Let our Flag Unite Is, Let Education Transform Is’ — Atty. Sayeh Urges Nimba Communities to Reject Violence

Lawyer leads Nyor Butuo residents in peace, education and unity pledge during 2026 National Flag Day celebration

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By Franklin Doloquee

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NYOR BUTUO, Nimba County — Lawyer and community advocate Atty. Elijah M. Sayeh has challenged residents of Zoe-Geh Statutory District to make peace, education, respect and unity the foundation of community development, warning that violence, political division, drug abuse and disorderly conduct threaten the future of Liberia’s young people.

Sayeh delivered the keynote address at the 2026 National Flag Day celebration in Nyor Butuo, where residents, traditional leaders, religious leaders, educators, students and members of the Friends of Atty. Elijah M. Sayeh (FOE) gathered under the theme, “United Under One Flag: Promoting Peace, Education, Respect, and Hope for a Better Liberia.”

The celebration was held under the slogan: “Let Our Flag Unite Us, Let Education Transform Us.”

Sayeh said Liberia’s national flag should serve as more than a national symbol, arguing that it represents the country’s history, sacrifices, freedom, democracy and collective responsibility to future generations.

“Every time we salute our flag, we are making a promise—not merely to our country, but to ourselves and to generations yet unborn,” Sayeh said.

He said that promise must include building peace, protecting justice, educating children, respecting others and placing Liberia’s national interest above personal interests.

From Village Boy to Lawyer

Reflecting on his personal journey, Sayeh told students that his rise from a village boy in Wentuo, Buutuo, to a practicing lawyer demonstrates what determination and education can achieve.

He recalled walking long distances to school and studying in environments where educational materials and qualified teachers were sometimes scarce.

But, he said, difficult circumstances did not prevent him from pursuing his ambitions.

“Today I practice law. Not because my journey was easy, but because I refused to let my circumstances determine my destiny,” Sayeh said.

He encouraged young people in Buutuo and surrounding communities to believe that they, too, can rise to the highest levels of professional and national leadership.

He pointed to the possibility that a future Chief Justice, medical doctor, engineer, professor, scientist, Minister of Education or even President of Liberia could emerge from the region.

“Never underestimate yourselves,” he told the students.

‘Our Challenges Do Not Define Us’

Sayeh acknowledged that Zoe-Geh and surrounding communities face significant social challenges, including political divisions, violence, disorderly conduct, school dropouts, drug abuse among some young people, low school enrollment and shortages of qualified teachers.

But he insisted that the problems should not become the community’s identity.

“These challenges do not define us. They challenge us,” he said.

According to Sayeh, the critical question is whether residents possess the courage and determination to confront those problems.

“I believe we do,” he declared.

Education as a Community Culture

The lawyer called on parents, teachers, community leaders and successful sons and daughters of Zoe-Geh to make education a central priority.

“Every child should be in school. Every parent should value education. Every teacher should teach with dedication. Every leader should support education,” he said.

He urged successful people from the district to consider helping at least one child obtain an education, stressing that knowledge remains valuable even when money and political positions disappear.

“Money can disappear. Political power can change. Positions come and go. But knowledge remains. Nobody can steal your education,” Sayeh said.

Addressing students directly, he warned them against allowing social media, violence, alcohol and drugs to derail their future.

He instead urged them to embrace reading, discipline, integrity, respect and perseverance.

Appeal to Parents and Teachers

Sayeh also appealed to parents to prioritize their children’s education and instill values of honesty, responsibility, hard work and respect at home.

“Education is expensive. Ignorance is even more expensive,” he said.

Teachers, he added, should see themselves as nation builders whose influence could extend beyond their own lifetimes.

He urged educators to teach not only academic subjects but also honesty, discipline, patriotism and leadership.

‘Respect Must Return’

The keynote speaker further called for the restoration of respect within families and communities, particularly respect for parents, elders, traditional leaders, teachers and lawful institutions.

He argued that respect is essential to maintaining peace and creating an environment where communities can develop.

“Without respect there can be no lasting peace. Without peace there can be no development,” he said.

FOE Urged to Focus on Impact

Sayeh also recognized the Friends of Atty. Elijah M. Sayeh, saying the organization was established in 2024 by sons and daughters of Zoe-Geh who shared a commitment to community service.

He urged members to continue supporting students and families while promoting peace and hope.

“Organizations become great not because of their names. They become great because of their impact,” he said.

A Vision for Zoe-Geh

Sayeh outlined a vision of a community where every child attends school, young people are protected from violence, neighboring towns live peacefully, teachers are respected, traditional leaders are honored and women participate fully in development.

He also envisioned a community where young people establish businesses, roads improve, agriculture flourishes and educated sons and daughters return home to contribute to local development.

He cautioned, however, that such transformation cannot be achieved by government alone.

“Development is everybody’s responsibility,” he said.

‘One Star, One Nation’

Using the Liberian flag as a symbol of national unity, Sayeh urged residents not to allow political differences to destroy relationships.

“When we look at the Liberian flag, we see one star. Not two stars. That single star reminds us that Liberia is one nation,” he said.

He appealed to residents to ensure that politics, elections, religious differences, family disagreements and competing interests do not permanently divide communities.

“Our children deserve better,” he said.

Nyor Butuo Declaration

The celebration concluded with a community declaration and pledge led by Sayeh, with residents responding collectively, “We so pledge.”

The five-part pledge committed residents to peace, education, respect, unity and service.

Under the peace pledge, residents committed to rejecting violence, hatred, revenge and disorderly conduct while resolving disagreements peacefully.

The education pledge called on students to study diligently, parents to ensure children attend school, and teachers to perform their duties with dedication, integrity and professionalism.

The respect pledge committed residents to respecting parents, teachers, elders, traditional and religious leaders, as well as lawful institutions.

Under the unity pledge, residents vowed not to allow politics, tribe, religion, family disputes or personal interests to destroy community peace.

The final pledge called on citizens to contribute their time, knowledge, skills and resources to national and community development.

The declaration culminated in a collective affirmation:

“We are one people.
We are one community.
We are one nation.
We believe in peace.
We believe in education.
We believe in respect.
We believe in unity.
We believe in hope.
We pledge to build a better Liberia.”

Sayeh closed the celebration by calling on residents to transform the Flag Day observance into a sustained community movement reaching schools, homes, religious institutions and towns throughout the region.

“Let this Flag Day become the beginning of a movement,” he said.

“Let Our Flag Unite Us. Let Education Transform Us.”