Tributes from Gov’t, the Famil, Church, LTA, PUL, LBS, ALJA and others
The Trinity United Methodist Church in Monrovia’s New Kru Town suburb in Bushrod Island was packed with hundreds of mourners, as they paid their last respect to one of Liberia’s top broadcast Journalists, Ebenezer Blamo Robinson.on Saturday, March 2, 2019.
He died at the St. Joseph Catholic Hospital in Monrovia on February 11, 2019 after a brief illness.
Affectionately called, “EBR’ and “Infomix Papay”, Mr. Robinson who died on February 11, 2019, was interred at Brewerville not too far from the Trinity church, after a long line of tributes paid to his memory.
The fallen Liberian Journalist distinguished himself in this field for several decades as he established himself as a renowned Liberian radio producers and presenters as well as a seasoned media trainer.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication from the University of Liberia and subsequently a Masters degree from the Cuttington University Graduate School in the Liberian capital, Monrovia.
After leaving the Liberia Broadcasting System, Journalist Robinson worked with several international NGOs involved in media development, including International Alert and Mercy Corps.
There he was one of the brains behind the setting up of some 25 rural community radio stations across Liberia and the training of broadcast Journalists to man those outlets.
Nairobi, March 1, 2019–Authorities in Tanzania should lift a seven-day publication ban on the privately owned newspaper The Citizen and allow journalists to report on matters of public interest freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
The Information Services Department, which oversees newspaper licenses, temporarily suspended the publication license of The Citizen on February 27,on accusations that it published reports that were false, misleading, and seditious, according to media reports.
The suspension order relates to an article on the state of Tanzanian democracy, published in July, and an article on the country’s currency, published last month, according to a report by The Citizen’s sister publication, Mwananchi.
The order extends to the newspaper’s online publications. As of today, CPJ was unable access The Citizen’s website and its Twitter account had been deactivated. Reuters reported that The Citizen did “not appear on newsstands on [February 28].”
“Tanzania is sending a troubling message that public debate on critical matters is a punishable offense. Unfortunately, media shutdowns have become all-too familiar as President John Magufuli’s government relentlessly tries to silence the free press,” said
CPJ’s Sub-Saharan Africa representative Muthoki Mumo. “Authorities should immediately lift the suspension on The Citizen and allow journalists to operate freely and independently.”
The suspension order said that a February 23 article that reported the Tanzanian shilling had depreciated against the U.S. dollar was false and misleading because only the Bank of Tanzania can release information on currency rates, according to media reports.
The article cited data from bureaus in the major city of Dar es Salaam and local commercial banks, according to an archived version of it reviewed by CPJ.
Before his demise, he worked as a Senior Communication Officer at the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA).
He leaves to mourn his loss his wife Mrs. Wade Robinson, several children and his only surviving brother.
Since his death, tons of tributes have been paid to this fallen media giant both locally and internationally.
At last Saturday’s funeral, tributes were paid by the Liberian government, LTA, the church, his family, LBS, other organizations, the Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas (ALJA), among others.
BELOW IS THE TRIBUTE PAID BY ALJA:
Journalist Ebenezer Blamo Robinson’s Funeral
Trinity United Methodist Church
New Kru, Liberia, West Africa
Saturday, March 2, 2019
Joint Tribute
Delivered by:
Mr. Charles Crawford
Former National Secretary General
Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas (ALJA)
On-behalf of:
ALJA, the friends of the late journalist, Ebenezer Blamo Robinson (EBR) and former employees of the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS) residing in the US
Mrs. Wade Robinson, widow of the late journalist, Ebenezer Blamo Robinson (EBR)
The bereaved family
Officials of the Liberian Government present
The Liberia Telecommunication Authority (LTA) Family
Members and Officers of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL)
The Officiating clergy
The church
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen:
My name is Charles Crawford. I am the former Secretary General of the Association of Liberian Journalists in Americas (ALJA). At this funeral, I represent the officers and members of ALJA, friends of the late journalist, Ebenezer Blamo Robinson and former employees of the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS) residing in the United States.
The acronym ALJA represents current and retired Liberian journalists residing in the Americas. The Association was founded in 1998 in Washington, D.C., USA. ALJA seeks to foster camaraderie amongst its members. Also, the organization is committed to the advancement of press freedom and the principles of good governance in Liberia.
I joined all of you here today, March 2, 2019, to on behalf of ALJA, friends of EBR and former employees of LBS residing in the US, pay homage and bid final farewell to our fallen friend, former co-worker and professional colleague, broadcast journalist, Ebenezer Blamo Robinson, who departed this world on Monday, February 11, 2019. Reportedly EBR expired at 9:00P.M. Liberian time at the Catholic Hospital based in Sinkor, a suburb of Monrovia following a brief period of illness.
Today is indeed a dreadful and difficult moment for the Robinson family, friends of EBR and members of the Liberian Fourth Estate at home and abroad. We like everyone here, feel shattered for the loss suffered, because Blamo alias, EBR or Info-Mix Papay had a strong bond with us, especially the ALJA family. He was an extended member of ALJA. Although the Association’s full membership status does not extend to
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individuals residing outside of the Americas, EBR was an exempt. He was an insider of the ALJA family. He was the Association’s local coordinator in Liberia.
As Coordinator, the late Robinson, literally sold ALJA to Liberians at home; he took ALJA to the doorsteps of local Liberian journalists. He advertised the Association and coordinated its activities in Liberia. Also, he helped with the selection of local Liberian journalists for participation in ALJA’s annual conventions. He was the face of ALJA in Liberia. Simply put, EBR was our contact person in this country. Beginning October 2016 through October 2018, the late Robinson, at his own expense attended and participated in ALJA’s conventions yearly.
We, the friends of EBR and former employees of residing in the US, and the ALJA family have lost a pillar in Liberia. But all is not lost. We take solace in the quality time we spent together during his earthily journey. Blamo was indeed a friend, brother, husband, dad and a professional journalist. Ingrained in him was journalism.
He was one of Liberia’s polished and towering broadcasters. He was a critical voice for a stable and secured Liberia. He was robust, analytical, and diligent in the performance of his duties. He touched the lives of several Liberians and non-Liberians in various spheres during his professional sojourn. On February 11, 2019, when the news broke in the US that our compatriot and brother, Ebenezer Blamo Robinson, had departed this universe to join the list of other deceased Liberian media practitioners, who had gone earlier to the great beyond, we were crushed. We were hurt and angry because his death pierced our hearts. We felt let down after a week of painstaking efforts by Mrs. Wade Robinson, medical doctors at the Catholic Hospital, the Robinson family, and his friends to revive him after he took sick on February 4, 2019.
We still remember the several exhaustive trips Mrs. Robinson, the Robinson family and friends of EBR made to the Catholic Hospital to visit and care for him when help was most needed for his wellbeing. Wade kindly permit me to in this public manner, say hats-off to you and your family for a job well done. You fought a good fight, but the Lord knows why Blamo left us so soon. We regret his death and the level of tragedies that have afflicted the Liberian press corps in recent years. We, like the Robinson family and the families of other deceased journalists, are distraught, but we take consolation in the immeasurable contributions Blamo and the others, who predeceased him made for the betterment of our native land, Liberia.
We are proud of the outstanding services they rendered our people and country during their short but memorable stay with us here. They were the voice of the voiceless in our country. They played meaningful roles in shaping the Liberian political landscape. Even though, Blamo died at age 60, by Liberian standard, he was an accomplished journalist. He reached the apex of his journalism career. He rose through the ranks and files of the profession. He at different times served LBS as Assistant Director General for Radio, and News and Public Affairs. Also, he worked at the Monrovia based Peter Quaqua School of Journalism as instructor of communication, Senior Communication Officer at the Liberia Telecommunication Authority (LTA), among others.
Comrade Robinson, we are saddened by your demise, but we take pride in the memorial time spent together while here with us. Your days on earth were not in vain; you succeeded! The outstanding roles you played in Liberian journalism will forever be remembered. Let your soul and those of the faithfully departed rest in perpetual peace. To Mrs. Robinson and the entire bereaved family, we, the friends of EBR, former employees of LBS residing in the US, and the ALJA family sympathize with your again for
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the loss suffered.
We urge you to take courage for the Lord is in control. We empathize with your agonies, but all is not lost. Before taking my seat, I would like to on behalf of the friends of EBR and former employees of LBS residing in the US, and the ALJA family, present to you and the bereaved family this envelope donated by us as a complement for the up keep of you and the children during this difficult period. The envelope contains US $ 1,603. This presentation is an addition to the US $1,250.00 which we gave your family on Tuesday, February 27, 2019. In total, our donation to the Robinson family for EBR’s homegoing is US $2,853.00. May the Almighty God grant you and the entire bereaved family the strength and courage as you mourn the home going of our beloved friend and brother EBR.
Thank you.