Monrovia – Within the scope of three days, Liberians are mourning the death of three known individuals.
Monday, Army Deputy Chief of Staff Eric Dennis succumbed to death after a period of illness leaving many in a state of sorrow.
Again on Tuesday, former River Gee County Senator Nathaniel Williams the man credited with pushing for the establishment of River Gee as a county died in Monrovia.
Late Wednesday, news surfaced about the death of Lawrence Randall who worked to develop the Liberian media before moving on to serve as media consultant to the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.
Senator Matthew Jay River Gee County says, he hopes the death of the former River Gee Senator Williams will serve as a unifier amongst citizens and leaders of the county specifically the County Caucus which he is a part is of.
In a Telephone interview with FrontPageAfrica, Senator Jay said, the death news of the fallen Senator is shocking news that has stalled activities in the County.
“As I speak to people are mourning the death of a Fallen Hero, stores and shops shutdown at midday today in honor of our fallen leader”, he said.
He described him (Williams) is one of the falling fathers of River-Gee County who worked hard to lead River Gee to a County status.
“We are hurt and don’t know how to put it we have lost a great son, the people of River Gee will always remember him”, said Senator Jay.
The late Williams served his County as one of their first two Senators in the 52nd National legislature but lost to Conmany Wesseh during the 2014 special Senatorial elections.
The former River Gee Senator was very vocal in handling issues; his stance was most times entertaining on local radio stations in Monrovia and his home County River Gee where he was always narrative in his utterances.
Mr. Togar Lawrence Randall, one of the pioneering founders of the Liberian Media Center has died.
Mr. Randall was pronounced dead Wednesday at the Georgetown University Hospital where he had been undergoing medical care for several months. He was 38.
“He took the organization from a one-room office in the Press Union of Liberia to where it is now,” says Attorney Lamii Kpargoi, the organization’s current director.
Kpargoi said the LMC is devastated by the passing of its founding executive director. “The organization and Liberia have lost a great person. Our prayers are with his family.
Mr. Randall previously worked as a Senior Communication Officer of the National Commission on Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (NCDDR), under his leadership and direction, the LMC rapidly developed into a vibrant media development support institution that has made concrete impact on the shape of the media landscape.”
The LMC, a media advocacy and development organization that began operations in 2006 and has been involved in many activities and peer review confronting a number of critical issues underpinning media development in the country. The organization has also played a key role in raising awareness on the need for media development inclusion in the Poverty Reduction Strategy.
Conducting over a dozen small scale workshops and a multi-year community radio empowerment project, he has provided intellectual leadership in sourcing further support for media development, including accessing a number of new grant opportunities for the LMC.
As LMC head, Mr. Randall managed the day-to-day activities and oversaw the media organization’s overall program strategy and direction.
At his farewell dinner from the LMC in 2014, Mr. Bill Burke, Chief of Party of the International Research and Exchanges Board-Liberia (IREX-Liberia) paid homage to Randall’s LMC legacy. “”Looking at the big picture of sustaining peace and democracy in Liberia, we all can say that Lawrence means well for Liberia.”
Mr. Randall, who assumed the post as Executive Director of the LMC in 2006 and stepped down in a bid to explore new challenges.
Friends, well-wishers and media peers showered praise on the fallen media icon’s Facebook page Wednesday.
“Liberia has lost a scholar and brain. May his soul rest in peace. RIP comrade Lawrence Randall. Your task on this earth is over. Condolences to the family especially my big brother Augustus Pinton Randall”, Dwana B’Akongo Sesay wrote.
Another Liberia, former Press Union of Liberia Secretary General, D Kaihenneh Sengbeh wrote “And Lawrence Randall, too?
RIP Brother. God knows why at this time … A terrific blow to the Liberian media and media development in our country…..”
Mackelolo Dagoseh Kelkeh Metzger wrote “Almost hard to believe that a friend, brother and colleague Lawrence Randall is dead. People have been withholding information regarding Lawrence health; no one really said anything about what the problem was.
This is heartbreaking and a very sad day for Liberians and people in the media business. I am going to stay away from joining others to say that you are dead.
What has happened Lawrence? What happened? Why now, why so soon bro? I still have a message from you right here on my phone. This cannot be true. Someone please say this is not true!!!! Ay Lawrence!”
“Indeed you were a brother and a good friend; you were my partner and my very close brother.
May the almighty God grant you eternal REST RIP Lawrence Randall you were a true compatriot” Robert Ernest Wilson also wrote.
Patrick M’bayo who has been writing get well messages for Randall also wrote “The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion, and to help others.
These you did so diligently. Your body carried a very gentle and selfless soul. That’s why it’s very hard for us to accept that you’re no more. But again, we’re consoled by the fact that God loves you best. You will truly be missed! Rest in peace my Hoya brother Lawrence Randall!”
“Wow, once again, it’s sad to see Liberia lost another eminent son. Rest in peace brother Randall, your memory on earth will be indelible”, Cyrus Zaway.
“We will describe the torrid journey later on, Lawrence Randall. For now, we’ve opted to dwell with teary eyes. Sleep on!!!, Boakai Jaleiba.
Dashward Wumah lamented: “Your death has created a vacuum in my heart. I remembered our days in the students struggle at the University of Liberia. When we both took on the Student Unification party,(SUP) under the historic political palava hut. Comrade Lawrence Randall, your eloquence was unmatched and your vision to unseat the Student Unification Party was unwavering.”
Alfred Togba lamented: “I’m devastated! Wow! A great hero has fallen. Rip Lawrence Randall, you are gone but your irreparable memory is unforgettable.”