The Ambassador of Liberia to Nigeria, Professor Al-Hassan Conteh has assured all Liberians residing in Nigeria of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s commitment in seeking their interest and welfare.

“I look forward to working with your organization and its elected leaders on issues and concerns of the Liberian communities in Nigeria.  I would like you to know that your welfare is central to the Agenda of Transformation of the Administration of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf”, Ambassador Conteh told hundreds of Liberians residing here. 

According to a dispatch from the Liberian Embassy in Abuja, the Ambassador’s comments were contained in his opening remarks delivered at the opening of the Second National Convention of the Association of Liberian Communities in Nigeria held in Onitsha, Anambra State.  The Convention which the Liberians in Nigeria also used to observe their country’s 169^th Independence Day was held from the 29^th to the 30^th of July, 2016.

Mr. Nat Bayjay, Minister Counselor for Press and Public Affairs of the Liberian Embassy in Abuja delivered the Ambassador’s remarks on his behalf, the dispatch adds.

The Ambassador in his remarks revealed President Sirleaf Administration’s concrete plans that are underway to establish a Passport Application Center at the Abuja Mission:   “This will facilitate the application and renewal of passports for all Liberian citizens in Nigeria.   I encourage you to register your membership with the Embassy, and acquire your Consular IDs”. 

According to the dispatch, the Liberian Envoy urged all Liberians in Nigeria to join the Embassy in contributing their quota that will consolidate national gains and obliterate the pains of the past: “Let us use every opportunity at our disposal to foster unity, success, freedom and happiness for the cause of our country.”

Ambassador Conteh appealed to his compatriots to be thankful to Nigerians, both individually and collectively, who have stood firmly by Liberia and Liberians, and who have also helped to restore liberty and stability to Liberia.

At the same time, Justice Micah Wilkins Wright, in his keynote speech buttressed the Ambassador’s appeal by urging all Liberians in the country to see the Liberian Embassy as an active partner as the Embassy performs its consular and other functions to protect and seek the interest and welfare of all Liberians in Nigeria.

Justice Wright then commended Ambassador Conteh and the Embassy staff for their dedicated service to nation: “For doing their best to protect and serve Liberians under difficult conditions, we, and I personally, congratulate the Embassy Staff, led by our illustrious Ambassador, Dr. Professor Al-Hassan Conteh.”

About 300 Liberians from various Nigerian states conveyed on Onitsha and elected their first code of national officers after they had adopted a national constitution.  

With the Onitsha outcome, Liberians from throughout the Nigerian Federation for the first time have formed themselves under one umbrella organization.

The Onitsha Convention was the second after the inaugural Lagos Convention that was held in late February of the year.

It brought together Liberian delegates from the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja), Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Ogun and Lagos States. Others came from Anambra, Enugu, Delta, Imo, Abia, Cross River and River States.