By Abu H. Kargbo
Former Freetown United player, Abu Bakarr Mustapha Sillah, has been honoured with a prestigious Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of his unwavering dedication and impactful contributions to the fight against substance abuse in Sierra Leone.
The award was presented by the Sierra Leone National Union in Guinea (SLNUG) during a special engagement, acknowledging Sillah’s sustained non-profit interventions aimed at safeguarding the future of young people and contributing to national development. Fondly known as “Ivorian Sillas,” the former footballer was visibly overwhelmed with emotion, shedding tears as he received the unexpected honour.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mohamed Bangura, Secretary for External Relations of SLNUG, said the recognition was meant to celebrate Sillah’s tireless commitment to combating the growing menace of substance abuse, which has been declared a national emergency in Sierra Leone.
“This award is in honour of your tireless work in the fight against substance abuse,” Bangura stated, noting that Sillah’s efforts are helping to preserve the country’s future workforce by discouraging drug use among young people.
Bangura further commended Sillah for extending his awareness campaigns beyond Sierra Leone’s borders to engage Sierra Leoneans living in Guinea, while also applauding his consistent support for the activities of SLNUG.
In a brief but emotional response, Sillah, who serves as CEO 2 of the Say No To Drugs Campaign Team, expressed profound gratitude to the union’s membership for recognising his contributions, which he said are rooted in a strong desire to give back to society.
“This makes me feel emotional and inspires me to do more,” Sillah said, describing the award as a renewed call to intensify his advocacy work.
Together with Mamadu Barrie, Sillah has helped steer the Say No To Drugs Campaign Team into becoming a nationwide movement. The campaign has now made its mark across all five regions of Sierra Leone, using sports as a powerful platform to amplify anti-substance abuse messages. Through partnerships with football clubs, schools and community leagues, the team continues to encourage young athletes and students to remain drug-free and focused on their futures.
One of Sillah’s consistent messages during these engagements is the long-term damage drug use can cause to sporting careers. “It destroys your dream of playing international football, especially with anti-doping tests,” he often cautions young players.
Beyond advocacy, Sillah has continued to demonstrate practical support for grassroots football development. Recently, he donated ten standard footballs to Wusum Stars, following an invitation from the club’s president, Abdul Keister. The donation represents his second major contribution to the club, having previously donated two full sets of match kits during the 2024/2025 season.
Sillah explained that his continued support for Wusum Stars is deeply personal, noting that his mother and wife both have strong family ties to Makeni City, strengthening his emotional connection to the club and the community.
A former player of Freetown United, Sillah has successfully transitioned from the pitch into community advocacy, earning recognition both at home and abroad. In 2025, he was also honoured during the Black History Month celebrations organised by the Manchester Communities in the United Kingdom, further cementing his growing reputation as a committed social advocate.
With the latest honour from SLNUG, Abu Bakarr Mustapha Sillah’s work against substance abuse continues to gain national and international recognition, reinforcing his resolve to use sport and community engagement as tools for positive change.