The weekend was a scene of joy and sadness as some members of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) gathered at the home of Atty. Philip Wesseh, the Managing Editor of the Inquirer Newspaper, a local daily in Liberia.
There were singing and dancing as the journalists trooped their way into the Zubah Town compound of the journalist Wesseh but the joy soon melted on the faces of some who had not seen him since after his surgery.
Explaining the purpose of the gathering, a member of the Inquirer Newspaper, Jennie Fallah Wounuah, said “Few weeks ago, Mr. Wesseh was inducted in the ‘Hall of Fame’ by the Press Union of Liberia. He would have loved to be there, but that day he fell sick and he was unable to be there.”
According to Mrs. Wounuah, the management and employees of the Inquirer Newspaper saw the need to celebrate this achievement with him in the month of June which is observed as Father’s month.
“Since he cannot be at the church program on Sunday (Father’s Day), we thought it wise to celebrate Father’s Day with him at his home so that those who love him would have an opportunity and show to him that he is a indeed that special father to all of us” she continued.
Making remarks as he turned over the certificate to Mr. Wesseh, PUL president Charles Coffey said, “Life is a stage. By the grace of the Omnipotent, you have gone through different professions reaching as far as reading law, but you were still focused on the media work.”
He told the gathering that despite the ill health of Atty. Wesseh, he has never neglected the activities of the Press Union of Liberia.
Coffey recounted that at times, when he is unable to attend an event of the PUL, he makes it his duty to purchase his T-shirts and make his meaningful contributions to the activities adding, “I want you to know that God is in control. All of us in the world, nobody knows tomorrow, we move with plans but we are in absolution of God’s decision.”
Speaking of God’s plans, Coffey told the gathering that he had a conversation with the late Roseline Toweh at which time they joked and laughed, it was a sad news to have received news of her death that same day and pointed out, “So to live and see you perform exceptionally, the Union has recognizes you and placed you in the Hall of fame.”
According to Mr. Coffey, the certificate presented to the lawyer-journalist is intended to recognize his efforts over the years and to motivate him and keep him stronger stating, “When you reflect on this, it will help you to heal. May God continue to bless us and prolong our lives.”
In remarks, Atty. Wesseh appreciated the award commenting, “It will help to strengthen me even though I am not too well but some things can give you strength psychologically. With this, even though I am down, but my services are still recognized. Thanks for this award. I appreciate your presence there today thanks.”
Additionally he called on all journalists both young and old to practice ethical journalism maintaining, “I like to see a journalist who when he/she is wrong, will say I am wrong. I don’t want to be a journalist that will say a man died in an armed bush and the man says I am living and you say it is lie, you are dead.”
Malcolm Joseph backtracked at the day when he was elected many years back and recalled, “When the results were announced, you lifted me up and celebrated with me,” but seeing the one time active journalist in a wheelchair brought sadness to Mr. Joseph.
Dragging his words, Mr. Joseph said, “To see him at this stage it saddens my heart,” but was quick to comfort himself by saying, “As Christians, we are people of faith and I trust that God will definitely see you through.”
“We want to charge you to build the courage. In situations like these, you have to stand up for yourself first by building that courage and be strong enough and definitely with God above, the God all of us serve, will surely see you through,” he said.
