By: Festus Justus Margai-Regional Outreach Coordinator South-Ministry of Information and Civic Education
The Deputy Minister of Information and Civic Education, Sheikh Bockarie Abdel Aziz Bawoh, has emphasized the importance of reflecting on the lessons of the past and taking concrete actions to build a better future for Sierra Leone as the nation commemorates National Remembrance Day.
He highlighted that the civil war that devastated the country was a tragic consequence of deep-seated issues, including exclusion, weak civic consciousness, youth marginalization, and a breakdown of trust between the state and its citizens.
The Deputy Minister stressed that national remembrance must transcend symbolism and translate into tangible actions. Universities, as institutions of higher learning and national character formation, have a critical role to play in promoting peace consolidation. To this end, he proposed the institutionalization of Civic Education as a compulsory module across all faculties at Njala University, regardless of discipline.
According to the Deputy Minister, civic education is essential for building a culture of peace, unity, and responsible citizenship, by incorporating civic education into the university curriculum, students can acquire the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to contribute to the development of the nation.
He stated that benefits of civic education includes; preparing responsible citizenships, that civic education equips students with a deep understanding of their rights and responsibilities, which enabling them to participate constructively in national life, which fostering national Identity on civic education that promotes a sense of national identity and shared values, which is critical for building a cohesive and inclusive society.
He maintained that promoting critical thinking on civic education encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, that enabling students to navigate complex issues and make informed decisions, which encourage active citizenship on civic education that inspires students to engage in community service and promote social change, fostering a sense of civic responsibility and community engagement.
He disclosed that proposed civic education module would cover a range of topics, which includes constitutionalism that understand the principles and provisions of the constitution and its relevance to national development.
“Promoting awareness of human rights and the importance of respecting the dignity and worth of all individuals, encouraging active participation in democratic processes and promoting civic engagement and
conflict prevention which understanding the causes and consequences of conflict and promoting peaceful resolution mechanisms”
He added; the national values, which fostering a sense of national identity and shared values, including patriotism, tolerance, and respect for diversity.
The Deputy Minister made these remarks at an event organized by the National Council for Civic Education and Democracy in collaboration with Njala University’s Bo Campus on January 19, 2026. The Vice Chancellor of Njala University and government officials also gave similar sentiments, and students and other guests were invited to attend the occasion.
