By Alhaji MB Jalloh
As a former colleague of the Ambassador designate to the Islamic Republic of Iran, let me delightfully take the opportunity to sincerely congratulate him for his well- deserved appointment.
For those of us who closely worked with Mr. Salamu Koroma at the Embassy of Sierra Leone in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we believe that this is one of the best appointments President Julius Maada Bio has done in recent times, as far as his recent appointments of new envoys are concerned.
As a First Secretary at the Embassy of Sierra Leone in the Kingdom, Salamu Koroma proved his dedication and commitment, not only to his diplomatic duties and functions, but he was rather equally committed to the general welfare of his compatriots at all times.
He is a man who is completely blind to the ills of tribalism, regionalism and all the ISMS you may think about. To him, all Sierra Leoneans should be treated on an equal footing without the least discrimination. Mr. Koroma would go the extra mile to help out any Sierra Leonean in dire straits.
I can vividly recall that there was a time when two Sierra Leoneans had a serious issue, which would have warranted the intervention of the police. But considering the fundamentals that constitute the essence of diplomatic missions, Salamu took his stance and prevented that from happening. He was able to amicably resolve the issue to the satisfaction of both parties.
Salamu joined the diplomatic service over a decade and half ago. He is a seasoned and career diplomat who rose through the ranks in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. He worked in most of the Divisions at the Ministry before he was posted to Saudi Arabia in 2012. He was recalled in 2017. In 2018, he was appointed Deputy State Chief of Protocol to His Excellency the President. Two years later, he took over as State Chief of Protocol – a position he handled diligently before he returned to the Foreign Office as the Deputy Director General (Operations) after the elections in 2023.
With his wealth of experience in diplomacy, no doubt, Salamu will serve Sierra Leone proudly in that West Asian nation. He has all what it takes to promote the bilateral relations and strengthen the longstanding friendship between the two countries.
He has all the tools required to avail the Embassy of the opportunity to earn laurels for Sierra Leone and Sierra Leoneans in Iran.
During his tenure in Saudi Arabia, Mr. Koroma grew up to be tremendously prayerful. His frequent trips to the the Two Holy Mosques of Makkah and Madinah and commitment to perform his five daily prayers on time were a testament of his profound religious beliefs.
Based on the above and more, I would like to congratulate Sierra Leoneans resident in Iran. I would also like to assure them that in Mr. Salamu Koroma, they have got more than an Ambassador. In him, they have got a father, a brother and a true friend. What else would one wish to have in an envoy?
Ambassador Salamu Koroma, I implore Allah subhanahu wa taa’lah to make your mission a glowing success. May Allah smoothen your paths and may Sierra Leone and Sierra Leoneans in Iran benefit the most under your tenure and tour of duty.
