Two very respected and veteran Journalists who are in the United States of America for various reasons have called on Sierra Leone’s Amr. Bockari Kortu Stevens not only to appreciate the work of the Embassy, but also to pay courtesy as protocol demands.
Mr. Rod Mac-Johnson, former Lecturer Fourah Bay College, former Director of Information Ministry of Information and Communications, Former Director Sierra Leone News Agency (SLENA), Former Chairman Independent Media Commission (IMC) and stringer French News Agency etc. is on vacation and Mr. Cyril Juxon Smith Director Information and Communications House of Parliament, former Acting Director General Sierra Leone Broadcasting Service (SLBS) and former UNESCO Media Consultant is in the United States of America to attend the funeral of his father.
Speaking at the Ambassador’s residence on 4821 Colorado Avenue, Washington DC Mr. Rod Mac-Johnson said “Thank you Amr. Stevens for accommodating us in the middle of your tight schedule, and also to discuss with us in a homely spirit.
“I have known you for a long time, and one of my observation is: you have not change – the same principled, accommodating and unifying figure.
“Even now, some people who had a feel of you, during your tenure as Ambassador to the Republic of Guinea decades ago continue to tell the story.
“Which is why I am not surprised that you are the Dean of ECOWAS Ambassadors accredited to the United States of America – an esteemed position.
“As protocol demands, it is incumbent upon us to make sure, the embassy knows we are here, no matter how brief our stay in the United States may be.” Said Rod Mac – Johnson.
Adding, “our coming here is in fulfilment of travelling protocol required by the Sierra Leone government, which can be found on paragraph (3) three on the second to last page of Sierra Leone Passport.
In his contribution, Mr. Cyril Juxon Smith thanked Amr. Stevens and said “Rod has said it all”.
Responding, Amr. Bockari Kortu Stevens welcomed the two gentlemen and said, “It is the right thing to do”.
He thanked them for the sentiments expressed about him and said unifying his countrymen and represents his Country are some of the reasons for which he is paid.
“And representing the country is one of demands of my job. “Thanks to President Ernest Bai koroma, Sierra Leone continues to enjoy peace and stability unlike a number of countries in the continent. “it is such peace and stability that has made development to grow,” he added.
Amr. Stevens said the caution at the back of the Passport has not been adhered to by many people: but as I earlier stated, that’s part of what Government is paying me for.
According to paragraph three at the second to last page of the Sierra Leone passport: ‘Sierra Leone citizens who are resident abroad should at the earliest opportunity register their names and addresses at the nearest Diplomatic Mission or consulate of Sierra Leone .
“Failure to do so may in a period of emergency result in difficulty or delay in according them the assistance and protection to which they are entitled. Changes of address or departure from the Country should also be notified to the mission or consulate”.
They were accompanied by Dr. Madiana Odumosu a Sierra Leonean Professor, University of the District of Columbia, Mr. Clifford Beaty, Andrea Beaty and Mrs. Beatrice Cyril Juxon Smith
Mr. Juxon Smith has since returned to Freetown.
