Margibi County—Stakeholders including youth leaders and eminent citizens of Margibi County have hailed President Joseph N. Boakai for appointing Mr. P. Blama Malik Siryon as board member of the Booker Washington Institute (BWI) in Kakata, Margibi County.
By Yawah Y. Jaivey, contributing writer
Mr. P. Blama Malik Siryon, a native of Margibi County and current Comptroller/Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Liberian Bank for Development and Investment (LBDI), was among scores of individuals and institutions appointed on April 28, 2024, on the restructured board of BWI by President Joseph N. Boakai.
Following his appointment, the national youth chair of the People’s Unification Party (PUP), Mr. Joseph Orlando Beyan, took to his social media handle to applaud Pres. Boakai over the appointment of Mr. Siryon and expressed utmost confidence in his abilities to deliver on the board’s mandate.
He said: “The appointment of Mr. P. Blama Malik Siryon on the Booker Washington Institute Board signified inclusive governance. Thanks Mr. President, the BWI family and citizens of Margibi County are grateful for your wise decision.”
For his part, Vandalarks R. Patricks, former senatorial candidate of Margibi County, also took on his Facebook handle to praise the appointment of Mr. Siryon.
He expressed confidence in Mr. P. Blama Malik Siryon’s unwavering integrity, extensive experience, and exceptional technical expertise, saying his appointment would guarantee the successful implementation of innovative programs in line with the board and the president’s agenda for the institution.
“I am deeply impressed with the appointment of Comrade P. Blama Siryon to the Board of the Booker Washington Institute, an institution striving to regain its stature as Liberia’s equivalent of MIT,” Mr. Patricks said.
He added: “Over time, I’ve observed the appointment of board members, often from the older generation, with scant representation of young, qualified, and competent individuals on various boards. It pleases me that the president has recognized the necessity of reconstituting the board of BWI to rejuvenate the institution.”
Mr. Patricks noted that the appointment of Mr. Siryon who is an alumnus and past student council president of the BWI is highly significant, adding that appointing individuals who are cognizant of the institutional challenges and possess the necessary connections and contacts to serve their institution can lead to exemplary service.
“I would also be extremely pleased to witness the appointment of resourceful and potential alumni, who are academically and professionally qualified, to the boards of public academic institutions. This perspective aligns with my views on Mr. Siryon,” Mr. Patricks said.
“Last year, he reached out to me, requesting assistance to rebrand the institution’s image, was quite moving. Without any hesitation, we embarked on significant research to globally connect the institution. This networking effort culminated in BWI being recognized as one of the world’s best schools in 2023, a nomination that stemmed from the work we undertook for the institution,” he disclosed.
Mr. Vandalarks R. Patricks stressed that the desire for inter-generational representation is strong and youth leadership is not a matter of age, noting that celebrating the appointment of forward-thinking young individuals, like Blama, is essential.
Continuing, Mr. Patricks added: “For the Rescue Mission to pave the way for successors within the same political framework as H.E. Joseph Nyumah Boakai, it must move forward with awareness. It’s crucial to identify and engage those with the brilliance, determination, and patriotic zeal to serve, and I am pleased that Blama was chosen”.
He, however, implored Mr. P. Blama Malik Siryon to apply his expertise, creativity, and leadership skills to help source more funding for the school outside, rebrand and reform the Booker Washington Institute (BWI), enhance its international relations, and garner substantial support from global partners.
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