Osinbajo graces Liberian bicentennial commemoration in Monrovia

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, together with presidents of four countries, attended the official opening of the Liberian bicentennial commemoration events in Monrovia on Monday.

Osinbajo was received at Roberts International Airport, Monrovia, by the President of Liberia, Dr. Jewel Taylor, and Mr. Godfrey Odudigbo, Nigerian Ambassador to Liberia.

The event, held at Samuel Doe Stadium, marks the arrival of the first free black Americans on Providence Island in 1822 (200 years ago).

The arrival of free black Americans led to the establishment of the city of Monrovia and the Republic of Liberia in 1847.

Liberia is the oldest republic in Africa.

The celebration was labeled “Liberian: The Land of Return, Commemoration of 200 Years of Pan-African Freedom and Leadership” and the theme “National Peace and Reconciliation”.

The presidents who attended the ceremony were Faure Gnassingbe from Togo, Julius Bio from Sierra Leone, Adama Barrow from Gambia and Mohammed Bazoum from the Republic of Niger.

Other countries that were represented in an official capacity were the United States, South Africa, Gabon, Ghana, the Secretary General of the UN, among others.

The event featured bicentennial parades and a cultural exhibit.

In her special statement, Mrs. Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first female head of state and former President of Liberia, thanked guests for honoring Liberia and its President at the event.

In his special statement, Dr. Jean-Claude Brou, Chairman of the ECOWAS Commission, said that the regional body was pleased to be part of Liberia’s bicentennial celebration.

Brou expressed his gratitude to Liberia for its continued support to ECOWAS in maintaining peace in the region.

In his bicentennial message, President George Weah said he was excited to have the opportunity to serve the country as president and pledged to uphold his 200-year legacy.

He called for peace and national unity and urged Liberians to coexist peacefully despite their diversity.

“National unity and reconciliation are the foundations on which we must build our nation.

“It must become the imperative agenda of all current and future national development policies

“The projects and programs that emanate from these policies must focus on eliminating all forms of discrimination and exclusion in Liberia,” he said.

Osinbajo, the presidents present and the official representatives of the countries received the Liberian National Awards.