The Revitalisation Of The Association Of Liberian Students In Nigeria
Press Release
The Perspective
Atlanta, Georgia
January 6, 2004
Fellow Liberians, Our Nigerian brothers and friends, all and sundry:
As the wheel of history turns it becomes increasingly compelling for
conscious men to provide the lubricant that keeps the vehicle of progress
in action. This vehicle must involve sincere men that will synergize
their abilities, positive will and resources inorder to keep active
the continuum and to ensure the momentum of their onward drive to progress.
It is precipitated against this conscious backdrop that on December
31, 2003 as another year slipped into the bosom of history and while
ushering in a new vista of hope, enthusiasm and possibilities that we
the Liberian students in Nigeria, glowing with the flame of knowledge,
love for the Fatherland and an earnest desire to ensure national healing
amongst our already divided people, decided to convoke on the Oru Refugee
Camp, Ogun State, Nigeria to form, fix, establish and to elect a new
corps of officers for our noble organisation, Association of Liberian
Students in Nigeria(ALSIN).
This gathering of Liberian students from various Nigerian universities,
polytechnics, theological seminaries, schools of nursing and other tertiary
institutions after a hectic two-days session gave birth to a new leadership
to direct their course for a period of one year. Emerging from this
intellectually tensed, politically charged, and democratically transparent
process were the following students: Mr. Richard Fatorma Ngafuan from
the Department of Demography and Social Statistics, Obafemi Awolowo
University, Ile-Ife President; Mr. Tailey
Garley, Department of Accountancy, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Vice-President
and Mr. P. Obediah Browne, Department of Civil Engineering, Anambra
State University of Science and Technology, Uli Secretary-General. Also
elected were Mr. Ernest G. Smith Jr. Department of Computer Engineering,
Ibadan Polytechnic, Financial Secretary and Mr. Alton V. Kesselly, Department
of Physics, University of Abuja, Abuja Public Relations Officer.
In keeping with the usual style and tradition, the official swearing
in and turning over ceremonies were held immediately after the election
at which time the official documents and properties of ALSIN were turn
over to the President-elect, Mr. Richard Fatorma Ngafuan, on behalf
of the elected officials by Mr. James Zulu Grear, the out-going Secretary-General
of the organisation.
The newly elected officials were given the mandate to ensure, inter-alia,
the fostering of academic excellence and unity among all Liberian students,
the soliciting assistance for needy students, the rehabilitation and
revitalization of the already shattered edifice of the mental sanctity
of the Liberian youth, and the portrayal of a positive nationalistic
image by keeping the emblem of Liberia aloft in the constellation of
nations.
In this light, the Leadership of the Association of Liberian Students
in Nigeria(ALSIN) is calling on all well-meaning Liberians, the Interim
Government of Liberia, Liberian youth and civic institutions, the Federal
Government of Nigeria, Non-governmental organizations and Philanthropic
institutions to collaborate with us as we endeavour to achieve our dream
for the benefit of our fellow Liberians and mankind in general.
DONE THIS FIRST DAY OF JANUARY, 2004 AT THE ORU REFUGEE CAMP, ORU-IJEBU,
OGUN STATE, NIGERIA.
Signed:
Alton V. Kesselly
Public Relations Officer(PRO)
Approved:
Richard F. Ngafuan
President
