Sierra Leone | A Successful Educator

Odette Awada, the first proprietress of a private school in southern Sierra Leone,  died Saturday, March 26, 2016, at the Connaught Hospital in Freetown. In 1976, she founded the Awada School in Bo. 

Below is a May 2013 Sewa News featuring Mrs. Awada after her presentation as a Member of the Order of the Rokel at the National Awards and Honors held on April 27, Sierra Leone's Independence Day. 




Sierra Leone's annual National Awards and Honors on Independence Day recognized the achievements and service of extraordinary people and organizations. More than 60 candidates were selected at Commander of the Order of Republic level, and Grand Commander/Officer/Commander/Officer and Member of the Order of the Rokel.

Award winners came from the  health sector, industry and economy, science and technology, law and order, sports, and music. One of the honors for successful work in education went to Mrs. Odette Awada.

President Ernest Koroma congratulates Mrs. Odette Awada after her presentation as a Member of the Order of the  Rokel (MOR) at the National Awards and Honors held at State House on Independence Day
Odette Awada (nee Allen) started teaching in the capital, Freetown, fifty years ago at St. Theresa's and St. Mary's Catholic Schools. She moved to Bo, Sierra Leone's second largest city, in 1964 and taught at the Queen of the Rosary School. Five years later,  she took over The Lady Dorman Nursery School as head teacher in charge.

“The Awada School, the first privately run school in Bo, was opened in her home with just 7 kindergarten kids in 1976,” Chadia Talib said. “The school grew fast and in no time she had to include a primary department in 1979."

A secondary department came much later in 1997, with an expanded vocational and community education school for early leavers.

"Results of external exams [such as the] Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), and West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASCE) have historical 100 percent passes each year," Talib added.  “The Awada School has produced doctors, lawyers, teachers and good citizens of Sierra Leone.” Talib is Mrs Awada's daughter.

"Finally, Mrs Awada has been honored after years of service to education,” noted Rodney Michael, an ex pupil of The Awada School. "She has produced so many academics and continues to provide one of the best private schooling in Bo. No one in the list of awardees for 2013 deserves it more than Mammy Awada."

"I feel greatly honored and highly appreciate the recognition by His Excellency," Mrs. Awada said. "My service to my community and the nation was a call from God. I have enjoyed working with children every hour of the day. Bo is one of the best cities in Sierra Leone with wonderful people and I am blessed to be part of its history."

Mrs Awada displays her MOR insignia at the National Awards and Honors event held at State House on Independence Day. Beside her is popular philanthropist, Donald Osman, who also got an MOR

Mrs Awada and daughter, Chadia Talib, pose with primary school children at The Awada School in Bo







RECIPIENTS OF  NATIONAL AWARDS AND HONOURS - 27th APRIL 2013

COMMANDERS OF THE ORDER OF REPUBLIC (CRSL)

• Honourable Alhaji Alpha Bakarr Sahid Kanu
• Honourable Justice Shahineh Bash-Taqi
• Dr. Joseph Sam Sesay
• Prof. Jonas Abioseh Sylvanus Redwood-Sawyerr
• Prof. Victor Esehwanu Heathcote Strasser-King
• Alhaji Professor Abu Sesay

GRAND COMMANDERS OF THE ORDER OF THE ROKEL (GCOR)
•       Honourable Justice Adeliza Iyamide Showers
•       Valentine Thomas Collier
•       Ambassador Abubakarr Multi-Kamara

GRAND OFFICERS OF THE ORDER OF THE ROKEL (GOOR)
•       Francis Allieu Munu
•       Samir Khattar Hassanyeh
•       Ernest Sahid Alie Surrur

COMMANDERS OF THE ORDER OF THE ROKEL (COR)
• Sahr Matturi
• Sahr Wonday
• Andrina Rosa Coker
• Ambassador Alhaji Soulaiman Basirou Daramy
• Dr. James Caisa Boima
• Honourable Alhaji Chernoh Maju

OFFICERS OF THE ORDER OF THE ROKEL (OOR)
•       Clifford Rotimie Marcus Roberts
•       Bishop Patrick Daniel Koroma
•       Helen C. Keili
•       Pastor Victor Ajisafe
•       Horatio Karty Max-McCarthy

MEMBERS OF THE ORDER OF THE ROKEL (MOR)
• Miriam Mason-Sesay
• Fatou Yayah Kargbo
• Sylvanus Eugene Chukwema Ronnie-Decker
• Paramount Chief Bai Sebora Kasanga II
• Madam Hawa Turay-Sesay
• Thomas Conteh
• Reginald Woodruff Olujimi Beresford During
• Odette Awada
• Donald Osman
• P/Chief Mohamed Sama Kailondo Banya
• Amadu Bangura
• Alhaji Borbor Bah
• Charles Mambu
• Victor Lansana Koroma
• Mohamed Kallon
• Reverend Michael Sumaila Samura
• Paramount Chief Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Sinnah-Yovonie Kangova II (Posthumously)

PRESIDENTIAL MEDALS
• Asst. Supt. of Police Momoh Bangura - (Gold)
• Edmund Foday Kabba - (Gold)
• Ahmadiyya Mission      - (Gold)
• ENCISS (Enhancing the Interface between State & Civil Society) - (Gold)
• Catholic Relief Services (CRS) - (Gold)
• Princess Modupeh Pearce - (Gold)
• Emmerson Bockarie - (Gold)
• Prince Kuti-George - (Gold)
• Kelvin Doe - (Gold)
• Combined Artists Wan Pot Comedians - (Gold)
• Sgt.(Rtd) 18163030 Daniel F. Kargbo - (Silver)
• Brima Mazzola Kamara – (Silver)
• Margaret Charley - (Silver)
• Millicent Rhodes - (Silver)
• Wilhemina John - (Silver)
• Haja Ya Alimamy Conteh - (Silver)
• Janday Momoh  - (Silver)

HONOUR MEDALS
•       Sahr Borbor Saffa
•       Rose Konima Stevens
•       Madam Marie Bob-Kandeh
•       Sgt. 5826 Alhaji Ibrahim Fegbereh Koroma
•       RSLAF 18165229 Sgt. Conteh Sorie
•       Sgt. 4876 Marah, L
•       Foray Swarray
•       Pa Foday Kamara
•       Alie Samura
•       John Kelli - Posthumously

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