The Njala University Premier School, the School of Agriculture and Food Science on Wednesday 29th July, 2020 welcomed a new Acting Dean, Dr. Mohamed Allieu Bah to steer the affairs of the school.
Dr. Bah replaces Dr. Abdul Rahman Sesay who served as Dean of the School for the last four years.
The outgoing Dean has now been appointed to serve as the new Dean for the Postgraduate School of the University replacing Professor Bashiru Koroma, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Njala Campus.
At a brief handing over ceremony held at the School, the outgoing Dean praised his colleague Heads of Departments and other senior members of staff for supporting him throughout his tenure as Dean of the School.
He also showered praises on his successor, Dr. Bah whom he noted was not a stranger to the challenges and structures of the School.
Dr. Sesay told the staff that even though he would be leaving as Dean, he would still be a member of the School lecturing at the Department of Animal Science, and also undertaking a number of research activities.
He praised the Acting Vice Chancellor and Principal for approving the rehabilitation of the school and the provision of sewing machines upon his visit to the school sometimes ago.
The Vice Chancellor and Principal, Dr. Sesay noted, is the first sitting Vice Chancellor and Principal to visit the School of Agriculture in the last ten years.
He handed over a comprehensive note to his successor entailing a brief description of the duties of a Dean; status of the Departments and staff complement; regular/reoccurring meetings and reports, status of recent and current projects, ongoing activities and host of other issues.
In his response, Dr. Mohamed Allieu Bah thanked the various Heads of Departments and other senior members of staff for believing in his vision to lead the School. He described the School of Agriculture and Food Sciences as the envy of Njala University, noting that it is incumbent upon the staff of the school to support President Dr. Julius Maada Bio’s food security vision.
The incoming Acting Dean also thanked the Administration, especially the Vice Chancellor and Principal, Professor Osman Sankoh aka Malam O. and the University Registrar, for reposing confidence in him to lead such a great school.
He reminded his colleagues of the great task that lies ahead of them and entreated them to brace up for it and do the needful to take the school to higher height.
The Acting Dean also assured the outgoing Dean that he would rely on his huge experience over the years to steer the affairs of the school. He further thanked him for his contribution to the progress of the school during his tenure as Dean.
A Senior Lecturer and Head of the Soil Science Department, Dr. Patrick Sawyerr noted that he was impressed that the school has never got such an impressive handing over ceremony in its history. He thanked the outgoing Dean for his leadership and encouraged the Acting Dean to emulate his example.
Head of Department Agric Extension and Rural Sociology, Dr. Adolphous Johnson said he has confidence in the leadership of Dr. Bah and described him as a man who has the tenacity to stake his neck for what is always right.
The Head of Institute of Food Technology, Nutrition and Consumer Studies, Dr. Tamba Stevens Sonda, who is also the Coordinator for the Postgraduate School, said he was pleased that Dr. Sesay was going to head the Postgraduate School.
He encouraged him to help lift his colleagues that are yet to complete their PhD programme with a view to further enhancing the staff capacity of the school.
Dr. Mohamed Allieu Bah joined the School of Agriculture in 2012 as Lecturer 1 and later rose to Senior Lecture and Head of Department Crop Science in 2015.
He is a very staunch member of the Academic Staff Association (ASA) and has served as President for ASA from 2018 to 2019; Njala Campus Chair from 2016 to 2018 and is at present Chairman of the Governing Council of the Association.
CREDIT: Public Relations Office, Njala University.