By Sekou Dauda Bangura, New Jersey.
James T. Tully, an American with Irish heritage who served as a catholic priest in Sierra Leone for over fourteen years publicly declared his support for Ahmed Wurie Jalloh (photo), a political aspirant in the 2012 General Election in Sierra Leone.
Speaking to family and friends who gathered at Naaman Williams Park in Somerset, New Jersey, on Sunday, July 15, for a fundraiser, the former priest said: “I was born here in the United States of America but Magburaka is my adopted home. I lived with the people, toiled with them and struggled with them during the rebel war. All I want for them now is progress and development. I want good things to come to the people of Magburaka, and my brother, Ahmed Wurie Jalloh, will bring those good things the people have been yearning for.” Speaking in Krio with a sprinkling of Temne (interrupted by a deafening round of applause), Mr. James Tully, appealed to all sons and daughters of Magburaka to rally behind Ahmed Jalloh to ensure that he succeeds in his bid for parliament in the 2012 presidential and parliamentary elections slated for November.
Speaker after speaker spoke glowingly about Ahmed Wurie Jalloh, attesting to his good character, his ability and capability to represent the people of Constituency 59, Magburaka Central, Tonkolili District, northern region of Sierra Leone. Mr. Mohamed Massaquoi, a staunch SLPP supporter, who has been a close friend of Ahmed Jalloh since elementary school days in Magburaka, stunned those gathered when he started his address by shouting APC! He triggered an enthusiastic round of applause when he said, among other things that APC means All People’s Commitment. “I’m here today to give my support to a real friend; a man that will best represent the people of Magburaka Central,” says Mr. Massaquoi, who was among the fiends of Ahmed Jalloh that traveled from Pennsylvania to grace the fundraising event.
Mr. Henry Bangura, another close friend and brother from Magburaka declared his total support for Ahmed Wurie Jallloh and he urged friends to provide all the support needed to win elections. “He is a gentleman that I’ve known for many years and I have no doubt in my mind that he’ll contribute positively toward the development of Magburaka.”Sensing some dullness in what is supposed to be an enthusiastic gathering, he electrified the atmosphere by shouting A! P!! C!!! Live forever! Mrs. Elizabeth Turay, a daughter of Magburaka, joined in the chorus of support for Ahmed Jalloh. She urged all the women of Magburaka to rally behind Ahmed Wurie Jalloh to ensure that he becomes the next Member of Parliament for Magburaka Central. Mohamadu Jalloh, president of Fulbe, New Jersey, also spoke at the event, throwing his support for a dear friend and brother.
The fundraising event which brought together friends and relatives from Pennsylvania and the Washington Metropolitan area was well attended by Sierra Leoneans in the Somerset/ New Brunswick area. Among the eminent Sierra Leoneans present at the fundraising event were: Alhaji Abdullah K. Savage, Chief Imam of Jamatul Haq, who conducted the opening Muslim prayer; Rev. Kabbs-Kanu, a veteran journalist, educator and diplomat, who conducted the opening Christian prayer; Alhaji Aliru Bakar, one of the young Imams of Dawat ul Islamia of Somerset, conducted the closing Muslim prayer. Alhaji Macki Wurie, a learned Islamic scholar, held in very high esteem among Sierra Leoneans in the Washington Metro Area, graced the event. Also on hand were APC party faithful that include Alhaji Alie Badara Kamara, president of the APC, New Jersey chapter; Ms Madina Rahman, vice president, APC New Jersey Chapter; Mr. Foday Mansaray, a mortgage and investment banker, APC NA Regional Coordinator, who spoke on behalf of APC North America Branch; Mr. Brima Bangura, who led party faithful in singing the APC victory song; Ms. Susan Bona, a community and political activist, and member of the APC New Jersey Chapter, and Mr. Sekou Dauda Bangura, APC Secretary General, New Jersey Chapter, who served as master of ceremonies during the fundraising event.
In his short address to those present at the fundraising event, Mr. Ahmed Wurie Jalloh, aspiring candidate for constituency 59, expressed his profound thanks and deep appreciation for the wonderful outpouring of love and support. “I stand here today with much humility and equanimity to announce to you my intention to run for parliament in the 2012 General Election,” he said amid an enthusiastic round of applause. Among other things he said: “The Chinese have a saying that the journey of a thousand miles start with a single step. Today, I take my first step in what promises to be a long journey. With your presence and support here today, I can say with utmost confidence and certainty that I have already covered hundreds of miles.” Mr. Jalloh used the opportunity to thank his heartthrob of many years, the graceful and delectable Sanna Jalloh, for standing by him all these years through thick and thin. He also expressed his incalculable thanks and appreciation to all those who came from far and near to support him. Mrs. Sanna Jalloh, wife of the political aspirant - a very enterprising and resourceful woman - gave the vote of thanks.”I want to thank you all for your presence and for all the support you have given my husband. To the women, I want to express my immense thanks and gratitude for all the food you have provided.”
Born in Magburaka, Ahmed Wurie Jalloh attended the Roman Catholic and the Sierra Leone Muslim Brotherhood primary schools. He went on to attend the Magburaka Boys Secondary School, and later the Government Technical Institute, Magburaka.
After graduating from the institute, he worked for Plan International Sierra Leone and for Integrated Agricultural Development Project (IADP North. Upon the closure of IAD Project, Ahmed moved to Freetown where he landed a job at the Sierra Leone Ports Authority (SLPA). He was later awarded a scholarship from UNDP to study Statistics at the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM, University of Sierra Leone).
After years at the Sierra Leone Ports Authority, he had the opportunity to travel abroad. Upon arrival in Reading, England, he immediately enrolled at Future Business College (FBC) to study. Ahmed graduated at Future Business College and went on to West London College to study Business Management, and then his Masters in Business Administration (MBA). He was working on his MBA when he had the opportunity to come over to the United States of America.
Arriving in the US in the 90’s when there was a high demand for electrical and computer engineers, he enrolled at the Middlesex County College where he acquired an Associate in Applied Science degree (AAS), in Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology. He went on to the New Jersey Institute of Technology - a sister college to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), to earn his Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Electrical Engineering Technology and subsequently a Masters of Science in Industrial Engineering (MSc).
Ahmed was sent by the Sierra Leone Government through Australian Government Scholarship to the Graduate School of Government, University of Sydney, Australia, to study “Regulation and Management on Extractives.” This includes all contracts monitoring on minerals resources, plus oil and gas.
Ahmed has worked for several companies in the US including, Philips Consumer Communication, briefly for Motorola, Distek, briefly for Johnson and Johnson, Invacare (logistics and distribution), and Firmenich (supply Chain Company). He is currently a consultant in the Technical support Unit in the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources.
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