‘Do More For Unification’

-Rep. Kiazolu Urges President Weah

President George Manneh Weah has been called upon to do more to practicalize the essence and spirit of national unification, as the country gravitates toward a more secured and peaceful future.

Rep. Hanson Kiazolu

Representative Hanson Kiazolu of Montserrado County electoral district #17 praised the crafters of the Act that gave birth to the Unification Day holiday.

He said, “The crafters of this meaningful national policy made no mistake as it has and continues to help Liberia’s drive for unity, such farsighted thought must not be forgotten or downplayed by Liberians”.

Reflecting on the importance of national unification, he referenced that the ascendancy of the late Samuel Doe and George Weah to the Liberian presidency are strong symbols.

Former President Doe who came to power in the 1980 bloody coup represented the indigenous class of Liberia, so also is current President George Weah.

Rep. Kiazolu believes Americo-Liberians and the indigenous who served in key positions of public trust including the current President are strong indicators of true National Unification.

Other indicators of bridging the gap between the Americo-Liberians and indigenous as inter marriage and the establishment of business with partners and the level of cordiality in pushing the country’s development agenda regardless of background.

He wants Liberians to remain on the path of the unification foundation laid by former President William Tubman to ensure sustenance of peace and stability in the country.

The lawmaker admonished Liberians to amplify their commitment to national unification, saying “the symbolism of the ‘Love of Liberty and Freedom for all’ had since declined.

“On the observance of Unification in Liberia, I plea with my fellow citizens to cherish the reason for such national policy, looking at our co-existence as one people regardless of religion, political affiliation and status in society,” Rep. Kiazolu stressed.

National Unification Day was introduced under the leadership of former President Tubman to ease tension between Americo-Liberians and indigenous people during his rule from 1944 to 1971.

The National Unification policy featured, among other things, extension of vote to women and the country’s indigenous people.

Rep. Kiazolu also used the occasion to disabuse the minds of some Liberians who attribute success stories of their citizens to other nationals.

He indicated Liberians are capable of doing a lot and are demonstrating this by huge business investments and other meaningful contributions at home and abroad. As such, he said they must be given the credit.

“When a Kru man becomes successful, I hear people say he is a Sierra Leonean; when a Krahn Liberian is successful, he is branded as an Ivorian Krahn; this is disgusting, and we need to discontinue this unpatriotic behavior,” the lawmaker stressed.

Attributing success stories to Liberians who deserve it signals real patriotism, a foundation for rebranding the true meaning of National Unification, Rep. Kiazolu said.

“It pains me when I hear our fellow Liberians transfer the successes of their brothers and sisters to other foreign nationals; this undermines nationalistic spirit and a sense of belonging, and we need to desist.”