By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay
Chelsea center back, Antonio Rudiger, has donated £101,000 (Le1 billion) to the Sierra Leone government as his support to the country’s Free Quality Education program.
Rudiger who was born in Germany to Sierra Leonean parents said he was proud to support the country in its drive to provide education for children.
Rudiger made the presentation to President Julius Maada Bio in the United Kingdom on the margins of the ongoing UK-Africa summit.
“Sierra Leone is my home. I'm not the talking type of a person, I am about action. You can count on us and do not hesitate. We are here to support your vision and agenda, especially on education. I am ready to take on my responsibility to change the narrative and image of Sierra Leone,” Rudiger said.
President Bio has made education his flagship agenda. The money comes as a huge boost to the country’s drive towards achieving that.
The government said already two million children have benefitted in the last year alone since the introduction of the policy.
Dr David Moinina Sengeh, who was also present during the presentation in UK, thanked Rudiger for the support and explained that every fund was directed to meet strategic plans of the ministry, adding that every decision made for the allocation of funds was also informed by data to enhance delivery and achieve results.
President Bio said: “The narrative about Sierra Leone must change and it is the duty of every Sierra Leonean out in the diaspora to come on board the rebranding process.”
He thanked Rudiger for the support and assured him of transparency in using the funds.
Rudiger is the most high profile footballer in the world to publicly support the country’s effort in getting education.
First Lady, Madam Fatima Maada Bio, explained the need for every girl to be educated in Sierra Leone, citing major strides that the government was making to increase school enrolment and retention for girls. The ‘Hands Of Our Girls’ campaign, she said, was designed to provide support and protect the girl child to stay in school. She expressed gratitude, on behalf of girls in Sierra Leone, for Rüdiger’s support to the Free Quality Education. She also asked him to not only be a brand ambassador for Sierra Leone, but to also lend a voice to the campaign.
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