ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT.
ALHAJI DR AHMAD TEJAN KABBAH,
ON THE OCCASION OF THE UNVEILING OF THE BUST
OF THE LATE SAMUEL BANGURA FORMER GOVERNOR,
BANK OF SIERRA LEONE AT SAM BANGURA BUILDING
ON WEDNESDAY, 4TH AUGUST, 2004

Hon. Ministers & Members of Parliament
The Governor
Deputy Governor and Past Governors
Members of the Board of Directors
Management and Staff of the Bank of
Sierra Leone
Chief Executives of the Banking and Financial sector
Representatives of the Private Sector
Members of the Press
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.

We are gathered here this morning to join members of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of the Bank of Sierra Leone in celebrating Forty years of diligent national service.

In so doing we similarly join the Bank in a very special and significant way in honouring posthumously a Distinguished and outstanding Sierra Leonean who was one of the Architect's of the Institution known as the Bank of Sierra Leone.

This distinguished gentleman was a Nationalist, a patriot and selfless leader who served his country and people with unparalleled commitment, dedication and distinction. He was a cheerful, humane and visionary leader. He fought endlessly as the good shepherd for the welfare of those in his charge, motivated and protected both the strong and weak. A true patriot with sterling leadership qualities.

This distinguished Gentleman was called Samuel Lansana Bangura, Sam Bangura as he was foundly known. He was born in Yele in the Northern Province of Sierra Leone. He attended the Government Secondary School, Bo and later studied at the University of Hall in the United Kingdom. He had a distinguished career in the Civil Service, prior to his appointment as Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone in 1970. He served diligently in the role until December 1979, when he died in mysterious circumstances. Though Sam, his contemporaries like me called him Sam, Sam, died some 25 years ago, he has left indelible footprints in the sands of time. The Building which houses us as we are gathered here today bears testimony to my dispassionate description of a man who truly deserves honour and praise in the superlative degree.

As we join members of the Board of Directors, Management and staff of the Bank, Members and friends of the family of the late Samuel Lansana Bangura, in recognizing this historic occasion, it is my special honour and privilege to unveil the Bust of the late Samuel L. Bangura as a living testimony to humanity, for the good work which he rendered to his country, to the international community and the world at large, without prejudice to race, colour, sex or class.

May his soul continue to rest imperfect peace.

With these few remarks, I now have great pleasure in unveiling the bust of the Late Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone, Hon. Samuel Lansana Bangura.

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