MONROVIA, LIBERIA-Liberians are today celebrating the 217th Memorial Birth Anniversary of the country’s first President, Joseph Jenkins Roberts.
The celebration is in line with a Presidential Proclamation issued by President Joseph Boakai, declaring today, Monday, March 16, as a national holiday.
According to a Foreign Ministry release, the Presidential Proclamation orders all government offices, public buildings, and business houses closed during the observance.
The Proclamation aligns with an Act by the 42nd National Legislature, declaring March 15 each year as the birth anniversary of Joseph Jenkins Roberts, the first President of Liberia, a national holiday.
The day is celebrated as a mark of respect and reverence to his memory and untiring efforts in organizing the government, as well as negotiating and concluding treaties with foreign powers, which gave recognition to the founding of the Liberian nation.
The Liberian Leader, in his Proclamation, stressed that it is befitting that such honor accorded to the memory of the distinguished Statesman serves as a challenge to all Liberians to aspire to higher and noble endeavors.
President Boakai wants citizens to emulate the courage, endurance, selflessness, and commitment of President Joseph Jenkins Roberts to the principles and ideals of democracy as portrayed in his works and life as the first President.