Army Chief cautions students

The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) Col. Prince Johnson has cautioned Liberian students to put their education first if they must be useful in society.

He gave the caution when he was honored as “Best Outstanding Military Personnel” by a group under the banner Concerned Student Movement of Liberia on Thursday, 31 May at the Ministry of National Defense down Lynch Street.

Col. Johnson says people will not understand the importance of education until they ascend to certain positions in life.Col. Johnson notes that education must be the priority for anybody to make good decision and become what they wish.

“If we were not educated to go through the ranks and files, we were not going to be seated at this level. My own advice to them is to put their education first as future leaders. With this I think Liberia will move forward,” he says.

He expresses thanks and appreciations to the Concerned Students Movement of Liberia.He gives credit to the gallant men and women in arms, saying it is because of them that he is receiving the award from the students.

Col. Johnson says had it not been for the hard work being done by members of the army, he would not have gotten the award.According to Col. Johnson, the AFL was earlier dissolved and a new military created in 2006 because during the civil war, the army was considered a warring faction.

But he says the award from the students shows that people are monitoring and they are seeing the transition of how far the army has gone today.He says he really thinks it’s not all about him because he is just a supervisor, but the young soldier that is in the streets.

The Chief of Staff adds that the military is all about teamwork, and because he is the leader, that’s why the students community chose to give him such an award.
Col. Johnson says the award came as a surprise to him, expressing hope that other group will follow their foot step.

Earlier presenting the award to the AFL Chief, the Co- Chair of the group Alexander T. Q. Harris said the group thought it wise to recognize Col. Johnson’s efforts for the job done in the past eleven years.

They cited Col. Johnson’s hard work and commitment to the student community and serving the people of Liberia as Chief of Defense Staff of the AFL.

By Lewis S. Teh–Edited by Winston W. Parley