By Bill W. Cooper
The Managing Editor of the Inquirer Newspaper, a veteran Liberian Journalist and Attorney-at-law, Phillip Nemene Wesseh (PNW), has been laid to rest at the Brewerville Cemetery outside Monrovia.
At the rather spectacular and mournful occasion one would describe as a befitting ‘state burial’, hundreds of thousand funeral-goers including Liberia’s former Vice President, Joseph N. Boakai, veteran politician, Togba Nah Tipoteh and Information Minister, Ledgerhood Rennie on behalf of President George M. Weah all bade the veteran Liberian journalist farewell following a sermon through songs rendered by the Trinity United Methodist Choir.
The funeral service which was held at the Trinity United Methodist Church in New Kru Town on the Bushrod Island and was emotionally charged did not only bring together the bereaved family, but also past and current government officials, the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), Publisher Association of Liberia (PAL), Foreign Dignitaries and the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA) among others including his close allies among past and present government officials.
In his tribute to the fallen Liberian journalist, former Vice President Boakai described Wesseh as a role model, teacher and mentor in the media community for young amateur journalists.
Boakai who could not hold back his emotion and grief also epitomized the late journalists Wesseh as “a man who upheld professional standards and lived up to the canons of journalism throughout his career as a media practitioner.”
He said, “Philip, affectionately known as GINA, always wanted the truth and reported it observing responsibility, Independence, sincerity, truthfulness, balancing and accuracy; and that’s the kind of man our nation Liberia has lost.”
“Indeed, GINA’s death has left us all baffled especially so at a time when the nation needs this fearless journalist who always sought the interest of Liberia and its citizenry the most but again, God knows why and cannot be questioned or asked about his decision,” VP Boakai intimated.
Expressing his condolences to the family, the Inquirer Newspaper, PUL, and all those in the media profession that were influenced by the deceased, Boakai also urged the paper’s new managerial team to uphold and maintain the legacy of Mr. Wesseh who he said was his friend and brother whose warm companionship will forever be remembered and cherished.
“To the Inquirer Newspaper, though you have suffered a major blow, I have come to tell you that I have confidence that you will carry on the legacy of PNW and despite your bereavement, I know you will keep up the good work of this renowned journalist, letting his dreams and legacy go forth through the continuous publication of well-written and balanced stories,” he urged.
Earlier, Information Minister, Ledgerhood Rennie’s tribute on behalf of the President and his government described the death journalist Wesseh as a “massive blow” to the journalism community in the country.
Recounting their time together, Minister Rennie mourned PNW or Gina as he was affectionately called by friends and colleagues, as a towering personality of ethical and modern journalism in the Liberian landscape.
“He was the central figure that most journalists, young and old could reach out to for wise counseling and direction. Philip also earned for himself respect and influence in the journalism community for the friendly professional relationship he accepted. He defended the public trust while keeping the true values of the profession alive,” the MICAT boss bewailed.
Also, during their tribute, both authorities from the United Methodist University and University of Liberia (UL) family all bemoaned the passing of Mr. Wesseh who they said during his time on earth immensely contributed and impacted their respective intuitions in the classroom.
As means of recognizing his contribution, the president, board and trustees, faculty, staff and students of the UL further disclosed plans by the University to establish a “Philip N. Wesseh Academic Excellence of Journalism Award” in honor of him.
Meanwhile, at the Wake-keeping of Wesseh at the Monrovia City Hall, Lawrence Bropleh, reflecting on the life of Inquirer’s fallen boss said in his sermon that the veteran Liberian journalist was a man who was always passionate about journalism as well as concerned about his reputation and integrity.
Preaching on the theme: “Dying with a living hope” from the text “Philippines 1:20-22,” Bropleh who is now the special Envoy and Advisor to President Weah, also lamented that Mr. Wesseh was compassionate and always loved and willing to give and help other people.
“This man, PNW or Gina, was also concerned about humanity, about upholding the ethics of journalism. He cared about his family, his staff and Liberia. And though he’s gone, he still lives in others because he had trained, inspired and educated other young people,” the country’s former Information Minister eulogized.
The Inquirer Newspaper on Wednesday, September 14, 2022 announced the reposeful passing of its Managing Editor, Philip Nemene Wesseh in his 64th year at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Monrovia following a period of illness.
Wesseh, born on August 24, 1958, was a career journalist who spent over 40 years in the noble profession which he started before completing secondary education at the D. Twe Memorial High School formerly William Richard Tolbert High School in 1981 in Monrovia.
Besides the Inquirer which came into being on Tuesday, January 15, 1991 with its maiden edition as one of the oldest post-war newspapers in Liberia, he worked with two other local dailies the DAILY STAR and DAILY OBSERVER Newspapers during the 1980s respectively.
Prior to his demise, Wesseh did not only teach journalism or mass communications at various tertiary institutions including the University of Liberia, United Methodist University and Jireh, among others; he also nurtured many journalists in the profession through workshops, seminars and vacation programs as interns at the Inquirer Newspaper.
He studied Mass Communications (Journalism) and Economics at the University of Liberia and Law at the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law at the University of Liberia.
