Former Vice-President of Sierra Leone, Mr Samuel Sam-Sumana, has expressed profound gratitude to Nigeria for its critical role in restoring peace and stability to his country, declaring that the sacrifices of Nigerian troops and other personnel would remain indelible in Sierra Leone’s history.
Sam-Sumana spoke on Tuesday in Abuja when the leadership of the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN) paid him a courtesy visit, during which he also called on African leaders to promote economic independence, democratic accountability and regional stability.
He described Nigeria as a big brother in West Africa, noting that the country’s stability and prosperity had far-reaching implications for the entire subregion.
According to him, Nigeria played a pivotal role in supporting Sierra Leone during its civil war, providing troops and other assistance that contributed to the restoration of peace.
He acknowledged that military personnel and civilians lost their lives in the process, stressing that their sacrifices must never be forgotten.
“As a Sierra Leonean, I wish to express my profound gratitude for the role Nigeria and other countries played in helping Sierra Leone regain peace and stability,” he said.
Emphasising the interconnectedness of West African countries, Sam-Sumana observed that “when Nigeria catches a cold, the rest of us sneeze.”
He urged DECAN to sustain its engagement with the military and strengthen professional cooperation between defence correspondents and security institutions, describing the media as an indispensable partner in governance, accountability and national development.
The former vice-president cautioned political leaders against interpreting critical journalism as hostility, insisting that constructive criticism was necessary for improving public institutions and ensuring accountability.
He maintained that public officials should welcome fair and accurate reporting intended to promote the public interest, adding that leaders must demonstrate humility, tolerance and resilience in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Sam-Sumana also urged journalists to uphold professional standards and disseminate credible information, particularly on defence and national security matters.
Reflecting on Sierra Leone’s civil war, he recalled the devastating consequences of the conflict, which was influenced by the spillover of the Liberian war and competing interests in the country’s diamond resources.
He said the painful experiences of both countries should reinforce collective efforts to prevent the recurrence of violent conflicts across West Africa.
“We must never forget those experiences. Rather, we should use them to strengthen our collective commitment to peace and prevent similar tragedies in the subregion,” he said.
He further warned political leaders against allowing personal ambition to undermine national stability, stressing that peaceful political competition was fundamental to democratic development.
According to him, peace should be regarded as a collective victory that transcends political parties and individual interests.
On Africa’s economic future, Sam-Sumana called for a shift from excessive dependence on foreign assistance towards mutually beneficial partnerships, industrialisation and economic self-reliance.
He urged African countries to move beyond exporting raw materials and importing finished goods by investing in local industries, adding value to natural resources and creating employment opportunities for young people.
He attributed some of the continent’s economic difficulties and irregular migration to its failure to fully harness its abundant natural and human resources, noting that many young Africans were compelled to undertake dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean in search of better opportunities.
The former vice-president also called for stronger African representation in international decision-making institutions, particularly the United Nations Security Council.
“Africa must be present at the tables where decisions about its future are made,” he said.
He encouraged journalists to use their reports, investigations and public communication platforms to challenge negative perceptions of Africa and highlight the continent’s aspirations, opportunities and development priorities.
Sam-Sumana commended DECAN for promoting engagement between journalists and the defence community, expressing optimism that stronger collaboration among the media, political leaders and security institutions would advance peace, accountability and sustainable development across Africa.
In his remarks, DECAN President, Mr Odita Sunday, said the courtesy visit was to appreciate Sam-Sumana for accepting the association’s invitation and participating in the DECAN Conference and Awards 2026.
Sunday said the former vice-president’s participation underscored the importance of strengthening relationships among defence journalists, military institutions and international stakeholders.
He reaffirmed DECAN’s commitment to promoting professional defence reporting, constructive engagement with security institutions and the dissemination of credible information on defence and national security.
The visit also provided an opportunity for veteran defence correspondents, Kingsley Omonobi and Molly Kilete, to recount their experiences covering the civil wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The journalists recalled the devastation caused by the conflicts, including the destruction of communities, displacement of populations and the difficulties encountered by reporters working in conflict zones.
Their accounts highlighted the human cost of armed conflict and reinforced the need for accurate conflict reporting, responsible information dissemination and sustained regional efforts to prevent violence.
The engagement ended with a renewed call for peace, accountability, professional cooperation and collective action towards building a more secure, economically independent and prosperous Africa.
