To coincide with the first anniversary of the passing of Dr. John Oliver Davies-Cole and in recognition of National Immunization Awareness Month in August, the National Organization of Sierra Leoneans in North America (NOSLINA) will launch the John Davies-Cole Scholarship Fund at a virtual event (Zoom Meeting ID 863 0875 4427; Passcode 293170) THIS Sunday, August 21, 2022, 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM EST (6:00 PM - 8:30 PM GMT).
NOSLINA looks forward to the cooperation of the public in what the Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone has described as “a worthy initiative in remembrance of Dr. Davies-Cole”.
Dr. Davies-Cole was a product of the Sierra Leone Grammar School where he was Head Boy and subsequently became a teacher. He pursued higher education at Fourah Bay College (University of Sierra Leone), the University of Jos, Nigeria, and the George Washington University.
During his 13-year service to NOSLINA, Dr. Davies-Cole served as Chairman of the Board (2014-2018) and Board Vice-Chair (2012-2014). He was also Chair of NOSLINA’s Health and Sanitation Committee. Modest in stature and behavior, for nearly two decades this giant in the field of public health led a tireless leadership role at the Washington, DC Department of Health where he was State Epidemiologist. With extensive experience in epidemiology, disease control and water and sanitation projects, Dr. Davies-Cole supervised a team of epidemiologists that are responsible for preventing diseases and outbreaks in the Nation’s Capital. In addition, he was an Adjunct Professor in Global and Public Health at the George Washington University and a World Health Organization (WHO) Fellow.
JOHN DAVIES-COLE SCHOLARSHIP FUND
NOSLINA is not new to the business of awarding scholarships to deserving and needy students in Sierra Leone, an exercise the organization has engaged in for decades and for which several secondary and high schools have benefited. In 2011, NOSLINA sadly lost its Legal Counsel, Attorney Sadu Bah. As a result, NOSLINA created The Sadu Bah Scholarship Fund which sponsored a law student at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone. That law student is today a Barrister-at-Law in Sierra Leone.
Once established, a Public Health student at Njala University in Sierra Leone will become the premiere beneficiary of the Davies-Cole Scholarship Fund.
At the time of Dr. Davies-Cole’s sudden and untimely passing one year ago, NOSLINA assured his family and the Sierra Leone Community in a Press Statement of “our support in all activities that will memorialize and celebrate the life of a true hero who made epic and monumental contributions to the work of NOSLINA and in support of the development of the people of Sierra Leone in so many different spheres.” The organization is indebted to him for the honor and privilege to have served with him over many years and deems the John Davies-Cole Scholarship Fund will serve as an ever-living testimony to the life and work of a great human being.
ABOUT NOSLINA
For 24 years, NOSLINA has served as the leading Sierra Leone Diaspora organization in the US. NOSLINA strengthens links between the Diaspora and homeland - specifically, the group has been supporting community projects and other initiatives at home in such areas as education; health and sanitation; cultural arts; advocating good governance and citizenship; and publicly recognizing individuals of Sierra Leone descent, friends of Sierra Leone and related entities in the Diaspora for their professional accomplishments and distinctive contributions to Society.
For additional information, please contact NOSLINA Executive Director Suna Nallo at +1-410-412-4311 or email noslina2011@aol.com
Source: NOSLINA
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