Leaders of the opposition Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) have offered Several Millions of Leones and a Big Cow to the family of their late party strongman, Sidikie Janneh so as to help with the feeding arrangements for the tens of thousands of mourners who poured into Bo Town yesterday Wednesday 19th August 2009, from all corners of the country. SLPP Leaders, led by the National Executive Chairman, John Oponjo Benjamin, addressed the family during which they assured that considering the role played by the late man in their party, his family should rest assured that they would always have priority consideration in matters concerning the SLPP.
The late Sidikie Janneh was the SLPP’s Southern Regional Branch who passed away suddenly on Tuesday August 18th 2009 and was yesterday accorded a befitting funeral ceremony before he was later laid to rest at the CKC cemetery in the Bo city. Thousands of SLPP members, supporters and the entire party’s National Executive yesterday stormed the southern city of Bo to pay last respect to the SLPP strongman, the late Sidique Janneh.
Speaking on the telephone line from Bo, the National Chairman of the SLPP, John Oponjo Benjamin(JOB) explained that the remains of the late man was in the morning hours of yesterday laid at his family house. "At 11am, the corpse was handed over to the SLPP by family members," JOB noted, adding that: "Members of the party later convened the remains to the party’s head office in Bo."
He disclosed further that a lot of positive sentiments were expressed by SLPP members at the SLPP office before the corpse was taken to the Central Mosque for final prayers.He continued that the late man was then escorted by thousands of people to the CKC cemetery, adding that he was buried at his family tomb, amidst weeping and sorrowful sentiments.
John Benjamin also informed that the People’s Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC) made an official representation at the ceremony, adding that the funeral was attending by several PMDC supporters who were claded in their orange party colour.Mr. Benjamin stated that the death of Mr. Sidique Janneh poses a big challenge for the SLPP, though he added that it also helps to create a lot of stamina and determination on members to move the party forward.
Benjamin told Awareness Times the late man had demonstrated a lot of vigor and innovation aimed at moving the party forward, adding that the SLPP would always miss him.He said the sacrifices, both financial and moral, that Mr. Janneh had undertaken for the party, especially at this time when they were cash strapped, were enormous, and prayed that God rewards him in a thousand folds.
He reiterated to Awareness Times his words of assurance that the party would always give a permanent role to the family of the deceased.The late Mr. Sidique Janneh is survived by two wives and three children. May his soul Rest in Peace.
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Newspaper in Freetown, Sierra Leone.