Founder of Project 1808, Inc., Professor Alhaji U Njai, has expressed appreciation to participants and partners following the successful hosting of the 8th National Project 1808 Science and Leadership Festival in Kabala.
In a message shared after the event, Prof Njai said the three-day festival, held from January 14 to 16, brought together more than 1,000 participants from across Sierra Leone, as well as visitors from Guinea, Liberia, the United States and Nigeria.
He described the festival as three days of enrichment that blended science, technology, engineering, environment, arts, mathematics and medicine with leadership, entrepreneurship and African culture.
According to him, the programme featured panel discussions, exhibitions, plenary sessions, cultural performances and evening reflections, offering learning opportunities for participants of all backgrounds.
Prof Njai noted that the entire festival was self-funded, volunteer-led and supported by the local community, describing it as a model for developing the next generation of African leaders and technical experts grounded in cultural identity.
He said building leadership and innovation on Africa’s cultural foundation is critical for research, entrepreneurship, sustainable development and effective governance.
The Project 1808 founder thanked volunteers, facilitators, experts and participants for their dedication, and also acknowledged Mano River Union visitors from Guinea and Liberia who travelled to Kabala for the event.
He extended appreciation to local and international media organisations, including SLBC, AYV, CGTN, Salone Messenger, Mano Reporters and Born2Blog, for covering the festival, as well as hotels, guest houses and local families for their hospitality and catering support.
“We did it together,” Prof Njai said, describing the festival as a collective achievement and reaffirming Project 1808’s commitment to nurturing science, leadership and African identity.
