Mrs. Fatima Maada Jabbe Bio, the esteemed First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, was honored today with yet another prestigious award: “WOMAN OF THE YEAR”!
During the impressive ceremony, Professor Pauline Long, CEO of the Global Woman Award, lauded Dr. Fatima Bio as “the best First Lady in the World.” She remarked that the work Mrs. Bio is doing “did not start today,” but “has been ongoing for a long time.” Professor Long expressed her delight and pride in Mrs. Bio’s global advocacy efforts on behalf of women and girls. “We just want to encourage you to continue to be our voice,” Professor Pauline Long urged Dr. Fatima Bio.
In response, Mrs. Bio expressed humility at receiving the coveted accolade and gratitude “for the opportunity to serve humanity.” She credited her husband, His Excellency the Retired Brigadier Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, for empowering and encouraging her to fulfill her dream in serving others, stating that he has provided her with a bigger platform to make a difference in the lives of others, and she is happy to do the best she can to achieve that.
The First Lady also extended thanks to the people of Sierra Leone for their unwavering support and their relentless contributions to the President’s vision.
The brief but significant ceremony took place at the prestigious Lancaster Hotel in London, where Professor Pauline Long, CEO of the Global Woman Award, presided over the event.
Just before this Award event, Her Excellency Dr. Fatima Maada Bio also participated in another key occasion: signing a handwritten message in the House of Commons book of Remembrance dedicated to the late Nelson Mandela. The Mandela Book serves as a testament to the late President’s commitment to eradicating child poverty and racial hatred worldwide.
In this momentous signing gesture, H.E. Mrs. Fatima Maada Bio finds herself among the select ranks of another distinguished group, which includes global celebrities, business leaders, and world statesmen such as former US President Barack Obama, three British Prime Ministers, and the former Nigerian President, His Excellency Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
Abdulai Braima
Information Attaché
SLHC- London
