Pujehun District, Saturday, November 8th, 2025: The Secretary General of the Roberts Flight Information Region (RFIR), Mr. Emil Rogers, attended the United Team Sierra Leone (U Team SL) Conference held in Pujehun District under the theme: “Transforming From District to National – The Role of Youth in Nation Building.” His participation at this landmark gathering underscored the importance of collaborative leadership and the role of institutions in advancing grassroots-driven development.
In his remarks, Mr. Rogers commended U Team SL for its bold vision and mission to transform Pujehun District into a model of inclusive growth and national relevance. He emphasized that the organization’s focus on youth empowerment, volunteerism, peace, unity, and sustainability aligns strongly with Sierra Leone’s broader developmental aspirations.
Mr. Rogers reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the mission and vision of U Team SL, pledging to collaborate with the organization in advancing programs that promote education, healthcare, agriculture, entrepreneurship, and digital literacy. He stressed that volunteerism must be embraced as a civic duty, noting that collective action by citizens is essential for peace, unity, and sustainable progress.
The only secondary school I have attended in the whole world is the St. Paul’s Secondary School in Pujehun District and if I am somebody today is because of the quality education I gained in this school where I served as a head boy and throughout my academic journey nobody has ever defected me in my academic class. Emil Rogers – Secretary General of the Roberts Flight Information Region (RFIR)
He further highlighted the importance of youth involvement in nation building. In the next five years, I want to see Pujehun developed. And in that development, I want to see how our youth are empowered, economically independent to reduce the level of dependency, how the U Team SL’s Six-Year Strategic Development Plan (SDP 2024–2030) will be achieved with inclusivity and gender sensitive. Pujehun must not be left behind in Sierra Leone’s march toward national transformation. We must encourage partnerships, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration that empower our youth and strengthen our communities,” he remarked.
I want to see how our youth are empowered, economically independent to reduce the level of dependency, how the U Team SL’s Six-Year Strategic Development Plan (SDP 2024–2030) will be achieved with inclusivity and gender sensitive. Pujehun must not be left behind in Sierra Leone’s march toward national transformation. We must encourage partnerships, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration that empower our youth and strengthen our communities”. Emil Rogers – Secretary General of the Roberts Flight Information Region (RFIR)
Mr. Rogers also acknowledged the challenges facing Pujehun District, noting that the conference provided a platform for honest dialogue and collective solutions. He called on youth to also engage their stakeholders to listen to their stories and share ideas that will enhance empowerment opportunity. He encouraged descendants of the district, leaders, and stakeholders to unite behind U Team SL’s Six-Year Strategic Development Plan (SDP 2024–2030), which envisions Pujehun as a hub of resilience, innovation, and youth-led transformation.
Concluding his address, Mr. Rogers issued a powerful call to action: “Let us unite behind the promise of a better future for Pujehun District and Sierra Leone. Let us embrace U Team SL and support volunteerism, strengthen peace, and champion unity. Together, we can transform dreams into reality and ensure that the story of Pujehun becomes a beacon of hope and progress for the entire nation.”