-177th Flag Day Orator heightens calls for Unity and Nationalism
By Jerromie S. Walters
Monrovia, Liberia – August 26, 2024: As the Orator of the 177th veneration of Liberia’s Flag Day, Madam Olubanke King Akerele highlighted the need for the national government and Liberians to prioritize systemic justice and collective responsibility.
“In a nation where diversity is our strength, we must prioritize systemic justice and collective responsibility,” Akerele stated, advocating for an inclusive approach to governance and societal development in her address during Liberia’s 177th Flag Day celebration held at the Centennial Memorial Pavilion. The occasion comprised officials of government, members of the diplomatic corps, students from about 30 high schools in and around Monrovia, and a host of other guests.
Madam Akerele made a poignant appeal for political cohesion, warning against hate speech and incitements to violence that can undermine national peace and security. She urged all political leaders, including former president George Weah, to promote a culture of unity and discourage divisive rhetoric.
The Orator also highlighted pressing national security concerns and the ongoing drug crisis affecting Liberia, urging government officials to take proactive measures to combat these issues. She suggested that lawmakers contribute a portion of their salaries to a special fund aimed at addressing the drug problem and called for international collaboration with organizations specializing in narcotics issues.
Education was another focal point in her speech. Madam Akerele urged the government to allocate more resources towards educational initiatives, particularly those aimed at vocational training and rural development. She called for an action plan to ensure that sustainability development goals (SDGs) are integrated into the national curriculum, suggesting that young Liberians should be actively involved in the process.
The theme of the celebration, “The Symbol of Unity and Nationalism,” was fittingly examined by the orator, who highlighted the need for Liberians to come together to tackle the country’s systemic problems. Citing the words of Dr. Mary Antoinette Brown Sherman, a late Liberian educator and former minister of education, Hon. Akerele emphasized that nationality is not just about being from a particular country, but also about being united in one’s diversity.
The Liberian flag day orator who is the Board Chair of the Angie’s Brooks International Center for Women’s Empowerment, and Leadership International Peace and Security also drew attention to the country’s history, noting that while it is important to learn from the past, it should not be used to divide or define the nation. Instead, she called on Liberians to focus on building a brighter future together.
Moreover, the former foreign minister for the Republic of Liberia presented several proposals for addressing the country’s challenges. These included taking seriously threats to national security, both from within and outside the country; tackling the drug problem through international assistance and cooperation, and prioritizing education and training.
The orator also called on international organizations, such as the United Nations, to assist Liberia in addressing its challenges. She proposed that the country work towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, and encouraged young people to get involved in this effort.
Education as a cornerstone
At the ceremony over the weekend on Ashmun Street, Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah, the Minister of Education for the Republic of Liberia, stressed that the true power of the flag lies in its ability to unite citizens in their diversity and propel them toward shared goals. She underscored the importance of education as a cornerstone of national development, advocating for access to quality education for all Liberians. “Educators and administrators are the vanguards of this transformation,” she stated, calling for a culture of accountability and transparency within the education system.
Minister Jallah urged the audience to draw inspiration from the courage and vision of Liberia’s ancestors, who dreamed of a free and prosperous nation. He called for collective efforts to build a resilient society that embraces all citizens, values their contributions, and uplifts every community.
In his closing remarks, Jallah encouraged all Liberians to recommit to the values represented by the flag. “Let us work together to build a Liberia that is not only proud of its heritage but also eager to forge a future where every child can dream without limits, every community can thrive, and every citizen can live in dignity and peace,” he said.
Minister Jallah’s passionate address resonated with the audience, leaving them inspired to continue the journey toward a united and prosperous Liberia. “May God bless our beloved Liberia. Long live Liberia, and may the Almighty God continue to richly bless the State!” she declared, as attendees joined in a spirited chorus of support.
She emphasized the profound meaning of the flag, stating, “Our flag is not just a national symbol; it represents our collective journey, marked by struggles, sacrifices, and triumphs.” The Education Minister urged attendees to reflect on the past while celebrating the present and committing to a future where unity and progress are prioritized.
The theme for this year’s observance, “The Flag, A Symbol of One Liberia,” served as a call to action for all Liberians to reaffirm their dedication to the principles of freedom, justice, and equality. Jallah highlighted the flag’s historic significance, recalling its first hoisting on August 24, 1847, following Liberia’s Declaration of Independence. He noted that the colors red, white, and blue, along with the single white star, symbolize the aspirations of a nation that emerged as the first independent state in Africa, representing freedom for the entire continent.
The 177th National Flag Day was not just a recognition of the national flag but a call to every citizen to uphold the values it represents. The event was marked by a sense of unity and nationalism, with schools from across the city competing in various categories, including dress code and discipline. The winners of these competitions were St. Theresa Convent Catholic School, Patmelia Academy High School, and G.W Gibson High School.
The Liberian Flag [Historicity]
On 9 April 1827, a resolution was made establishing the first flag of Liberia, during its time as a colony, which identified the flag the same as the United States, except with a white cross in the place of the canton’s stars.[6] In preparation for independence, the flag of Liberia was redesigned and hand-stitched by a committee of seven women.
Governor Joseph Jenkins Roberts, in a letter dated 10 July 1847, asked Susannah Elizabeth Lewis to head the committee. The other members of the committee were Matilda Newport, Rachel Johnson, Mary Hunter, Mrs. J. B. Russwurm, Colonette Teage Ellis, and Sara Draper. All of the women were born in the United States, and many of them were wives of prominent men in Liberia.
Lewis was the daughter of former vice colonial agent Colston Waring, the sister of the first First Lady of the Republic, Jane Roberts, and the wife of John N. Lewis, one of the signers of the Liberian Declaration of Independence.[9][10][11] The flag they designed was adopted on 24 August 1847, about a month after Liberia had declared independence on 26 July 1847.
The day the flag was adopted, the nation celebrated in Monrovia. There, the flag was unfurled to the public for the first time, and Susannah Lewis gave a patriotic speech. The ceremony also featured speeches by several notable Liberian politicians and religious leaders, as well as entertainment in the form of band music.
