Nigeria, June 21 -- I am very sad to learn about Kadi's passing. She was not in good health after the massive stroke she suffered about ten years ago.

The tribute that is in circulation ("Farewell to a Trailblazer - Dr Kadi Sesay (1949-2025)") accurately summarises her rich life: diligent, brilliant, and passionate about improving ordinary people's lives. She was affable and a trailblazer in many areas of public life.

I first knew Kadi at St. Edward's Secondary School in Freetown, where we both did our Sixth Form, but we were not very close. She was in Upper Sixth, a level above me at Lower Sixth. That was in 1968-69. It was very rare at that time for students in the two streams to closely interact. We didn't share courses and activitie...