PHOTO: Liberian Journalism icon, KY Best, others break down in tears at PNW’s funeral as they pay tribute
By Frank Sainworla, Jr., fsainworla@yahoo.com
Liberian Journalists over the weekend laid to rest another of their towering practitioners, Philip N. Wesseh, Managing Editor of the Inquirer newspaper, reminding many of the late but great English Philosopher Shakespeare’s famous statement, “life is a stage”.
Little did the founder and publisher of Liberia’s first independent newspaper, Daily Observer, Kenneth Yarkpawolo Best know that on Friday, October 28, 2022 he would be standing over the casket bearing the mortal remains of one of the first young Journalists he had groomed in the early 1980s, Philip N. Wesseh (PNW).
But fate decided it should be that way, as the now Octogenarian K.Y. Best could not hold back his tears as he eulogized the fallen Inquirer Managing Director, PNW during his funeral service held at the jam-packed Trinity United Methodist Church in the Borough of New Kru Town in Monrovia’s Bushrod Island suburb.
No doubt, Liberia has lost one of its most outstanding Journalists, Philip N, Wesseh, Managing Editor of the Inquirer newspaper, which first began publication at the height of the country’s civil war in the early 1990s.
Flanked by the President of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), Charles Coffey, the head of the Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FeJal) and scores of other Liberian Journalists and media workers, Mr. Best spoke of the big vacuum the death of Philp has left on Liberia’s media landscape as he openly wept holding on to the casket of one of his now most renowned Journalism mentees.
The rest of PNW’s colleagues could also not hold back their tears as PUL President Coffey wrapped up the series of emotional farewell tributes from various auxiliaries of the Journalism Union in Liberia, which had over the years given various top awards to the man lying in that casket—Journalist of the Year (twice), Member of Liberian Journalism Hall of Fame, etc.
The Holy Bible acknowledges that tears are a language that God himself understands. According to Revelation 23:3: “And He (God) will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
The late Inquirer Managing Editor, who was also qualified as a Lawyer at the latter stage of his life, died on Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center earlier this week, after battling a long period of illness. Several Months ago, he returned home from Ghana where he had been taken for advanced medical treatment. Just days before his death, another of his former Daily Observer colleague, James S. Seitua died in the United States, adding to a long list of Liberian Journalists (both at home and abroad) who have passed away in recent times.
Before becoming one of the founders of the Inquirer newspaper, the fallen Attorney-At-Lawyer Wesseh started his national Journalistic practice with the oldest independent newspaper in Liberia, the Daily Observer in the 1980s.
Memorable pictures during PNW’s earthly journey
Months ago, he was recently inducted into the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) Hall of Fame at a colorful ceremony held at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex, an occasion he however could not attend due to his illness. But the PUL, led by its President Charles Coffey visited his home and awarded him the certificate.
The prestigious award was given in recognition of his immense contribution to the Liberian media sector.
Immediately after the passing of this towering figure in modern Liberian Journalism, there have been an outpouring of tributes both on local radio stations and Social Media platforms such as Facebook from both Journalists and the general public.
Trinity UMC could not hold the crowd
The church was packed to capacity with scores, who were unable the enter the edifice, standing and seated outside. An array of dignitaries and sympathizers from all faiths attended the service described as “home-going celebrations” of the former Inquirer Managing Editor who was also popularly called “Gina”.
Former Liberian Vice President Joseph N. Boakai, Information Minister Ledgerhood Rennie, prominent opposition leader Dr. Togba Nah Tipoteh, the President of the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA), Cllr. Sylvester Rennie, the Dean of the Dr. Amos C. Sawyer College of Social Science and Humanities, Dr. Josephus Gray who represented University of Liberia (UL) President, Dr. J. Sarwolo Nelson (currently in the USA) were just few of the dignitaries present. They included former and past government officials.
Former VP Boakai gave a brief tribute hailing PNW as one of the best Liberian Journalism has lost. While Eulogizing PNW for his outstanding contribution to the development of the media and for being a patriotic Liberian, Minister Rennie conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family on behalf of President George Manneh Weah and the Liberian government.
Dr. Gray announced that the UL administration has decided to launch a new award, Philip N. Wesseh Journalism Award in his honour at the Department of Communications and Media Studies, where the fallen Inquirer Managing Editor taught for a period when he was alive. The Bar President Cllr. Rennie said PNW was one of the most active members of the LNBA who opened up his newspaper to promote the activities and programs of the Bar as well as being of great service its journal, while Dr. Tipoteh eulogized him with a powerful Gospel selection.
Being an avid lover of music, the Church devoted a whole session of the funeral service to sermon through a carefully selected Gospel hymns including PNW’s most favorite ranging from Amazing Grace, God Moves in a Mysterious Way, Master the Tempest is Raging, Abide With Me to It is Well With My Soul.
Following the church service, which lasted for several hours, the Journalist Wesseh’s casket covered with nicely made purple family blanket was then loaded on to the St. Moses Funeral Parlours hearse. And off the pretty long funeral convoy carrying the remains of the late PNW drove to his final resting place at the newly built St. Moses cemetery after the Po River on the Monrovia-Bomi highway.
This cemetery now puts a final full stop to his earthly journey, as many have fond memories of how PNW always used to close his feature/analytical piece in his Inquirer newspaper, “I rest my case”.
This writer joins all members of the noble inky profession in saying, “may the soul of PNW and those of other faithful departed rest in perfect peace and the light perpetual shine upon them”.