Monrovia — Nineteen years ago (today), The NEWS made its debut on the newsstand. And since then, the Paper has kept the fort through thick and tin.

The success of the Paper thus far is attributed to its principal founders, the late Managing Editor Kloh Hinneh (may his soul rest in peace) and Editor Sam Van Kesseley, now with the Liberian Journal.

These two Liberian journalists were farsighted in spotting the need to give the voiceless a voice, most of whom were the masses. And therefore, with the financial backing of the then politician, Morris Dukuly and financial expert Wilson Tarpeh, The NEWS, as an eight-page newspaper, first saw daylight on April 24, 1989.

Against this background, one of Liberia's foremost grassroots politicians, Dr. Togba Nah Tipoteh has been called upon to serve as the Keynote Speaker at indoor programs marking the 19th anniversary celebrations on Saturday at the YMCA building on Crown Hill, Monrovia.

During the program, personalities who have distinguished themselves during the year from the perspective of The NEWS will be honored and certificated.

The Personalities include: President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Person-of-the-Year; Defense Minister Brownell Samukai, Minister of the Year; Madam Mary Broah, Public Servant of the Year; Barleh Nah, Medical Practitioner of the Year, Mr. Lawrence Randall's Liberia Media Center (LMC), Media Development Agency of the Year, Harry Yuan, Managing Director of the Year; and Ecobank, Bank of the Year.

The Paper began its celebration last Sunday with a church service at the Greater Refugee Temple on Front Street where Bishop Nathaniel Zaway challenged the Paper to make a difference in the Liberian society.

A soccer match has been scheduled with the Liberia Bank for Development and Investment (LBDI) on May 3 at the Stephen Tolbert sport pitch to climax the celebration.

Meanwhile, the Management of the Paper wishes to extend its sincere gratitude to its numerous audiences for their understanding and support which have kept the paper alive.