Liberia: At 52nd Wed. Aniv. celebration, First Lady tells Liberian women to put ‘pity Jealousy aside and take good care of the men’
Tells guests she has no regret choosing Pres. Boakai, Sr. and vowed to repeat the same even in the next world. The following is a special pictorial by Global Ekklesia Editor & publisher.
By James Kokulo Fasuekoi|Editor-Publisher
It was a night filled with fun and laughter and the celebration of “a Lifetime of Love, Leadership, and Legacy, in the couple’s own words, and this remarkable event took place July 29, 2024, at the Paynesville City Hall in Monrovia. And it marked the 52nd wedding anniversary of the First Family, H.E. Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. and his wife from college days, Mrs. Kartumu Y. Boakai.
After the usual fanfare accompanying such occasion, it was the couple’s son Mr. Joseph N. Boakai, Jr. (known as “JOJO”) who first took the stage, and welcome the guests, mostly the honorees’ own relatives, friends and representatives from the diplomatic community, with diplomats from the U.S. Embassy near Monrovia fully present.
At first, Mr. Boakai, Jr. attempted to provide the audience with a comprehensive story about his parents’ life-from their young school days to the period both settled for a marriage and as well as raising a family. But he soon realized he had his own limitations, in terms of his own knowledge of the First Couple when he was growing up. As a result, he had to turn to his Mom, Madam Boakai who filled in the blank where he left off.
Grabbing the microphone, she quickly stepped forward, beaming with smiles and began to tell their lifelong story before a jammed packed crowd. Theirs is a fine and captivating love story, a story of two individuals-with each apparently, in search of a friend or partner that would be the perfect match. And honestly so, their story is also one of hard work, and in some cases, marked by a spirit of tenacity.
In her narration Madam Boakai traces their first date, or outing to the year 1968, while both were still in school. From their first meeting it seemed quite obvious that young Joseph Nyuma Boakai was just about the kind of gentleman she anticipated settling down with: a very focused, easy-going gentleman, one who seems to talk less.
From her narration one could sense her new college friend was a gentleman who stood out in a crowd, apparently possessing every good quality that every woman looks for in a man. And it was such that even girls her age sharing the dormitory with her began to make inquiries about her new schoolmate whenever he came by to see her, she admitted Monday night. In other words, her peers too seemed to take deep interest in him.
“He was good-looking,” she told the audience as she chuckled. That perhaps, prompted Mrs. Boakai to act fast in time and the two eventually settled into marriage by July 1972. The entire event was characterized by fun, and it seemed similar to the annual Washington D.C. Press Club party, usually attended by the First Family of the United States where discussions become casual.
She even confessed she would still go ahead and pick the same husband-her lifelong partner she first encountered some 52 years ago if they were to enter God’s Glory, and she’s asked to make a request or a “choice” again. Her statement stirred up intense laughter from the audience.
She closed, warning Liberian women in general to stop pity jealousy and take good care of their husband.
After she had finished, it was the president’s turn. And like his wife, he had the audience electrified with jokes, one of them being how Joseph, he said, planted a silver cup inside his brothers’ load or sack (Gen. 44:1-14), and yet arrested them for apparent trespass.
Although President Boakai gave no detail nor the meaning of the Joseph’s “Proverb” that involved his own siblings, the explanation appears to match the idea expressed in Proverb 18:17, “The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him,” a reference pointed to the previous speaker.
Liberia’s President Joseph Boakai and his wife are devout Christians and worship weekly at a local church in Liberia’s capital, Monrovia. He’s reported to play the role of deacon at Effort Baptist Church while his wife Mrs. Boakai is said to be an ordained minister of the Gospel of Christ Jesus.
The event was marked by rendition of Christian comedies from Jonathan Buck, in addition to special solo performances by Liberian Gospel singer Jessie Pratt and Guest Artist Fainda. This was climaxed by the cutting of the anniversary cake plus a proposed toast to the excellent health of the First Family and the prosperity of Liberia.
Also, a PowerPoint video presentation which contained striking photographs that covered some memorable moments in the couple’s private and official life was screened for the audience to view, followed by a dance by the two honorees. With classic American-style R&B Jazz music rolling on, the couple demonstrated a few dance-moves, snapping their fingers, as guests watched on before inviting all to join them.
The food was quite delicious, with plenty of sweet-fruity-smooth wines that one could imagine, while desserts such as cupcakes weren’t in short supply either.
People lined up, taking turns to present gifts to the First Family on their wedding anniversary. Officials at the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs and General Services Agency (GSA) also presented both with a framed color photograph of the honorees; this was complemented by a special news magazine distributed among guests titled Executive Horn and published to coincide with the occasion.
Earlier, the president and his wife marched into the well-decorated town hall in grand style, amid cheers from the audience. Present also were the Liberian Vice President and his wife and the President-Pro tempore, among other state officials.
Near the end of the program President Boakai did something special that most of his predecessors hadn’t done; he walked to each table, accompanied by his bodyguards and greeted nearly everyone with a handshake before departing the hall.
Other articles on President Joseph N. Boakai, Sr. by Global Ekklesia
Liberia to induct a devout Christian president into office next January – (globalekklesia.com)
ALL PHOTOGRAPHS BY THE EDITOR & PULISHER
JESUS CHRIST IS COMING SOON! ARE YOU READY?