‘Be Groomed for the Throne’ -Shoniyin Raps Liberian Youth, Unveils The ‘King’s Code’

MONROVIA – With the current generation of Liberia’s young people threatened by entrenched social and economic nemeses, rendering them vulnerable to illicit activities — drug and substance abuse, violence and disobedience—the need to pester them with wise counsels is an understatement. Perhaps this is why Liberian academic and diplomat Elias Shoniyin, serving as the keynote speaker at the 6th Youth Global Leadership Summit over the weekend, framed his oration on “The King’s Code: Building Character, integrity and influence towards being ‘groomed for the throne’. The Analyst reports.  

The young people of Liberia and stakeholders in youth development sector last Friday held the 6th Annual Youth Global Leadership Summit in YMCA Auditorium in Monrovia, at which time the Managing Director of the Africa Development Management Associates (ADMA) kept the audience spellbound as the Liberian educator lectured on how to “be groomed for the throne”.

He premised his perspective on the fact that “we are living in a time when public trust in leadership has drastically declined”. He admonished the youth that they have the power to change that narrative.

He reminded the young people they are the architects of the future of Liberia and Africa, and can decide the upright leadership that Liberia desperately needs.

To do this, the Liberian academic said, the young people first have to be “Groomed for the Throne,” which also requires that they “understand the King’s Code—the moral and ethical foundation for leadership and influence.”

Then he gave them three pillars of the code.

Number one, he said, is ‘character’ – who you are when no one is watching. He said a crown does not make a king, but character does.

“It was once said that ‘Your gifts can take you to the top, but only your character will keep you there.’ Integrity is not about perfection—it’s about consistency, honesty, and the courage to do what is right even under pressure,” the Liberian politician also asserted.

He asked: “Can people trust your word? Do you speak the truth when it’s inconvenient? Do you return the extra change when the market woman miscalculates? Do you return to the owner when you borrow from someone?”

He wants the youth remember that reputation is what people think you they are and character is who they really are.

The second code necessary to ‘be groomed for the throne’, Elias Shoniyin told the youth, is integrity which he defined to be the courage to stand alone even if no one else does.

“In Liberia, we often say, ‘That person is not easy to bend oh.’ That’s integrity,” he said. “Integrity means saying ‘no’ to shortcuts and doing the wrong thing even when it promises quick success.”

He said in a country where cutting corners is often excused with “Everyone is doing it,’ you must be the exception,” he lectured the young people at the program. “You may not get rich overnight, but you will sleep in peace and rise with dignity, pride, and respect.”

“If you’re ever unsure whether something is right, ask yourself: Would I still do this if it were printed on the front page of FrontPage Africa newspaper tomorrow morning?” the Liberia academic noted.

According to Mr. Shoniyin, the third code is influence, indicating that “Your crown is measured by the life you impact”.

It’s not about how large the house you build, or how expensive your car, he said, “It’s about the lives you touch in your everyday life.” He told the youth that leadership is not about titles; it’s about transformation.

“You don’t need a big office to influence people—you just need a big heart and a bold vision,” he further said, quoting Martin Luther King Jr. who ever held elected office, yet he moved nations or like Wangari Maathai who started with a single tree and sparked an entire movement across Africa, or like Nelson Mandela who spent 27 years in prison, yet came out and changed South Africa.

“Your influence will come when people trust your integrity and respect your character,” the Liberian educator said, revealing how to develop this “King’s Code in real life.”

Here are a few steps he outlined for the youth as to be groomed for the throne: Start small: Volunteer in your community. Lead a reading circle. Mentor a classmate; be financially accountable: Learn budgeting early. If you can’t manage 500LD, you won’t manage 5 million; guarding your digital identity: Social media never forgets. What you post today may be replayed 10 years from now in your Senate confirmation hearing, reading widely: A good leader is always a good learner. Read not just to pass exams, but to shape your mind and worldview, and surround yourself with truth-tellers: Keep friends who challenge your thinking and won’t let you become your own yes-man.”

He continued: “You see, in Liberia, we generally love giving ourselves big titles.  Everybody has out of a sudden become an ‘honorable.’ I see signboards of people running for legislative positions carrying the title ‘honorable,’, and I am like, ‘this person hasn’t even yet won the election,’ what makes them honorable?

“You would meet a man and he says, ‘I’m the Executive Chairman of Strategic Conceptual Operations for East, Central, and Peripheral Monrovia.’ But will find out that he either does not even have an office, or his office is in an old, dilapidated building on Broad Street or Sinkor.”

He drew the attention of the young people about the fact that it is only publicly elected and appointed persons can carry the title honorable, but said he also personally get uncomfortable when people call him ‘honorable’.

“When I served in government, I made it clear to my staff and colleagues that no one called me ‘Honorable,’ positing further that leadership is not about titles or how long one title is. It’s about how deep your impact is on society. You don’t need a title to make a difference. All you need is a heart that genuinely cares and the burning desire to make real change happen.”

He added: “My friends, every king was once a child. Every great leader was once an ordinary young person—just like you—sitting in an auditorium, listening to a speech, daring to believe that their life could mean something.”

He narrated his personal story where, “like some of you sitting in here today,” he couldn’t even afford transportation to get to school, waking up every morning with no guarantee he would get a meal that day; not always sure where he would find a place to spend the night.”

“But guess what?” he quipped. “I always knew I was on a path leading to a destination. You may not come from a wealthy family. You may not have the connections to make life easy. But if you live by The King’s Code—if you commit to character, integrity, and influence—the world will make room for your voice, your vision, and your values.”

This is so, he said, because the throne doesn’t wait for the perfect—it waits for the prepared.

Elias Shoniyin told the students: “So, rise up each day with intentions. Walk with purpose. Lead with conviction. And build the Liberia—that future generations will thank you for. And may you never forget: the crown is not the goal—it’s the responsibility.”