It is no telling, the end of an era is thus the beginning of another. It could be the beginning of another era for the same particular person or for a different person or thing.
President George Forkyklon Jlaleh Gbekugbeh Tarpeh Manneh Weah is closing another very important chapter in his life’s journey on earth. This is probably the end of the most important journey of President Weah’s life.
On September 18, 2018, or few weeks to President Weah’s 52nd birthday, the Liberia President, who is a former World Footballer of the Year, made a surprise return to international competition in a friendly against Nigeria after had ended an era a little over a decade earlier in Paris, France.
Liberia had arranged the friendly with Nigeria, to retire the number 14 jersey made famous by “King George” but Liberian fans were in for a shock when, 16 years after his last international appearance, Weah, the skipper, Weah, the striker, led the Liberian national team, the Lone Star, onto the pitch wearing the captain band.
Weah was the President as he is until 12 mid-day today, when he led the Lone Star’s attacks. He did show some glimpses of the class that made him a worldwide name. Even though he still plays recreational football today, but he has now ended that era of his life. In this career, he rose to its highest pinnacle for which today, he stands as the only African, who has been crowned the FIFA Player of Year.
When Weah closed that chapter of his life, he began another. He entered politics as a greenhorn. Like football or sports, he walked his way patiently and again conquered politics. He came; he saw; and he conquered! After few years of trying to ascend to the West African nation’s Presidency, beginning in 2005, he did succeed in 2017. He took the oath of office as Liberia’s 24th President for a six-year term, which ends at 12 noon Monday, January 22, 2024. Today, this era ends for Weah. But is it the finished line for him? It is no joke; he is one of those very blessed human beings. Imagine, in one life time, he reached the pinnacles of two very important careers. Is there any to surmount? Only time will tell as Weah still has age in his favour.
While, Weah may be ending an era, another is, however, beginning for another person — President-elect Joseph Nyuma Boakai. By 12 noon today, the octogenarian will become Liberia’s 25th President. He will begin a six-year term reign over a very blessed nation having so many natural resources but yet having some of the very poorest of the poor people on earth.
Liberians hope that this new era is going to be one that all their hopes and aspirations will be achieved.
