TUBMAN UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT INDUCTED

The President of the newly established William V. S. Tubman University in Harper, Maryland County, Dr. Elizabeth Davis-Russell, was on Saturday, February 27, inducted into office. The ceremony was graced by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and other senior Government officials. Speaking at the indication program, President Sirleaf, who is also Visitor to the University, congratulated Dr. Davis-Russell for responding to the national call to return home and contribute to the rebuilding process.


The President described the opening of the William V. S. Tubman University on September 14, 2009, as a fulfillment of the educational sub-pillar of the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) otherwise known as “Lift Liberia”, which calls for the establishment of at least one new institution of higher learning outside of Monrovia by September 2009. The President lauded Dr. Davis-Russell and her staff for their determination and perseverance in achieving the goal to open the doors of the University as promised.


She challenged the new administration of Tubman University to work toward ensuring that the institution serves as a regional magnet for young people in the southeast and beyond, offering degrees in a host of disciplines “so that students can be assured of getting the best education Liberia has to offer.”  The Visitor praised the academic program of the University, which she noted is in line with the country's transformation.  Tubman University is offering courses in Health Sciences, Management, Technology, Agriculture and Food Sciences and Education.


In her inaugural address, Tubman University's new President, Dr. Davis-Russell, thanked the Liberian President for her preferment.  She assured the Liberian leader that her administration will work to ensure that the institution meets its full potential. Dr. Davis-Russell promised to operate a transparent and accountable administration that will be responsive to the academic pursuit of students. Saturday's ceremonies were also marked by the dedication of the Tubman University Campus, a tour of the campus facilities, and a fundraiser.


The President on Saturday led other senior cabinet officials to the Liberian-Ivorian border town of Kablaken, dedicating the newly rehabilitated Harper-Kablaken road. The Liberian leader departed Harper for River Gee County on Sunday morning, Feb. 28. Meanwhile, ground-breaking and dedicatory ceremonies have taken place in Maryland and River Gee Counties of several development projects.  


President Johnson Sirleaf on Sunday broke ground for the construction of the Manolu Public School, in Maryland County, and a number of projects funded by the African Development Bank in the southeast region, in keeping with an agreement with the Liberian Government.  Other projects dedicated by the President in Kanweaken included a district administrative building in Kanweaken City; the Gbeapo-Kanweaken General Market; a sub-police station; and the Gbeapo-Geeken Elementary School in Dweken, River Gee County. The dedicated schools were constructed by the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment (LACE), with funding provided by the Liberia Education Trust (LET), a private initiative launched by President Johnson Sirleaf four years ago to raise funds to train teachers, construct schools throughout the country, and provide scholarships to deserving students, particularly girls.


The President arrived in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County, late Monday night, March 1, on the latest leg of her southeastern counties tour.  En route to Zwedru, the Liberian leader visited the Putu Mining Site, located midway between River Gee and Grand Gedeh Counties, where mining operations are being concluded. Pesidents of the area, in a statement, welcomed the plans by Government to resume mining activities in the area. They hoped the process would get under way soon to help provide employment opportunities to thousands of unemployed youths in the area, particularly residents of Putu Konobo Statutory District #3.

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REMARKS BY MS. BROWN

Your Excellency, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Protocol has been observed, Ladies and Gentlemen.

I bring greetings from Marylanders for Progress (MFP), an organization founded 11 years ago by sons and daughters of Maryland County as a non-profit, non-political entity registered in the State of Maryland, USA and also a registered NGO in Liberia.

MFP is a founding member of the National Maryland County Association, Liberia (NAMCAL) and has a representative on the Maryland Liberia Sister State Committee. Our paramount focus is to assist in the rebuilding of Maryland County by lending support to the county leadership. We are a team that believes – Together Everyone Achieves More!

Thank you Madame President for your vision and support to the people of Maryland County. Thank you for the reopening of this beautiful institution now Tubman University and for the appointment of a dynamic institution-builder, Dr. Elizabeth Davis –Russell.

To Dr. Davis-Russell, there are no words adequate enough to express our profound gratitude for your commitment, service and leadership spirit you have brought to Tubman University. In your leadership, we see a knowledge innovation zone emerging here in Maryland County, a key element to the development of our human resources which will transform lives and the entire Southeast region of Liberia.

MFP hereby promises to continue its support to the Tubman University and the people of Maryland County. MFP believes to whom much is given, much is expected and we honor that journey with all its challenges believing with God on our side, we will not fail.

May God continue to bless you, President Sirleaf and your leadership of Liberia.

May God bless the people of Maryland County with wisdom, discernment of the spirit to choose unity and peace.

May God continue to bless this great Republic of Liberia.

Thank You.

PHOTOS

 

 

MARYLANDERS FOR PROGRESS (LIBERIA). INC

 

PRESS RELEASE
 Marylanders for Progress (Lib) Inc. (MFP) held its second annual Black-Tie Fundraising Gala on Saturday, June 21, 2008 at Martin’s Crosswind, Greenbelt, Maryland. This occasion was graced by dignitaries from the State of Maryland, leaders of Community Organization, Marylanders and friends of Maryland County.
 
The purpose of this event was to generate financial support to implement MFP’s development projects particularly earmarked for the education and health care sectors, and economic empowerment for market women in Maryland County, Liberia. Our distinguished honorees comprised of dignitaries from the State of Maryland and sons and daughter of Maryland County. These personalities were recognized for their humanitarianism and contribution in the field of medicine, engineering and technology.

The following persons received special recognition:

 

Rev. Timothy Tooten, Mr. John Sanders and Mr. John Brosnan of WBAL/TV, for producing the documentary “Africa’s Maryland”, which chronicles the historical relationship between the State of Maryland and Maryland County Liberia from the 1800s. This  documentary facilitated the decision to sign the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Governor Martin O'Malley of the State of Maryland and Honorable Sie Teba Neufville, Superintendent of Maryland County, Liberia. “Africa’s Maryland” also received national acclaim and garnered numerous awards including the  following:

 First place and Grand Prize (National Headliners Award)


First place and Best Documentary (Society for Professional Journalism) -Best documentary among Journalist in Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia.


First place and Best Documentary (Edward R. Murrow Awards--Radio Television News Directors Association)-Best Documentary among Journalist in Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia.


First Place and Best Documentary (Associated Press)--Best Documentary among Journalist in Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia.


First Place and Best Documentary (Capitol--EMMY AWARD) Best Documentary among Journalist in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia.


Finalist (National Association of Black Journalist). First Place to be announced on July 26th In Chicago, Illinois.

 Hon. Ollie P. Anderson,  retired US State Department official, a voice for Africa and President of Maryland Africa Societies, Inc. for his staunch support of MFP’s programs and furthering the cause by writing to Maryland Governor O’Malley and articulating the historical facts as to why Maryland County is deserving of a sister-state relationship with the state of Maryland. His support helped our efforts in the signing of the MOU.


Dr. Regina Cooper, for her dedication and unwavering service to the citizens of Maryland County and Southeast Liberia which included 15 years as a Public Health Physician, with emphasis on Primary Health Care (PHC). She also developed training programs for community health workers and served as regional medical director and PHC project director for Southeast Liberia for UNDP. She served as health coordinator for the Catholic Diocese of Cape Palmas focusing on counseling, rehabilitating and monitoring of diocesans clinics, training of mid-level and community based health workers, implementation of HIV/AIDS awareness as well as healing and reconciliation programs. In the midst of fierce fighting during the civil war, Dr. Cooper served her people very well.


Mr. Claude E. Langley: Engineer/Contractor - Metro Technologies, Inc., founding member of MFP, a staunch and dedicated supporter was recognized for his humanitarian services to Maryland County and Liberia. Mr. Langley served in the capacity of Vice President for Marylanders for Progress and continues to be a strong voice in the efforts of programs and implementation of projects by MFP in Maryland County. Mr. Langley allows the use of his office and facilities for MFP’s monthly meetings without compensation from the organization.

 

Mr. Gerald W. Brown: Information Security Analyst, World Bank, was recognized for his commitment of service. Mr. Brown, a philanthropist and non- member of MFP continues to provide services to the organization since 2001. He began his humanitarian work by designing the organization’s first web site and has been tasked with printing and designing all programs, tickets without compensation. Mr. Brown assisted MFP’s NGO project director, Mr. Christian Herbert in compiling, designing and printing the Maryland Development Agenda (MDA) a needs assessment booklet on Maryland County that is now used as a guide by many international NGOs and Government Ministries for projects in the Southeast region of Liberia.

In addition to the certificates awarded by MFP, the honorees also received citations from the Governor of the State of Maryland, Hon. Martin O'Malley recognizing their achievements with MFP and their contributions to Maryland County, Liberia and society in general. The CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION were presented on behalf of the State of Maryland.

We were also honored to have in our mist, Mr. Eric Giko, Vice President of the National Maryland Association of Liberia, (NAMCAL) and Mr. Ernest Johnson, President of the Liberian Association of the Metropolitan area.  In his remarks, Mr. Giko thanked MFP for the invitation accorded him and admonished all NAMCAL chapters to work together as a unified body to further the objectives of the National Association for the development of Maryland County.

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