LRA Boss Challenges AAUL Newly Elected Officials —As Inducted President Promises To Increase Endowment Fund.

By Bill W. Cooper

The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) Commissioner General, Thomas Doe Nah has challenged the newly elected Alumni Association of the University of Liberia (AAUL) officials to retrospect on the University all of them graduated from in order to move it to another level.

The LRA Boss indicated that if the University is to be like other Universities around the world, it requires the effort of the AAUL, adding that it is now the time for the newly elected officials to be more innovative for the transformation of the University.

He made the challenge when he served as guest speaker of the just ended AAUL induction ceremony of their newly elected corps of officers to steer the affairs of the association in the auditorium of the University in Monrovia.

Those elected include; James S. Davis II., president; Martin W. Pennie, VP for Administration; W. Namusa Geelor, VP for Operations; Fatu R. Tipoteh, VP for Internal Affairs; Ernest B. Waylee, Secretary General; Mathew S.K. Wreh, Asst. Secretary General; Aaron Ben, Financial Secretary; Cleopatra K. Taylor and Rev. E-Musa Sheriff, Chaplain.

The commissioner general recounted the numerous activities during their time as youths at the UL, noting that it is important to reflect when you assemble or gather together, because it shows the love one has for his or her alma mater.

“The dynamics of the alumni is critical to the transformation of the UL. It is important for every one of you to come back as we all have aspiration of our profession and the UL provides the foundation for every student,” he added.

“We as alumni of the institution are the ones making it poor because there is no innovation from our leaders we elected. We have created the atmosphere for the young people to get agitated and explored because we lack the vision to move the university forward. If this university is to be transformed, we as alumni need to do away with bureaucracy and do with innovation,” the commissioner general alluded.

The LRA Boss then urged the newly elected officials to be more of good leaders, to demonstrate equal love for one another, to serve with good integrity and have courage to lead the association for the betterment of the institution.

In a related development, the newly inducted president, James S. Davis II., promised to increase funding to the alumni endowment fund, stressing that the endowment fund will be one major initiative to address some of the problems confronting the University.

He noted that the AAUL in partnership and collaboration with the University of Liberia Alumni Association in the Americas has planned to raise USD$600,000 in five years to construct a multi-purpose building with a capacity of 5,000 persons in fendell, and said when completed, revenues generated from rental fees will be used as additional revenue for the University.

President Davis further stated that for the greater good of their alma mater, they will respectfully but critically champion discussions on policy related issues at the level of the UL Board of Trustees, indicating that they have a shared responsibility to their alma mater, to invest in building loyal alumni associations as key partners for critical intervention in challenges face by their alma mater.

The newly inducted president then urged his colleagues to work together in order to move the university into a wonderful future, stressing, “Don’t sit on the sidelines. Get involved. It is only by active participation, success is achieved.”