Liberia’s President Confers Distinction on Several Citizens and Distinguished Personalities

Tuesday, 26th July 2011

Liberia’s President Her Excellency Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who is also Grand Master of the Orders of Distinction, conferred distinction on a number of citizens and distinguished personalities at the 164th Independence Anniversary held in Voinjama City, Lofa County.
Among the personalities that were conferred some of the country’s most distinguished honors included Liberia’s Vice President, Dr. Joseph N. Boakai, who was admitted into the Grand Band Order of the Star of Africa; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. J. Alex Tyler who was admitted into the Humane Order of African Redemption with the grade of Knight Great Band; and the President Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Grand Kru County Senator Cletus Wotorson, who was admitted into the Humane Order of African Redemption with the grade of Knight Great Band.
Others included the Acting City Mayor, Monrovia City Corporation, Ms Mary Broh, who was admitted into the Order of the Star of Africa with the grade of Grand Commander; the Chairman and Founder, HEART Foundation, Dr. James Adama Sirleaf, who was admitted into the Humane Order of African Redemption with the grade of Knight Great Band; and this year’s National Orator, Mrs. Garmai Estella Korboi, who was admitted into the Humane Order of African Redemption with the grade of Dame Grand Commander.
Among the distinguished foreign personalities that were conferred distinctions were former Director, Swiss Development Agency, Ambassador Walter Fust, who was admitted into the Humane Order of African Redemption with the grade of Knight Grand Commander; Honorary Consul of Liberia based in Tampa, Florida, United States of America, Mr. David A. Straz, Jr., who received the same distinction; and The Honorary Consul of India, and a humanitarian worker in the country, Mr. Upjit Singh Sachdeva. He was admitted into the Humane Order of African Redemption and conferred the grade of Knight Grand Commander.
Following the program, Mr. Sachdeva said his investiture shall inspire him and serve as an encouragement to exhibit and demonstrate greater social responsibility to Liberia. As Honorary Consul General serving in Liberia, Mr. Sachdeva said award will serve as further motivation to work even harder towards the promotion of greater and mutually more beneficial bilateral cooperation between Liberia and India. He is the first Indian to be decorated by a Liberian President.
Mr. Sachdeva said the award is a matter of extreme pride and delight, not only for him, but all Indians, both in and outside Liberia. “It is even more so with the Government of India, which shares with me the joy of the Award, and with the people of Liberia the happiness of the festivities marking the country’s 164th Independence Anniversary,” he said. He promised to wear its insignia with great pride and dignity, adding, “We shall forever cherish the Award.”
Others who were decorated were Mama Edith Nahwelee of Dahwomeh Curran, Zorzor, Lofa County who was admitted into the Humane Order of African Redemption with the grade of Dame Grand Commander; an Octogenarian and Classroom Teacher, Principal of the Lawalazu Public School, Mr. Henry Baysah Sellie, who was admitted into the Order of the Star of Africa with the grade of Grand Commander; and Senior Aide-de-camp to the President, General who was admitted into the Humane Order of African Redemption with the grade of Knight Commander.
Still others included a senior citizen of Lofa County, Mr. Fatorma Kamara who was admitted into the Humane Order of African Redemption with the grade of Knight Officer; and a public servant, Mr. David Doe who was admitted into the Humane Order of African Redemption with the grade of Knight Officer.
Two others, a veteran Sports Administrator, Mr. Josiah N. Johnson was admitted into the Order of the Star of Africa with the grade of Commander; while the late Mrs. Yennida Glaydor Paygar, a Missionary and Humanitarian, received her decoration posthumously. She was admitted into the Order of the Star of Africa with the grade of Commander.

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