Monrovia — The Liberia National Students Union (LINSU) has relaunched its flagship academic program, the Liberia National Quizzing Championship, following a two-year halt driven by financial and logistical constraints.

By Francis G. Boayue

The competition, which debuted in 2023 to foster intellectual engagement and a culture of reading among high schoolers, had stalled after its second edition.

On Monday, May 11, students and stakeholders gathered at the Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, outside Monrovia to witness the program’s revival under the theme: “Unlocking Potentials to Enhance National Development Through Academic Events.”

“This initiative seeks to inspire a culture of academic excellence and healthy competition while providing a platform for young people to showcase their talents in science, mathematics, history, and current affairs,” LINSU President James T. Washington stated during the launch.

In a move to ensure sustainability and national reach, Mr. Washington revealed that the championship will now mirror the format of the National County Sports Meet.

Preliminary rounds are set to begin on May 15, with schools across all 15 counties forming unified county teams.

“We want this to be more than just a quiz; it is about building the intellectual capacity of our youth,” Mr. Washington added, calling on donors and government institutions to back the initiative.

The launch gained significant momentum with an endorsement from the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA).

LTA Chairman Clarence Massaquoi highlighted the intersection of digital assets and modern learning. “Academic excellence today is connected to digital assets—to the ability of students to learn beyond the walls of classrooms,” Chairman Massaquoi said.

To concrete this support, he pledged US$15,000 on behalf of the LTA to facilitate the tournament’s operations. The event also saw a thoughtful appeal from Mohammed Ali, Managing Director of the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC).

Ali recalled a time when academic quizzing rivaled football in popularity across Liberian campuses. “Those who were involved with the game all became people of bright minds in society,” Ali remarked.

In addition to a US$1,000 pledge, Mr. Ali announced full scholarships for the championship’s top-performing students in Mathematics and English.

Representing Education Minister Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah, Assistant Minister Sona T. Sesay praised the student union for the comeback. “This competition is the way forward for developing tomorrow’s leaders,” Assistant Minister Sesay said, affirming that the Ministry of Education will stand by LINSU throughout the implementation process.

As the third edition kicks off, organizers are optimistic that the revamped structure and renewed corporate interest will transform the National Quizzing Championship into a permanent fixture of Liberia’s academic calendar.

He accused the LNP, under the leadership of Inspector General Gregory Coleman, of engaging in “unwarranted and provocative” actions that disrupt academic activities and threaten the peace in Monrovia and its surroundings.

Washington stated that the police’s actions undermine academic freedom and transform learning environments into zones of conflict. He highlighted a recent incident captured on video, where LNP officers were seen mistreating students already under arrest, calling it “troubling and disastrous for national peace.”

“The Liberia National Police must immediately cease its unwarranted intrusion into UL campuses,” Washington declared. “LINSU strongly condemns these gangster-like acts by the LNP, which jeopardize students’ safety and their right to peaceful assembly and expression.”

Urges Respect for Academic Spaces

Washington emphasized that learning institutions should remain zones for intellectual engagement and peaceful interaction. He called on the LNP to act within the confines of the law when addressing security concerns on campuses, warning of potential repercussions if such incidents persist.

“We as an institution have a broader mission to protect student interests, promote academic freedom, and foster collaboration between students and national institutions,” he asserted. “We will not tolerate any acts by the LNP that violate the rights of students and young people in Liberia.”

Economic Challenges Addressed

Turning to economic concerns, Washington urged the Economic Management Team of Liberia to address the rising costs of essential commodities. He criticized the lack of impact of the recent reduction in the exchange rate of the Liberian dollar against the U.S. dollar on the prices of basic goods, describing it as a pressing social issue.

“Despite the improved exchange rate, students and citizens are still burdened by high commodity prices,” he said. “Jobless students, in particular, struggle to afford internet for research purposes, which is critical to their academic success.”

Washington called for urgent government action to ensure that economic gains benefit all Liberians, especially students. “LINSU’s advocacy reflects our commitment to addressing both the concerns of students and the broader populace during these challenging economic times. We will not compromise our revolutionary role.”

Leadership Transition

In a related development, LINSU announced its inaugural committee ahead of the induction of new officials. The committee is chaired by Yassah Wesley, with Joe Nubar as Co-Chairperson and Alvin Faika as Secretary General.

Washington urged the committee to ensure the success of the union’s 6th post-war leadership inauguration.

LINSU reaffirmed its dedication to advocating for student rights and called for continued collaboration between stakeholders to protect academic freedom and foster national development.

ACCRA — The former president of the Liberia National Student Union (LINSU), Varney Jersey, has been elected to the 13th Congress of the All Africa Students Union to steer the affairs of the continental students body for the next four years.

The congress that was held at Kibi, Ghana was attended by 38 countries in Africa, 19 in physical attendance, while the rest joined virtually.

Following his election, Jarsey posted on his Facebook page to express his excitement: “Today, I say to you my comrades and student leaders across the African continent that the struggle to make Africa great lies in the progressive transformation of our union, the All-Africa Students Union. The union for the last 49 years has begun to fully achieve its desired goals and objective. We have achieved some gains and success as the largest students union in Africa but to fully harness our collective interest and aspirations. I, Varney Jarsey, a Pan-Africanist put myself up to serve you and to lead the strategy transformation of AASU.”

The All-Africa Students Union (AASU) is the largest student movement in Africa and a very dominant force on the continent and beyond. Since its inception in 1972, AASU now has presence in 54 Countries in Africa.

Jarsey’s ascendency has been greeted with warm reception, with his followers taking to social media to express their joy at the milestone achievement.

Among them was Monrovia City Mayor Jefferson Koijee. Mayor Koijee posted on his Facebook page: “Again, Liberia has made another mark on the international level. One of our own, Varney Jarsey has been elected as President of the All-Africa Student Union (AASU) crushing his counterpart by at least thirty votes margin.”

Mayor Koijee added: “Varney has been a friend and brother and his potential is unmatched after fighting terrible odds and hate. We like to congratulate him on this step forward and look forward to his continuous contribution to the motherland in different ways within the region.”

Another friend of Jarsey’s also expressed his joy when he wrote on Facebook: “Brother Varney Jersay, you have been a great brother and soldier who never give up no matter the odds. You’re affectionately referred to as Putin for the right reasons.”

He added: “Congratulations on your election as the President of the All-Africa Students Union. I wish you all the best in steering the affairs of students across the Continent. Be assured of my fullest support as always in the areas of youth, peace and security on the continent.”

The union, being the umbrella organization for all students of Africa, represents tens and millions from the basic level to institutions of higher learning.

The Union played an important role in the struggle against colonialism and the ending of apartheid in South Africa. Today, AASU is at the forefront of the fights for equal access to quality education, quality assurance in higher education, harmonization of higher education systems – with key emphasis on the mobility of academics and comparability of qualifications, democratic governance, defending students’ rights, promotion of gender and African culture, sustainable development, entrepreneurship, fostering of academic freedom, freedom of research and autonomy of higher institutions of learning, and the promotion of peace and democratic values, and other noteworthy objectives.
In the year 2000, the UN awarded AASU a certificate of merit in recognition of the Union’s efforts at advancing students’ rights and championing the democratization of education across the African Continent.

The Union is wholly student-run and student-led, autonomous, representative, democratically elected and operates according to democratic principles. The executive structure of the Union is representative of all the sub-regions across the Continent.

AASU’s key strength lies in its diversity and numerical strength (representing tens and millions of African Students), which it leverages as a bargaining tool to advocate for the supreme interests of students. The Union is made up of diverse students, regardless of their religion, gender, cultural background, political persuasion, ethnic origin, or social standing.

Monrovia – Mr. Varney Jarsey, the indicted Liberia National Student Union President has received a boost as he fights off allegations of rape.

Report by Bettie K. Johnson Mbayo, bettie.mbayo@frontpageafricaonline.com

The accused’s legal counsel has requested the court to cite National Elections Commission and telecommunications giant, Cellcom to show the actual age of his accuser.

Jarsey was indicted on December 30 for statutory rape and incarcerated at the Monrovia Central Prison in November 2016.

An application for writs of subpoena Duces Tecum and Attestifcadum grew from the motion to admit to bail filed by his legal lawyers.

The 5-counts averred that the defendant believed that the victim (private prosecutrix) claimed before court that she was 13-14 years of age committed perjury.

The defendant’s lawyer added that the victim registered to vote in the 2017 Presidential and General Election.

“Applicant (Defendant) also says that victim (private prosecutrix) has also obtained a cell mobile number from the Cellcom communication company which the details of her particulars reveal in the registration at Cellcom that she is an adult and is believed to be 18 years or more,” the subpoena stated.

Count 4 averred that the victim misled the Government of Liberia, the prosecutors, the investigators, and the Court.

“To inflict the charges against the defendant thereby charging and indicting him for the crime of statutory rape in order to make it difficult for him to be granted bail”

“Applicant (Defendant) says he most respectfully prays court for the issuance of the writs of subpoena Decus Tecum and Attestificadum to be issued on the management of Cellcom Communication Company to produce the voter registration records of the private prosecutrix who registered in Mamba Point area in order to vote in the Liberia 2017 General and Presidential elections,” the subpoena states.

According to the indictment which was crafted by the grand jurors of Montserrado County, 30-year-old Jarsey raped the 15-year-old under loud music upon her return with a loaf of bread he had sent her to buy for him.

According to the indictment, Jarsey intentionally left his living room where he was when he sent her and went into his room awaiting her to bring the bread.

The 15-year-old told Police investigators that when she entered Jarsey’s room, he immediately locked the door pushed her onto his bed and forcibly penetrated her, while the music was intentionally turned up load so that no one could hear her shout or calling for help.

The indictment indicated that Jarsey admitted to Police investigators that he had some sort of interaction with the victim on the same date and time she claimed to have been raped.

The indictment disclosed that details from the medical report were consistent with the accusations levied against Jarsey.

According to the medical report which was submitted to the Police, the victim hymen had multiple scars.

Her private part, according to medical report, was widely dilated with whitish discharge.

Jarsey was also in flight as of the date of complaint till November 15 when he reported himself to the Police upon a call from Inspector General of Police where he voluntarily admitted that he interacted with the victim on the crime scene on the said date and time of the crime.

The LINSU President is being held in pretrial detention at the Monrovia Central Prison. It is not clear when his trial will commence.

Monrovia – After 41 days behind bars, embattled President of the Liberia Student Union (LINSU) was indicted on December 30 for statutory rape.

Report by Bettie K. Johnson Mbayo/ bettie.johnson@frontpageafricaonline.com

Varney Jarsey, however, seems to have been left alone in his legal battle as his family lawyers say they’ve not been invited to plead his case.

According to the indictment which was crafted by the grand jurors of Montserrado County, 30-year-old Jarsey raped the 15-year-old under loud music upon her return with a loaf of bread he had sent her to buy for him.

According to the indictment, Jarsey intentionally left his living room where he was when he sent her and went into his room awaiting her to bring the bread.

The 15-year-old told Police investigators that when she entered Jarsey’s room, he immediately locked the door pushed her onto his bed and forcibly penetrated her, while the music was intentionally turned up load so that no one could hear her shout or calling for help.

The indicted indicated that Jarsey admitted to Police investigators that he had some sort of interaction with the victim on the same date and time she claimed to have been raped.

The indictment disclosed that details from the medical report were consistent with the accusations levied against Jarsey.

According to the medical report which was submitted to the Police, the victim hymen had multiple scars.

Her private part, according to medical report, was widely dilated with whitish discharge.

Jarsey was also in flight as of the date of complaint till November 15 when he reported himself to the Police upon a call from Inspector General of Police where he voluntarily admitted that he interacted with the victim on the crime scene on the said date and time of the crime.

The LINSU President is being held in pretrial detention at the Monrovia Central Prison. It is not clear when his trial will commence.

Monrovia – Human Rights Lawyer Cllr. Tiawan S. Gongloe says Liberia taking over from the United Nations Mission in Liberia has sent a message that the country is ready to function as a peaceful nation and that never again will it return to its ugly past.

Report by: Al-Varney Rogers alvarney.rogersfrontpageonline.com

“When our government took over from UNMIL on Friday, July 1, 2016, what we, the people of Liberia were doing on that historic day was that we were saying to the world that we were now able to function as a peaceful nation and that never again, will there be a need for a peacekeeping force in Liberia.”

“We were promising the world that Liberia will forever be a peaceful country. We the people of Liberia must keep this promise.  We have no other choice,” Cllr. Gongloe added.

Cllr. Gongloe said that Liberia should be guided by its founding history of upholding equality and becoming the beacon of hope for all of the oppressed people.

“We must be guided by our history that, a nation established on the promises of protecting human rights, especially upholding the equality of all Liberians in the governance of the country, governance by respect of the rule, becoming the beacon of hope for all oppressed people of the world, and a shining example of the ability of African people to run a civilized government, has suffered landmark tragedies due to the failure of its leaders to keep the promises upon which Liberia was founded,” Cllr. Gongloe added.

Cllr. Gongloe said, election manipulations, corruption and violation of basic human rights were factors responsible for the breakdown of the state.

He recalls, that in 1927, President Charles D. B King, manipulated the electoral process to illegally retain power. In the election between Charles D. B. King of the True Whig Party and T.J. R. Falkner of the People’s Party, King obtained 243,000 votes and Falkner got 9,000 votes, when the total number of registered voters in that election was 15, 000.

“He (King) betrayed the promise of upholding the law and morally governing our country. King was a beneficiary of a corrupt electoral process introduced and managed by him. The election is still recorded in the Guinness Book of Record as the most fraudulent election in world history.”

“King and his Vice President were forced to resign as a result of the crises that had its roots in the fraudulent elections of 1927, as the opposition accused President King of permitting slavery, slave trade, and forced labor,” Cllr. Gongloe added.

Cllr. Gongloe continues: “In the 1970s President William R. Tolbert promised to open the political space to allow the Liberian people to speak to their leaders freely without any fear of repercussion.

However, his arrest of university students in 1974, 1978, one of whom was your humble servant and leaders of PAL, MOJA and LINSU in 1979, in their attempt to freely express themselves to their government was a betrayal of his promise to the Liberian people that he would uphold freedom of expression.”

The Human Rights lawyer said, in 1980, the military brutally overthrew the Government of President Tolbert, established a government they called the People’s Redemption Council and promised to eliminate corruption and inequality as well as to promote respect for basic human rights and the rule of law.

“The military government headed by Master Sergeant Doe became very corrupt and promoted inequality and institutionalized abuse of human rights and lack of respect for the rule of law. “

“The military government of Samuel Doe, betrayed the promise made to the people of Liberia on April 12, 1980. The result was the extra-judicial killings of political opponents and a fourteen year civil conflict,” Cllr. Gongloe added.

Recounting historical facts, Cllr. Gongloe said, that the current government has failed to take queue from past governments.

“President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who promised the Liberian people that she would be in power for one term and her main concentration would be the laying of a firm foundation for good governance, through combating corruption, upholding the rule of law and protecting the human rights of all Liberians without distinction. She declared corruption as public enemy number one,” Cllr. Gongloe added.

The Human Rights layer continued: “However, under her administration, Liberians have witnessed selective justice, the shielding of some corrupt officials, the jailing of journalists and political activists for sedition, criminal libel against the President, criminal malevolence; she has engaged in nepotism, preferential treatment of some political appointees in terms of salaries and benefits, the breaking down of viable institutions established by past governments, such as National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL).”

Cllr. Gongloe furthered that President Sirleaf has failed to revive institutions such as the Housing and Savings Bank, the Agricultural Bank, the Free Zone which were established by past governments based on the homegrown vision of building local capital for investment and the development of local entrepreneurship and increased agricultural production.

“Although, President Sirleaf promised us change for the better, the process of the change that she promised has been largely driven, by prescriptions of the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and other multilateral institutions,” Cllr. Gongloe said.

Cllr. Gongloe added “Unlike the regime of President Tolbert that relied on local wisdom and the experience of other countries like Ivory Coast and Tanzania to develop the policy of self-reliance as a sustainable instrument of comprehensive national development and the policy of export promotion and import substitution as a sustainable economic policy, for reducing economic dependency, promoting industrialization, with the net effect of increasing employment, broadening the tax base and improving the quality of life of the people of Liberia, this government has largely relied on the prescriptions of the world bank such as poverty reduction strategy and vision 2030”.

Monrovia – The headquarters of the Liberia National Students Union (LINSU) became chaotic on Wednesday when the National Administrative Council indefinitely suspended Varney Alieu Jarsey as President of the student body.

According to one eyewitness who was on the scene during the early morning hours, Jarsey brought in students and people believed to be gangsters in his defense to disrupt the National administrative Council from holding a press conference announcing his suspension.

A visitor on the scene saw a notorious gang from Slipway known as Bean Town headed by a Jefferson Carlos, popularly known as Jeff Bean. Jeff Bean and his crew were allegedly called in by Jarsey to avert any attempt to unseat him.

With knives in hands, the gang chased Martin Kollie and other members of the National Administrative Council out of the premise of the LINSU Headquarters, forcing officers of the Police Support Unit (PSU) of the Liberia National Police to intervene.

Avoiding further attacks from supporters of Jarsey, the administrative council proceed to the Capitol Hill campus of the University of Liberia, releasing a statement suspending Jarsey as President of LINSU.

“Mr. Varney Alieu Jarsey, President of the Liberia National Student Union, is suspended with immediate effect for time indefinite with the consent of members of the National Administrative Council consistent with the Article 6; section 2.c,” the release stated.

The council named Mathias Yeaney as acting President, pending a new election to elect a President of the student body.

Ironically, Yeaney and two others who signed the statement to suspend Jarsey were also suspended by Jarsey days ago.

Amongst other things, the National Administrative Council said Jarsey has embezzled funds intended for the institution.

“Mr. Varney Alieu Jarsey has disbursed all funds without the signature of the secretary general of the LINSU. According to the constitution of LINSU Article 6; section 3.7 d, states that the secretary general shall be a signatory to all disbursement of the Liberia National Student Union.”

It further recommended that Jarsey submit himself to a nine member investigative panel to be constituted by Yeaney.

Students play pivotal roles in determining how a society is shaped generations after generations.  Therefore, civilization must create a space where our today’s young people who are the nation’s builder of tomorrow can exercise their talents and skills.

The student phase of an individual’s existence is the formative period and hence the most crucial time of life. Any serious society will go all out to positively develop the characters of students through formal education and other extra-curricular activities. It is through these efforts that students comprehend the facts and figures and sort out how society ought to be by examining with sensitivity, thoughtfulness, and analytical skills different scenarios and many other pertinent dynamics.

It is against this backdrop that I want to extol the National Executive Committee (NEC) headed by Cadre Varney Alieu Jarsey and the National Administrative Council (NAC) of the Liberia National Students Union (LINSU) for initiating the National County Meet the Challenge Competition which is expected to take place among high schools students in the fifteen political subdivision of our country for the next two months. I am of the conviction that this academic and scholastic program which is being held under the theme:

“Rejuvenating the Culture of Academic Excellence” will widen the intellectual horizons of our students and contribute to making students understand their strengths and weaknesses and discovering their freedom in life. Enhancing the delivery capacity of the students of Liberia through this kind of programs is worth commending. With this thoughtful initiative, we can say for sure that the students’ movement in Liberia is on an irreversible path.

The persistence of this program will further buttress the government and our developmental partners’ efforts to strengthen our educational system which was described by our President as a “mess”. This proactive step taken by LINSU, if established as an annual intellectual jamboree will rapidly eradicate among our students “Super Friday”,  teenage pregnancy, early drugs usage, mass failure in schools and public exams like the WAEC’s examination, etc.

 This will create a culture where our students will now start to think outside of the box and struggle to be on the same academic and intellectual paths with their counterparts. Their extensive readings to become victorious in the competition will lead them to discovering that students must be treated with dignity and responsibility. They will also understand that they should live up to be responsible and show respect in return to society. This is evidence by the characters, and contributions of those who participated in academic meet the challenge in the past.

To conclude this piece, let me add my voice to the voice of Amb. Miatta Fahnbulleh. Aunty Miatta, a musical diva, a social activist and a Pan Africanist, was the keynote speaker at the launch of the National County Meet the Challenge which was held on Friday, February 26, 2016 at the Centennial Pavilion in Monrovia. She advised the LINSU to also consider initiating the establishment of debating societies in all high schools and universities in Liberia.

I agree with her hundred percent. Debating societies in other African countries and outside of the continent are the most prestigious components of students’ activities. This is because debating offers profound and lasting benefits for students, for societies, and for the global community as a whole. It is an art that places emphasis on critical thinking, effective communication, independent research, and team work.

Debating teaches skills that serve students well in school, in the community, and fulfilling their responsibilities as citizens in a democratic society. It enables young people to engage into honest disagreement which is a sign of progress according to Mahatma Ghandi, the chief architect of India’s independence.

Once students have learned how to debate, they will be equipped enough to examine the political pronunciations of their political representatives, thus enabling them to make inform decision on critical issues. I am a debater, and I know what debating has done to the transformation and the enhancing of my intellect especially when I and some of my comrades participated in the 8th Edition of the Pan African Universities Debate Championship (PAUDC) in Ghana, December of last year. The rising tide in resuscitating the cross pollination of ideas in schools especially universities in Liberia cannot be overly emphasized.

If considered by the LINSU, I recommend using the British Parliamentary Debate Format which is the debating format that is used in the PAUDC and the World Universities Debate Championship, an annual worldwide intellectual carnival held among universities students. With the usage of this format, Liberian debaters will face no challenge when representing the motherland in African and the world at large. I THANK YOU!!!!!

Comrade Moses Uneh Yahmia, Contributing Writer

Monrovia – An auxiliary of the Liberia National Student Union has alleged that the current leadership headed by Varney Jarsey has embezzled half of an amount of US$100,000 outsourced to the student union by the Ministry of Education.

In a press statement, Montserrado Student Union (MONSU) President Mohammed Donzo said the money is intended for the 15 counties student unions which each union was to receive a total of US$2,500 for preparation to host the county – wide tournament.

According to him, inappropriately Jarsey’s and his cohort mismanaged the money alleging that they are corrupt officials who only released  US$1,000 to eleven counties and US$800 to another three counties and US$2,000 to Montserrado County.

He furthered that the LINSU’s leadership has shared the money among themselves and have also organized the quizzing in only few schools as opposed to majority of the schools in the name of having the games to justify the inadequate money given to them.

Donzo said that Jarsey’s and his cohort connived and strike a partnership with Coca Cola bottling company to sponsor the same tournament which an undisclosed amount was given for items already paid for by the Ministry of Education.

“Furthermore, they also have partnership deals with media institutions such as Prime FM, Capitol FM and ELBC when in fact they were given US$5,000 just for Television and radio station coverage, another US$1,250 was also given for Newspaper, also they have also written both counties officials and national leaders for further sponsorship for this same program”, he alleged.

He disclosed that they have written the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission to carryout investigation to validate the claims they are raising.

When questioned if the union was the one who received the money from the leadership of the Union, he said “we did not receive a dime but Jarsey’s handpicked someone. He did it in Montserrado County and he also handpicked his own people for the quizzing tournament.”

Displaying a check from Guaranty Trust Bank, Donzo added that he had to remove the name and the county on grounds that the source of the check should be protected for safety of their job.

“He threatened people to the extent that others were. All of the 15 counties have their disenchantments and instead of giving 500, he is giving 100. Many counts have been violated in the constitution of LINSU but they are afraid of being removed in the same manner Grand Bassa was removed and that is what he is trying to do here, Monsu added.

He added that the past three years LINSU has not had a single ANC meeting which violates LINSU constitution; “we should receive a financial report, there is no part of the constitution that has not been violated, but then the association is not run by the constitution but its dictatorial”, he said.

“Next year March we are to go to elections but up till date he has failed to set up a CPC (Congress Preparatory committee) during an ANC, his plan is to mortgage the institution to his colleague”, Donzo alleged.

When contacted the President of Student Union Varney Jarsey responding to the allegations said that there is no allegation made by the Montserrado county student union because the union is intact and they are currently at his office.

“Mohammed Donzo is not the President and I don’t know him he has been suspended more than one year ago, there has been no allegation that LINSU engaged in corruption, and there is no complaint from any of our members of LINSU all leaders are intact and we are moving on with our quizzing activities, for Montserrado we know George Kesselly,” Jarsey said.

He continued: “The various schools were vetted by the various student unions, so we have no complaint and Montserrado has the highest and no additional funding so the union vetted the schools in Montserrado and not us.”