By Ilyasa Baa
Waterloo 200th Anniversary Committee has disclosed that the Committee needs little over one hundred and fifty-seven million leones to achieve its lined up activities to mark the 200th Anniversary of Waterloo, which was founded in 1819 by soldiers whom the British used to fight the French in Belgium.
Chairman of the Committee, former Member of Parliament, Alieu Badara Mansaray, informed residents of Waterloo that they have approached potential contributors, including Africell for assistance. He made this disclosure during a general meeting organized by the acting Headman, Alusine Sesay, at the Waterloo Community Centre.
Mr. Mansaray said the Committee is trying to bring the lost glory back to Waterloo village. He noted that artifacts like the King’s Yard and the village bell need urgent restoration before the launching of the celebration on April 20, 2019. He explained that the Anniversary celebration is part of the history making that generations yet unborn will acknowledge in the future ‘when most of us now would have been gone.’
The Deputy Chairman of the Committee, veteran journalist, Christo Johnson, admonished residents of the village to embrace this year’s Anniversary celebration. He described Waterloo as being a cosmopolitan village with rich artifacts and monuments. He said their Committee will continue after the celebrations but with a different focus, which will be to embark more on the development of the village.
The Committee’s Secretary, Mrs. Fudia Dawodu, expressed the need for government and other entities to contribute financially towards the celebrations. She said the celebration will be climaxed by Ashobi parade, quiz competition and a host of other activities scheduled to take place as part of the celebration.
She pointed out that the village bell will be rung 200 times to commence the celebration, but went ahead revealing that the tongue of the bell was stolen and that the Committee needs to restore the village bell before the celebration commences.