Hundreds of musical fans were thrilled over the week-end when young Liberian stars participated at the official launch of the 2009/2010 "A Star is Born Under-20 National Talent Hunt". The launch was jointly done by the Liberian Government through the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, and the Public Information Office of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), and held at the main campus of the University of Liberia.

Addressing Liberian music lovers at the colourful event, Mr. Stephen Lieberman, UNMIL Director of Mission Support, described music and culture as, "uniting forces in any society that bring people together and help build a stronger Liberia for tomorrow". He added that UNMIL was proud to collaborate with the Liberian Government and sponsors.

Officials of government and UNMIL at the launch

On the significance of the United Nations' interest in musical talents, Mr. Lieberman pointed out that, "there is a price that comes with this; this is not free. We look at the musical talent as a way to help us to help you convey the message to all the people of Liberia; important messages for you the youth of Liberia and for the future of Liberia".

Co-launching the event, Information, Culture and Tourism Minister, Dr. Laurence Bropleh reminded Liberians that, "no nation can rebuild without the involvement of its people; no nation can have a future until your investment of today can bring to bear sustainable education and talent development, all in the interest of our young people". Minister Bropleh added that the Government joined UNMIL in the search for a star is building sustainable connectivity among Liberian young people because they are the future leaders of tomorrow.

UNMIL Chief of Public Information, Mr. George Somerwill said the nationwide auditions of the Star is Born begin this week. "From the auditions, we will select the best singers from each county to participate in the sectors event and then 15 persons will be invited to Monrovia for what we are now going to call the music academy which used to be call the boot camp", he revealed.

Mr. Somerwill furthered that at the academy, the participants will attend workshops on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA), HIV AIDS and Good Citizenship. Screening of activities of the Star is Born through partner Liberian television stations will also take place at the academy.

Ecobank Liberia Managing Director, Ms. Morenike Adepoju, said her organization has never had a moment of regret since it started supporting the Star is Born initiative. "It gets better by the day; it gets better by the moment; we are so encouraged by the stars and the product that this project is creating for our market and Liberia", the Ecobank head told the gathering.

Last season winner Nicholas thrills the crowd with his lyrics

She then expressed satisfaction by the development over the last two years and with reference to the past winners of A Star is Born as heroes. "Our youth is the future generation", she said. Other sponsors represented at the launch were Comium Liberia, Citydotcom, Population Services International (PSI), and Studio 57.

Attending the event were UN Police Acting Commissioner, Mr. Gautam Sawang; Liberia National Police Inspector-General, Mr. Marc Amblard; Grand Bassa County Superintendent, Hon. Julia Duncan Cassell; and others.

In recent years, "A Star is Born" has produced young talents who have been instrumental in serving as role models for other young people and also helping to spread messages on pertinent social issues like HIV/AIDS, Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA), Rape, Crime and others.

This year's launch prominently featured the 2008/2009 winner of "A Star is Born", Nicholas Buigar, who recently participated in a West African singing competition. He emerged as the first runner-up in the just concluded MTN Project Fame West Africa competition in Lagos, Nigeria.