Independence anniversary.

The events epitomized the constructive working relationship between the Sierra Leone Community and authorities of Franklin Township. Both events and the parade , held annually, always leverage Sierra Leone’s ever- rising esteem, respect and honor in the American society.

SEE PHOTOS OF THE TWO EVENTS BELOW.