On Tuesday, May 23, 2023, the Co-Founder of the Department of Communication, now known as the Faculty of Communication Media and Information Studies of Fourah Bay College, was laid to rest after her passing. Her death marks the end of a remarkable journey filled with achievements and significant contributions to journalism and education in Sierra Leone.
Distinguished individuals and prominent figures from government institutions, the University of Sierra Leone, and the Independent Media Commission, along with family and friends, gathered to honor her memory and celebrate the life of this extraordinary woman.
Many attendees praised her unwavering strength and courage, which served as an inspiration to countless individuals in the media industry.
Festus Kallay, Chief Administrator of the Freetown City Council, spoke highly of the late Bernadette Yetunde Cole, describing her as an exceptional woman brimming with enthusiasm and a deep love for imparting knowledge and values to others. He acknowledged her role as a mother and a disciplinarian who achieved numerous remarkable milestones.
Avril Tundette Cole, the daughter of the late Dr. Cole, shared the profound passion her mother held for education and journalism. She expressed the profound loss she feels, grappling with the reality of her mother's departure. Avril recounted the impact her mother had on her own life, accompanying her to various conferences worldwide and leaving an indelible mark. She also highlighted her mother's pioneering efforts in establishing the Mass Communications Department at Fourah Bay College.
Dr. Willette James, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Communication Media and Information Studies at FBC, mourned the loss of not only a teacher but also a mother and a friend who had been an inspiration in her academic pursuits and personal life. Dr. James described herself as a former personal assistant to the late Dr. Cole, who motivated her to attend educational events and instilled values of honesty and accountability. She also emphasized that she was the only female student recommended by Dr. Cole to lecture in the department after completing her first degree. Dr. James chose to commemorate the exemplary life of her late mentor.
The late Dr. Cole had served two terms as the Chairperson of the Independent Media Commission (IMC). Before her final resting place at the Kissy Road Cemetery in Freetown, a Civic Laying-Out ceremony was held in her honour at the Freetown City Council Auditorium.
She was married to Mr. Tunde Cole, a retired Solicitor General of the Law Officers Department, and is survived by her two children, Avril Tundette Cole and Barton Cole.