T R I B U T E [1948-2022]: Philip. Nimene Wesseh A lifetime of dedication to Journalism
By, RC Geeplay
Liberian Journalists are mourning the homegoing of a veteran media practitioner and a newsroom leader whose dedication, tenacity, and passion—- P. Nimene Wesseh was like a father figure to many and a pillar to young journalists who crossed his path, and he didn’t disappoint. My heartfelt and deep condolences to the Wesseh family, the Press Union of Liberia, (PUL), and the Liberian people on the passing of this son of the soil, a void that perhaps will never be filled, he will be missed.
Philip Nimene Wesseh or Gina as we call him was my editor or Managing Editor at the lnquirer Newspaper– He was a great boss, and a good man. He treated his staff fairly and was jovial and firm when he needed to be, assigning tasks he thought were appropriate; he knew the strengths and weaknesses of his staff and exploited those qualities appropriately— his leadership and talents were always in great demand in getting the best out of his reporters in the newsroom, inspiring a generation of critical thinkers, activists and writers — Liberia lost a great towering figure and a journalist whose passion for the profession is UNMATCHED.
He will be missed for his contributions to his country and the love he had for public policy and the newsroom—-unlike most of his countrymen, Wesseh had no interest in sitting in any government office, high or low: Liberians’ perennial preoccupation and their love affairs since this country was founded, even as arts, culture, tradition and literature are neglected for the almighty government job, this singular act defines his humility and humanity— his service while also public was a private affair, looking in from outside to inform the citizenry about their government, what concerned him most was the newsroom and reporting the news in an effort to hold accountable the powers that be, so that the resources of the country were deployed for the betterment of our poor people’s so that they could be safe and happy in their country.
“If a nation expects to be ignorant & free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was & never will be”, wrote Jefferson, in September 1815. He continued, “the functionaries of every government have propensities to command at will the liberty & property of their constituents. There is no safe deposit for these but with the people themselves; nor can they be safe with them without information. Where the press is freed and every man able to read, all is safe.” These were the attributes that distinguished Wesseh. He wanted to give and he did give so much to Liberian Journalism and the art as we know it–his passion is incredible!
The Inquirer Newspaper Managing editor knew exactly where he wanted to be in life as early as high school, he joined the press team at the D. The High School in New Kru Town while in grade school, determined to report the news and influence national debates at a tender age. He did not look back since, rising through the ranks in the newsroom to the higher echelons in the media landscape. While the print media defined his career, he was often seen by his friend before the microphone, T. Max Jlateh on the 50-50 show speaking to the Liberian people about their freedoms, this is how concerned he was about participatory democracy, and the freedoms we so much take for granted, he wasn’t unaware about the power of the press, but also its limitations and so-called perceive biases, especially those who want to silence the press because it speaks loudly for the disenfranchised and the displaced.
“As both, the newsrooms and courtrooms across this country seek answers…in the coming years; journalism itself will likely be on trial.” Wrote Kathy English, a public editor in a column for the Toronto Star a few years ago, as she posited: Defending Responsible Journalism—What Is Responsible Journalism on (the) Public Interest? She answered that by countering that “…journalists [must] hold themselves to higher ethical standard than ever before. We must.” She emphasized! And that has been Wesseh’s mantra, responsible journalism, and the public interest during his career!
If Philip was a seasoned journalist, he was because he also started at the Liberian Daily Observer as a reporter under an old hand (editor) and veteran publisher, Kenneth Y. Best, probably Liberia’s best-known Journalist of his time and this era. Philip’s love for the profession exceeds anyone I have met in the business. From his humble beginnings as a high school cub reporter, to a reporter at the Daily Observer, to the Editor at the Inquirer Newspaper, he has done much to influence policy, but also mentor a generation of media personalities and journalists, including this author. Wesseh was a progressive journalist; his thinking was always forward-looking and liberal.
Consequently, When the political Journalist, school teacher, activist, and pamphleteer Albert Porte wrote, in August 1951, that “success or failure in a democracy rest… upon each citizen,” his proclamation was a higher calling to citizenship: that private citizens, civil servants, and essentially everyone within the borders of a nation needed to contribute towards making sure that participatory democracy is sustained through debates: the sort of check and balances that grow a nation and where deliberations and differences are not meant to be reduced to mudslinging and acrimonious petty fights, and that mantra has been Wesseh’s guiding principle in his approach to journalism, also: responsible journalism and the public interest.
Geeplay is an emerging poet and former news reporter. Contact: akklamm@lib129
Jefferson D.Tweh
A Tribute to my Mentor, Sponsor and Advisor, the late Atty: Philip N. Wesseh commonly known as ( GINA). A great hero has fallen, great pen has broken and great mentor has gone forever!!!!!! My eyes are filled with tears, and my heart is bleeding seriously.
I couldn’t hold back my emotions because of the great lost at the Inquirer Newspaper. I worked with the Inquirer Newspaper as News Writer for 9 years. During my service at the Inquirer Newspaper, I learned a lot from the late Atty. Philip N.Wesseh. he nutured me completely at the Inquirer Newspaper and made me developed special interest in the journalism profession in Liberia. He was an extraordinary Administrator impact knowledge in others and made them learn at their best. I joined the Inquirer Newspaper October 12, 2011.
When I entered the institution newly, I won’t write or speak well, neither make any impact in the journalism profession but the late Atty. Philip Wesseh including Christiana Saywah nurtured me many weeks in the office before I started going on the field to gather stories.
When I bring stories from the field, while typing those stories on the computer, the late Atty. Wesseh would sit side me in the office encouraging me to do my best.
This is what he used to tell me.” Make sure to balance your stories, I don’t encourage yellow journalism, always exhibit good professionalism and conduct yourself well as journalist, don’t insult, fight, and argument with newsmakers unnecessarily .
When you are interviewing newsmakers, speak good English, have controlled over your subject verb agreement so that newsmakers can respect you as journalist. Always read books especially English books to help you improve your writing and speaking skills. Dress properly and wear neck tie, don’t dress recklessly, your appearance tell people who you are “from his advised, I took key interest in the journalism profession and demonstrated my commitment.
Through the late Atty. Philip Wesseh encouragement enrolled at the African Methodist Episcopal University and I will be graduating this year but he is not around any longer!!! How will I thank such great man who has given me more knowledge and made me to enter higher institution of learning? I foresee sharing tears on my graduation day !!!!
The late Atty: Philip Wesseh also supported my European Wedding!!!!! He was a father, Mentor and Advisor to me!!!! He never made me feel bad at the Inquirer Newspaper.
He was a good unifier, team leader, planner, Mentor, Sponsor, solution Temple, generous, innovative, industrious, and very flexible human being. He was so lovely and caring!!! His love will forever remain in my heart!!!!! May the Almighty God receive his soul in Heaven!!!!
