By Melvin Tejan Mansaray, Freetown Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), His Excellency Dr. Julius Fofanah Sandy has urged his countrymen, Nigerians and the peoples of West Africa to ‘stay home, work hard and build their nations.’
His appeal is in consonance with the ongoing ECOWAS Parliament’s Citizen’s Engagement on the Dangers of Irregular migration and Modern Slavery holding in the Gambia and Senegal respectively.
In an exclusive interview with this Writer, H.E Dr. Sandy had this message for would-be migrants especially those wishing to migrate regularly or irregularly to Nigeria and Nigerians wishing to go to Sierra Leone and elsewhere.
“It is good to move out but home is always home. There is no free meal in the other country. You have to work hard to earn a living here in Nigeria. Given the population of Nigeria and available resources, a migrant has to work three times as hard as citizens to make a mark. Before you are identified as a good worker, time has had its toll on you and in many cases, you end up regretting the decision to move out,” High Commissioner Sandy said.
Explaining some of the most pressing challenges facing Sierra Leoneans in Nigeria and elsewhere in the sub region, and what actions are being taken to surmount them, H.E Dr. Sandy said:
“Joblessness! Joblessness!! Joblessness!!! Even Nigerian youths face these same challenges. Also, some Sierra Leoneans here believe that the Mission has resources to give out or pay for their repatriation to Sierra Leone. This is not the case. In spite of our best efforts, they refused to understand the constraints. I do understand because they live under challenging circumstances.
We do have cases of Sierra Leonean women who have marital challenges and run to the Mission for settlements or students who are stranded, sad developments but we can only do as we are able to do.”
H.E Dr. Sandy said that his assessment of the Sierra Leonean community in Nigeria revealed that it is huge.
He said:
“After our Civil war, many Sierra Leoneans migrated to Nigeria, as they did to other countries of the world, in search of greener pastures. For many, life has been tough. Real tough. For many, the pastures are drier here than in Sierra Leone. Understandably so. The human pressure on limited resources tells a dire story for them. We have revitalized the Sierra Leone Nationals Association and are encouraging Sierra Leoneans to join the Association. So far, the success rate in our membership drive has been encouraging. This year, we were able to organize the Independence Day Celebration at a level unparalleled in the history of Sierra Leoneans living in Nigeria. The merriment and hospitality were warm, reminiscent of Sierra Leone, when we act as one people in one country. The turnout was incredibly high.
However, we are also saddled with migrants within Nigeria and those in camps in Niger, who wish to be repatriated. Actively working with the International Office for Migration, 750 migrants have been repatriated since 21 March 2024. Another 260 are currently being interviewed for repatriation.”
He described the Nigeria-Sierra Leone bilateral ties as, “fantastic and we are always strengthening our relations at every opportunity.”
On the xenophibic attacks on Africans in South Africa and its wider impact on other bilateral ties, H.E Dr. Sandy said:
“Nigeria like Sierra Leone is a welcoming and accommodating nation, as long as one lives within the law.”
In his cautionary statement, H.E Dr. Sandy appealed to would-be migrants to:
“Stay home, work hard and let us build and earn our future together.”
He added:
“Great countries of today have been built by men and women who stayed and tilled the fields. It is a difficult decision but is a decision worth making.”
H.E Dr. Sandy reflected that his appointment has been quite rewarding for him personally and for Sierra Leone, adding that:
“I have added a new dimension actually, multiple dimensions- to my career namely, diplomacy, International Relations, in-depth knowledge of multilateral institutions, ECOWAS, etc.”
He noted that Abuja has around one hundred foreign Missions, representing every corner of the globe, with multiple views and global political persuasions and ideologies.
“Interacting with these Missions has enriched my understanding of contemporary global issues. My bilateral engagements have given me a better understanding of the politics of nations and of the world. These have added considerable value to my personal growth. It has truly been phenomenal.”
He posited that after forty years, President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone was elected Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS.
“This is no mean achievement and recognition. I am not only proud that Sierra Leone is Chairing but also, I am proud that President Bio is showing strong leadership, and is doing a fantastic job – to the admiration of his colleague Heads of State and the citizenry of Member States. He has demonstrated a show of leadership beyond borders. He has been exceptional and Sierra Leone is held in the highest esteem ever. I do feel it when I am with my peers. The respect and pampering accorded me are as a result of President Bio’s commitment and exceptional leadership as Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government,” the former Secretary to the President, H.E Dr. Sandy reminisced.
He highlighted that he has introduced some new ideas and actions upon assuming office in November, 2024.
“Every staff member is valued as a member of the Team Salone. That is how I call them, and they are happy. I believe that a happy worker is a good worker. I lead by example. I go to the office everyday on time. The staff endeavour to be at their desks even before me, because they are happy. They are happy doing what they are required to do. No work is delayed. We hold regular staff meetings. We have social media platforms where information is shared and views exchanged on matters relating to our work and welfare. Our drivers are always smart-looking as a result of the new uniform we introduced. You would love to see them when we attend official events. We are a united Team, inspired by the African adage, when spider webs unite, they can tie a lion,”H.E Dr. Julius F.Sandy stated.
Sierra Leone is set to host the ECOWAS Mid-Year Summit, a high-level biannual gathering of West African leaders to deliberate on the region’s political, security, economic integration from 12 – 19 July, 2026 culminating in the 69th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government under the Chairmanship of its President, Dr. Julius Maada Bio.