On November 8, 2024, H.E. Julius Sandy, the newly appointed High Commissioner of Sierra Leone to Nigeria and ECOWAS, arrived in Abuja to officially take up his diplomatic duties.
Upon his arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, High Commissioner Julius Sandy was warmly received by the Deputy High Commissioner Anna Moussa, Minister Counselor Yousuf Freeman Benga Samah, sraff of the Sierra Leone High Commission, and representatives from the Sierra Leone Nationals Association were also in Abuja to welcome the High Commissioner.
While addressing the Sierra Leonean Community and High Commission staff at his residence in Maitama, His Excellency Dr. Sandy expressed delight for his appointment by President Julius Maada Bio to serve Sierra Leone in another prestigious capacity. He thanked his audience for coming out in good number to warmly welcome him, emphasizing the need for unity among Sierra Leoneans. “We must think Sierra Leone first; putting aside permanently those artificial divides that threaten our cohesiveness as one people living in one country. We must come together to build a confident, strong and productive Sierra Leone, the Sierra Leone that works for all of us. We cannot build that nation without stability, where every Sierra Leonean will live in a peaceful environment, contributing positively towards taking Sierra Leone to the next level of productivity and admiration. “Let us give Sierra Leone the best we can offer, the best every Sierra Leonean needs and best that Sierra Leone deserves.”
Dilating further on the existing strong and brotherly relations between Sierra Leone and Nigeria, High Commissioner Sandy expressed his commitment to building on that relationship for the mutual benefit of our two countries. He recalled the immeasurable support Nigeria provided during our civil conflict, in our post-war reconstruction and development, and in all spheres of engagement both at the bilateral and multilateral levels, and concluded that Sierra Leone would be eternal grateful to Nigeria. He entreated Sierra Leoneans resident in Nigeria to be law-abiding and stay clear of untoward activities.
The Deputy High Commissioner Anna Moussa assured full support to the new High Commissioner in his diplomatic efforts.
The Minister of Health Dr. Austin Demby, who is in Nigeria on official assignment, and Justice Sengu Koroma, the Vice President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, also paid courtesy calls on High Commissioner Sandy.
H.E. Julius Sandy, former Secretary to President Bio, and a consummate Civil Servant, now transitions into his new role as Sierra Leone’s Diplomatic Envoy to Nigeria, marking another beginning in his already distinguished career.