The 97th Class- U.L.

Esteemed Scholars and Comrades,

It is with great sadness and heavy heart that I have been informed of the passing of Comrade Mamayea Suah KING, formerly of the Romeo A. Horton College of Business and Public Administration. Such said event occurred today, 1st December 2022, following a protracted period of illness. She was an employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with assignment at the Bureau of Passport and Visas and was also a former professional colleague of the Class President. As we mourn her passing, it is our prayers that her soul will rest in peace.

Details surrounding her burial will be announced in subsequent time. Let this announcement claim the attention of the entire Membership of The 97th Class of the University of Liberia, most particularly all graduates from the Romeo A. Horton College of Business and Public Administration.

Service to GOD, to country, to humanity.

Faithfully,
President V A Y E 🙏😢

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PYPP GRADUATES FIVE MEMBERS OF THE 97TH CLASS-UL, AS CSA INDUCTS INTO PUBLIC SERVICE

Monrovia, Liberia 12th August 2022

The President's Young Professionals Program (PYPP) of Liberia in collaboration with the Civil Service Agency (CSA) on Friday, 12th August 2022 held its graduation ceremony for 3 Cohorts (Class VII, VIII, & IX). The ceremony was held at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town and well attended and graced by dignitaries including the Minister of Youth and Sports, USAID Country Director, CSA Director General, former Foreign Minister Amb. Marjon Kamara, former President of the University of Liberia Madam Ophelia Inez Weeks, former Minister of Education George Warner and a host of PYPP alumni and families who witnessed the graduation and induction of five members of The Ninety-Seventh Class of the University of Liberia (The Class of 2016) from the PYPP Two Year Fellowship Program and into the Civil Service of Liberia and the PYPP Alumni Network of Professionals.

Members of The Class of 2016 of the University of Liberia (UL) who were awarded "Certificates of Completion of Two Years of Mentorship and Training with PYPP" included: Comrade PYY-Fellow Roundelle A. Clarke Johnson, Special Assistant & Chief of Office Staff in the Office of the Chairman of the National Investment Commission (NIC) and Comrade PYP-Fellow Emmanuel Dwalu, Epidemiologist in the Division of Infectious Disease and Epidemiology at the National Public Health Institute all of Class VIII.

Others were Comrade PYP-Fellow Facia R. Sherman, a Child Justice Practitioner assigned in the Children Protection Division at the Ministry of Justice; Comrade-PYP Fellow James T.K. Duma Jr., Geological Engineer placed at the Liberia Geological Survey (LGS) at the Ministry of Mines and Energy; and Comrade President PYP-Fellow J. MacMillan VAYE, a development scholar and communication strategist placed in the Office of the Assistant Minister for Economic Policy, Macroeconomic and Financial Sector Policy Division as the Assistant Economist for Economic Reporting and Communication at the Department of Economic Management, Ministry of Finance of Development Planning (MFDP), all of Class IX.

"Today’s graduation of our esteemed comrades of The 97th Class of the University of Liberia (UL) from the PYPP two years of mentorship and training program and subsequent induction in the Civil Service of Liberia is a true reflection of our aspirations and beliefs that our own success can also make a difference to others - particularly the resilient and peace-loving people of Liberia, because we value and appreciate the essence of hard work and esteem the performance of public duties to be among the noblest of aims in our service to GOD, to country, to humanity. Equally important and remarkable, it is a big step forward professionally in realizing the Class' Vision: to be nationally recognized as the most outstanding class among the first hundredth classes in the history of the University of Liberia in integrity, excellence, legacy and leadership; while at the same time shining the light into the darkness “Lux in Tenebris” as LÁBOI VÀH: "The Light Has Come", says J. MacMillan Gbolahduo VAYE, Comrade-President of The 97th Class-UL & President-Fellow of PYPP-Class IX.

“We have taken some practical steps to help achieve the objectives of the PYPP within the work place. At the Civil Service Agency (CSA) with the support of the African Development Bank (AfDB), we have established the Civil Service Training Center with the goal of integrating the civil service program with the PYPP training program. This is one of the easiest ways we can spread this PYP thing across the public service. We are negotiating and we want to use the curriculum; we want for PYPP to be in the center of training for the program, and in the process the rest of the civil service will benefit. That explains the value we attached to this program. We are making a requirement across government that in doing replacements and employments basically, PYPs would be prioritized. PYPP is our priority because we understand the values those young people bring” says Honorable James Thompson, Chairman of the Board of Directors of PYPP & Director-General of the Civil Service Agency (CSA) in Liberia.

Founded in 2009 and launched by the former Liberian President Madam Ellen Johnson Sirelaf, the President’s Young Professionals Program (PYPP) of Liberia is a prestigious and competitive independently run public service fellowship two-year program that recruits and places high-achieving young Liberian university graduates through a competitive, rigorous, and transparent selection process; provides training and mentorship; and offers ongoing support and career development. It is Liberia’s premier youth development and innovation program that provides young highly skilled Liberians a chance to play integral roles as they support government’s top priorities. It is also ranked as one of Africa’s most competitive programs for leadership in public service and now partners with the Emerging Public Leaders (EPL) with the PYPP’s model being replicated currently in Kenya and Ghana and hopefully across Africa in the next few years.

Done in Monrovia on 12th August 2022 and Issued on Behalf of: THE NINETY-SEVENTH CLASS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF LIBERIA

Rudolph M. Kanneh
The Secretary General
The 97th Class-UL

J. MacMillan Gbolahduo V A Y E
The President
The 97th Class-UL

Dear Esteemed Scholars & Comrades,

With profound sadness, we are pleased to inform the entire membership of The 97th Class of the University of Liberia that all arrangements leading to the funeral and burial of our fallen Comrade, Scholar, and Valedictorian Solomon T. George is on the way. His remains will be transported to Lofa County on Friday, 24th June 2022 and he is expected to be buried on Saturday, 25th June 2022 in this home town of Foya.

In preparation for his burial and as a way of the class identifying with his family, the leadership wishes to inform that there will be a SPECIAL EMERGENCY GENERAL IN-CALL MEETING (Virtual Meeting) via Google Meet, slated for Saturday, 18th June 2022 at the below time consistent with your time zone internationally.

Liberia: 20:30hrs - 21:30hrs (GMT/Local Time)
USA: 16:30hrs - 17:30hrs
East & Southern Africa/Europe: 22:30hrs - 23:30hr
China: 04:30hrs - 05:30hrs (Next Day, Sunday)

Meeting Details:
Platform: Google Meet
Video Call Link: https://meet.google.com/qon-qcbi-ufi

However, we regret whatever inconvenience the meeting schedule may cause you in keeping with the respective time zone. And thanks for your best understanding and mutual cooperation as always.

The Ninety-Seventh Class of the University of Liberia (otherwise known as The Class of 2016 ) is officially known by its name in the Lorma language "LÁBOI VÀH"(when translated into English means "The Light Has Come "). With a clear vision, it aspires to be "Nationally Recognized as the Most Outstanding Class amongst the First 100th Classes in the History of the University of Liberia (UL) in Integrity, Excellence, Legacy, and Leadership; while its Motto - "Lightening the path, Brightening the future" is a reflection of its name - LÁBOI VÀH: "The Light Has Come"

In service to GOD, to country, to humanity.

Faithfully,
President V A Y E

Esteemed Scholars and Comrades,

It is with great sadness and heavy heart that I have been informed of the passing of Comrade Scholar Solomon T. George, Valedictorian of the William R. Tolbert College of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Liberia Class of 2016. Such said event occurred today, 8th June 2022, following a brief period of illness due to a terrible accident involving his assigned motorbike and a vehicle, which happened last week along the Lofa Highway. He was an employee of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Prior to his demise, he lost his beauty and young wife during child delivery and had been the only one taking care of his little son and elder daughter, who he had pre-deceased with in his mid-30s. As we mourn his passing, it is my prayer that his soul will rest in peace.

Details surrounding his burial and the First Post-Graduation Mass General Meeting of the Class will be announced in subsequent time. Let this announcement claim the attention of the entire Membership of The 97th Class of the University of Liberia, most particularly all graduates from the William R. Tolbert College of Agriculture and Forestry.

Service to GOD, to country, to humanity.

Faithfully,
President V A Y E🙏😢

My Fellow 97ners,

I bring you warmest greetings and wish to commend everyone for the level of engagements and exchanges on this platform, since my New Year's Message and subsequent opened letter addressed to Mr. Alfred C. Sheah, Comptroller-General of The 97th Class of the University of Liberia.

Let me also use this platform to thank Comrade Sheah for taking up the courage to "now" speak to matters of grave concern which had been lingering within and on all official social media platforms and chatrooms of The 97th Class-UL. I believe there may or wouldn't have been any other better time, then now, having remained very silent over the years and since the establishment of these platforms in 2019/2020 while being very present and serving as one of the admins on the different platforms. As a fellow member of this class, who lacks empathy and effective communication, but had and continued to exhibit sheer arrogance and filibustered nature had not gone unnoticed without his involvement in finding a remedy, a solution or a resolution to this matter, that has persisted into its seventh year, by virtue of his "embattled" role played.

However, as the President of this very resilient and great class, I duly take the full weight of the responsibility and accountability on behalf of my leadership. Let me for the record state that, as was stated before have purposedly planned and made a decision to bring to a complete closure and end to this saga with the aim of finding a prudent solution to this matter and ensure that each and every member of this class take delivery of their copy of the "delayed" yearbook in the soonest time possible.

In consideration thereof, I am hereby pleased to announce "The Special Committee of Inquiry" to the distinguished and professional men and women who formed the entire membership of The 97th Class-UL (The Class of 2016), and respectfully through the Valedictorian and Academic Leader of the class. The Committee is hereby charged with the mandate through other things to inquire by means of research, probe, investigation, and interrogation through every and all rightfully lawful mean or way and establish the facts (not assumptions) regarding reasons and circumstances that have caused the unavailability of the 97th Class-UL Yearbook.

In addition, The Committee shall have the expressed will power to establish its own defined rules for inquiry in keeping with international standards and best practices. Its mandate shall not preclude all comments made and documents shared within all official platforms and chatrooms of The 97th Class-UL; and shall also with a power of attorney represent the class on all matters that may arise while executing its legitimate mandate by working smoothly with all stakeholders including: The Leadership of The 97th Class-UL (The President, Vice President, and Secretary General), The Executive Committee, All Committees Members, Office of the Vice President and Dean of Students Affairs-UL, the Liberia National Police, and all other parties who may or are parties to this class through any instrument (be it legal or illegal) which shall include Memoranda Of Understandings (MOUs).

The Special Committee of Inquiry of The 97th Class-UL shall carry out its mandate in conformity with the class' vision: "Nationally Recognized as The Most Outstanding Class Amongst the First 100th Classes in the History of the University of Liberia in Integrity, Excellence, Legacy and Leadership" and its official name "LÁBOI VÀH" (when translated into English means "The Light Has Come"), while underscoring the ethics of professionalism, accountability, openness, integrity, transparency, and respect for the rule of law. Its scope of operations (or tenure) which shall take immediate effect upon its establishment and shall last for a period of Seven Weeks ending on 28th February 2022.

The Special Committee of Inquiry is hereby with immediate effect constituted as followed:

1. Cde. Sando Garnett Johnson - Chairperson
2. Cde. Mary Jean - Co-chairperson
3. Cde. Benedict McCarthy - Secretary
4. Cde. Abrahim Sangarie - Member
5. Cde. Luther Maffallah - Member
6. Dr. Michael Nepay - Member
7. Atty. Benjamin Stewart - Advisor

In view of the above, I would like to, for and on behalf of the leadership of The 97th Class-UL congratulate all members of the Committee and affirm that their appointment is solely due to their integrity, honesty, wisdom, discernment, unbiased judgment, professionalism and high level of respect, leadership and influence within the Liberian Society and the confidence reposed in each person as the President of The 97th Class-UL.

Finally, I would like to kindly call on all persons of the class to kindly cease from making claims and counterclaims before it undermines the integrity of the Committee. Notwithstanding, I am herewith attaching for the membership and general public's kind information, review and perusal legitimate documents of the class covering the period October 2016 to April 2017. It is my firm hope that those documents would shine "The Light into The Lux in Tenebris" on some but keen and major activities that occurred during that period within the Executive Committee of the class and between the class leadership and the Office of Students Affairs at the University of Liberia.

On this note, I would like to close with these words as written in the Holy Quran "truly, a man keeps speaking the truth until he is inscribed as being true through and through. And lying leads to going wrong, and going wrong leads to hell. Truly, a man lies and lies until he is inscribed as being a liar through and through. Oh ye who believe! Eat not up each other’s property by unfair and dishonest means.” (Muslim, 4.2012–13: 2607. S; Quran 4:29)

Above All Else, The Class! Above All Else, The People!!

In service to GOD, to country, to humanity.

Faithfully,
President V A Y E
The 97th Class-UL

See attached documents.

https://frontpageafricaonline.com/amp/news/2016news/university-of-liberia-graduates-concerned-about-delay-in-souvenir-items/

"To lead is to earn the trust of others, to know that when you climb the next mountain, others will be with you... Leadership is grace, dignity, and restraint... Leadership is a privilege and responsibility, not an automatic right... Leading [leadership] is learning from the past to define the future, inspiring others to move purposefully [with passion, confidence, conviction, focus and diligence] forward. To lead is to acknowledge the reality of the here and now, while always focusing on tomorrow". ~ Gary Burnison, "The Twelve Absolutes of Leadership"

In loving memory of Comrade James S. Davis, Former President of the University of Liberia Alumni Association (AAUL) who predeceased us on 3rd January 2021. May his soul and the souls of all faithful departed rest in peace and light perpetual shines upon them. 🙏🏽

NEW YEAR MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE 97TH CLASS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF LIBERIA

My Fellow 97ners,

I would like to, for and on behalf of the Valedictorian and Academic Leader, Comrade Scholar Lexanndine T. Taylor, and the entire Leadership extend warmest compliments and best wishes to all members of The Ninety-Seventh Class of the University of Liberia and wish everyone along with their respective families a happy and prosperous new year 2022.

In retrospect, 14th December 2021, marked the Sixth Anniversary of this Noble Class. Though it was a time of somber reflection recounting what we have achieved individually and collectively as a Class, in spite of the many challenges we still face at different intervals in our individual lives and that of The Class.

Amidst these and others, we have continued to ensure that we strive for the advancement in our lives against all odds owing to our resilience, faith, determination, perseverance, courage, patience, but most of all hope - hope in the things which we do believe in and aspire for, yet do not see. Because that is what keeps us going: hope in the things not seen, but believing and working towards the attainment of those things. This, I hail each person.

But the year 2021 has come and gone, so were other years: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. The question that lingers on the minds of many persons is: "What Have We Achieved As The Class?" As your humbled president, dear comrade and friend, I am pleased and proud to say "yes, we have achieved". There are many persons of this great Class who continue to serve society and humanity in different occupational roles in different sectors of our country and abroad, thus making tremendous impact into the lives of others.

However, the fact still remains that more comrades need to have access to opportunities in the areas of employments, scholarships, fellowships, entrepreneurship, businesses, travels, trainings, etc. I strongly believe that these can happen if we as a people hold together, expand and tap into each other's network, forge new partnerships, cooperation and engagements with other fraternal alumna classes or groups with shared vision in Liberia, Africa and around the world.

As The Class that endeavors in its vision is to be "Nationally Recognized as The Most Outstanding Class Amongst the First 100th Classes in the History of the University of Liberia in Integrity, Excellence, Legacy, and Leadership", I would like to encourage the collective effort of us all to work in the spirit of "Ubuntu: I am because you are", knowing that my success is also inextricably linked to yours as a Class.

Understandably, I know that we may not all be where we desire to be right now, but if we work hard and smart, we can all achieve together in our different professions, businesses or endeavors.

To conclude, I would like to convey my most sincere apology for the inconveniences the delay in the delivery of The Class yearbook has caused everyone. As the President of The 97th Class-UL, I duly take full responsibility and accountability for this never foreseen situation and here promise through the cooperation and coordination of all relevant stakeholders to ensure the delivery of the yearbook in the soonest time this year. This, I promised! So, help me GOD!

While looking forward to the rigorous ex*****on of the yearbook's delivery, I am also informing that all plans and activities of The Class shall now resume, thus rejuvenating the once joyous moments we shared together as a people. In the coming weeks, the leadership shall reveal its Plan of Actions for 2022, which encapsulate the vision to incorporate The Class into "The Consortium of The 97th Class-UL". As passionate as I am about this vision, it is my hope that said well-thought-out idea will be reviewed, scrutinized, adopted and subsequently organized and run as an institution by chosen personalities from amongst the Membership of The Class, thus helping to provide opportunities for its many members.

As we look forward to the fullness of 2022, it is my fervent prayers and foremost hope that GOD Almighty will continue to prosper the works of our individual hands and bless The Ninety-Seventh Class of the University of Liberia (The Class of 2016) "LÁBOI VÀH: "The Light Has Come".

In service to GOD, to country, to humanity.

Yours truly,
Lørd J. MacMillan Gbolahduo VAYE, Cdr.
President
The Ninety-Seventh Class
University of Liberia

The President and Valedictorian of The 97th Class of The University of Liberia extend warmest season greetings to all members of The Class of 2016 "Laboi Vah - The Light Has Come" and the resilient and peace-loving people of Liberia by wishing a really special time, full of happiness, joy and cheers, not only at Christmas time, but in the coming year, too. 🤗🥂🎄

Wishing you Merry Christmas
&
Prosperous New Year

Lørd J. MacMillan Gbolahduo VAYE, Cdr.
President of The 97th Class-UL

Scholar Lexanndine Taylor
Valedictorian & Academic Leader
The 97th Class-UL

Comrade Scholar, friend and dear brother:

Today is your birthday! Though distance apart due to your pursuit of a more quality education in the Rainbow Nation - South Africa, yet nearer in hearts and thoughts as a Liberian contemporary who envisaging and working towards a better, secured and prosperous Liberia.

In observance of this day, it gives me immense pleasure to extend on behalf of the leadership, the Valedictorian and the entire membership of The 97th Class of the University of Liberia and in my own name, warmest felicitations and best wishes to you, Comrade Scholar Emmanuel S. Doeteh, Vice President Emeritus and Bank Examiner of the Lux in Tenebris Scholars Program, University of Liberia and the Central Bank of Liberia respectively.

As you celebrate this great day, we are hopeful as a class, that you will continue to contribute your expertise towards the improvement of the nation's banking sector that is challenged by the lack of enterprising innovation, poor technological infrastructure, inaccessibility by customers in accessing banking and financial services, especially in the leeward cities, towns and villages of the country. Most importantly, it is our foremost desire that your contribution through the attainment of advanced education (empirical and research-based knowledge) at the University of Johannesburg, will help us to achieve the economic growth and development we seek as a people.

Assuredly, as you mark, observe and celebrate this milestone in life, it is our prayers as always that GOD Almighty continues to sustain your life with every good thing and grant you long life, great health, divine wisdom and peace and happiness.

Please accept, Comrade Scholar Emmanuel S. Doeteh, our sincere felicitations and best wishes!

In service to GOD, to country, to humanity.

Faithfully,
Lørd J. MacMillan Gbolahduo V A Y E
President / The 97th Class-UL

Comrade Scholar Emmanuel S. Doeteh
MSc in Development Economics (in view)
University of Johannesburg
South Africa

Please let us remember to keep Hon. Mobutu Nyenpan, Minister of Public Works and a distinguished member of the 97th Class of the University of Liberia in our prayers and thoughts, especially as we go to our respective places of worship this Friday and Sunday as Muslims and Christians respectively. We wish him God's speed! 🙏🏽

https://frontpageafricaonline.com/front-slider/liberia-public-works-minister-mobutu-nyenpan-in-coma-after-massive-stroke/

Greetings The 97ners,

In a well concerted effort to ensure that we have almost nearly every member of The 97th Class-UL part of our respective social media platforms, most especially the WhatsApp Chatroom that has wider capacity, we have compiled the names of the entire class membership for each person's information. The information are arranged alphabetically and grouped according to colleges than departments. It also includes your county of origin as well. The documents which are downloadable can be assessed via The Ninety-seventh Class of the University of Liberia Official Facebook Group Platform by scrolling unto the "file" section.

Assuredly, it is our hope as leadership that this list, which isn't a directory would subsequently lead to us embarking upon an official class directory with your cooperation, as plans are currently on the way to ensuring that is done.

Besides, we would be most pleased if each person would use this as a means of expanding our various social media chatrooms platforms membership base by adding or recommending the "names and contacts" of comrades who aren't on these platforms but are legitimate members of the Class.

Better still, you can get automatically added unto The 97th Class-UL Official WhatsApp Platform/Chatroom by clicking on the link below if you are a legitimate member of The Class. 👇🏾

https://chat.whatsapp.com/Lukxof8ZoKX8r3EokeFSD8

In the spirit of unity, togetherness and inclusiveness, we look forward to your understanding and support as always.

Above all else, The Class!

Faithfully,
President V A Y E 😊🙏🏽

Dear Comrade President:

Today is your birthday. But what makes this day also important is, natural coincidences have caused some of the brightest sons and daughter of the land to share the uniqueness of this day with you.

As others who have crossed paths with each of you, I am thrilled by your accomplishments, leadership, integrity, humility and selfless services to our country in your respective occupations as journalist (lawyer in view), economist and lecturer, medical practitioner (medical doctor in view) and businessman and philanthropist.

Assertively, it is because of esteemed characters like you, Mr. President, as well as Brother Vallia M. Dorley (alias Chairman Mao), Comrade Scholar Davidlene A. Reeves and Comrade ThankGod Donnald Iriruaga (both of The 97th Class of the University of Liberia) that our country can hope for a better future as in the words of Chairman Mao "one day, one day".

As you mark, observe and celebrate another milestone in your respective life, it is my fervent prayers and ardent hope that God Almighty grant you all long life marked by good health, divine wisdom, enduring strength, unending happiness and ceaseless love, as you continue to serve God, country and humanity.

Please accept, Comrade President Al-varney Rogers and others, the renewed assurances of my highest esteem.

Faithfully,
Lørd J. MacMillan Gbolahduo V A Y E
President
97th Class-UL

Comrade Al-Varney Rogers
President, LAWSA
Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law
University of Liberia