By Emmanuel Nduka
Former Vice-President of Sierra Leone, Samuel Sam-Sumana, has said Nigeria’s sacrifices in restoring peace to his country will never be forgotten, paying tribute to Nigerian troops who risked and lost their lives during the conflict.
Sam-Sumana spoke in Abuja on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN), according to a statement issued by the association’s President, Odita Sunday. He also called on African leaders to embrace accountability, economic independence and peaceful political competition.
“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.
Describing Nigeria as a big brother in West Africa, Sam-Sumana stressed the importance of the country’s stability to the subregion.
“When Nigeria catches a cold, the rest of us sneeze,” he said.
Reflecting on Sierra Leone’s civil war, which was influenced by the spillover of conflict in neighbouring Liberia and competing interests over diamond resources, he urged African countries to learn from the tragedy and strengthen efforts to prevent future conflicts.
“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.
The former vice-president also urged journalists to hold public officials accountable, stressing that constructive criticism was essential to good governance.
“Constructive criticism is essential to improving public institutions and ensuring that those entrusted with public responsibilities remain accountable,” he said.
On Africa’s economic development, Sam-Sumana called for greater investment in local industries, value addition and job creation, urging countries to move beyond exporting raw materials and importing finished products.
He 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.
In his remarks, DECAN President Odita Sunday said the visit was to appreciate Sam-Sumana for accepting the association’s invitation and participating in the DECAN Conference and Awards 2026.
Sunday reaffirmed the association’s commitment to professional defence reporting and constructive engagement with security institutions.
The visit also featured reflections by veteran defence correspondents Kingsley Omonobi and Molly Kilete on their experiences covering the civil wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone, highlighting the human cost of conflict and the importance of responsible reporting.
