MONROVIA – Prince Y. Johnson must have been a lucky guy. Not many of his contemporaries were and may be as lucky. A warlord, by the merit of the title, was able to successfully survive a highly rights-conscious global community’s methodical hunt for prosecution, surpassed the popularity and political exploits of countless non-combatant politicians, given iconic awe and escort in death, and finally ushered into a kingly mausoleum. The tumultuous parades, which started in the nation’s capital, crisscrossed the land, from the southern parts through the central region and then into the north, swarmed by the crèmes de la crème of Liberian politicians. The Analyst followed the events, and reports.
The provincial city of Gompa in Nimba County was besieged on Saturday, January 18, as a multitude of sympathizers, well-wishers that included members of the National Legislature, Government officials, family members and Nimbaians from all walks of life turned out to bid former Senator Prince Yormie Johnson farewell.
When the death was announced November 28, pundits foretold the clamor that was to come as Senator Johnson, though notorious in war time but popular in postwar politics as he was always needed by all ruling political establishments to win. They all were expected to show their last respect and gratitude, however seesaw their relations with him might have been at point or another, and realizing that his home-province of Nimba, which he singularly administered, would be needed at some point again.
Thus, every politician and every political grouping – the major ones being the former ruling Coalition for Democratic Change and the reigning ruling Unity Party – had to show face either at the family home, at the signing of the book of condolence, in the long queues of vans escorting his body from Monrovia to the northern parts in Nimba, and to make remarks at the funeral services or at his final colorful resting place made of a mausoleum, which definition is “a large, above-ground tomb that serves as a monument to a deceased person…”
All the adorations end in his home town of Gompa. Reports from Nimba County, our correspondent particularly observed that members of the House of Representatives who have for the past six months been embroiled in a leadership crisis were for the first time seat under one roof and exchanging pleasantries as if nothing untoward had transpired to rock the foundation of the National Legislature.
A somber affair that also showcased the diversity of Nimba’s rich cultural heritage; the citizens, trooping in various groups and arrayed in matching colors, flocked into Ganta City from the nine districts. It was understandably a show of solidarity to the man they have come to love as their wartime liberator, postwar promoter and kingmaker, politician, cleric, and humanitarian – all part of his legacy, including the gigantic PYJ Polytechnic University that stands today as a symbol of humanity for his people.
A sobering funeral discourse
Delivering a hard-hitting funeral discourse, Bishop Vincent Paye Bagnon, speaking on the theme: “The Day You Die”, started by heralding the transformative legacy of the fallen senator.
“We’ve gathered here to celebrate a man of God, a senator, a politician, a liberator and someone who got raised from Nimba. As we travelled throughout Nimba, every preacher that preached spoke about the appointed time, and everyone pointed us to that day. But when you visit the cemetery, you will notice something. We come across sunrise and sunset on the tombstones. In between, we have a gap which doesn’t speak about what we did with our lives while on earth. The way you spend your time determines how you will be paid after you die, either with Christ in eternity or in hell.”
The erudite preacher also spoke of the Biblical account about men who cannot die. One is Enoch, and Elijah.
Except for those two, it is appointed unto man to die, he said. “I want us to look at the event of that day, when we die. Many things will happen. If you pass away in a hospital, a senior medical practitioner will be called, and they will announce that the body of the person is lifeless. At that moment, when the announcement is made, you will have friends and sympathizers rushing to your house. Those who love you and those who don’t will troop to your house. At that moment you have the hospital and family setting bills, and the funeral home will be contacted. The remains will be taken to the funeral home for preparation. On that day, your family members will be devastated. But that will not end. The Bible says that death will not be the end.”
“This day applies to everybody,” he emphasized. “The next thing is you will leave a legacy that will endure or fade away. Our kinsman that is lying there left a legacy as a liberator. The second legacy about our kinsman was, he was a generational thinker. Anyone whose hands were raised in this county, that person will be. He raised the hands of our current vice president. He raised his hands as a representative, as a senator and now a vice president. This is a fallen hero. Anyone who wants to become a political godfather to leave a legacy, follow him. Take a look at what he did.”
The cleric said PJY worked to empower young people. He built the PYJ Polytechnic University.
“I have not come to say he is perfect,” he sent out a disclaimer. “I have not come to say he is righteous. But I’ve come to say he was a servant of God. He was also an advocate for Nimba.”
When human being leaves this earth, they leave their earthly possessions behind, he added.
“As we look around and see many of our leaders who built great houses, some of these houses have been abandoned. The day you die, everything you worked for will stay behind. Why don’t you help someone if you have the opportunity. There is no need for us to marginalize anybody, marginalize our constituency, marginalize our people, we will leave them behind. The day you die everything you accumulated you leave behind. So, there is no need to fight. There is no need for us to deny people, because no matter what we build on earth belongs to mother earth. Even including you.”
He said when a human dies, all opportunities cease, which is why it is good to live to be an opportunity to others once the Lord has blessed them; they should not forget about the poor. Because when one dies, opportunities cease.
“This is a funeral I have seen that the deceased created opportunities for former presidents and a sitting vice president. What belongs to a group, don’t eat it alone. Don’t take it and send your kids away, other children are doomed. This is a day to build bridges,” Bishop Bagnon said.
Tributes
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai
Offering tribute on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai praised Senator Johnson for his contributions to the nation’s political development and for supporting the establishment of a war crimes court.
“Senator Prince Y. Johnson was a strong leader whose influence went beyond Nimba County. He played a key role in shaping Liberia’s political landscape,” President Boakai said. “His endorsement of the court showed his commitment to addressing our painful past and moving toward peace and unity.”
The President also emphasized Senator Johnson’s quest for national reconciliation and his transformation into the religious leader, urging Liberians to remember Senator Johnson’s legacy, especially his pursuit of peace, justice, and accountability.
Former President George M. Weah
Former President George M. Weah for his part regaled Senator Johnson as a hero to many, and a father figure.
“To all, he was a towering presence of our nation’s journey through struggles, reconciliation and democracy. To the people of Nimba, he was a symbol of resilience, a voice for their aspirations, and a leader who demonstrated significant political influence. His ability to galvanize support to Liberia’s most populous counties made him a central figure.”
Speaking further, Weah noted: “As we mourn his passing, we must also reflect on the lessons his life offered us. Senator Johnson’s story is one of transformation, from a statesman who served his people in the senate to a religious leader to his devout congregation. To the people of Nimba County, I extend my deepest condolences. You have lost a leader, a father and a son who stood as a champion for your concerns and your aspirations. To the bereaved family, I offer my heartfelt sympathies. May you find strength in this time of sorrow. And to the people of Liberia, let us remember that our shared history with all its triumphs and trials, binds us together and we honor the memory of Senator Prince Johnson. Let us recommit ourselves to the ideas of peace, reconciliation and unity; that our nation so dearly needs.”
Associate Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay
Speaking on behalf of the judiciary, Associate Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay extended sympathy to President Boakai, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Senate, as well as the wife, immediate and related families of the late Senator Johnson.
“We want to also extend sympathy to the entire Nimba people who have lost a hero. As you can see, Senator Johnson is being buried more today as a hero than a senator. I guess many people will not understand why it is so. If you can recall, at the beginning of our war in 1990, the late President Samuel Doe delivered a particular speech. In that speech he told the Liberian people and the world over that anyone who considered himself neutral in Nimba should leave Nimba County now; if you don’t do so, you will regret because Nimba County will not exist. It was that one speech that made Senator Johnson a hero today.”
The Chief Justice further said: “Anybody in this world, when there is a threat to the existence of your kind, you are compelled to fight back. This is what made Senator Johnson a hero today. When the coup took place Senator Johnson was just a lieutenant, technically a bodyguard to Quiwonkpa. He was not a great man. But that speech, which I think was an error by our president, to have threatened the existence of the people of Nimba County, led to how Senator Johnson is being buried today as a hero.”
Nimba Legislative Caucus
Representing the Nimba Legislative Caucus, Senator Nya D. Twayen Jr, express the Legislature’s deepest condolences to the Johnson family, and the people of Nimba.
“To our constituents from all districts, from District One to District Nine, we want to assure the passing and the loss of our fallen arrowhead, even though very sad, but has motivated us and united us to remain focused on the development and unity of Nimba.
“As you depart, we, the former and current members of the Nimba Legislative Caucus, have a special message for you to deliver to other fallen heroes that you are about to join in our ancestral land; who also laid the foundation for Nimba unity and transformation. Please tell Johnny Voker and Gblozo Toweh, that the county they helped to form in the 1960s is doing well among the comity of counties in Liberia. Please tell Worto Mongrue that the multicultural Nimba he craved for in which he envisioned all tribes to live in harmony is well on course.
“Please also let Chief Tuazamah of Zorgeh that the religious tolerance he so desired and led himself has taken root across Nimba with the election of a diverse legislative caucus. Please tell Jackson Fiah Doe, our president who never became, that we are doing well, and with your help Mr. Chairman, that we are now occupying the second highest seat in the land.
“And on a personal note, for me who served closely with you at the Liberian Senate, please tell Elder Moses Swah that the blessing he bestowed upon his grandson Nya Twayen, Jr. came to pass, that today I can stand among men and woman who themselves were blessed by their forefathers to gloriously eulogize you today as our former chairman. Lastly, please tell Professor Joseph Saye Guannu, Liberia’s foremost historian, that if was alive to rewrite history, that book will not be titled “The First” or “Second Republic”, but that book will be titled, “Nimba, the Republic Within a Republic”.
“As we gloriously eulogize you today, we want to thank you for your service to county and country. And we therefore again want to send a clarion call to all irrespective of your political background; that if you think the passing of our arrowhead is the beginning of the disunity of Nimba, you are lying to yourself. When a giant falls, when a father falls, the children, the uncles, the aunties will unite to fight for themselves. Because you taught us how to stand up for Nimba County, we will now be stronger and united because we know we don’t have a giant anymore, so we must depend on each and everyone here and across the country.
The Liberian Senate
Speaking on behalf of the Liberian Senate, Senate Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence praised Senator Prince Johnson for not being the longest-serving senator who had served three times, and was considered the doyen of the Liberian Senate; but was a patriot, a leader and a kingmaker who served as the Senate Chairman on Security and Defense; represented the Senate at ECOWAS; and was Chairman on Internal Affairs.
“He was a powerful man who always appeared calm, humble and with a deep smile. He did not hesitate to criticize or tell the truth, but that was always done in good faith. He would express everything he had on his mind even if he had to wake you up with a phone call late at night to get it off his chest.
“He was not a man who held a grudge. He was always forgiving. He did not have any personal problems with any of his colleagues. Regardless of our political affiliations and views on issues that he did not like. It was always a fun day in the Senate, every time he had to use his pulpit to deal with us. And he would always do that with a notice, and would say, “Distinguished, listen to my sermon on Sunday.”
“He died in good standing with all his colleagues, very good working relationships. The Liberian Senate for the many years we have been there were no rival, no dissatisfactions, arguments, no confrontations. Such situations are always for a moment because of the maturity of colleagues like Senator Prince Johnson. On the morning of his death, all senators were taken over by a moment of silence that lasted for four days. It was a shock. And as a leader of the senate I did not get the courage to make that death announcement until the silence was broken in a few days. We had a session day in his office where all senators had the opportunity to pay a personal tribute. Today, we are here to pay our third and last tribute and to give our final respect to our elder and the most experienced colleague we will forever remember,” Senate Pro Tempore Lawrence lamented.
Nimba Superintendent Gono
Eulogizing the fallen senator, Nimba County Superintendent Miapeh Gono said Nimba County has lost a big tree, the arrowhead of the county, the godfather, sitting senior senator.
“It was a very difficult moment for us. But it will be remiss of me if I do not say thank you particularly to His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and the Liberian government for the level of support shown to the people of Nimba during this time. This process has been going on for several days, our grief has been since November 28. People will not understand how the people of Nimba truly love Senator Johnson, but I want you to know that we did not love him without a cause. And to understand that you have to put Senator Johnson and the people of Nimba in the historical perspective of our history.
“This is a tough time for us, but your presence to honor him means a lot to us. To the bereaved family, as we welcome our people, Mama again, we say sorry. Senator Johnson might be physically buried today but in the hearts of Nimbaians he is there forever. And he will be with us forever. May his legacy live on, the legacy for an educated Nimba for which he invested in the Polytechnic University of Nimba and multiple educational facilities; his desire for more spiritually driven Nimba for which he invested in churches and the Christian foundation of our county,” Superintendent Gono said. The remains of the late senator were interred in his vault in Gompa City late Saturday afternoon.
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