News Public Trust, RAL & Executive Mansion Press Corps Come Forward With Condolence Messages
PHOTO: Fallen Journalism Shining Star, G. Naway Gumeh
By Frank Sainworla, Jr., fsainworla@yahoo.com
In the formative years of www.newspublictrust.com, one of the young, enterprising Liberian Journalists from a community radio background that surge forward to serve as Stringers or Contributing Reporters was Naway Gumeh, filing in some news-tasty stories from Bong County and other parts.
Naway, like his other enterprising colleagues who remain with this platform committed to public service and good Journalism from around Liberia and Monrovia, have helped to enrich the content of this financially-struggling independent online news organization.
Upon getting word of his death last Friday, this was what the head of this news outlet posted on his Facebook page: “IT’S JUST SO PAINFUL AND SHOCKING, NAWAY WHY MY DEAR YOUNG PROFESSIONAL BROTHER????”
One of Liberia’s most celebrated broadcast Journalist and former BBC Producer, Hassan Kiawu said on his Facebook page: “I’m still trying to process why would a brilliant young man just vanish in thin air. Look at this smile and tell me he’s no more. Unbelievable.. His death has shocked many.”
My former colleague, Frank B Sainworla described it as shocking. Jefferson Togbah Massah Jefferson Massah, a former Radio Gbarnga executive and now Deputy Chief of Party at Internews said: “Naway did not reach his full potential. I couldn’t agree more because he had the world ahead of him.”
Like the founder and Managing Editor of this news organization, Naway was a well-rounded multimedia Journalist fit to survive in this 21st century- a broadcaster Journalist who not only relied on the strength of his rich broadcast voice but blended it with all the skills of cultivating the nose for news, with the professional balance that is built into a good news script.
At the time of his death, Naway was Executive Mansion Reporter for the state broadcaster, ELBC, which confirmed his death in his native Bong County on Friday, April 21, 2023.
Indeed, our young and smart professional colleague, Naway will not only be missed by folks at the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS) but also by his professional peers here, as he has his footprints in the sand of time in the online news industry.
FLASHBACK AT SOME OF HIS REPORTING
Below are links to few of the number of stories our dear fallen colleagues hit this news website with before fully devoting his time to radio.
“Eminent imbalance representation beclouds Bong”-Renowned citizen alarms
July 12, 201902
(Last Updated On: July 12, 2019)
By G. Naway Gumeh, gumehnaway@gmail.com/ +231775032080
“Eminent imbalance representation beclouds Bong”-Renowned citizen alarms – News Public Trust
Imam Council demands apology from CDC Gov’t for “gross religious intolerance”
August 12, 201902
(Last Updated On: August 12, 2019)
By G. Naway Gumeh, gumehnaway@gmail.com/ +231775032080
Relations between the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) government and the Muslim Council of Liberia started off on a rather cozy note after President George Weah took office on January 22, 2019.
Imam Council demands apology from CDC Gov’t for “gross religious intolerance” – News Public Trust
Re-instated Bong Supt. Esther Walker brands Pres. Weah as “a shepherd”
July 2, 2019011
(Last Updated On: July 2, 2019)
By G. Naway Gumeh, gumehnaway@gmail.com/+231775032080
Shortly after she was re-instated over the weekend, Bong County Superintendent Esther Walker appears to be excited over her re-instatement by President George Weah on Sunday June 30 2019.
President Weah indefinitely suspended Madam Walker in February 2019, after she was heard in a leaked audio explaining the president’s anger over the bestowment of the main Kpelleh traditional honor on Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor in the county.
Re-instated Bong Supt. Esther Walker brands Pres. Weah as “a shepherd” – News Public Trust
“Dishonest leaders” blamed for Liberia’s poor state- FLY
July 9, 201908
(Last Updated On: July 9, 2019)
-Liberian youth umbrella group speaks out
By Naway Gumeh,gumehnaway@gmail.com +231775032080
The Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY), the umbrella youth and student organization in the country has attributed the poor state of the nation to “bunch of deceitful people in leadership”.
“Dishonest leaders” blamed for Liberia’s poor state- FLY – News Public Trust
Reporters Association Of Liberia Condolence Statement: “Today, We Mourn The Passing Of A Great Personality”
It is with complete shock and disbelief that the RAL has received the news of the sudden demise of the Executive Mansion Reporter of State, Radio, (ELBC) G. Naway Gumeh, which occurred on Friday, April 21, 2023, in Bong County.
Reporter Gumeh’s death was confirmed by ELBC late evening News.
The RAL learned of the illness of the late reporter a few months ago but was advised to keep it private.
On behalf of the reporters’ body across Liberia, allow us to offer the most profound condolences to the family, friends, and the entire journalism community across Liberia.
Indeed, the late Reporter Gumeh played a big role in deepening the rising media community into services he rendered through the journalism profession.
He was very instrumental and contributed immensely in reporting a series of trending information during President George Manneh Weah County Tour while serving as Executive Mansion Reporter of Prime FM.
Gumeh also served the Voice of Liberia as a reporter and news presenter.
Before coming to Monrovia, Gumeh served as a reporter in Bong County, serving several institutions, including Voice of Gbartala.
For the Media fraternity in Liberia, the RAL notes with grief that the departed reporter was very passionate about his role in the newsroom and was actively involved in the Association’s activities.
The late Gemeh was among several other reporters awarded by the LBS Management for their exceptional performance, where he won the “LBS Rising Star Award.”
Today we mourn the passing of a great personality in the Liberian reporter’s community who has left behind a powerful legacy of humility, simplicity, and dedication in the struggle for a better media community.
Henceforth, RAL President, Willie N. Tokpah, has requested all news reporters across Liberia to please change their profile to black as we go through this time of grieving.
MAY THE ALMIGHTY GOD REST HIS SOUL IN ETERNAL PEACE
This Statement Is Approved By RAL Leadership.
Signed_________
Augustine T. Saah
Secretary General, RAL.
Approved________
Mr. Willie Tokpah
President, RAL.
Executive Mansion Press Corps: “Gumeh Was One Of The Brightest Minds”
The Executive Mansion Press Corps (EMPC) is saddened by the passing of one of its members, G. Naway Gumeh of the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS).
This sad event on Friday, April 21, 2023, in Gbarnga, Bong County after a brief illness. Gumeh served as an LBS newscaster and reporter.
Dennise Nimpson, outgoing Chairperson of the Executive Mansion Press Corps described the passing of Gumeh as shocking and called on the family of Gumeh to take solely in the Lord.
Before his demise, Gumeh worked for top media institutions in Monrovia, including Prime F. M., Voice of Liberia, and the nation’s premier, Liberia Broadcasting System.
“Gumeh was one of the brightest minds. He was assigned at the Executive mansion first from Prime, later the Voice of Liberia, and remained assigned as ELBC reporter before his death,” Dennise said.
Nimpson said there were many great moments shared by Gumeh with him including President George M. Weah’s county Tour held in 2022.
Meanwhile, the President of the Executive Mansion Press Corps, in collaboration with the leadership elect has suspended the inauguration scheduled for April 28, 2023.
Chair Nimpson said information regarding the inauguration date will be communicated to members and the public following the funeral arrangements of the late Gumeh.
Other colleagues of the Executive Mansion Press Corps have also described the passing of our colleague as sad and extended condolences to his family.
Signed:………………………
Alvin Worzi
Secretary-General Elect of EMPC
Approved:………………….
Dennise Nimpson
Outgoing Chairperson of EMPC