Her Excellency Dr. Fatima Maada Jabbe Bio, the highly esteemed First Lady of Sierra Leone, continues to be celebrated and serenaded after receiving the LPSA Africa First Lady of the Year 2024 Award in the British House of Parliament on Wednesday 9th October 2024.
Last night (Friday 11th October 2024) the First Lady was again lauded and applauded during a specially organised LPSA/ OSHAsociation event at the exclusive Copthorne Tara hotel, Kensington, West London.
Tomorrow the good lady is off to Milton Keynes to participate in the launching of a book that celebrates “illustrious African Queens”.
How apt!
It cannot be repeated or reemphasised enough that the LPSA Africa First Lady of the Year 2024 Award is a plausible moment of historic significance. As the first First Lady to receive this prestigious award, the occasion marks yet another milestone in the remarkable career of Her Excellency Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, recognizing her tireless advocacy for the rights and welfare of women and girls across Africa and globally.
Dr. Fatima Bio’s accomplishments continue to resonate far beyond Sierra Leone. Her groundbreaking efforts in promoting gender equality, her boldness in unpretentiously addressing critical social issues, and her actions in tirelessly advancing the interests of women have propelled her onto the exclusive realms of the transformative sector of the global stage. This latest accolade from the LPSA cements her status as a leading figure in the international community, a point of pride not just for Sierra Leone but for Africa as a whole.
Dr. Fatima Bio’s achievements, range from the construction of a 600-bed ultra-modern hospital in Freetown to the global power pot of New York City where she succeeded in convincing the United Nations to establish a singular calendar day in recognition of the struggles faced by young girls and women worldwide. These endeavors stand out as a testament to Dr. Fatima Bio’s unwavering commitment to improving the lives of women, and the LPSA award is just the latest in a long line of recognitions that underscore her influence and leadership.
Dr. Fatima Bio’s contributions are firmly rooted in the visionary leadership of her husband, His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio, the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, whose own efforts have garnered global recognition and deep-rooted love among his people. Together, they have forged a path that continues to elevate Sierra Leone’s standing on the world stage. It is easy to see why all well-meaning Sierra Leoneans consider Dr. Fatima Bio’s award not just as a personal achievement but also an uplifting reflection of the shared mission of progress and reform that she and President Bio continue to champion.
Since its inception in 2016, the London Political Summit and Awards (LPSA) has brought together prominent political leaders, business executives, scholars, and civil society organizations. Its mission is to foster dialogue, promote peace, and find solutions to the pressing challenges facing humanity. This year’s collaboration with OSHAssociation, a leading global health and safety organization, has been hailed as a landmark achievement, further enhancing the summit’s impact.
Dr. Fatima Maada Jabbe Bio now joins the ranks of distinguished past recipients, including former Kenyan President H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, former Prime Minister H.E. Raila Odinga, and Malawi’s current and former presidents, H.E. Dr. Lazarus Chakwera and H.E. Professor Peter Mutharika. She also, admirably, follows in the footsteps of her husband, H.E. President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, who was named LPSA West African President of the Year in 2021 and African President of the Year in 2023.
The award which was presented by Rt. Hon. Andrew Gwynne MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary for Health and Social Care, in a specially scheduled ceremony held in Committee Room 20 of the UK House of Parliament, was attended by leading figures from across the British political landscape, as well as international dignitaries from the fields of business, politics, academia, and civil society.
Last evening’s Gala Dinner at the exclusive Copthorne Tara Hotel, was a black-tie red-carpet event marking the conclusion of the 2024 LPSA Summit. The event provided another grand opportunity to further honour the achievements of all awardees, acknowledging their significant contributions to addressing community, national and global challenges.
Dr. Fatima Maada Jabbe Bio’s recognition as Africa First Lady of the Year is indeed a proud moment for Sierra Leone and for Africa. Her enduring efforts to champion the rights of women and girls have set a powerful example for leaders worldwide, and her legacy of service and dedication will undoubtedly continue to inspire generations to come, long after this generation is gone.
