A prominent son of Tappita’s electoral district #6, Nimba County, James Holder Nuah, is urging young people in Liberia, especially those of district #6, Nimba County, to respect the rule of law and stop taking the law into their hands in any given circumstance. Nuah made the appeal recently during an exclusive interview with the Hot Pepper upon his return from the United States of America.
Nuah told the paper that “self-violence in our society, especially this modern era where the rule of law is the order of the day”, is unacceptable. According to him, disrespect for the rule of law brings about mob violence, and mob violence leads to death and damage of properties; therefore, it should be discouraged in the society. He said young people play an important role in the society and, as such, their involvement in issues should be peaceful and in a nonviolent approach.
Due to disrespect for the rule of law, Nuah said the people of district #6 have lost sons and daughters and thousands of dollars worth of properties damaged because of mob violence. He underscored that if the people of district #6 have respected the rule of law by taking complaints to the proper authorities, the district would not have lost lives and properties. If there is a land dispute, as the case of one of the instances that resulted into mob violence in the district, Nuah Indicated that the rule of law should still be honored even if one’s plight is not addressed immediately.
According to the former student leader, parents should start the process of teaching their children about non-violence, and such instruction can easily begin with father and mother avoiding domestic violence in the home, mainly house fight between husband and wife before the children. Nuah explained that domestic violence is the root cause of mob-violence and should therefore be discouraged, mainly fighting each other before one’s children.
Nuah admonished the people of Tappita District to use their religious leaders or local authorities whenever there is a problem among citizens or the clan. He maintained that churches are institutions that respect the rule of law, and so taking the complaint to them will be the best thing to do instead of taking the law into one’s own hands. With his experience in another part of world, Nuah emphasized that the rule of law is the best way in such a modern era.
Speaking on the rape issue, the former Nimba University Students Union President pointed out that rape is a wicked and non-human behavior act that should be condemned by every human kind. He said he believes that those involved in raping of kids children are killers and should face the full weight of the law when arrested. He condemned all those who see this wicked act as a habit, and termed them enemy of society. He called on the government to take serious steps in addressing rape across the country before it goes offhand. “Rape in itself is a crime under our law, and let no mature man be the one to rape our kids. Over all, I condemn rape,” he asserted.
At same time, the former student general intoned that it is about time for them as young people to give back to the district. According to him, some older folks helped them along the way during school days, and so it is prudent for them to do the same by helping the youth of the district.
He disclosed a plan to have a series of educative discussions on mob violence and rape in the district during his visit. He pointed out the educational radio program and his contribution to youth education as some of his contributions to the district. He cautioned young people to avoid drug-taking and focus on empowering themselves for the future.