“Politics of Self-destruction Is Ripping Our Society Apart”

Cllr. Rep. Koffa Asserts

Grand Kru County electoral district two Representative Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa has advised Liberians to make healthy choices and curb the politics of self-destruction which he said is ripping apart the social fabric of how society works and by extension, democracy.

Serving as Keynote Speaker at the induction ceremony of the newly elected officials of the 2019/2020 Graduating Class of the University of Liberia Graduate School on Friday, the chairman on Judiciary of the House of Representatives said social media is destroying society and has made patriotism to be at its lowest ebb.

“You know we are also at the time, when patriotism in our country is at its lowest ebb. And l say that because the most popular thing in Liberia today, and forgive me for those who may be offended, is the politics of self-destruction,” Rep. Koffa said.

The legal luminary added “We are more excited to go on the internet and on social media to see what is been said negatively about our country men, to enjoy what is been negatively portrayed about them, from our leaders to our friends.”

He further said “Regretfully, those who will follow this occasion are few, compare to those who will follow the next scandal, which l am sure is blowing now (on social media) or will come out tomorrow, and that is a sad part, but the beauty of the heroic trend you are taking today, is that not where you choose to focus yourself in your leadership.”

The Grand Kru County lawmaker encouraged Liberians to emulate the endeavors of the Graduate School 2019/2020 Graduating Class self-initiatives.

He began by the encouraging remarks with a quote: “How can you love your country and not love your countrymen and in loving them reach out a hand when they fall, heal them when they are sick and provide enough incentives to make them equal in facts, but just not in theory.”

He explained “What that means to me profoundly it represents what you are trying to do here today; we are in an age – in a culture – and in a time when everyone looks to government to do everything. And when l said government, I mean the embodiment of those who attached with the responsibility to manage the state, parastatal of it and other institutions and organizations such as yourself. But the most telling of who we are as a people, is those things and those times, when we reached to the bottom of what we believed and the wealth of our own individual problems and our own individual difficulties, and reach out to help our country and our country men.”

Cllr. Koffa said  “You are embarking upon a program, upon an adventure not because the university could not afford it, not because the government is unable, not because you have nothing to do, not because you are so overly generous and wealthy, but because there is imbued in you certain civic responsible, certain moral compass, certain national duty that inspires you to come and do what you are doing today, to raise US$25,000 to build a first class computer lab during the age of COVID when everything in all aspects of our lives, especially financially is constrained and at the point of bursting as it seems; that can only be an admirable portion of what we called patriotic Liberians.”

He furthered “Building a lab is like building an institution, because when you build a lab today, you build a building tomorrow, you will build a university the next and you build a nation in the future. This is what we are about. And this why, whenever we are called upon to come to support you, we put everything aside and we try to be here to identify with you.”

Presenting his inaugural address, the newly elected and inducted president of the Graduate School outgoing class, B. Geeplaye Nyenswah commended the University of Liberia Administration for the level of collaboration and coordination that they both of them are enjoying.

Reflecting on the impact and challenges of the global pandemic, President Nyenswah used the occasion to encourage his colleagues and Liberians in general to continue to follow all preventive measures and health protocols in order to avoid the further spread of the virus in the Country.

He recognizes and appreciates the frontline soldiers(Doctors, Nurses, Health Workers) who are working tirelessly on the field to save lives in the wake of the global pandemic.

Though the virus has greatly affected the global village of which Liberia is of no exception, he pointed out that there is still room and hopes for improvements.

Nyenswah at the same time pledged his leadership continuous support, coordination and cooperation with the University of Liberia Administration for the success of the project and other meaningful programs and activities in the future.

“Trust, respect, constructive advocacy and many others for which we were all elected to seek your interest and to ensure that your dreams and aspirations will be realized will be fulfilled to the core”, he assured his colleagues.

Mr. Nyenswah said he remains hopeful that the $25,000USD modern computer lab project to be used by the undergraduate and graduate school students of the University of Liberia upon full completion of the project will be realized soon.

Meanwhile, UL President Dr. Nelson encourages the Liberians to embrace the culture of violence of the culture of peace. His brief message was in concurrence to Cllr. Koffa.

Meanwhile, those who were inducted into offices were: B. Geeplaye Nyenswah- President, Zayzay Miller- Vice President, Lulu Sheriff Kparteh Secretary General and Matidan Badio- Financial Secretary.  Others are Mawah Verdier- Treasurer and Joseph Mehdeh Chaplain.