NASSIT Mourns Board Chairmen & Opens Books of Condolence

By Marilyn King
The National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) on yesterday, 13th January 2026, was in solemn reflection as the Board of Trustees, Management, and staff gathered at the institution’s headquarters in Freetown for the official opening and signing of condolence books in honour of two departed chairmen whose deaths have left a deep void in the institution and the nation at large.
The ceremony paid tribute to Professor Lawrence Joseph Aruna Kamara, former Chairman of the Board of Trustees (1st, 6th, and 7th sets), who passed away on Wednesday, 10th December 2025, and Dr. Michael Johnny, Chairman of the 8th Board of Trustees, who died on Saturday, 13th December 2025—barely days apart. The unprecedented loss of both a former chairman and a sitting chairman within the same period sent shockwaves through NASSIT and the wider public service community.
Speaking during the ceremony, Mrs. Sarah Thomas Kamara, a member of the Board of Trustees from the 6th and 7th sets, delivered a moving tribute to Professor Lawrence Joseph Aruna Kamara. She said the gathering was marked by heavy hearts as colleagues, friends, and admirers came together to honour a man whose life, she noted, was defined by purpose, intellect, and meaning.
According to Mrs. Kamara, Professor Kamara viewed knowledge not as a tool for personal recognition, but as a sacred responsibility to serve, uplift, and inspire others. She recalled that although she came to know him only six years ago, his values and character left a lasting impression on her and many others.
“Professor Kamara exemplified strength, integrity, and purpose,” she said. “He demonstrated resilience in diversity and compassion in service. His leadership was not loud, but it was firm, principled, and deeply humane.”
She described him as a man who carried himself with dignity and whose actions reflected a lifelong commitment to excellence and national service, particularly within institutions entrusted with safeguarding the welfare of Sierra Leonean workers.
Also paying tribute was the Deputy Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone, Dr. Joseph Ansu Tucker, who spoke on behalf of the late Dr. Michael Johnny. Dr. Tucker recalled that Dr. Johnny was appointed Chairman of the 8th Board of Trustees in July 2025, and though his tenure was tragically short, his impact was both immediate and profound.
He noted that from the very first day Dr. Johnny assumed office at the inaugural board meeting in October 2025, he brought with him a rare blend of wisdom and humility. According to Dr. Tucker, Dr. Johnny believed strongly that leadership was not about exercising authority, but about shouldering responsibility with care and fairness.
“Dr. Johnny demonstrated that leadership is best practiced through consensus building,” he said. “He was soft-spoken and listened more than he spoke, but when he spoke, his words carried weight—not because of his position, but because they were rooted in truth, courage, and vision.”
Dr. Tucker added that Dr. Johnny’s calm demeanor and inclusive approach fostered unity within the Board and set a tone of mutual respect and thoughtful deliberation.
In a deeply personal reflection, NASSIT Director General, Mr. Mohamed Fuad Daboh, said he had known both men from his early years as a schoolboy. He recounted that Dr. Michael Johnny and his brothers were once young, energetic professionals working on the Bo–Pujehun Project, admired by students on the Bo School campus for their intelligence and professionalism.
“They were role models to us,” Mr. Daboh said. “We looked up to them as examples of what hard work, discipline, and integrity could achieve.”
He further disclosed that Dr. Johnny had been appointed to the Board of Trustees less than six months before his untimely death, while Professor Lawrence Kamara, who hailed from Potoru, was not only a colleague but also a close friend.
Mr. Daboh described the twin losses as a historic and painful moment for NASSIT, noting that it was the first time the institution had lost both a former chairman and a sitting chairman within days of each other.
“This is a shocking moment for NASSIT,” he said. “We are grieving deeply, but we also honour their legacy of service. On behalf of Management and the Board of Trustees, I extend our heartfelt sympathies to their families.”
The ceremony concluded with the formal signing of the condolence books for both Dr. Michael Johnny and Professor Lawrence Joseph Aruna Kamara, as staff, trustees, and invited guests paid their final respects.