Sallu Kamuskay is a Sierra Leonean communication strategist, fixer, blogger, youth organizer, event manager, spokesperson, and public relations expert. He calls his movement in the media world “The Concierge of Media (COM)”. Sallu’s movement has connections with media experts, media organizations, companies, web developers, and professionals across the world. Sallu Kamuskay’s trade primarily involves negotiating deals and managing social media for professionals, influencers, politicians, media houses, organizations, and companies. He focuses on protecting, promoting, and defending them in the face of cyberbullying.
Model Favour Abiba Turay Among Finalists for Inaugural Miss EcoFest 2024
Favour Abiba Turay, a 22-year-old model, beaut queen, and nursing student at Ernest Bai Koroma University, has emerged as one of the finalists for the Miss EcoFest 2024 contest. The young Sierra Leonean is set to compete against 11 other inspiring contestants for a chance to win a grand prize that includes a fully paid return trip to Dubai and a cash reward of 50,000 Leones. The first runner-up and second runner-up will receive 25,000 and 10,000 Leones, respectively.
The Miss EcoFest contest, a new initiative introduced by the CEO of EcoFest, is set to take place on the festival’s opening night, December 20. The following day, December 21, will feature a DJs and Hypemen competition as part of EcoFest’s diverse lineup. With exciting prizes and a commitment to culture, creativity, and empowerment, the Miss EcoFest contest seeks to highlight Sierra Leonean talent and elevate young women who are passionate about making a positive impact.
Favour, born on April 27, 2003, has built a promising career in modeling and pageantry. She currently holds the title of Miss EBK 2023 and was the first runner-up for Miss Peninsular 2022. Alongside her academic journey in nursing, she has been actively involved with youth initiatives such as the Children’s Forum Network and Africa Working Children and Youth, showcasing her dedication to advocacy and leadership.
As a contestant for Miss EcoFest, Favour joins a distinguished lineup of finalists, including Janet Mumgbah Zizer, Martina Hawa Sulaiman, Theophilia Williams, Theodora Victoria Thompson, Sasah Saran Koroma, Hawa K. Kamara, Aminata Suma, Rosseta Sylvia Dumbuya, Adama Kargbo, Magdalene Kpaka, and Alimatu Sylvia Conteh. Each of these young women impressed the judges during the auditions with their charisma, intelligence, and passion for making a difference.
With just weeks until the pageant night, excitement is building as fans wonder who will take home the Miss EcoFest crown. The competition promises to be fierce, and the anticipation is palpable. As we draw closer to the December festivities, the spotlight is firmly on these inspiring young women who exemplify the spirit of EcoFest: celebrating culture, empowerment, and creativity.
Peter Komba: The Journey of Sierra Leone’s Fast-Rising Actor in the Nollywood Industry.
Peter Umar Komba, also known as Peter Komba, was born and raised in Grassfield, Freetown, Sierra Leone. He is a Sierra Leonean actor and content creator who has gained fame through his TikTok videos featuring brief dance moves and songs.
On October 24, 2024, just a week after launching his official Facebook page, Sierra Leonean actor Peter Alhaji Alhassan Komba known as Peter Komba or Peter AA Komba reached over 9,000 followers. Fans from Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Liberia, the United States, and the United Kingdom have welcomed him on the platform.
Peter Komba Nollywood Nigeria
Nashito Kulala, a renowned music producer in Sierra Leone, posted on his Facebook page, “Peter AA Komba, our movie superstar, announced his new Facebook page. Let’s run the numbers quickly. I’ve already followed. Click on his name in this post, and it’ll take you directly to his page.” Fans, followers, bloggers, and fellow Nollywood stars flooded the comments with welcoming messages.
Unfortunately, hundreds of fake Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube accounts have since been created, sharing his pictures and videos and claiming to be him. Cribs International, the music label that signed Peter Komba, issued a press release on August 9, 2024, warning the public and his followers about these fake pages: “Cribs International Ltd wants to inform the public that the attached Facebook page claiming to be Peter A.A. Komba is a fake page operating under his name.”
The creation of these fake pages is a result of his growing popularity and the admiration he receives worldwide.
Peter Komba responded to the situation, writing, “This is the only official Facebook page created for engaging with fans of Peter AA Komba across the world. Please disregard and unfollow any other page or account created in my name, and report them to Facebook.”
A Facebook follower commented, “We are proud of you, bro. Keep being yourself and focus on making money. Don’t let others distract you with hate.”
Peter Komba, beloved by many, has truly made his mark in the hearts of movie enthusiasts. It’s no surprise to see him feature in Nollywood films alongside stars like Chioma Nwaoha and Ekene Onochie.
Peter’s passion for acting began as a child. In April 2022, he starred in his first professional project, a comedy skit titled Sierra Leone Visitor, which gave him a major breakthrough in Nollywood. Since then, he has appeared in over three movies, including Sandwiched, Lovers and Foes, English Man, and more.
Best known for his roles in Sierra Leone movies The Scuffle and April 27, and Nigerian movies Lovers and Foes, English Man among others. Peter has earned a reputation as one of Nollywood’s fastest-rising actors. His talent and hard work have also earned him recognition as a TikTok Ambassador by TikTokers Sierra Leone. A rising actor and Sierra Leonean content creator, Peter is one of the country’s most-followed TikTok stars. He is committed to producing engaging content through acting, dancing, and skits, with millions engaging with his posts.
Peter has been featured in several Nigerian movies currently trending on YouTube, such as April 27, Scuffle, Sandwiched, Lovers and Foes, and English Man, sharing the screen with actors like Chioma Nwaoha and Ekene Onochie.
Born with his twin brother into a Christian family in Grassfield, Freetown, Peter Komba is currently a student at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone. In 2024, he announced the verification of his Instagram and TikTok accounts.
In an interview with Salone Messenger Media, Peter shared that he was introduced to TikTok by his sister and that it has since become a significant part of his life. “My elder sister inspired me to start using TikTok, and I am grateful for the opportunities it has brought.” With over 2.4 million followers, Peter’s TikTok presence continues to grow rapidly.
Here are official handles to follow Peter AA Komba
My Experience at the BBC Media Action Training on Tackling Mis-/Disinformation and Hate Speech
In November last year in Zambia, I met Rehobot Ayalew, an independent fact-checker and consultant, at the launch of the DCN Africa where participated on a panel discussion on “How Tradition and Innovation Influence African Storytelling in the Digital Age organized by the Digital Communication Network (DCN) Global and World Learning . Rehobot Ayalew is big on fact-checking and had once visited my country to train journalists on fact-checking ahead of the 2023 elections. I had the opportunity to meet and interact with Rehobot in Zambia, where she gave a talk on fact-checking while hosting a session on fact-checking and mental health. I was humbled and honored to have come across Rehobot and learned a lot during those few days.
Ethiopian independent fact-checker and consultant Rehobot Ayalew and Sallu Kamuskay at DCN Africa Launch in Zambia.
Few days ago, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in a first phase of four-day in-person training organized by BBC Media Action Sierra Leone. This initiative, in partnership with UNDP Sierra Leone, the United Nations Peace-Building Fund, and the Governments of Ireland, Canada, Iceland, and the European Union, brought together 25 journalists, bloggers, and social media influencers from across the country to train us on tackling mis-/disinformation and hate speech with a total of 18 days training with 8 days in person and remaining remote training.
The training was led by Lazar Covs, an investigative journalist and trainer from BBC Media Action Serbia. His expertise and passion for combating misinformation were evident from the very first session. Lazar’s engaging teaching style and real-world examples made the complex topic of misinformation more accessible and actionable for all of us while providing us with online tools.
Sallu Kamuskay with Lazar Covs from BBC Serbia during the Fact-checking training with BBC Media Action
Held at the Family Kingdom along Beach Road, the training was the first phase of a two-phase fellowship. This phase focused on in-person sessions, while the second phase will also focus on three days in-person and online training. In October, Another 35 journalists and influncers will be train.
Throughout the training, we were taught how to identify, analyze, and counteract false information. The sessions were interactive, with plenty of group discussions, practical exercises, and case studies that kept us all engaged and eager to learn more.
Edward Benjamin Kargbo, the Country Director at BBC Media Action Sierra Leone, introduced fellows to the intense fellowship training program on the first day, stating its importance to journalists, bloggers, and social media influencers. In his welcome speech, he emphasized that BBC Media Action recognizes the role that the media, influencers, and bloggers play in the country. He added that this training is intended to empower journalists and bloggers in the country. “We are hoping that at the end of this training program, we will have some sort of impact multiplier effect on the media landscape and the communities you serve.”
Mr. Kargbo also noted that this training is the first program to bring together journalists, bloggers, and social media influencers in the same room.
Edward Benjamin Kargbo
Sagar Adhikari, the iVerify Specialist (Media and Digital Communications) at UNDP Sierra Leone reiterated the importance of the training expressing his excitement for the partnership with the BBC Media Action to train journalists, bloggers and social media influencers in Sierra Leone. “Misinformation remains a challenge even after the elections, which is why we continue supporting the media literacy programme under the iVerify initiative. These will equip journalists and social media influencers with the skills to fact-check and share accurate information, fostering a more informed and resilient society in Sierra Leone” He added.
Sagar Adhikari, the iVerify Specialist (Media and Digital Communications) at UNDP Sierra Leone
Journalists from AYV, Awoko Newspaper, The Calabash Newspaper, fact-checkers, Politico, bloggers, and influencers benefited from the training.
Abass Sesay, AYV Regional Bureau Chief from Makeni, expressed his excitement for the training, noting that it has further empowered him as a journalist to investigate stories. “The training is not only educative for my work as a journalist but also inspires me as it gives me the urge to go beyond normal news coverage and reporting,” he said, adding that he will ensure the lessons learned are shared with his colleagues in Makeni.
Mabinty M Kamara, Editor at Politico, spoke about how this training impacted her life as a print journalist. She expressed that the training led by Lazar Covs has opened her eyes to tools available online for investigative reporting. “I have been exposed to more advanced forensic fact-checking tools and search engines,” she added.
Ophaniel Goofing, Iverify Coordinator, while speaking on the importance of the training to him as a fact-checker, noted that the training is important to journalists and fact-checkers as it helps them embrace the developing trends in modern journalism to fact-check stories. “ICT is developing at a rapid pace, and the only way to keep abreast of the latest developments and trends is through training like this,” he said.
Social media influencer and owner of the Hawanatu Konneh blog expressed her excitement about the training. She added that the training has further empowered her with tools that she will use to fact-check stories before posting online. “The training entails a lot of details when it comes to fact-checking and media literacy, especially making sure everything is in place and correct before posting news,” she said.
Lawrence Williams, Publisher and Managing Editor of Freetown Post, said that the training empowered him in his career and also gave him an opportunity to learn new tools. “It’s exposed me to more sophisticated tools and methods used in fact-checking, but I must admit that it’ll take some time for me to master them,” he said.
The training aims to enhance participants’ understanding of fact-checking and the use of open-source intelligence. Key objectives included debunking fake identities, exploring photo forensics in the age of AI, examining non-standard fact-checking methods, utilizing domain tools for media reporting verification, and familiarizing participants with tools to assess crowd sizes.
The Power of Technology: Meeting DCN Global’s Communications Director, Marianna Tanagia, in Zambia.
The featured image used in this blog, featuring Marianna Tanagia and me, was taken at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Zambia after the first day of the DCN Africa Launch. Marianna Tanagia serves as the Communications Director at DCN Global.
Upon my arrival a few months ago from a trip to Zambia for the DCN Africa launch, I made a commitment to write blogs sharing my experiences about all the amazing people I have met while in Zambia. A few weeks later, I wrote about several individuals, including Cameron Evers, a Senior Analyst for Sub-Saharan Africa at Emergent Risk International (ERI) from the USA; Gifty Tracy Aminu, a journalist from Ghana; and Dimitris Dimitriadis, a renowned Greek keynote speaker, futurist, and expert in designing companies for the future, Rehobot Ayalew, renowned Fact-Checker from Ethiopia and Judith Ogutu, a seasoned Kenyan strategic communications professional
DCN Africa Launch in Zambia
The truth is, every day of my life involves checking my emails and messages on social media. I receive tons of emails and messages from people I know, as well as from those I do not know—some of whom turn out to be scammers. As a friend once told me, “Technology and social media have exposed us to more dangers than they have brought us together.” While I agree with her assessment, I also recognize that technology and social media offer us choices. It’s akin to navigating between heaven and hell—the decision is always ours to make. Fortunately, there are plenty of guides and materials available online that can help us verify information before clicking on links, signing up for platforms, or making payments using our cards. Technology and social media are all about possibilities, and that’s something I’ve always believed in.
On September 12, 2023, I received an email from Marianna Tanagia, the Communications Director at DCN Global, extending an invitation to participate in the launch of DCN Africa in Zambia. Her email stated, “I’m writing to invite you to speak and/or run a workshop at our upcoming event entitled ‘Harnessing the Digital Revolution: Fostering Resilience and Development’ in Lusaka, Zambia, on November 7-9, 2023.” Initially, I hesitated, wondering if it might be a scam. However, my gut feeling urged me to express interest and explore further. Simultaneously, I conducted background checks on DCN Global.
Interestingly, this wasn’t my first encounter with DCN Global. Back on May 12, 2021, I participated as a guest in an online interview discussing “Citizen Journalism in Africa”, alongside renowned journalists from Kenya and the Zimbabwe Democratic Republic of Congo. During that engaging conversation, we explored how African citizens could contribute to raising awareness. My involvement in that interview was facilitated by a friend—the Co-founder and Communications Director at Mobile Journalism Africa.
Given the numerous online publications and their successful launches in Asia, America, and other parts of the world, I felt confident about engaging further with DCN Global to arrange my travel.
However, due to the considerable distance I needed to cover—from Sierra Leone to Zambia (a flight lasting over 20 hours)—I had to be among the first speakers to depart. Unfortunately, circumstances beyond my control caused me to be part of the last batch of arrivals. The Asky Airlines flight from Sierra Leone, which was supposed to connect me to Emirates via Ghana to Dubai, encountered delays due to technical issues, resulting in a late departure.
Marianna Tanagia and the rest of the team were with me every step of the way—concerned, checking on me, and making sure that another booking would be arranged. They remained by my side until I arrived in Zambia.
Upon reaching Zambia, a car picked me up from the airport and took me to the Radisson Blu hotel. There, I had the pleasure of meeting Marianna Tanagia, the Communications Director for DCN Africa. My presence in Zambia for the launch of DCN Africa was largely due to her exceptional work.
Maria-Anna Tanagia is a journalist, working as a communication and content specialist as well as head of communication for the last 20 years. She holds a degree in Journalism and a Master’s in Journalism and New Media from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. As part of her master’s thesis, she created the online magazine “Publishit”, inspired by citizen journalism, which was awarded by Regional Media Greece (Bronze Award “Best Column”, 2017). She is the Communications Director of the Digital Communication Network Global, a vibrant community of digital professionals and emerging leaders from around the world dedicated to addressing the challenges to democracy through innovative solutions.
She also works as an adult educator and facilitator of journalism and social media workshops (with a focus on digital campaigns for social good). She was included in the list of 50 young (under forty) disruptors of Northern Greece.
After checking in at the hotel, there was already a session going on at the hall. I rushed to the hall and as I entered, I could see beautiful faces seated. People from over 40 countries, 25 of which are African countries represented at the event.
In this article, I have put together five ways you can use to make money in Sierra Leone online. I’ll share five proven methods that I have used and that you can use to make money online. Whether you’re looking to start a side hustle or a full-time business, these methods can help you achieve your financial goals. From freelancing to blogging, there are plenty of opportunities to earn money online in Sierra Leone. So, let’s dive in and explore the possibilities
1. Become an Influencer: You can become a social media influencer by building a healthy following within a specific industry on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Once you have a community, you can make money by charging for sponsored posts, selling your photos, adding affiliate links in your bio, creating your own online store, or even appearing at events 2. Start a YouTube Channel: You can create a YouTube channel for almost anything, from reviewing products and teaching to pranking and streaming video games. Once you figure out your niche, create your channel and your first video. Observe how people respond to it and create more appealing videos for your target audience. You should dedicate some extra time to building your social media presence to attract enough subscribers to apply for monetization. 3. Sell Products online
Afrikonet eCommerce is a leading platform and application in Sierra Leone that facilitates the buying and selling of products and services online. You can use this platform to sell your products online and make money. To get started, create an account on the Afrikonet website http://afrikonet.slOnce you have an account, you can list your products, set your prices, and start selling. Payment to buy products on Afrikonet can be done throug card, orange or Afrimoney Afrikonet also offers drone services, ICT services, and renewable energy solutions
1. Blogging: Blogging is an act of posting content on the blog. You need some time to create a blog and make a very good sum of money. You want a bit of investment (domain cost and website hosting cost) to create and maintain a blog 2.
2. Freelancing: You can offer your services as a freelancer on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer. You can offer services like writing, graphic design, web development, and more. You can set your own rates and work on projects that interest you
Konson Grow Green founder seeks to achieve Feed Salone initiative through Revolutionary Agriculture.
Jonathan Konson Sesay is a revolutionary agricultural entrepreneur, advocate, and also a drop out ( year 3) student from the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM) in Business Administration. He is the founder of Konson Grow Green, a new agricultural system registered with the Government of Sierra Leone and City Council. I will tell you more about it in a bit.
It was in 2014, during the Ebola pandemic in Sierra Leone, that I first came in contact with Jonathan Konson Sesay. Like me, he had also joined the United Sierra Leone Never Again Ebola campaign to raise awareness on the Ebola pandemic and support those we can through the United Sierra Leone and Messeh Leone Foundation Trust.
Jonathan Konson Sesay was a child and youth advocate during the Ebola pandemic in Sierra Leone. Thousands of young people had put their efforts, time, and resources into raising awareness against the deadly Ebola virus that took the lives of many Sierra Leoneans.
It was during those times that I first came in contact with activist Jonathan Konson Sesay, now a Revolution Agriculture Entrepreneur and owner of the Konson Grow Green. I am a great fan of nature, a nature enthusiast. I feel fulfilled when I find myself around trees, sounds of the birds, and the tranquility it gives me whenever I am around nature perfects my every second on planet earth.
Three years after Sierra Leone was declared Ebola-free, in 2017, Jonathan Konson Sesay enrolled for training on new revolution agriculture organised by Joshua Hacking during the then-Professor Monty Jones era as Minister of Agriculture that lasted for one year six months. This program shifted Jonathan Konson Sesay from advocacy to entrepreneurship.
While in college, in his third year, Jonathan Konson Sesay had the plan like many young people to travel abroad through Temple Run for greener pasture, but also realized that he could use that money to start a small business, the Green House Nursing Centre at Rokel, which could eventually pave the way for him to start the Konson Grow Green, a revolutionary way of practicing Agriculture in Sierra Leone.
In three years, Jonathan Konson Sesay has secured a nursing house in Rokel Freetown, a plantation garden in Bo, Manor Junction, Rice Mail Center in Kenema, and more. Jonathan Konson Sesay is engaged in modern-day agriculture, currently growing different types of varieties, including mango, orange, lemon, grapefruit, kola, pawpaw, 3-year coconut, Ghana cocoa, butter pear, cashew nut, guava, soursop, oil palm, chuck chunk plump, plantain, banana, flowers, Krio apple, Moringa, Tombi, and more.
Jonathan Konson Sesay sells, supervises, and plants these varieties for big and small businesses in Sierra Leone, attracting hundreds of individuals interested in these varieties.
In an interview with me, Jonathan Konson Sesay disclosed that he is looking for investors to be able to do more. He noted his frustration with Sierra Leone Government not having any plantation gardens of their own. Jonathan Konson Sesay mentioned that he will be able to provide plantation gardens in all sixteen districts if given the needed support of President Bio’s Feed Salone initiative, ensuring that Sierra Leoneans have sufficient food.
Konson Grow Green seeks to achieve Feed Salone initiative through Revolutionary Agriculture.
Meeting Ethiopian independent fact-checker and consultant, Rehobot Ayalew, at DCN Africa Launch in Zambia.
The featured image used in this blog of me and Rehobot Ayalew was taken at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Zambia after the first day of the DCN Africa Launch. Rehobot Ayalew is an Ethiopian independent fact-checker and consultant.
Ethiopian independent fact-checker and consultant Rehobot Ayalew and Sallu Kamuskay at DCN Africa Launch in Zambia.
For me, if I am not mistaken, this was my first time meeting somebody from Ethiopia.As a storyteller, Ethiopia has always been a country that fascinates me with its rich history and culture, among the many fascinating stories I have read about Ethiopians, is their resistance against the Italians in the fight against colonialism, in the Battle of Adwa. DCN Global brought African countries together in one hall, and it gave me the opportunity to connect, interact, and build lasting relationships with some of the people I met. Unlike me, Rehobot Ayalew has come across Sierra Leoneans in the past. In fact, Rehobot Ayalew was in Sierra Leone before the elections to train journalists on Fact Checking. Not only was she in my country’s capital city, but she also experienced our culture and beautiful places. Rehobot Ayalew showed me beautiful pictures she took at the beaches, Big Market, and other places. ‘I love the beaches,’ she told me.
At the event, Rehobot spoke on “fact-checking during conflicts“ at the DCN Global Africa launch forum in Lusaka
Rehobot Ayalewspoke on “fact-checking during conflicts“ at the DCN Global Africa launch forum in Lusaka
It was during the launch that I had the opportunity to have a chat with Rehobot Ayalew at the restaurant. We were both in the same queue, waiting for our turn to serve ourselves. After we collected our food, we both went to the restaurant and sat at a table together. Rehobot Ayalew shared with me how she enjoyed the sessions, the people she interacted with, and even the performance by the Zambia cultural group. If there is anything that I enjoyed the most during my stay in Zambia, it was the dinner event with the Zambia Cultural group who performed for us. They showed us. I promise to tell you more about the cultural dance in my subsequent blogs.
Rehobot Ayalew is an independent fact-checker and consultant collaborating with different local and international organizations. She is the founder of Niqu Ethiopia, a media consultancy firm focusing on countering information disorder and enhancing media literacy.
Previously she worked as a lead fact-checker at one of the local fact-checking initiatives, HaqCheck/ Inform Africa.
Additionally, she is also a host on a youth dialogue show, MC at different media events, keynote speaker, moderator for discussion and more.
DCN Africa launch in Zambia
DCN Global is a multi-disciplinary community of digital professionals and emerging leaders organized as a social enterprise. Our global community seeks solutions addressing the challenges to democracy.
Meeting US analyst Cameron Evers at DCN Africa launch in Zambia.
The featured image used in this blog of me and Cameron Evers was taken at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Zambia during tea break at the DCN Africa Launch. Cameron Evers is a Senior Analyst for Sub-Saharan Africa at Emergent Risk International (ERI), a US-based global intelligence firm. I will tell you more in a bit.
DCN Africa launch in Zambia
So, because I had the longest distance to cover among the speakers coming from Sierra Leone to Zambia (over 20 hours flight), I had to be among the first people to leave for Zambia. For reasons beyond my control, I was among the last batch to arrive when I was supposed to arrive a day before the event. The Asky Airlines from Sierra Leone that was supposed to connect me with Emirates from Ghana to Dubai couldn’t do so because the flight had some issues and couldn’t leave until after a few hours. I will write more about my frustrating experience with Asky Airlines in my subsequent blogs, I promise you.
Arriving in Zambia and after checking in at the hotel, I had already missed out on one of the social activities. I felt bad because I wanted to be part of every moment, but this was a bad start for me, the only bad one.
After checking in at the hotel, there was already a session going on at the hall. I rushed to the hall and as I entered, I could see beautiful faces seated.People from over 40 countries, 25 of which are African countries represented at the event. I decided to go to the table right close to the door where I found Cameron Evers, a Senior Analyst for Sub-Saharan Africa at Emergent Risk International (ERI), a US-based global intelligence firm. I requested if I could sit right next to him and he responded “yes.” I grabbed the seat next to four other amazing people from four different countries. I had the opportunity to sit with four people from Kenya, Botswana, Lesotho, and Switzerland. We were brought together by DCN Global in Lusaka to discuss Harnessing the Digital Revolution: Fostering Resilience and Development in Africa.
After a few seconds, Cameron Evers asked me, “Where are you from?” I responded, “Sierra Leone” and then asked him the same question. He said he is from America. I then asked him about his work and if he had ever heard of Sierra Leone. Cameron responded, “Yes, I had heard of Sierra Leone, mainly because of its civil war. Civil war political science literature and Africa conflict researchers often point to Sierra Leone’s war as one of the main brutal crises of West Africa during the 1990s, early 2000s period.”
For me, I was saddened by the fact that he knew about our country through war, but I completely understand that his work revolves around security, risk, and things like that. I then told him about some of the beautiful things we have as a country aside from the war and Blood Diamond. I told him about our beautiful beaches and how friendly we are as a country and people. In fact, Cameron Evers is currently covering Sierra Leone in his current role a few times, focusing on how Sierra Leone’s risk environment could affect clients, particularly surrounding recent elections and political instability.
Cameron Evers and I enjoyed our few days in Zambia and enjoyed every session DCN introduced us to. During the DCNmetaverse session, Cameron Evers was the jumping man in the metaverse world. He enjoyed using the Metaverse.
At the event, Cameron Evers spoke on a panel, “Where Geopolitics and Technologies Meet,” at the DCN Global Africa launch forum in Lusaka, Zambia. The three-day forum brought together journalists, civil society leaders, researchers/academics, and digital media producers from 35 (!) African countries together (plus two Americans) to talk and present on the digital communications and evolving tech space in Africa. His presentation was amazing and I enjoyed taking photos of him
Cameron Evers
During my interview with him about his experience at the DCN Africa Launch, Cameron Evers said, “My experience in Lusaka, Zambia at the DCN conference was a whirlwind, as they say. I had never met so many journalists or civil society members before, let alone from 35 different African countries. I learned so much from the conference participants’ stories during our many meals and workshops together, hearing about the challenges and daily life of reporting in often difficult political regimes and evolving digital information environments.”
Cameron Evers is a Senior Analyst for Sub-Saharan Africa at Emergent Risk International (ERI), a US-based global intelligence firm. At ERI, Cameron Evers covers Africa for many multinational clients, providing intelligence analysis and risk reporting. Cameron Evers has been in the intelligence world for seven years and is based in Washington DC.
Originally from Atlanta, GA. Cameron Evers’ interest in Africa began during his internship at the Carter Center in Atlanta, where he focused on covering African affairs for their Democracy Program. This program is dedicated to observing elections and promoting democratic processes in the region.
His research and insights on Africa have been featured in various media outlets, including CNBC, Zawya, The Daily Nation, and The Week magazine. He has also provided briefings on African risk topics to the US government and universities.
Honored with the Thelia Production 2023 Lead Patriotic Blogger Award.
Yesterday, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, I was honored with the 2023 Lead Patriotic Blogger Award by the Thelia Production, organized by the Sierra Tech Awards, in recognition of my patriotic, inspiring, and educative blogs presenting Sierra Leone positively to the world.
Sallu Kamuskay Honored with the Thelia Production 2023 Lead Patriotic Blogger Award.
As I received the award from Daniel Moore, the CEO of the Thelia production, I reflected on my over ten years of sharing positive stories about our country. At the event, I recounted when I started the journey in 2014 during the Ebola pandemic in my country. At that time, negative stories were the only ones you would find when searching about Sierra Leone. I dedicated my life to sharing the stories of young people who, amidst the situation in our country, dedicated their lives to making a difference.
Sallu Kamuskay 2023 Lead Patriotic Blogger Award.
This recognition came few weeks ago after i participated in panel discussion organised by the DCN Global at the launch of the DCN Africa in Zambia and few days after i launched my official website sallukamuskay.com.
This recognition is dedicated to these young people who continue to make a difference in our country.
Sallu Kamuskay is a Sierra Leonean communication strategist, fixer, blogger, youth organiser, event manager, spokesperson, and public relations expert. His work has been regularly referenced and published by national and international media and public policy institutions.
Sallu Kamuskay was a child during the brutal war in Sierra Leone. Growing up in the midst of conflict, Sallu witnessed unimaginable abuse of children and gross violations of human rights. The horrors he witnessed during the Civil War had a terrible impact on him at a very tender age. But despite the shock of the war, Sallu never lost hope. He started on a journey of recovery, studying, and working for a better future.
At age 15, Sallu entered into the world of activism and advocacy.
Sallu Kamuskay was the Vice President of the Young Leaders Organisation, a member of the National Youth Council. The Young Leaders is one of the oldest youth-led organisations in West Africa. The organisation was formed by a group of young leaders, and launched by the then Head of State/President of Sierra Leone.
Sallu was part of the group of young leaders who participated in and contributed to the establishment of the National Youth Council. The Commonwealth supported the training for trainers programme with line ministries and youth stakeholders in which key, representatives of youth council, student union and civil society/private sector youth platforms were engaged and empowered in the effective engagement and inclusion of youth.
Sallu is co-founder and Executive Director of the Salone Messenger, a global multimedia and public relations firm based In Sierra Leone.
Sallu has worked on various developmental and policy issues such as Poverty, Climate Change, Human rights, Child Rights, Education, Health, Gender Equality, Civic Engagement, Government policies, Information Communication Technology for Development and the Sustainable Development Goals, and has also been contributing to various global events and advocacy campaigns.
Sallu Kamuskay is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Salone Messenger, a global Multimedia and Public Relations Firm based in Sierra Leone with the latest news and information, on top stories, business, politics, entertainment, and more.
Sallu is working with a leading technology company in Africa, Techfrica, that has recently developed and launched a social media, messaging Supfrica with over 150,000 downloads on the Google play store in less than 4 days. He is the Adviser and Media coordinator for the App to give people the platform to connect and communicate to help shape their future with a very fast internet that allows users that live in deprived and hard-to-reach areas with poor internet facility to be able to communicate as it allows and stronger on 2 and 3 G network reception.
Sallu has over 9 years of experience in youth engagement, inclusion, and coordination both at local and global levels, giving voice to young people and engaging young people to build a better world. He has served as coordinator for the Wave Alliance which brought together youth-led organisations who attended an international training in South Africa organized by the International Organization – Waves for Change.
Sallu is working with the MLT, Waves For Change, and the Government to develop safe spaces for young people, with a view to contributing to the overall development goals of young people including health, as well as to community rebuilding. Sallu is currently the Programme Director for the Wave Alliance, which is a coalition of youth-led and community-based organisations that have successfully introduced evidence-based Surf Therapy programs to young people in communities, with a focus on mental health, peace building and sustainable development.
In November, 2023, Sallu Kamuskay was in Zambia at the launch of the DCN Africa organised by DCN Global and World Learning. Sallu Kamuskay Participated in panel discussion on “How Tradition and Innovation Influence African Storytelling in the Digital Age organized by the Digital Communication Network (DCN) Global and World Learning.
Sallu Kamuskay was recently honoured with the 2023 Lead Patriotic Blogger Award by Thelia Production and Sierra Tech
Sallu is currently the focal point and face of Africa’s Faces Social media platform which is a global Social media platform that brings together people from across the world to share their moments, connect, share videos, and interact with friends giving more preference to excluded continents like Africa.
Sallu Kamuskay has devoted his time to working for or contributing to a number of national and international organizations and companies, including the Techfrica Technology Company, United Nations, ECOWAS, European Union, Commonwealth Africa Initiatives. This work has led him to travel to a number of countries to contribute to global youth platforms.
Sallu is the lead Coordinator for Peace Tour programme, an initiative supported by the European Union, Africa Union, ECOWAS focusing on uniting and empowering young people and local communities.
Over the years, Sallu Kamuskay has been using his Techno phone to be able to tell stories, the phone he used to tell the story of Gbessay during Ebola who was admitted at one of the Ebola treatment centers after rumors that she had Ebola when the actual sickness was ulcer, she was almost abandoned at the treatment canter with no medication provided to her. She could have died. Sallu told the story via social media and was able to secure funding from the United Sierra Leone to buy her medication and advocated for her. She was later discharged and taken home, He did the same to a patient that died and was abandoned in the street, Sallu Kamuskay used his phone and shared the message across, the corps was later taken and buried. It could have been more disaster without his voice. The story of late America Stress 3-year-old daughter. The hero’s daughter was abandon after his father’s death. He shared her sad story and was able to get a sister who has taken the child as her own and is currently providing her with educational support.
DCN Africa Launch: Meeting Gifty Tracy Aminu, Ghana’s Digital Journalist and Fact-Checker
The featured image used in this blog of me and Gifty Tracy Aminu was taken at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Zambia after the first day of the DCN Africa Launch, a renowned Ghanaian digital journalist working in fact-checking. I will tell you more in a bit.
Gifty Tracy Aminu and Sallu Kamsuaky
When I received a letter from the Zambia immigration department stating that my E Visa application was granted and I was to come to Zambia for the launch of DCN Africa, I adhered to the advice of the DCN Team members that we should network with other speakers and attendees ahead of the meet in Zambia.
I have always loved Ghana and the Ghanaian people. I do so because of one of Africa’s greatest leaders, Kwame Nkrumah, who came from there, and lastly for their Banku food. So I have always wanted to meet with people from Ghana. Meeting Gifty Tracy Aminu in Zambia was a fulfilment of that desire.
Born and growing up in Sierra Leone, I have always loved to read books by or dedicated to African revolutionary leaders. Among the many books I have read are “Long Walk To Freedom” by Nelson Mandela and “Africa Must Unite” by Kwame Nkrumah. They are among my favorite African leaders in the world.
In 2019, when I visited Ghana for the first time, and it was also my first time seeing an airplane as a passenger, I had the opportunity to visit the Museum of Kwame Nkrumah. I was there in Ghana during my 5-day stay for a VISA application to South Africa.
Sallu Kamuskay at the Kwame Nkrumah Museum
For Gifty Tracy Aminu, she has never physically been to Sierra Leone to experience our culture, but she knows Sierra Leoneans are welcoming and accommodating, judging from how she related with me during our two-day stay in Zambia for the DCN Africa Launch. “I have not been physically there to experience the culture, but I know Sierra Leoneans are welcoming and accommodating, judging from how you relate with me,” she told me.
Gifty Tracy Aminu, like me, found the DCN Africa launch to be a great event that connected us with people from diverse backgrounds. Tracy and I had the opportunity to meet with attendees from over 40 countries.
“My best experience was with the people I met. I have established important and meaningful relationships with people that may last me a lifetime,” she stated.
At the DCN Africa Launch, Gifty Tracy Aminu participated in a panel discussion on Fact Checking in Africa. In a Twitter post, she said, “Over the week, I joined a group of panelists in Zambia to discuss the threat of dis/misinformation, the importance of fact-checking in Africa, and what we do @GhanaFact and @FactspaceWA during the launch of @DCNGlobalNet Africa Chapter.”
Gifty Tracy Aminu at the DCN Africa
Gifty Tracy Aminu is a digital journalist working in fact-checking and efforts to tackle disinformation across West Africa. She has built a portfolio of work in health and election coverage in Ghana, The Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria.
With a background in mainstream journalism, having worked with the State Broadcaster, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), and Citi FM/TV, a leading private media organization in Ghana, Tracy has built experience working in radio and television reporting.
Care to know about the next amazing person I will be talking about? Follow my blog.
From Homelessness in Singapore to Founding the First Sierra Leonean Clothing Brand in Malaysia: The Story of Ishmael Brima Koroma
Born in Freetown, Ishmael Brima Koroma is a Sierra Leonean entrepreneur, philanthropist, CEO, and FOUNDER of Neeks Fashion, an emerging fashion brand. Ishmael Brima Koroma grew up in Sierra Leone, He did his primary education at the Kankaylay Islamic Primary school Mess-Mess and later moved to the Sierra Leone Muslim Congress Boys Senior Secondary School Kissy mess mess where he did his Secondary and senior secondary school.
Born and raised to an extended family, Ishmael’s father married 4 wives and his mother was the third wife. Ishmael’s mother gave birth to 6 male children including him. All five of them passed away, and Ishmael was the only child left. During an interview Salone Messenger, ishamael disclosed why he was the only survivor, “According to traditional believes, male children will be the successful children in his family, so that the reason the village people “witchcraft“ can’t allow the male child to exist in my family”
At the age of 3 years, Ishamael’s stepbrother took him from the village to the capital city where he was raised, since then he never set eyes on his two parents. Ishmael had a lot of difficulties living with his elder brother due to one of the three wives of his brother who was very aggressive to him.
“I remember at one time I was denied food for failing to wake up early to fetch water in the morning before going to school to take my West Africa Examination Council examination so I had to eat toothpaste to change saliva after encountering those challenges I decided to leave my elder brothers house to search for a better life in the western part of the country.
The Story of Ishmael Brima Koroma
Due to his obedient and submission, Ishmael had the opportunity to meet with a lady who changed his life, Withsunnette Ayor decided to help him with a job as a freelance to make a living he worked for two years and decided to travel out Sierra Leone to search for a better opportunity.
Ishmael left for Singapore in few days. He ran out of money and became homeless for 27 days struggling and survive on the left-over customers that came to food at the restaurants. Ishamael never lose hope, walking along little India in Singapore. Ishamael came across two Cameroonian football players who helped him buy a ticket to Malaysia where he could further his studies, Not knowing anyone in Malaysia, Ishmael became homeless for a few days. At bukit bintag called “ reggae bar “ Ishmael met some Africans where he was fortunate to meet with one of his Sierra Leonean brothers who took him to his house for few months and he later started working in an African mini mart
Despite of all the challenges he went through growing up, fashion has always been his passion. It comes to him naturally. As a kid, growing up, Ishmael used to spice up clothing with his own design using scissors and needles to redesign. Today He intends to use fashion and his brand to create opportunities for people who are creative in the field of fashion and to spice up the existing fashion designs. Ishmael’s goal is to redefine the world of fashion with unique and authentic designs.
In 2011, Ishmael took up a job as a Clearing and Forwarding Officer at a logistics company. After a while, He was not sure if that was what he wanted to do with his life. Besides, He was not sure how quickly that path would take him to the top. Ishmael then considered that setting up his own business would enable him to achieve greater success much faster than working for someone else. He then ventured out to start his own business and brand.
During an interview with blogprocess, Ishmael for the first time disclosed the secret behind his brand name
“This is a huge trade secret, and I am humbled to share it publicly for the first time. The name NEEKS is an abbreviation of my kid’s names Nathaniel, Emily, Emela, Koroma, and Shagbay “Neeks”. My kids are bold, loving, and cheerful people. These unique and amiable attributes are what I try to depict in my fashion statements. It is my belief that through this initiative, other young people will find their identity and fulfill their dreams and aspirations.” He noted
As way of giving back to his country, Ishmael gives his contribution though donation, among his many donations. As a former pipul of the Sierra Leone Muslim Congress secondary school, he donated football kids to the pupils of the school.
Ishmael has also been involved in cleaning exercises in the country at Lumley station by supporting the police officers in cleaning the Lumley community, He is embarking on such activities to raise awareness to Sierra Leoneans living abroad to do the same when visit home
“Never quit! Believe in your dreams and pursue it with focus and discipline. Success requires perseverance and hard work. With dedication, every dream can be a reality. So, dreamlike “crazy”; work like a “bull” to make it come to pass. Aspire to leave a footprint.” Ishamael advises young people.
DCN Africa Launch in Zambia: My DCNVERSE Experience in the Metaverse World
The featured image used in this blog was taken at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Zambia after the DCN Africa Launch in Zambia, a few minutes before we both left for Dubai with my ‘Meta Man’, Dimitris Dimitriadis, who introduced us to the virtual world. I will tell you everything you need to know in a bit.
On November 9, 2023, the second day of the DCN Africa launch, I and hundreds of others were introduced to the Metaverse. I get it, there are so many questions you would want to ask me about this word, like what is it? What does it do? Why it? The truth is, I had the same questions and even more when I first heard about it from Dimitris Dimitriadis in Zambia, a renowned Greek keynote speaker, futurist, and expert in designing companies for the future. “The Meta Man,” as I fondly call him, simply defines the Metaverse as a virtual world where people interact. To make it more real, Dimitris Dimitriadis has created a virtual world of the very hall we used in Zambia with everything in it, from the door, paintings, artworks, pictures, and everything. Sounds crazy, right? For me, everything didn’t just sound crazy but interesting that I could have access to the very hall I am in but in the virtual world.
The DCNVERSE in the Metaverse world in Zambia
A few days before our travel, Dimitris Dimitriadis had sent us a link where we could create a virtual version of ourselves. The features of this virtual version allow us to use our image, change our dress, hairstyle, shoes, and even the way we smile.
A week before the event, Dimitris Dimitriadis, through DCN’s Communications Director Marianna Tanagia, asked us to create an avatar on ReadyPlayerMe, download the Spatial App, log in, and search for DCNVERSE.
Experiencing the Metaverse world
Everything sounded new to me, but I did give it a try and created the account, logged into the Spatial app, and sent a screenshot to the group and to Dimitris Dimitriadis saying, “I am already in Zambia. Waiting for the rest of the team.” Dimitris Dimitriadis said, “See you in the DCNVERSE and IRL SOON.”
In the Metaverse world, I saw all those who joined, interacted with, chatted, had voice conversations, and we could even jump and wave at each other. Dimitris Dimitriadis had told us of the challenging task of hiding an item somewhere in the big hall that we were to look for.
Dimitris Dimitriadis in Zambia,
Dimitris Dimitriadis is a renowned keynote speaker, futurist, and expert in designing companies for the future. With a captivating blend of case studies, global perspectives, and cutting-edge research, Dimitris offers original insights that help business leaders understand and tap into their future potential. As the Chief Innovation Officer of TheFutureCats, a leading innovation consultancy, Dimitris’s research on emerging technologies and human behavior helps Fortune 500 companies chart a course for business transformation.
In addition to his work with TheFutureCats, Dimitris is also the founder of Zoltar, a global blockchain consultancy. With over two decades of experience as a thought leader on disruptive innovation, digital transformation, and new ways of thinking, Dimitris is a trusted advisor to some of the world’s biggest organizations as they navigate the new era of machine intelligence.
As a specialist in AI-powered transformation and the metaverse, Dimitris’s work has been featured in publications such as Fortune, Athens Voice, Kathimerini, etc. His unique ability to bridge the worlds of disruptive technology and business leadership allows him to translate deep tech into practical recommendations that help leaders seize new opportunities, transform their organizations, and change their own thinking.
The Metaverse is a virtual world that allows users to experience a 3D environment that doesn’t exist in the real world. It is a concept that has been around for a while but has gained more attention recently due to the rise of virtual reality and augmented reality technologies. The Metaverse is a place where people can interact with each other, create content, and explore new worlds. It is a place where people can be whoever they want to be and do whatever they want to do.
There are many Metaverse platforms available today, and each one offers a unique experience. Some of the most popular Metaverse platforms include Decentraland, The Sandbox, and ENGAGE. These platforms allow users to create their own virtual worlds, interact with other users, and explore new environments.
The Metaverse is a virtual reality space where users can interact with a computer-generated environment and other users in real-time. It is often depicted as a fully immersive and interconnected digital universe, similar to the concept portrayed in movies like “Ready Player One.”
Decentraland, The Sandbox, and ENGAGE are just a few examples of platforms that are building their own versions of the Metaverse. These platforms leverage blockchain technology to enable the creation, ownership, and trading of unique digital assets known as non-fungible tokens (NFTs). NFTs can represent various virtual objects, such as land, buildings, avatars, or even in-game items.
In Decentraland, users can purchase virtual land and build their own experiences, games, or social spaces on it. They can also buy and sell NFTs within the platform’s marketplace. The Sandbox offers a similar concept, allowing users to create and monetize their own gaming experiences using its voxel-based editor.
ENGAGE, on the other hand, is focused on providing a Metaverse platform for enterprise and education purposes. It allows users to collaborate, learn, and communicate in virtual spaces, making it a valuable tool for remote work, training simulations, or virtual classrooms.
The Metaverse holds immense potential for various industries beyond gaming and entertainment. It can revolutionize how we work, socialize, learn, and even conduct business. As more platforms and technologies emerge, the possibilities for innovation within the Metaverse are endless.
If you’re interested in exploring the Metaverse, there are numerous resources available online to help you get started. You can find tutorials, guides, and communities that can provide insights and support as you navigate this exciting new world. So why not dive in and see what the Metaverse has to offer? You might uncover new opportunities and experiences that were previously unimaginable.
I was completely over the moon when I received an email from DCN’s Communications Director, Marianna Tanagia that reads:
“Dear Sallu Kamuskay,
I’m writing to invite you to speak and/or run a workshop at our upcoming event entitled “Harnessing the Digital Revolution: Fostering Resilience and Development” in Africa, Lusaka, Zambia, on November 7-9, 2023.″
This was a big win in so many ways. It would be my second time seeing an airplane on the ground as a passenger, let alone getting on it and travelling to another country. I wasted no time in looking for my passport and putting documents together. Like a few African countries, travelling to Zambia requires a VISA if you are coming from Sierra Leone, and because I had a 24-hour layover during my return to Dubai, I needed a transit VISA for my stay in Dubai too. My application and approval process took less than a week. Moreover, with the help of the letter from bloggers of Zambia, my host, and DCN, I told the embassy exactly why this Sierra Leone newbie would be coming to Zambia. All thanks to Alyssa Marshall Bowman and Marianna Tanagia. I promise to tell you more about these amazing individuals in my subsequent blogs.
In the beautiful city of Zambia, Lusaka, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, during the inaugural launch of the DCN Africa that brought together incredible influencers, CEOs, and global communication strategists. I had the opportunity to create a new family, and as Marianna said in her Facebook post,
“Came across a beautiful piece on what makes a community tick – it’s the connection of minds with shared values. When it comes to building one, the secret sauce is in moments like “I’ve learned something new, met someone new, tried something new, or gained a fresh insight.” If you resonate with that, you’re on the right path.”
Judith Ogutu, a seasoned Kenyan strategic communications professional with experience in the corporate, public, government, and non-profit sectors, is among the many incredible people I met during my engagement in Zambia. Judith had just delivered her presentation at the DCN Africa Inaugural Launch when we took this photo. Judith’s presentation was followed by the screening of a short captivating film produced by Paradigm Initiative (PIN) titled Training Day, the organization she works for. The 18:51-minute short film features the story of a young man whose quest for work took an unexpected turn. The short film is an exploratory way used by PIN to best impact society through storytelling while spotlighting key issues plaguing the digital rights and inclusion ecosystems.
Judith Ogutu and Sallu Kamuskay in Zambia- DCN Africa Launch
The movie has so far on YouTube received over 400,000 views. Watch the movie here
The DCN event, held on November 7-9, 2023, in Zambia, Africa, brought together digital professionals, influencers, and thought leaders from diverse fields. The forum, aimed at launching DCN Africa, delved into the far-reaching impact and implications of digital transformations and innovations on our society.
Judith has handled communication projects in fields such as banking, innovation and technology, digital rights and inclusion, energy, medical/health, pharmaceutical and philanthropy. She has demonstrated expertise in harnessing the power of strategic communications to shape opinions, influence narratives, impact lives, foster the growth of influential brands and manage the reputation of organisations.
At Paradigm Initiative (PIN), she oversees the communications and information technology docket. She also leads communications efforts at the organisation.
Paradigm Initiative connects under-served young Africans with digital opportunities and ensures the protection of their rights. The organisation has worked in communities across Nigeria since 2007 and across Africa since 2017, building experience, community trust, and an organisational culture that positions it as a leading non-governmental organisation in ICT for Development and Digital Rights on the continent.
Across regional offices in Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Cameroon and beyond, PIN has impacted youth with improved livelihoods through their digital inclusion and digital rights programs.
The organisation’s programs include Life Skills. ICT. Financial Readiness. Entrepreneurship (LIFE) Training Program, a digital readiness workshop for girls, and a Life at Schools Club Program. PIN has also built online platforms that educate and serve as safe spaces for reporting digital rights violations. These mediums are in the form of short films, and educational online resources, including Ayeta, Londa, and Ripoti.
Judith’s journey in communications started as a journalist at The Standard Group, one of Kenya’s leading media houses, where she honed her storytelling skills. Prior to joining PIN, she was a Consultant in Strategic Communications at Africa Practice, a pan African Strategic Firm. Among other organizations, she also worked at Inter Management Group, a Public Relations and Events Management firm in Nairobi, where she was a communications lead handling organizations such as Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen), Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA) and Beyond Zero- an Initiative spearheaded by former Kenya’s First Lady, H. E Margaret Kenyatta to reduce maternal and child mortality rates.
Judith holds a Master of Arts in International Communication from the Communication University of China, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Community Development from Daystar University and a Diploma in Journalism from Kenya Institute of Mass Communications (KIMC).
DCN Global Africa Launch- Meeting PIN’s Communication Manager Judith Ogutu in Zambia
Sallu Kamuskay is a Sierra Leonean communication strategist, fixer, blogger, youth organizer, event manager, spokesperson, and public relations expert. He calls his movement in the media world “The Concierge of Media (COM).” Sallu’s movement has connections with media experts, media organizations, companies, web developers, and professionals across the world. Sallu Kamuskay’s trade primarily involves negotiating deals and managing social media for professionals, influencers, politicians, media houses, organizations, and companies. He focuses on protecting, promoting, and defending them in the face of cyberbullying.
Meet The First Sierra Leonean Miss Africa Malaysia 2023 Grand Finale judge
Neeks Fashion CEO, Ishmael Brima Koroma, made history as the first Sierra Leonean and first black to be a judge at the Miss Africa Malaysia 2023 Grand Finale. The event took place on November 25, 2023, at the Eastin Hotel Kuala Lumpur, PJ. The Nigerian embassy, the embassy of Tanzania, the embassy of Zimbabwe, and other beauty queens in the field of fashion were also in attendance.
Neeks Fashion, known for its range of men’s, women’s, and unisex clothing items, was listed among the sponsors of the grand finale
Ishmael Brima Koroma, was also featured on the Mrs Earth 2023 Malaysia Magazine on the 02/07/23, making him the first Sierra Leonean and African to be featured on that international magazine.Speaking to Sallu Kamuskay, during a zoom interview,
Ishmael Brima Koroma acknowledged his excitement “Being the first Sierra Leonean and African to be a judge at the Miss Africa Malaysia 2023 was a significant accomplishment and a source of pride for me, Sierra Leone and Africa. It carries a great deal of responsibility and provide an opportunity to make a positive impact in Africa as a whole. Such a milestone could also serve as an inspiration for others, demonstrating that barriers can be broken” he stated.
This groundbreaking achievement marks a significant milestone for both Ishmael Brima Koroma and Neeks Fashion. As the first Sierra Leonean and first black judge in the history of the Miss Africa Malaysia pageant, Ishmael Brima Koroma has shattered barriers and opened doors for other Africans in the fashion and beauty industry.
The Miss Africa Malaysia pageant has been a platform for celebrating African beauty, talent, and culture since its inception in 2017. By having a diverse panel of judges, the event aims to promote inclusivity and showcase the rich diversity of the African continent.
Ishmael Brima Koroma’s presence as a judge not only adds credibility to the event but also highlights the growing recognition of African talent and expertise in the global fashion scene. His extensive experience in the fashion industry, coupled with his passion for empowering African designers and models, makes him an ideal choice for this esteemed role.
The Attempted Coup: Its Impact on Ordinary Sierra Leoneans
On November 26, 2023, a group of militants attacked several locations in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone.The country was subsequently placed under a nationwide curfew, with a manhunt being called to find the militants. President Julius Maada Bio claimed the attack was repelled by the security forces and said the government was in control of the situation. The attacks were described by international organizations as attempts to disrupt constitutional order in the country, and by information minister Chernor Bah as an ‘attempted coup.’
For some of us, whose lives over the years have been dedicated to sharing positive stories of our country, thereby projecting all the positive images of our country to the world, opening it for tourists and investors to feel safe to come visit and invest in Sierra Leone, we have only seen our work in vain.
The group of militants who attacked the country’s armory on November 26, 2023, didn’t just cost the lives of our military men; its aftermath has and will greatly affect ordinary Sierra Leoneans. These are the people who wake up every morning, jumping on Poda Poda to go to the country’s capital to buy and sell. Thousands of men and women whose primary business is to make a living around the beaches of Freetown and run clubs at night are greatly affected by the aftermath of the November 26 attack.
While it is unclear why the attack occurred, the president stated a few days ago on national television that it was a coup.
On December 5th, I took a short trip to Guinea, Conakry, to run some errands. As I jumped into the taxi taking me to Kambia, passengers in the taxi who had already traveled from the provinces started sharing their frustration. They talked about how they were forced to get out of their cars to be searched and how the number of checkpoints had increased. I had already been frustrated by these testimonies from them even before I left. If it hadn’t been for the importance of the errand, I would have canceled my trip and returned home immediately to save myself the headache.
Just a day ago, my brother Festus Conteh, who is the project coordinator for the INEDEM organization, an organization focusing on improving and empowering the lives of school-going pupils by providing schools with the needed support, had just come from Songo where he went on a site visitation. He had shared his frustration with me, including how drivers took advantage of the situation. ‘Security is watertight, but what caught me off guard is how drivers are taking advantage of the situation. As soon as they unload the passengers at Post Office, the idiots will just zoom off, leaving the passengers stranded,’ Festus Conteh said in a Facebook post.
The checkpoint at the Post Office close to Waterloo was where I saw the negative impact of the aftermath of the coup attempt. I met a woman sitting and crying because her luggage had been taken away by the driver just after she made a stop to be checked at the checkpoint. ‘My luggage is gone, it has been taken by the driver. I can’t find him,’ she said while producing tears.
As if this wasn’t enough, nobody from the security forces looked at her or made an attempt to look for her missing luggage allegedly stolen by a driver. Now, while the government of Sierra Leone’s measures to mount checkpoints and put a curfew in place from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM might be intended to enable them to arrest ‘assailants,’ it is important that they consider the lives of ordinary Sierra Leoneans whose livelihoods depend on what they earn daily from selling on the streets.
Sallu Kamuskay has Contributed to the development and execution of communication and digital marketing strategies for individuals and companies both nationally and internationally. He Develops and present new and interesting ideas and solutions for clients. Produce high quality and consistent work within established deadlines and budgets.
Fixer: Concierge Of Media
The Concierge of Media (COM)” is what Sallu Kamuskay calls his movement in the media world. His trade primarily involves negotiating deals for and between professionals, influencers, politicians, web developers, media houses, organisations and companies. He focuses on protecting, promoting, and defending them in the face of cyberbullying.
Sallu Kamuskay who carries out assignments for or is skillful at solving problems for others.
Blogger
Sallu Kamuskay writes regularly for online journal or website and is the founder of Salone Messenger, a global multimedia and public relations firm based in Sierra Leone. kamuskay is expert in profiling people, human interest stories and some times political stories
Youth Organiser
Sallu Kamuskay is expert in Designing and organizing youth programs and activities to increase youth participation in national building.
Public Relations Expert
Sallu Kamuskay is Public relations specialist who create and maintain a positive public image for the individuals, groups, and organizations Kamuskay is good at crafting media releases and develop social media programs to shape public perception of his clients and to increase awareness of his client’s work and goals. Sallu Kamuskay has relationships with several media houses in and outside Sierra Leone
Storyteller
sallu Kamuskay tells stories of incredible people doing amazing work on the African continent using smartphones.
Filmmaker
Sallu Kamuskay is documentary film producer based in Sierra Leone, He has either written, fixed or produced for national and international media outlets
