Makeni
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Makeni, Sierra Leone |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country |  Sierra Leone |
| Province | Northern Province |
| District | Bombali District |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Alhaji Andrew Kanu (APC) |
| Population | |
| - Total | 105,900 [1] |
| Time zone | GMT (UTC-5) |
Makeni is the capital and largest city of Bombali District in the Northern Province of Sierra Leone. It is the largest city in the Northern province and the 5th largest in Sierra Leone, with a population of 105,900 [2]. Makeni lies about 25 miles southwest of Magburaka and 100 miles north-east of the nation's capital Freetown. The current president of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma was born and raised in Makeni. Like in virtualy all parts of Sierra Leone, the Krio language is widely spoken throughout the city.
It is known for its market and was known for its mosque until the Sierra Leone Civil War, when it became a base for the RUF.
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[edit] Government
The city of Makeni is governed with a city council form of government, which is headed by a mayor, in whom executive authority is vested. The mayor is responsible for the general management of the city and for seeing that all local and national laws are enforced. The mayor is elected directly by the residents of Makeni. The current mayor of Makeni is Alhaji Andrew Kanu and he is a member of the ruling All People's Congress (APC). The city along with the entire Bombali District has always been a stronghold of the APC.
[edit] Sport
The biggest and most popular football club from Makeni is the Wusum Stars of Bombali, currently playing in the Sierra Leone National Premier League, the top football league in the country. The club represents Makeni and the entire Bombali District. They won the Sierra Leonean FA Cup in 1979.
[edit] Media
The local radio station that serves Makeni and the Bombali District is Radio Mankneh 95.1. Sierra Leone's national radio and televesion stations, SLBS are on the air in the city, as well as The bbc world service, CNN International, and several other private stations are on the air for those who have satellite.
[edit] Education
Like the rest of Sierra Leone, Makeni has an education system with six years of primary school (Class 1-6), and six years of secondary school (Form 1-6); secondary schools are further divided into Junior secondary school (Form 1-3) and Senior secondary school (Form 4-6). Primary schools usually start from ages 6 to 12, and secondary schools usually start from ages 13 to 18. Primary Education is free and compulsory in government-sponsored public schools.
[edit] notable secondary schools in Makeni
| School | City | Founded |
|---|---|---|
| St. Francis Secondary School | Makeni | 1924 |
| UMC Secondary School | Makeni | 1940 |
[edit] Ethnicity
The population of Makeni is ethnically diverse, although the Limba and Temne make up the largest ethnic groups. The city has always been a stronghold of the ruling All People's Congress (APC).
[edit] Notable people from Makeni
- Ernest Bai Koroma, president of Sierra Leone
- Edward Turay, lawyer
- Brima Koroma, football star
- Daddi Cool, Sierra Leonean-born Guinean reggae musician
- Alhaji Andrew Kanu, mayor of Makeni
- Mohamed Kamara, football star
