Mr. President of the University of Liberia Students Union and students of the University
Officials of Government
Members of the diplomatic and counselor corps
Local and International Non-governmental organizations
Prelates
Other distinguished ladies and gentlemen
Before, proceeding any further, may I beseech you to stand with me for one moment of silence to the memory of those alumni who, over the last hundred years have transitioned from life to death, especially those who were made to forcibly transition during the Liberian civil conflict such as alumni Victor Ward, Albert Senwah, Tonia Richardson and others who were butchered by members of Independent National Patriotic Front on the Fendall Campus of the University of Liberia and Wuo Gabi Tappia, Mbolay Dorbor, amongst others who were brutally murdered by members of the Armed Forces of Liberia and President of the University of Liberia, who either died or killed during the armed conflict especially Dr. Stephen Yekehson who was killed by members of the National Patriotic Front of Liberia. Thank you and you may be seated.