Liberia: Richard Tolbert Wants Citizens to Forget the Bitter Past

AllAfrica
Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf speaking with Richard Tolbert, chairman of Liberia's National Investment Commission and AllAfrica Board member, at the opening of the AllAfrica office in Monrovia in 2007
16 April 2010
The Informer (Monrovia)

The Chairman of the National Investment Commission (NIC) Dr. Richard V. Tolbert, in remembrance of the death of his late uncle, President William R. Tolbert, has called on Liberians throughout the country to unite and forget about the bitter past if the nation is to move forward.

Speaking to reporters Monday, April 12, 2010 at his NIC office on 12th Street Sinkor in Monrovia, Dr. Tolbert stated that Liberians need to stop going against each other that which in his view, will do them no good but rather plunge the country into backwardness.

"Liberians will never allow themselves to be used and go against each other in society," Dr. Tolbert pointed out.

According to him, since the death of his late Uncle on April 12, 1980, it has been some thirty years and now he (Dr. Tolbert) is sixty years, saying, it is important for the youth of his country to be educated about the actual history of the late President.

Dr. Tolbert indicated that about 75% of the youths in Liberia are not well informed about the historical facts of the nation state.

He is at the same time appealing to Liberians to stop operating on tribal lines because as he puts it same will not do anything for them worthwhile, but sparks off further problems in the society.

The NIC boss mentioned that Liberians will no longer allow themselves to engage into violent acts as was the case in the past, something which he said, will not serve best, adding, violence brings about destruction, hatred and underdevelopment."

Dr. Tolbert however, entreated his fellow Liberians not to be swayed away or brain washed to resort to violence and cause havoc in post-conflict Liberia.

The NIC boss went on to say that Liberians need to learn how to settle disputes/problems on their own rather than resorting to acts that have the propensity of causing chaos.

Dr. Tolbert also wants his compatriots to live in oneness, and unite to move Liberia forward among the comity of nations.

Meanwhile, on April 25, 2010, the Tolbert Family is expected to hold a memorial service in Monrovia in remembrance of all those that were executed on April 12, 1980 coup by the military under the banner of the then People's Redemption Council (PRC) headed by then Master Sergeant Samuel K. Doe.

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