Pres. Sirleaf admonishes Liberian youths

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has urged the young people of Liberia who constitutes about 60% of the nation’s 4.5 million population to be mindful of their role in helping to develop Liberia as a means of setting an example for others coming after them to emulate.

An Executive Mansion release said, President Sirleaf was speaking on Tuesday, November 8th, 2016 in the Ball Room of the Monrovia City Hall when she made closing remarks at program marking the close of a two-day “National Demography Dividend Stakeholders Roundtable Meeting aimed at finding out how the young people of Liberia can rationalize their priority items in achieving what they want to be in life.

President Sirleaf said even though when the Ebola Virus Disease struck in Liberia with some estimating that more than 25,000 people would die – especially as casualties increased, she as well as many Liberians remained doubtful of the statistics. She noted that with the involvement of the young people of Liberia the disease was defeated in no time.

“Therefore, the emphasis of this gathering should be about the young people of this country who really helped us in defeating the Ebola Virus Disease”, she pointed out. President Sirleaf said once the same people here today say they are ready to get involved with anything that they are called upon to do – they always do it satisfactorily.

The Liberian leader used the occasion to appeal to participants at the two days stakeholders’ gathering to give all of their attention and understanding to those facilitating the gathering so that tomorrow they can take the same initiatives making – thereby ensuring that their communities are kept clean.

President Sirleaf noted that since a vast majority of those who helped the authorities in defeating the deadly Ebola Virus Disease came from the various communities in Liberia, she wants them extend same to their various communities by keeping them clean, including public schools in those places. She urged the young people to ensure that they take initiatives in partnering with government in fostering and achieving the nation’s quest for national development.

Also making remarks at the ceremony was the President of the Federation of Liberian Youths (FLY), Mr. Augustine Tamba. He said investing into youth development is a cardinal development that he was proud as far as the administration of President Sirleaf is concerned. He furthered young people are the foundation of any nation and should be taken very seriously in the development of Liberia as investing in them is critical.

The ceremony was attended by government including Youth and Sports Minister, Saah Charles N’Tow, development partners, youth leaders from across Liberia, among others.