Tabital Pulaaku International-Liberia (TPIL), one of the largest institutional groupings within the Fula community in Liberia, on Sunday, January 9, 2022 honored several personalities of the Fula tribe for their towering role in promoting the Fulbe (Fula) community in Liberia.
Held at the Cape Hotel, Mamba Point, the program was graced by the National Fula Governor, Alhaji Bailo Sow, and leaders of various organizations of the Fula tribe, including Mohammed Maja Barrie, President, Fula Business Association; Alhussien Diallo, President, Association of Fulanis in the Americas; Rouguiatou D. Bah, President, Fula Young Women Association of Liberia; Alhaji A. Diallo, President, Fulani United of Liberia; and Arabieu Bah, President, Federation of Fula Students of Liberia.
The program was occasioned to honor Fulanis who performed exceptionally in 2021 in championing the cause of the tribe and serving humanity in general. The Vice Chair for Logistics of TPIL, Abrahim Barry, who elaborated on the purpose of the ceremony, noted that they deemed it necessary to recognize the effort of those who made headways in 2021 and honor them, in order that they may feel motivated to do more.
Abdurahman Barry, President-elect, African Methodist Episcopal University (AMEU), was celebrated for his landmark achievement in student politics—being the first Fula student to ascend to such a position in the history of Liberia. He was certificated and gowned by the National Fula Governor of Liberia, Alhaji Bailo Sow, and the President of Tabital Pulaaku International-Liberia, Youssouf Barry.
Barry was gowned with the traditional Fula cloth, Ngara, and hat, symbolizing the heartfelt appreciation the Fula community has for his milestone achievement.
Eight other persons were duly honored and certificated: Usmane T. Jalloh, Islamic Advisor to President George M. Weah; Abubakar Bah, Assistant Minister for Urban Affairs, Ministry of Internal Affairs; Mohammed K. Jalloh, Deputy Registrar General for Program and Youth Development, Cooperative Development Agency (CDA); Mohammed Salue Sy, Deputy Human Resource Manager, Monrovia City Corporation (MCC); Cllr. Alvin Teage Jalloh, National Elections Commission (NEC); Chernor Jalloh, Vice Chairman for Auxiliaries, People’s Liberation Party (PLP); Ambassador Yayehsorie Jalloh, Executive Director, Yayeh Initiative; and Salieu Maci Bah, Deputy Public Relations Officer, Fula Business Association of Liberia (FBAL).
In separate remarks, the honorees thanked the leadership of TPIL for the recognition and honor, and emphasized how precious they hold the award.
Tabital Pulaaku International-Liberia is headed by Youssouf Barry, and is a sub-branch of Tabital Pulaaku International, a pan-African organization founded in 2002 to unite the various associations of Fulbe around one goal: the preservation of the culture and language of Fulfulde.
President Barry used the occasion to call on all members of the Fula community to embrace unity to increase the impact they are making in society. He quickly pointed out that Fulanis are making significant contributions toward the socio-economic growth of the country, but emphasized that more needs to be done.