BY: Shallon S. Gonlor / shallonsgonlor@gmail.com
NIMBA COUNTY — Liberia President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, and thousands of citizens from across the nation will gather today, Saturday, January 18, 2025, to pay their final respects to the influential Nimba County Senator Prince Yormie Johnson during his funeral ceremony.
As the day approaches, thousands have already flocked to Nimba County to honor the fallen legend, whose political legacy is marked by complexity and impact. The funeral service will take place at the university auditorium in Ganta City, Nimba County.
The state funeral ceremony commenced with a week-long tour, allowing Johnson’s body to journey through his homeland, where kinsmen and supporters bid their final farewells. The county has declared a holiday in tribute to the departed leader, reflecting on his unwavering support and significant contributions to the lives of all Liberians.
Mourners lined the streets of Nimba County from Tuesday, 14 January through Saturday, January 18, 2025, to bid final goodbye to the fallen hero, Senator Prince Yormie Johnson whose legacy motivated and inspired future generations of the country.
From the time of death, the dubbed kingmaker in Liberia’s mortal remains has been continuously greeted with huge turnouts from his kinsmen and allies in and across Liberia’s political and social spheres, leaving a deep sense of morning and throwback.
Johnson’s body on Wednesday returned to his home county with long convoys involving a jubilant crowd from Sokopa to Ganta, Sanniquellie, Karnplay, Bahn, and Saclepea cities, celebrating his achievements before departure.
The veteran 72-year-old influential leader lives an impactful life, leaving a long-lasting mark on many Liberians. He was one of Liberia’s longest-serving senators, eighteen years in public service as senator for Nimba. He did not end his third nine-year term when he died last year, on 28 November.
Rituals displayed at PYJ’s state funeral
In Nimba County, the state funeral for Senator Prince Yormie Johnson in his negative county was a tearful and joyful memorial, thus marking a display of traditional performances.
Johnson lay in state for four nights and five days at three major cities in Nimba County, while one was conducted in Monrovia on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.
The mourning crowd mixed with a group attired in war-time outfits and other outfits gathered at the Samuel A. Striker Funeral Home in Monrovia to escort Johnson’s mortal remains at the Capitol to Nimba for a countywide tour.
During the state funeral, a group of women and men dressed in dominant red carried wooden toy guns as their way of symbolizing their late kinsman’s relationship and contribution to Liberia’s civil war. The group carrying the wooden toy guns explained how they did so to remember the security and protection that PYJ provided the county during the war.
Another group dressed in dominant black with a red cap was believed to be supporters of the late Senator Johnson’s political party, the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR).
Additionally, a group representing the Liberia National Cultural Troup and traditional mask dancers dusted the floor to entertain the crowd, dancing to the sound of an instrument and tribute songs made in his honor during the entire wake and funeral.
Born July 6, 1952, the lifetime of the senator came to an end on 28 November 2024, when Liberians woke up to the death news of Senator Prince Y. Johnson.
Tributes at PYJ Wakekeeping
In deep mourning, hundreds and thousands of Nimbains took the stage to echo the home-going senator’s legacy, immensely contributing to Liberia.
They however challenged the county’s current leadership to live an exemplary life that reflects Senator Johnson.
In tributes, hundreds and thousands of people including women, men, and youths stressed the important need for the Nimba caucus and local county leadership to live an impactful life and strive to be positively influential to the county.
Treating others with kindness and honesty, the citizens challenged would be the next senator to replace Johnson to live a life of love, compassion, and service to others that reflects the values, and unified county.
According to them, current Nimba leaders should be positively influential, using the opportunity to fulfill their purpose and make a meaningful contribution to the people of the county by living a life that reflects the county’s truthful culture.
They emphasized that demonstrating kindness, generosity, and selflessness are key principles to bring disheartening and divided Nimbains together under the “Nimba Kwado”.
Nimbaians believe that the ultimate goal of the county’s present leaders is to bring united citizens through their words, actions, and deeds, urging them to live impactful and selfless lives.
They contended that living an impactful life allows the fallen senator and any individual to leave a lasting legacy that inspires future generations, touching lives long after they are gone.
In funeral speeches
At the same time, funeral speeches are expected to be delivered by the Liberia Government, prominent citizens, and local, national, and international groups.
Confirmed sources revealed that current president Joseph Nyuma Boakai, former presidents Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and George Weah, and other public figures are expected to grace the occasion.
