By Ibrahim Sorious Samura
The 2019 Africa Leadership Award has nominated Sierra Leone’s RnB sensational musician Chernor Alieu Bundu popularly known as Alieu Melody. The event which will take place on the 13th December 2019 at the Premier Hotel in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, is organised by Rebranding Leadership Development in Africa Initiatives (RE-LEDA).
In a letter written to Mr. Bundu, the organisers states “the Awards Selection Committee, Board of Trustees and the Management of Rebranding Leadership Development in Africa Initiatives (RE-LEDA) organisers of the Africa Leadership Award have single you out among peers to be a distinguished and bonafide recipient of AFRICA OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARD.” He is set to be the first Sierra Leonean artist to receive this prestigious award for his outstanding achievements.
The statements continue, “As a versatile and pragmatist leader with proven integrity therfore, your actions have not only helped in the gradual upliftment of your organisation alone, but have accelerated the promotion of peace and stability, good morals and ethics, patriotism, discipline, innovativeness and efficiency in service. You are therefore a symbol of excellence worthy of emulation by those coming behind you in our assessment. It is in this view of all the above parameters that your nomination was being endorsed by the Board of Trustees and Awards Selection Committee for this edition of Africa Leadership Award.”
Alieu Melody was raised in Kono in the Eastern part of Sierra Leone and later settled in Makeni, Northern Sierra Leone where he started his music career. The has had couple of hit songs but notably his 2017 singles, ‘Imagine’ and ‘Survive’ which became mega hits across the country and beyond, earning him several nominations and recognitions from reputable organisations. He has won several awards in Makeni City for Best RnB Artist and Best Male Vocalist for successive years, from 2007 to 2013. In 2018, Faces of the North Entertainment Award (FaNEA) awarded Melody’s song (Survive) as Song of the Year, plus an additional award in 2019 as One of the Most Influential People from the North. Last year, the National Entertainment Award (NEA) nominated him as Artist of the Year and ‘Imagine’ as Video of the Year.
Melody has involved in lot of community developments across the country especially in the east part of Freetown, where he resides. He is a great influencer and a youth activitist. Melody is expected to travel to Nigeria to witness the awards night. Many people see this as a boost for Sierra Leone as he will be carrying the Green, White and Blue flag internationally.
