Abubakar Hashim/ Sierra Leone
As Nigeria celebrates its 65th independence anniversary on Wednesday, 1st October 2025, there were some civilian personalities that paved the way for successful military operations to restore peace and stability in West Africa.
I saw and documented how rebels were convinced to lay down their arms for peace and stability in Sierra Leone and in neighbouring Liberia, through the use of helicopter services, at no cost, owned and operated by a Nigerian, Chief Tony Chinyere.
When the war had heightened in Sierra Leone in 1996, through the collaboration of the Sierra Leone Armed Forces SLAF and the Revolutionary United Front RUF, ECOMOG forces and government officials were ferried through Tony’s helicopter services.
At that time, the late President Kabbah was less than a year in office during his term. He first came to power in March 1996 and overthrown in May 1997 by Major Johnny Paul Koroma, fled to neighbouring Guinea, though Nigeria-led ECOMOG forces, brought him back to power, eight months later in 1998. This was when late Sanni Abacha was Nigeria’s Head of State, with Tom Ikimi as Foreign Minister.
In all these periods, Chief Tony and other well-meaning civilians provided logistical services to augment military operations, which sustained stability the region enjoys today.
As the country celebrates its 65th independence anniversary, such civilian personalities should be considered to be given awards, in view of their selfless services to bring back stability in the region.
I also salute late President Kabbah, Ambassador Joe Blell, Ambassador MC Abubakar, Ambassador Policarp Azikwe, gallant ECOMOG, Sierra Leone, Liberia Forces, to restore peace and stability in these two countries
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