By: Taisah K. Merfee
Monrovia,Capitol Hill Campus-February 9, 2025-The University of Liberia (UL) Debate Society has honored former Acting UL President Prof. Dr. Al-Hassan Conteh for his relentless support to the team and profound leadership across the University.
The honoring ceremony was held in the conference room of the Nathaniel Cassell Building on the UL Capitol Hill Campus on Friday, February 7, 2025.
The UL Debate Society awarded Dr. Conteh as an Icon of Intellectual Excellence and fully sashed him during the auspicious event.The program which was in twofold;the induction of the new leadership of the UL Debate Society captained by student Jamal J. Ghoson and the honoring of Dr. Conteh was graced by representations from various segments of society including the UL of family.
Recalling his enormous support and motivation of future scholars and thinkers, Student Teddy E. Seyon, former Captain of the University of Liberia Debate Society, described Dr. Conteh as a symbol of Intellectual brilliance.
As a true icon of intellectual excellence, Seyon stated that Dr. Conteh has broken new grounds, challenged conventional wisdom, and paved the way for future scholars, thinkers, and visionaries.
Seyon further noted that with unwavering commitment, profound leadership, and relentless leadership, Dr. Conteh has not only advanced intellectual discourse but inspired generations to think critically, innovate, and strive for excellence.
Before Dr. Conteh became Acting UL President, Seyon explained that the debate team faced tremendous challenges, including going to a debate competition in 2023 without funds.
But he credited Dr. Conteh’s leadership for embracing the debate team, remarking that the team received US$1,800.00 in funding support two weeks ahead of a debate competition.
For his part,the new captain of the UL Debate Society, student Jamal J. Ghoson, pledged to lead the team with commitment and dedication but also pleaded for the University Administration’s continued support.
The honoree, Prof. Dr. Al-Hassan Conteh, said the honor belongs to his former office staff and the entire University family, with whom he was glad to have worked.
He suggested that the honor reflected the strong bonds built during the course of his leadership as Acting President.
As a mark of further support to the debate team, Dr. Conteh announced a check for $100,000 LD to be shared among team members for transportation.
He thanked the team for the recognition and challenged its members to remain committed in their quest for academic excellence and intellectualism.
“But I want to really thank you for this. It really breaks my heart because I must say that the
sacrifice was a very big sacrifice to work to stabilize the university. You can ask my staff, my
time was 9 to 5, 5 to 9 working around the clock,” said Dr. Conteh.
It can be recalled that Dr. Al-Hassan Conteh was recently nominated by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai as Liberia’s Ambassador and Plenipotentiary to United States of America. He has already been confirmed by the Liberian Senate.
Edited: Jesefu Morris Keita| Editor-In-Chief
