MONROVIA — National Security Advisor to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Attorney Samuel Kofi Woods, has described his late brother, Roosevelt A.K. Woods, as “a soldier on the frontline” of the Woods family.

By Augustus D. R. Bortue

Speaking on behalf of the Woods family during the funeral service held Saturday, August 29, at St. Matthew Methodist Church in Upper Caldwell, Montserrado County, Kofi Woods said his brother was deeply involved in the affairs of the family and consistently took responsibility for addressing the concerns of its members.

He said Roosevelt’s death had created a significant void in the family.

“Today, I am filled with great joy because he lived a life that I can reflect upon, and all of us can reflect upon with joy,” Woods said as family members, friends and sympathizers wept.

“We want to thank God for the time He gave us with him, the impact he made, the contributions he made to our society and the impact he made on each of our lives. He was a good, gentle and great soul,” he added.

Reflecting on his last encounter with his brother at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center, Woods said Roosevelt’s final look at him made him realize that his brother’s condition was critical.

“When Roosevelt stretched his eyes and looked at me, I knew his time was near. Two hours later, I received a call informing me of his passing,” he said.

Woods said he felt consoled by the tributes paid to his brother and by the life Roosevelt lived.

“I am happy because I sat here as tributes were paid, and for a moment I thought it was me. From the day Roosevelt came and met me, he never left my side. He kept coming back,” Woods said.

He described Roosevelt as an ambitious and dedicated person who pursued higher education and committed himself to public service.

“He went to school, earned his master’s degree and returned to work. He worked for the Foundation for International Dignity, which I established. For more than 15 years, Roosevelt committed himself to that organization with honesty and dignity,” Woods said.

“This is a proud moment for me. Roosevelt is not gone. Roosevelt left all his trademarks. He was so talented. I do not weep for Roosevelt anymore,” he added.

In his closing remarks, Woods said the presence of mourners and the tributes offered had strengthened and comforted him.

“I am consoled by the many people I see in this church today. I am consoled by the tributes you have offered to my brother. I am happy. I have been relieved of my weeping today and made stronger again,” he said.

“It is a great responsibility to take this on, but he knows he left us behind to carry it forward,” Woods added.

Pastor Urges Mourners to Live Right

Delivering the funeral discourse, Pastor Urias C. A. Pappoe said the Woods family had responded to God’s call through the death of their loved one.

“My dear brother Kofi Woods and the rest of the family members have agreed to respond to the summons of God. Kofi stands as the complainant, while Pastor Pappoe is the defendant,” he said.

Preaching on the theme “A Legal Conference with God,” drawn from Isaiah 1:18, Pastor Pappoe said God’s judgment is final and cannot be appealed.

He urged mourners and the wider public to live righteous lives and maintain a proper relationship with God.

Roosevelt Woods Remembered

Roosevelt A.K. Woods was the former executive director of the Foundation for International Dignity, a pro-democracy and human rights organization. He also served as a commissioner of the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission until his death.

He died on Sunday, August 2, at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Sinkor, Monrovia, following a brief illness.

The wake and funeral service were attended by several senior government officials and members of Liberia’s civil society and human rights communities.

Those in attendance included Vice President Jeremiah Koung; Minister of Justice and Attorney General Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh; Minister of State for Presidential Affairs Samuel A. Stevquoah; Inspector General of Police Gregory Coleman; and officials of the PPCC, among others.

Government officials paid tribute to Roosevelt Woods and consoled the bereaved family, urging them to take solace in God, who gives and takes away.

During the funeral service, an official gazette was read, highlighting Roosevelt Woods’ educational background and contributions to Liberian society.

Following the service, his remains were interred at the family’s burial site in Lower Caldwell, Montserrado County.

Monrovia– President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has expressed profound grief over the death of the Grand Mufti of the Republic of Liberia, Dr. Abass Kanneh, describing his passing as a significant loss to Liberia and the global Muslim community.

In a message of condolence on July 31, President Boakai extended his deepest sympathies to the bereaved family, the National Muslim Council of Liberia and Muslims across the country following the announcement that Dr. Kanneh, who died in the early hours of Wednesday, July 29 in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

The Liberian leader paid glowing tribute to the late Grand Mufti’s decades of dedicated service, noting that Dr. Kanneh devoted his life to advancing Islamic education, promoting religious harmony, and fostering peace, unity, tolerance and justice in Liberia and beyond.

President Boakai described Dr. Kanneh as a revered Islamic scholar and respected spiritual leader whose wisdom, guidance, and unwavering commitment to faith positively impacted generations of Liberian Muslims.

The President also acknowledged Dr. Kanneh’s outstanding academic achievements and his years of distinguished service in both national and international Islamic institutions, including his tenure as Grand Mufti of the Republic of Liberia. 

He said the late religious leader’s legacy of faith, scholarship, humility  and selfless national service will continue to inspire future generations.

On behalf of the Government and people of Liberia, President Boakai prayed for Almighty Allah to grant the late Grand Mufti eternal rest and admit him into Jannatul Firdaus.

He also prayed for strength, comfort, and patience for Dr. Kanneh’s family, the Muslim Ummah, and all those mourning his passing.

The President further called on Liberians to honor the memory of Dr. Kanneh by embracing the principles of peace, tolerance, mutual respect and national unity that he steadfastly championed throughout his lifetime.

I woke up this morning to the news that Senator Lindsey Graham had passed, and honestly, it has been hard to put into words since. On behalf of myself and everyone at the Congress for Democratic Change, I want to extend our deepest condolences to his family and to the American people during this incredibly painful time.

By Jefferson T. Koijee, contributing writer

I still think back to the day I met him in his office on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. It wasn’t a long meeting, but it stayed with me. As a young leader coming from Liberia, I didn’t expect a U.S. Senator of his stature to speak with such warmth and such genuine curiosity about where I came from and what I was trying to build for my country. That conversation gave me more than I think he realized; it was inspiring, it was generous with his time, and it pushed me to think differently about leadership itself.

What struck me most about Senator Graham was that he never treated the world as divided into places that mattered and places that didn’t. He believed, deeply, that America’s strength and its friendships, even with a country as small as Liberia, were part of the same story: standing up for freedom, wherever it was tested. America has lost one of its most dedicated public servants. The world has lost a voice that didn’t shy away from hard conversations. And I have lost someone who, in a single meeting, reminded me why I chose this path in the first place.

To his family, and to the people of South Carolina and America who loved him my prayers are with you. May his memory be a lasting blessing, and may the example he set continue to guide those of us still finding our way in public life.

Jefferson T. Koijee is the former Mayor of Monrovia and National Secretary General of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC).

KAKATA — Former Liberian Ambassador to the United States of America, who hails from Bong County, has called on the Kpelle and Kpelle speaking people of Liberia to remain united in order to preserve their cultural heritage, strengthen peaceful coexistence, and build a prosperous future for generations yet unborn.

By Selma Lomax, selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com 

Speaking Saturday, May 16, 2026, at the National Unification Program of the National Association of the Kpelle and Kpelle Speaking People of Liberia held in, Ambassador Sulunteh emphasized that unity remains the greatest strength of the Kpelle people and a necessary pathway toward national peace and development.

Addressing traditional chiefs, elders, zoes, members of the Board of Directors, officers of the association, invited guests, and hundreds of attendees, Sulunteh said the gathering marked a significant moment in the history of the Kpelle people as they seek to reinforce solidarity among themselves.

“Today, we gather here in this beautiful city of Kakata as a people united by ethnicity, culture, and inspired by our identity to commemorate this day of unification,” Sulunteh declared. “It is often said that in unity there is strength, courage, and peaceful coexistence.”

The former ambassador reflected on the historical origins of the Kpelle people, noting that their forefathers migrated from the savanna region of western Sudan, present day Mali, before eventually settling in Liberia.

He stated that the Kpelle people produced powerful traditional leaders who governed territories, negotiated peace with the Americo-Liberian government, and maintained strong influence over their people.

According to him, the new movement toward reunification among the Kpelle and Kpelle speaking people demonstrates a renewed determination to work together for a prosperous future.

“As we begin this journey of total reunification, we are reminded of the work of our forefathers whose footprints are written in the sand of our history,” Sulunteh stated. “They were leaders of peace and unity who protected their clans and chiefdoms while preserving our cultural norms and values.”

Sulunteh further stated that the sacrifices made by historical Kpelle leaders should never be forgotten, especially at a time when Liberia continues to seek deeper reconciliation and national cohesion. He said the courage, wisdom, and resilience demonstrated by those traditional leaders laid the foundation for peace and stability in many communities across the country.

According to him, their leadership extended beyond tribal boundaries and contributed significantly to strengthening mutual respect among various ethnic groups in Liberia.

The former ambassador noted that younger generations must begin to appreciate the value of cultural identity and traditional leadership in national development. He stressed that preserving the stories and achievements of past leaders remains essential to promoting patriotism, unity, and respect for Liberia’s rich cultural heritage.

Sulunteh added that the Kpelle people have a proud history of leadership, peaceful negotiation, and community cooperation that should continue to serve as a guiding example for the nation.

“We must never allow the names and contributions of our forefathers to disappear from the pages of history because these were men and women who dedicated their lives to defending their people, preserving peace, and promoting unity among communities during difficult periods of our national existence,” Sulunteh said. “Their sacrifices remind us that true leadership is about service, courage, humility, and commitment to the wellbeing of the people.”

He added, “Today, as we honor these historic figures, we are also sending a message to future generations that unity remains the cornerstone of progress and national transformation. Our ancestors fought to preserve our identity, our dignity, and our peace, and it is now our collective responsibility to continue that noble journey for the benefit of Liberia and all its people.”

During the program, Ambassador Sulunteh paid tribute to several prominent historical leaders whose contributions, he said, continue to inspire peace and unity among the Kpelle people across Liberia.

Among those memorialized were Gbanyan-Kollie Wolomeyahn of Jorquelleh Chiefdom, Barsee Kpangbai of Jorquelleh, Dokpah Barwolor, Dolokelen Gboveh, Jawoe Mananah of Gbaota, Gorpu Dolo Gboi of Jorpolu, Gweimei Woah of Panta, Dolokelen Paye of Panta, Kolleh Gwee of Salala, Botoe Barclay of Fuamah, Chief Gbili of Sanoyea, Nowai Leemu of Kpaai, Nyanquoi Bee of Kpaai, Kolliemileen Toto of Totota, Gormalon Walker of Salala, Ne Sua Koko of Jorquelleh, Flomo Wennah of Jorquelleh, Lango Lippaye of Kakata, Chief Jallah Lon of Bopolu, Chief Kahn Gibson of Margibi, Chief Sirleaf Smite, Chief Fahn Lepolu, Chief Musu Yango, Chief Kpaingbah Dwana, Chief Ma Woikpeh, and Gabriel William Kpoleh of Kollita in Panta Chiefdom.

Sulunteh urged members of the Kpelle community to preserve the legacy of their ancestors by promoting peace, reconciliation, and unity throughout Liberia.

“As we discuss the way forward as a people to an everlasting unity, may our ancestral spirits continue to live in our hearts for a united Liberia,” he said.

The event brought together Kpelle people and invited guests from different parts of Liberia in a celebration marked by cultural pride, traditional recognition, and renewed calls for national unity and peaceful coexistence.

Harrison C. Jidueh, popularly known as Black Baby, BB, or Blackie, emerged on the national scene as a cartoonist and social commentator, weaving stories of husband and wife drama, games of boys and girls in love play, and political schemes unfolding in the country during the military regime led by Head of State Samuel K. Doe. The platform was simple: the pages of the Daily Observer newspaper, published by the Liberian Observer Corporation since 1981, where he worked as Layout Editor before its closure in 1985.

By The Observer Family

Before becoming a part of the Daily Observer Family, he worked for the Curriculum Materials Center at the Ministry of Education as art illustrator for posters, textbooks and banners.

At Daily Observer, Black Baby provided graphic illustrations for news and feature articles, poems, and advertising materials.

In our office, he was the nerve center of production. He interacted directly with typesetters (Comfort Appia, Sam Van Kessely, Johnathan Neon) who typeset content and passed to the layout section for cut-and-paste into the pages of the newspaper dummy. Blackie would then liaise with the photography department (Sando Moore, Foley Siryon, Mozart Dennis, among others) to print photos that go with news items and feature articles with appropriate captions. Black Baby also demarcated slots for advertisement ready to run for that day.

Black Baby worked seamlessly with staff members from these departments without any break in the chain of production. He was among the first set of staff to arrive at the office in the morning and was among the last line editors to leave after dispatching the newspaper dummy to the printers.

Everybody in the office revolved around Blackie due to the nature of his work – Layout Editor, cartoonist, illustrator. He was approachable and passionate about his work. He would take instructions from any staff member to make changes in content or layout for quality assurance.

Black Baby was inspired to start a cartoon series called Dr. Owl, with short, witty captions full of humor, proverbs, and everyday happenings in the lives of Liberians prominently placed on the earpiece of the frontpage. Whether it was social commentary, political issues or scandals, Harrison was at his best to educate, inform and entertain the readers.

BB was also a great teacher who taught us how to design and lay out our special pages in the Daily Observer – Foreign News, Letters to the Editor, Poetry, Educational Matters, Religion and Sports. Some of us acquired this skill to produce newspapers and magazines after the closure of our office.

When Blackie and Sub-Editor Isaac Thompson (Rasta Ike) rented an apartment near our office, their home became our stomping ground for food but no “chilling” since both of them did not drink or smoke. Sometimes, some office workers would spend the night there when they could not get a ride home.  Here, the woman who became BB’s wife, Margaret, was very accommodative of our unannounced visits and sleep-overs.

Following the closure of the Daily Observer newspaper in 1985, half of the staff joined Black Baby to start the Daily Star newspaper and the other half joined Rufus Mammah Darpoh to start Sun Times newspaper. Those who could not be absorbed joined Footprints Today. At Daily Star, Black Baby exhibited the skills of a shrewd businessman and administrator. However, control of the paper was wrestled from him when the military government labeled his publication as another source of opposition to the presidential ambition of  then military ruler Samuel K. Doe.

His dual-volume voice, infectious smile and a generous heart, made him a great team-player in our office for which he will be greatly missed!

Rest in peace, Blackie!

Matenneh was an extraordinary woman—one whose strength, courage, and wisdom far surpassed the limits of formal education. She may not have had the degrees that society often praises, but she possessed something far greater: character, resilience, insight, and a heart that refused to give up on people. Her life was a lesson in courage, in generosity, and in the kind of love that shows itself through action, not words.

By Ruth Jappah-Samukai

I will forever remember the role she played in my life. She was not just a family friend—she was a mother to me too. Despite the difference in our ages, she cared for me with a tenderness and commitment that still humbles me. During the war, when danger was close and the world felt uncertain, she came to me. In the passing of my father, she came again. And later, when my mother passed, she showed up once more—steady, compassionate, and present.

She brought me food when she knew I was hurting. She sat with me when silence felt heavy. And she advised me as only someone with deep life experience could—about womanhood, about childbearing, about raising a family, and about marriage. She would tell me, with her signature humor and honesty, the “do’s and don’ts” of living with a husband, reminding me that men, whether in love or in frustration, often remain who they are. She spoke without judgment, but with a protective wisdom born out of living through life’s storms.

I remember her trip to the embassy as if it were yesterday. When the lady behind the counter asked her, “Why do you want to go to America?” Matenneh answered in that bold and unpretentious way that only she could:

“Just how you are in my country seeing it, that’s how I want to go see your country.”

The officer could do nothing but smile—and stamp her book. That was Matenneh: honest, simple, fearless, and charming in the most natural way.

Today, as we mourn her passing, my heart also goes out deeply to her children—Massa, Sadaatu, Zoe, and Ina. Your pain is mine too. I share in your loss, because Matenneh loved not only her own children, but she took others in as her own. Her love stretched far, and I am one of the many who benefitted from that love.

To Massa, Sadaatu, Zoe, and Ina:
Your mother was a pillar—strong in spirit, rich in dignity, and generous beyond measure. Her legacy lives in all of you. And please know that my heart hurts with yours. I mourn with you because she was a mother to me as well. I will forever carry the warmth of her kindness, the strength of her courage, and the memory of the countless ways she stood by me.

She will be missed—more than words can ever fully express.

May Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate, receive her soul with peace and forgiveness, and may He grant her a resting place among the righteous. May He also bless and keep the souls of all our departed loved ones.

In loving memory of Matenneh—
A mother, a friend, a warrior, and a blessing.

Uncle Borbor, you were a true hero; my role model. You made sure your polio-stricken nephew looks at life without limitation. You encouraged me and told me that no disability can stop a person from doing anything once there’s courage and determination. Playing football and basketball at a younger age. You were a father figure who guided me with wisdom and strength but also respected my individuality.

BY ABRAHAM KAYDEA, FAVORITE NEPHEW.

Uncle, if you see my father, please tell him things are not easy here; but with the virtues both of you inculcated into me, I will make sure life is livable, and things get easy. Also, thank him for making and leaving good friends here. His friends, especially ST, and uncle Due, always got my back. Tell Alex, Veronica misses him so much. Tell my aunt, Margrat she got a grandchild that Bernice has taken from all of us, but tell her that I will harass her grandchild like the way she likes to harass our kids. Please tell my aunt Rebecca, Bernice talks about her all the time with a smile. She says you should tell her not to worry because she has Lamuel and Kulee back.

Uncle, the void left by your passing is immense, and the wound created by your departure will take so long to heal.

To my cousins and all your beautiful children, I say sorry not for uncle leaving us, but sorry for you not enjoying him like the way I did. He was a man that I admire. He was a man that went to my school when I was a kid in Liberia, to confront the teachers who ever dared step on my toes. I wanted to be like him. I know Koffi, Joey and Patrick are smiling at my comments but let’s be clear, not like the uncle who was just sitting at Thinkers Village his last few years; who did not want to travel the world and eat gourmet food.

Uncle, you leave us in a Liberia struggling with a court system that sees tribe and religion. But you never did. You opened your arms to everyone – the plumber, the carpenter, and anyone in need. I remember when people asked you to run for Senator of Grand Gedeh County. Cousin George Dweah once called me and said I should tell you to bring your Congo friends to Grand Gedeh to register and vote for you. Your response was simple and powerful:
“Tell him I don’t limit my friends to tribes.”
That was the kind of man you were. honest, open, and full of compassion.

To the children again, I say sorry. To parents living in Liberia who maintain strong relationships with their children abroad, I admire you. please keep building those bridges. And to parents like me, whose relationships with children in the U.S. are not perfect, let us not give up. Let us keep pushing.

Aunt Lucy, our civilized uncle’s wife, thank you for always supporting Uncle Borbor, whether his ideas were good or bad. You stood by him faithfully, always saying, “That’s Borbor.”

Thank you, Uncle, for everything. Please go and rest. You have played your role. You have set the pace. Whatever you could not finish here, we will do our best to continue. Sleep on, Uncle.

Your greatest desire was for a beautiful Liberia. Please ask God to grant our nation wisdom, especially in reforming our justice system. The court is the last place of hope for humanity. We need a system that is fair, transparent, and respectful of all people, regardless of tribe, religion, or status. Our courts should be like you- blind to tribe, blind to religion, and full of integrity.

Liberia needs judges and justices who love truth, seek truth, and live truth. A justice system compromised by tribe, religion, or politics cannot move a nation forward. Selection of judges must be based on integrity and honesty; not party affiliation.

Uncle, when you see God, please ask Him to help Liberia in this direction. We are suffering at the hands of those meant to protect peace and dignity.

Rest well, Uncle.

When I think of Varney, one word comes to mind: accessibility. He was a force of generosity, giving more of himself to people and progressive causes than anyone I have known in the youth and student community. His mission was simple: to help wherever he found a need. He empowered student leaders and fought for a better Liberia with equal conviction. And for me, it started with a single, open door. As a curious high schooler attending an event at the University of Liberia’s auditorium in 2009, Varney’s welcome didn’t just open an office; it opened my world to the possibilities of leadership, advocacy, and service.

By Ahmed K. Konneh, A Liberian Social Entrepreneur and Founder of DjaraPharma

Before I met Varney, my world was the classroom; after, it was the struggle for Liberia’s soul. He handed me a copy of Paulo Freire’s ‘Pedagogy of the Oppressed,’ and for the first time, I understood that education wasn’t just about memorizing facts, but a tool for liberation. He followed it with Shakespeare’s ‘Julius Caesar,’ a stark warning of how noble ideals can be shattered by ambition and political naivety. But he insisted my political education would be hollow without a proper local context, and so he steered me to the writings of Dr. H.B. Fahnbulleh. Through these texts, chosen with a mentor’s care, my curiosity was forged into a political consciousness.

I had long admired both the late Tom Kamara, founder of the New Democrat newspaper, and Dr. H.B. Fahnbulleh. Yet, I often clashed with Varney over what I saw as a flaw in H.B.’s style: his tendency to attack opponents personally in his writings and debates. As a matter of principle, I believe our focus should always remain on the strength of our argument, not the stature of the arguer. I frequently complained to Varney about how Dr. Fahnbulleh’s rebuttal, ‘Now They Know,’ crossed that line in its response to Tom’s provocative articles, ‘Sparking the Debates: Getting Liberated’ and ‘Let More Branches Spread.’ However, my perspective was challenged when I asked Tom Kamara himself about H.B. He spoke not of their intellectual feud, but of the immense sacrifices H.B. and his father had made for Liberia, reflecting on the heavy price they paid in defense of the Liberian people. When I told Varney about this, we both valued the profound principle Tom had demonstrated: the ability to credit an opponent’s patriotism and sacrifices, irrespective of personal or intellectual disputes. In Liberia’s political and intellectual climate, where such grace is scarce, I was heartened to find that Varney, too, reflected this same exceptional integrity.

While he was sharpening my mind with these books and debates, he was also introducing me to the front lines of national student politics. I started my journey in his office on Camp Johnson Road as an

informal office boy/personal assistant for a short period before relocating to Fendell to pursue a degree in Biology and Chemistry, which I didn’t complete. During my brief stint at LINSU, I went with Varney almost everywhere: Late-night meetings with student leaders, regular speaking engagements, leadership functions, and negotiations with government officials. I later travelled with him to Ghana for a youth leadership conference that reshaped my path from activism to broader service through social entrepreneurship.

Although Varney inspired my journey for nation building, this conference provided me with the vehicle, social entrepreneurship. During the conference, I had a brief encounter with Emmanuel Dei-Tumi’s, the founder of the Foundation for Future Leaders’ group, who had organized the conference. Dei Tumi’s success in building a national youth development and entrepreneurship organization inspired my vision for SMART Liberia. While this conference gave me a new vehicle for change, it was the intellectual and moral foundation Varney had built in me that prepared me to be one of its drivers. Long before Ghana, my political education had been shaped by the pages of books and the films we analyzed together.

As my debate coach, Varney weaponized film, using the screen as a canvas to teach me how to argue with conviction and act with principle. Our syllabus was a curated collection of stories and speeches that forged my political conscience. We analyzed the tragic ambition in Julius Caesar and Macbeth, the defiant leadership in Lean On Me, and the revolutionary fire in the speeches of Kwame Nkrumah, Ahmed Sekou Toure, Nelson Mandela, Malcolm X, Thomas Sankara, Patrice Lumumba, Amilcar Cabral, Augustinho Neto, Steve Biko, among others. But no film was more central to our discussions than The Great Debaters. It was my favorite, not just for its story, but for the role it created for me. Varney began calling me “Happy, Mr. Konneh,” a nickname modeled directly on a powerful scene where Coach Tolson (Denzel Washington) challenges a timid James Farmer Jr. (Denzel Whitaker).

Here is that specific part of the dialogue:

Melvin B. Tolson: “Who is your opponent?” James Farmer Jr.: “Henry Lowe.”
Tolson: “No. Your opponent is injustice. Your opponent is oppression. Now, who is your opponent?”
James Farmer Jr.: “Injustice and oppression.” Tolson: “Now, say it again!”
James Farmer Jr.: (With more force) “Injustice and oppression!”
Tolson: “Now, I want you to say it like you mean it! Now, who is your opponent?!” James Farmer Jr.: (Shouting) “Injustice!”
Tolson: (Moving in close, his tone becoming quiet and intense) “James Farmer Jr can
you tell us what happened to your father when he was a boy… down in Georgia? Who

put a gun… to his father’s head… and made him pull the trigger… for no reason… other than the fact that he could?”
(James is visibly shaken, his eyes filling with tears.)
Tolson: “And who made my father… walk from… Tyler, Texas… to Okmulgee, Oklahoma… because they lynched his father… and he had to go claim the body? Huh? Who?”

James doesn’t verbally answer. The horror and anger from this history became the “passion” that Tolson was looking for. He then delivers his next rehearsal with the fire and power of a sermon, finally understanding that he is debating against a system capable of such profound injustice.

This scene from The Great Debaters was a constant conversation starter for me and Varney. He would greet me with, “Happy, Mr. Konneh,” his own passion a living example of the very coaching Tolson embodied. Varney taught me that the core of any argument isn’t found in the what, but in the how and why. Data can be dismissed. A fact can be ignored. But a truth, delivered with the unwavering conviction that comes from understanding the human stakes – the kind of conviction James Farmer Jr. found when confronted with the brutal history of injustice – can change a mind, and in doing so, change a world.

Varney didn’t just want me to be correct; he wanted me to be compelling. This was a lesson he would soon have to apply not in a debate hall, but in the face of a profound personal and political defeat. I was there the night he returned from his defeat in the LINSU presidential race on his first attempt. The man who walked in was hollowed out by the sting of betrayal from those he called friends, the loss itself seeming less painful than the deception. We sat in that room, stewing in a shared grievance, expecting our leader to mourn with us. But within days, Varney was not just back on his feet; he was in motion. He transformed our shared disappointment into a new, more determined energy, rallying students and articulating his vision for the country with a clarity that felt sharper, more urgent, than before the election. The loss wasn’t an end, it was a recalibration.
This was not an isolated event, but a pattern of his character. When a wrongful rape accusation led to over a year behind bars, a period designed to break his spirit, it instead tempered his resolve. He emerged from that darkness not with bitterness, but with a fiercer, more determined fire. We plotted his campaign for the All Africa Student Union Presidency in the quiet hours, our strategy sessions burning midnight oil in the offices of SMART Liberia. And from the depths of that injustice, he rose to claim a continental victory.
Even in the face of terminal sickness, Varney’s spirit remained unvanquished. His hope was a stubborn, radiant force. He spoke not of an end, but of the next battle, the next lesson, the next comeback he was certain would come. Varney did not just preach resilience and courage; he embodied them. He was a lesson in how to fall, how to rise, and how to lead, not from a pedestal, but from the trenches of life’s greatest challenges.

True courage is often misunderstood. We see it in the resilience to withstand defeat, but Varney demonstrated a rarer, more profound form: the courage required in victory and leadership. His strength was not that of a clenched fist, but of an open hand. He possessed the humility to collaborate with former opponents, even when it came at a personal cost, because for him, collective progress was the only victory that mattered. This was a leader utterly secure in his own mission and thus unthreatened by the brilliance of others. In fact, he actively sought it out. In a society that often dims its brightest lights, Varney empowered them to shine, elevating individuals with more formal education and technical expertise and trusting them to deliver. I witnessed this firsthand when he placed Dr. Klon Hinneh, a science nerd with no political experience, at the helm of a national high school quiz competition. It was a risk, and it was a resounding success. Varney had the courage to identify potential, even in those who disagreed with him, and to hand them the torch.

This was a testament to his massive heart and his expansive vision. His tent was not a small, exclusive circle of allies; it was a broad coalition built on potential, not pedigree. He was colorblind to tribe, deaf to partisan noise, and indifferent to your origin story. If you had a fire in you to achieve, Varney was there with fuel. This lifelong practice of building bridges, not walls, yielded an inevitable harvest. When an SOS went out during the early days of his illness, a friend expressed surprise at the broad coalition of former opponents who rushed to his support. I was anything but surprised. I had seen the seeds of that loyalty sown in a thousand acts of unconditional support.
In essence, Varney was the kind of leader Liberia has been missing at the national level for generations. He embodied the very qualities we ache for: he was imaginative, seeing a future that others could not; progressive, building it with the best minds he could find; and loving, empathetic, and compassionate in his dealings with all. In a political landscape defined by grudges, he was forgiving. In a nation fractured by division, he was unifying. He was, in short, the very archetype of the leader we need. And for that, he will be dearly, desperately missed.
Yet, to remember Varney only as a paragon would be to miss the true source of his power. He was not a saint, but a supremely human force. His profound certainty could, at times, harden into a stubbornness that isolated potential allies. And as a product of Liberia’s opaque student political culture, even he could not fully dismantle all its entrenched systems. These were not corrosive flaws, but the human texture of a man who fought tirelessly within a complex world. They existed alongside, and perhaps even magnified, the immense generosity and principle that defined his core.

It is precisely because he was so human, because he poured every last bit of that imperfect self into the fight, that he achieved a rare and monumental feat. Most of us say we want to leave the world on an empty tank, but a few of us actually succeed. I believe Varney was one of the few. He was the mentor who handed us ‘Pedagogy of the Oppressed,’ the coach who demanded we find the ‘passion’ to fight injustice, and the leader who, even after a stinging defeat, was back in days rallying students with a clearer, more urgent vision. He built a coalition not of allies only, but of potential, empowering those

who disagreed with him because for him, Liberia’s progress was the only victory that mattered. He fully expressed his beliefs without fear.
And so, when his time came, there was no reserve left, no unused potential. Varney didn’t just speak of the empty tank; he achieved it. The rest of us, the students, the activists, the young leaders of Liberia, are left with the echo of his mighty engine, a sound that compels us to push our own pedals to the floor.

Whenever I am faced with grief due to the loss of someone important, I am reminded of Solon, a Greek philosopher, regarded as one of the fathers of democracy, who once said: “No man should consider himself truly happy until he is dead.”

By Gabriel I.H. Williams

Solon believed that it is at the post of a person’s life (upon death) that the verdict comes out as to how well the individual lived with others for good or for bad. It is that time when those who knew or interacted with the deceased, or were impacted by the action of deceased reminiscence.

Accordingly, this article is in memory of Madam Eva Bailey Reed, commonly known as Sis. Pet, whose sudden passing in Monrovia, Liberia on September 7, 2025, has caused immense grief and sorrow to her loved ones.

I got to know Sis Pet when I returned to Liberia from the US, following the end of Liberia’s civil war, during which I had fled the country because of death threats as a leader of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL).  She had a very close relationship with my sister-in-law, Georgia Saulwas (also known as Mardea Redd), who was married to my first cousin, now late Col. Mark Brumkanjay Saulwas, employed at the Bureau of Immigration in Monrovia at the time of his death. I was a beneficiary of the sisterly bonds that existed between Sis Pet and Sis Georgia, who and her husband – my beloved brother Mark – hosted me for nearly a year at their home until I decided to move out and experience life on my own in post-war Liberia without the sense of security my brother provided.

Madam Eva Bailey Reed was an astute business woman, who operated a catering service that employed many, especially women – including Sis Georgia, a confidant who was entrusted with many responsibilities. She was also an humanitarian, who aided countless people – especially women and children desperately seeking help to survive, during Liberia’s brutal and barbaric civil wars and since the end of the crises.

Sis. Pet was regarded as a mother to many people, young and old, who she supported until her sudden demise. For example, there were several little girls she got from rural Liberia and from disadvantaged families living with her at home and they were given the opportunity to go to school. What does her sudden demise mean for the wellbeing and the future support of those little girls who depended on her support?

Sis Pet was also regarded to be one of the most influential layleaders (non clergy) in the United Methodist Church of Liberia. This is why, following her passing, the Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church of Liberia – the governing body of the church – issued a public statement remembering her devotion to the service of the church.

In the statement, the United Methodist Church Resident Bishop Samuel J. Quire extended profound condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased, stating: “For more than 45 years, Mother Reed was a strong supporter of the mission of the United Methodist Church to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. She contributed immensely to the growth and development of the Liberia Annual Conference, leaving behind a legacy of faith, service, and dedication.”

The church tribute also noted that Madam Reed, who was a devoted member of the First United Methodist Church in Monrovia, served on several committees prior to her death, and her most recent was with the Episcopacy Committee, which is responsible to seek the welfare of the bishop, and advocate for the office of the bishop – called the episcopacy.   

A chef and an astute businesswoman, Madam Reed operated a catering service that catered for national and international events, as well as for presidential functions.

For example, during the 2005 presidential and general elections in Liberia, I served as Program Officer for International Observation at the Monrovia office of the US-based National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI), coordinating media and public affairs, and serving as liaison to various political parties, among others.

As the coordinator of various public events, Sis Pet was someone I could run to at the last minute to assist with high quality catering services for our various events that brought together Liberian and international personalities. A couple of my international friends still talk about how they miss Liberian food so much, especially corn bread, short bread, rice bread, donuts, kalla (called puff puff in other parts of Africa), among others.

In order to create the enabling environment for the first peaceful, free and fair democratic elections in post-war Liberia, NDI and two other US-based international organizations concerned with the promotion of democratic governance around the world opened their respective offices in Monrovia. The others were the International Republican Institute (IRI), and The Carter Center (TCC), established by the now late former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.

During the 2005 elections in Liberia, NDI and TCC mounted a joint international observation mission co-led by now late President Carter and former President Neciphone Soglo of Benin, a former Chairman of ECOWAS, who played a critical role in Liberia’s search for peace. In the 2005 elections, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became Liberia and Africa’s first democratically elected female president.      

 It is interesting to note that Sis Pet and the women of the First United Methodist on Ashmun Street, Monrovia, threw their full weight behind Madam Sirleaf, who and her family are very strongly attached to the First United Methodist Church. The contributions of the United Methodist Church women is reflective of how Liberian women were very critical to Madam Sirleaf’s presidential election.

Following the end of my NDI assignment, I returned to the US at the end of 2005. However, within the first six months of the Sirleaf administration in 2006, I headed back to Liberia upon the request of the President to serve in the respective capacities of assistant minister and deputy minister at the Ministry of Information, Culture Affairs and Tourism (MICAT). The new government encountered very serious challenges in dealing with the local media, especially in the wake of the arrest of Mr. Charles Taylor, former warlord turned President of Liberia.  Taylor’s arrest resulted in more negative local media reports, even though Madam Sirleaf was a ‘darling’ of the international media as the first democratically elected female president in Africa.

Following my first meeting with Madam President upon return to Monrovia, I hit the ground running with the mandate to improve relationships with the local media so as to focus on disseminating positive government information. Before the end of 2006, the government had made significant gains in reversing the tide of negative information in the local media, so much that Sis Pet and a few of President Sirleaf’s ardent supporters used to call me “Ma Ellen’s Secret Weapon.”

Sis Pet was an unsung heroine – a woman admired or idealized for her courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. She was outspoken, frank, and didn’t mince her words. She supported the poor, treated others with love and kindness, and contributed to the wellbeing of the Church for the salvation of souls.

Condolences to the family for the loss of Sis Pet. May her soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace!   

HOUSTON, Texas – Family, friends, government officials, and prominent Liberian leaders gathered in Houston, Texas, over the weekend to bid farewell to Liberia’s fallen Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Sylvester M. Grigsby, remembered for a life defined by humility, patriotism, and “quiet greatness.” 

Among the mourners were officials of the Liberian Government, including Deputy Foreign Minister Deweh E. Gray, who read the national gazette; Dr. Al-Hassan Conteh, Liberia’s Ambassador to the United States; and Joseph Boakai, Jr., son of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, who delivered an impassioned eulogy on behalf of the President.

Also in attendance were Mr. Alexander B. Cummings, political leader of the Alternative National Congress, and his wife, Mrs. Teresa Cummings; Ambassador Dew Mayson, former Liberian Ambassador to France; Mrs. Cleopatra Grigsby, widow of the late statesman; along with his children, relatives, and friends from Liberia, the United States, and other parts of the world.

Delivering a tribute on behalf of his father, President Joseph N. Boakai, Sr., Joseph Boakai, Jr. recounted the president’s six-decade-long friendship with the late minister, which began during their days at the College of West Africa in Monrovia.

“Although I was two years his senior, Sylvester was a distinct character and a man of high intellect,” President Boakai said. “In these challenging times, I find comfort in the rich and enduring memories of our friendship and the legacy he leaves behind. Compared to me, he came from a well-off family, yet he remained humble, grounded, and respectful. He was an outstanding student, but what I admired most was his empathy and willingness to help others.”

The president also recalled that after both men left government service in 2018, Grigsby served as Executive Director of the Joseph N. Boakai Foundation before returning to public service as Minister of State for Presidential Affairs.

“Grigsby’s life was one of impact, integrity, and quiet greatness,” the president said. “You can be proud of who he was—not only for what he did for his family but for his country. Although a few may have misunderstood him, many recognized his patriotism, dedication, and commitment to excellence.” 

Mr. Cummings, standard bearer of the Alternative National Congress (ANC), hailed Grigsby’s record of service across multiple administrations as evidence of his commitment to Liberia above politics.

“His résumé speaks for itself… For Sylvester, the work of uplifting Liberia was more important than any single party or individual,” Cummings noted.

“His willingness to serve in multiple administrations, including most recently in the administration of his lifelong friend, President Boakai, was not a sign of political convenience; it was a testament to his unwavering patriotism. For Sylvester, the work of uplifting Liberia was more important than any single party or individual.”

Cummings, who shared a personal bond with Grigsby, added: “Beyond the statesman, I was privileged to know Sylvester the man—the schoolmate, the friend, the supporter. He was a man whose wisdom was matched only by his kindness, whose counsel I sought and cherished.”

In a deeply emotional tribute, his widow, Mrs. Cleopatra Grigsby, reflected on their journey together since meeting in the late 1960s and marrying in 1974.

“Greg’s gentle spirit and genuine kindness drew me to him,” she said. “He was never power hungry. His greatest pride was being a father. He was a dreamer, a man who saw the world as it should be and not as it was. Sometimes people took advantage of his giving nature, but he never let that change him. He kept offering kindness to the world.”

She added: “Greg dedicated his life to his country and his heart to his family and friends. His work here is done, but his story lives on in all of us who were blessed to know him. Thank you, Greg, for your selflessness, your kindness, and your love.”

Other tributes underscored both the challenges and triumphs of Grigsby’s public life. Eminent Liberian and former Liberian Ambassador to France Dew Tuan-Wleh Mason  described him as a statesman who rose above criticism and false accusations with dignity.

“Greg never gives credence to these accusers… He lived well and right. May the angels and the saints come to meet him,” Mayson declared.

The solemn ceremony brought together a cross-section of Liberians in the diaspora, reflecting the wide respect Grigsby commanded during his years of service. His passing has been described as a profound loss to both Liberia and his family, but the tributes in Houston highlighted a life lived with patriotism, compassion, and quiet greatness.

Ambassador Sylvester M. Grigsby had a decorated career in public service, serving Liberia in several capacities, including Ambassador, County Superintendent, and Minister of State for Presidential Affairs—the last high-profile position he held before his passing on August 9, 2025, at the age of 74 in the United States, where he had traveled to seek medical treatment.

In honor of his lifelong commitment to education, his family has established the Sylvester Mondubue Grigsby Scholarship to support Liberians attending the College of West Africa (CWA), his alma mater. The scholarship extends his legacy of helping many Liberians gain access to education.