She has taken the lead in not taking the back seat in state matters; beginning with arrangements for the official inauguration, state dinner and birthday celebration of the President marking the event last Saturday 12th May, 2018.
Unlike other First Ladies, Fatima Bio is credited for being very brilliant, articulate, active, and instrumental and dominant in the electioneering/campaign process leading to the election of her husband the Retired Brigadier Maada Julius Bio to the highest seat of the land. She is also credited for being very pivotal in proffering good and timely advice to her husband which is part of her functions as First Lady of the Republic, apart from her other functions which have to with working with women and children across the country for their overall development in every sphere of life.
Those who have been close to First Lady Fatima Bio describe her as an adorable, charming, unassuming but firm individual who believes in hard work. Her charisma and persuasiveness are attributed to her involvement in the entertainment industry (specifically film industry) which has enabled her to reach out to all classes of people irrespective of their political and other affiliations.
She will go down the history of Sierra Leone as the only First Lady taking care of their child below five years and possibly expecting another! And because of this, many women in Sierra Leone find it very easy to connect/relate with her because they see Fatima Bio not only as the First Lady they can look up to but they also see her as a woman who feels and knows the thrills and joys of rearing children unlike other first ladies who take up office and do not experience the rigors of bringing up children as theirs are already adults by the time they become First Lady.
First Lady Fatima Bio, the Actress
Fatima Jabbe-Bio was born to a Sierra Leonean mother, Tidankay Jabbie who hails from Kono District and a Gambian father, Umar Jabbe, who lived in Kono for many years as a businessman and in those days owned properties in Kono.
Fatima Jabbe-Bio grew up in Kono where she attended the Ansarul Islamic School and later attended the St. Joseph’s Secondary School in Freetown.
As a matter of fact, through her maternal lineage, her late grandfather Alhaji Marabou Jabbie hailed from Kono. Her late grandmother, Isata Nabay is from Segbwema.
But it is not all about her deep-rooted connection in Sierra Leone: born to a Sierra Leonean mother and a Gambian father who lived as an admirable family in Kono or, as a little girl growing up in Kono. It is as much about revealing Fatima’s academic and professional career life.
As a very promising and determined young woman, Fatima Jabbe-Bio holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honors degree in Performing Art from the Roehampton Institute in London.
This BA (Hons) degree in Performing Art prepared her to start a very successful career in the African Film Industry in London which has made her not only one of the most elegant Nollywood actresses but also a talented scriptwriter and executive producer.
Fatima Jabbe-Bio has starred in many Nollywood movies such as “Battered”, which she wrote and produced, “Shameful Deceit”, “Expedition Africa”, “My Soul” to name but a few.
Over the years, she has been a cast with famous Nollywood actresses, including Genevieve Nnaji and Osita Iheme (Paw-paw) in one of the most award-winning movies “Mirror Boy.”
She has received several awards in the film and fashion industries. Amongst her many awards are:
“Best Supporting Actress,” for “Miss Africa 2000.”
ZAFAA Awards 2011 for the movie “Mirror Boy.”
2011 “Best Actress Award” from Black Ethnics, Fashions and Film Industry in the UK.
Pan-African “Woman of the Year Award” was given to her by ‘All African Media’ based in Ghana.
September 2013, Fatima Jabbe-Bio was voted Best Female Actress at the African Oscars in Washington DC, from a list of 32 nominees in Africa People’s Choice Best Actress category.
She won the award ahead of other Nollywood superstars including the likes of Omotola Jalade, Monalisa Chinda, Queen Amina and Ify Hollywood.
But that is not all, very recently, on 27 October 2013; she won the Gathering of African Best (GAB) Awards for her exceptional contribution for promoting a positive image of Africans around the world. The event reveals the accomplishments of award-winning Africans.
In fact, the entertainment industry in Sierra Leone is looking up to the First Lady Fatima Bio to assist in developing the industry in all aspects as she is considered part and parcel of this fledging industry. Another feather to the First Lady Fatima Bio’s cap is the hosting of a number of prominent Nollywood stars who on her invitation graced the inauguration ceremony on Saturday.