Njala University appoints Professor Osman Sankoh (Mallam O.) as Adjunct Professor

By: Alhaji Umaru Gbow

Credit: Public Relations Assistant, Njala University ( Ayuba Koroma)

Njala University, 14th January 2023- The Administration of Njala University has on 1st December 2022 appointed Professor Osman Sankoh (Mallam O.) COR, as an Adjunct Professor in the School of Community Health Sciences, Bo Campus to continue his exceptional intellectual and other support to the University.

Malam O.'s appointment was made by the Appraisal Review Committee's recommendations, and it is initially valid for a period of two years.

As an Adjunct, the ‘Professor of Bongology’ will receive no salary but has all the rights and privileges of a university staff, including the right to nominate the University as the host institution for research applications, eligibility to co-supervise higher degree candidates in line with any supervision of Research Candidates Policy, and the opportunity to represent the University at professional conferences and seminars.

Mallam O. is also subject to all University policies, rules, and regulations and he is responsible to the Dean School of Community Health Sciences.

Speaking about his appointment, Professor Bashiru Mohamed Koroma, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Njala University, noted that the Management of Njala University was unanimous in its decision to name Professor Osman Sankoh as an Adjunct Professor in the School of Community Health Sciences due to his previous outstanding service as Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University and his continued support to the University. “In actual fact, we are looking forward to him engaging more as a full-time staff in the near future,” Professor Koroma remarked.

"I am delighted that Professor Sankoh will be providing us, especially Bo Campus where the School is located, the exceptional and diverse contributions that would improve service delivery at the School. For him to accept our appointment this time round demonstrates his modesty. We look forward to his invaluable contribution,” Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Bo Campus and Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Njala University, Professor Mohamed Syed Fofanah, asserted.

On receiving the letter of appointment, Mallam O. was thrilled: “I cherished the period I served as Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal because it exposed me to both the challenges and opportunities of the University. It also gave me the opportunity to work very closely with former college mates: Professor Bashiru Mohamed Koroma (former Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Njala Campus); Professor Mohamed Syed Fofanah (Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Bo Campus); and Dr. Muneer Jalloh, Registrar. I also worked with my former students: Professor Alieu Mohamed Bah (former Dean of the School of Agriculture and Food Sciences); and Professor Abdul Rahman Sesay (Dean of Postgraduate Studies). I therefore appreciate the consideration of the current University authorities.”

Mallam O. attended Njala University College (NUC, USL), now Njala University (NU). He was a former President of the Njala University College Students' Union and a former Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Njala University. During his brief tenure as Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal at the University, he brought about a remarkable transformation and progress. He is one of the top researchers in Sierra Leone and has published a significant number of papers.

Professor Sankoh is currently the Statistician General and CEO of Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) and the Vice-Chair of the United Nations Statistical Commission. He has been awarded several national awards including the presidential Commander of the Order of the Rokel.

For further enquiries, contact Ayuba Koroma at [email protected]