Vice President Solomon Ekuma Berewa has on his visit to the New England Campus of the Njala University College (NUC) on Tuesday, 24th April 2007 been assured of the overwhelming support of the students body by the President of the Students Union, while he at the same time dispelled rumours that the University was pro- PMDC.

Student at Njala University College rejoicing for the visit of the Vice President, Solomon Berewa

Welcoming the Vice President and his entourage, the Principal of the University, Professor A.M. Alghali said Njala University "is the baby of the SLPP Government" being that it was the SLPP government which established its status. He said therefore that the Vice President was not on a mere visit to an ordinary University campus, but that he was on s visit to his home. He went on to declare that Vice President Berewa "is the chosen Leader."

"It is with confidence that I declare you the chosen Leader of this country. You are our President elect," Prof. Alghali pointed out.

The Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Dr. Alpha Tejan Wurie also pointed out in his estimation that Vice President Berewa is the only person among the lot of Presidential aspirants in the country with the experience to continue the development programmes set out by President Kabbah.

VP Berewa delivering his keynote address at the Njala University

He indicated that Sierra Leone is in a state of transformation and implored that all Sierra Leoneans need to do at this point in time is to choose the right Leader, stating that, that right Leader "is Solomon Ekuma Berewa". He described the Vice President as "capable and experienced" for the Leadership of Sierra Leone.

The High Table

The Student Union President, Sandi Massaquoi in his statement dispelled rumours making the rounds that the Njala University College was pro-PMDC, describing the rumours as "wild speculations that are full of lies." He pointed out that the huge crowd of students at the occasion was proof that students of the University "are all for Solo B and the SLPP," he declared. He seized the opportunity to invite the Vice President to launch the Support Group of the SLPP at the University at a date he said would be transmitted to him.

Cross-section of Students at Njala

He went on to assure that the students of the Njala University will do all in their powers to ensure that the SLPP and Vice President Berewa "sweep clean" the votes in the July 28th Presidential and Parliamentary Elections. He also seized the opportunity to appeal to the Vice President to ensure the complete retrun of the University to its original campus at Njala, after the Vice President and the SLPP, "would have won the elections," he said.

Njala Campus welcome VP Berewa with their banner

Responding, Vice President Berewa expressed delight over what he said was "an honorable welcome" stating that Njala University has actually chosen to be on the right side of history as manifested by what he had seen and heard. He said the birth of Njala University was an initiative of the SLPP government that is aimed at diversifying higher standard of education and making it accessible to every citizen with special focus on the youth.

Njala Student paint New England green

On the rumours that Njala University was pro-PMDC, Mr. Berewa indicated that he had never been convinced about the rumours because according to him, he knew that the students and lecturers of the University were right-minded people who knew what was good for them.

VP Berewa waving to the crowd

"I never paid heed to those rumours," he told his audience, "because I know the PMDC was a fake and the Leader was a man of lies and distortions," he stated.

Njala Student crowding around VP Berewa

He went on to encourage the students to be wise with their votes in their choice of the leader of Sierra Leone in the coming elections, noting that the stage at which Sierra Leone is at present "does not need any leader that will reverse the course of the development the country has been set on."

Njala Student jubilating in the street for VP Berewa

He called on the students to vote for a leader who is knowledgeable and experienced and who must have impacted positively on the country?s image and development aspirations. According to him, this trend can only be ensured with the SLPP and him as President.

Mr. Berewa indicated that for Sierra Leoneans to think otherwise and to put the leadership of Sierra Leone in the hands of people he described as "amateurs and inexperienced leaders" will not augur well for the future of the country, adding that as students, believed to be future leaders, they need to have a person at the helm now, while they are preparing themselves, who will set the pace with good examples upon which they will build in the future, he noted.

He assured the principal, staff and students of the University of Government?s continued support and promised that on his assumption of the Presidency, he will ensure the expedition of the return of the University to its original abode from where it was born.

Meanwhile, information reaching Awareness Times have indicated that the SLPP UK Branch will jet into town next week, to make a significant cash donation to the SLPP campaign fund.