– Nimbaians React to the Reported Sale of PYJ Polytechnic University
By: Shallon S. Gonlor
NIMBA COUNTY, Liberia – The reported sale of Prince Y. Johnson Polytechnic University has sparked widespread opposition in Nimba County, with many citizens voicing their concerns about the potential impact on the community and the legacy of the late senator. Established in 2014 by Senator Johnson, immediate functioning 2021, the university becomes a symbol of Senator Johnson’s legacy in Nimba County.
The controversy surrounding the sale of PYJPU to BASILEIA Industrial University, a US-affiliated institution, has raised concerns about preserving Senator Johnson’s legacy. Critics, predominantly kinsmen of the late Senator PYJ argued that the sale is motivated by personal interests rather than the best interests of the university and its students.
The proposal has exposed deep divisions within the Johnson family, with Senator Johnson’s widow, Mrs. Ameria Boyidee Aridi Johnson, and several of his children holding opposing views on the matter.
The university has faced significant challenges in recent times, including a decline in enrollment numbers. However, supporters of Senator Johnson believe that selling the university is not the solution to its problems.
Citizens and supporters of Senator Johnson are urging the relevant heads, and authorities of the county to reconsider the proposal and prioritize the interests of the university and its students. They argued that the sale would undermine the late senator’s legacy and have far-reaching consequences for the community.
Voices from Nimba
Prince Toby, a businessman in Nimba County, has expressed strong opposition to the proposed sale of Prince Y. Johnson Polytechnic University (PYJPU).
“Well, it sounds very naive that our senator will struggle to erect this huge educational facility for us, our children to enhance the learning process in Liberia. After he died, some family members collaborating with Senator Korga who wants to completely erase the legacy of the late Senator Prince Y. Johnston to sell this particular university.”
According to Mr. Toby, the late Senator Prince Y. Johnson invested his entire salary into building the university to provide quality education for the people of Nimba County. Mr. Toby emphasized that selling the university would be a betrayal of the late senator’s legacy. “The late Senator Johnson did not build the place to sell it to somebody. He built the university for the people of Nimba,” he stated.
Mr. Toby suggested that if the Johnson family cannot manage the university, it should be turned over to the government or operated as a vocational institution like BWI in Kakata. Businessman Toby stressed that while the Johnson family failed to run the school as a university it should be operated as a vocational institution so that it will enable others to enroll and acquire technical skills and knowledge then sell it to private individual.
“If you sell the university, that particular building, anybody can use it for a supermarket. The person can do business on their own will. You don’t get control over the building now when you sell it,” he warned.
Mr. Toby cited the example of the E&J Medical Hospital in Gompa, Nimba County, which was turned over to the government and is now running successfully. I’m calling on the Johnson’s family to unite and do the same to preserve the late senator’s legacy,” he urged.
“Now Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung’s E&J Hospital in Gompa, Nimba County which was limited in funding to run, was turned over to the government; today, the hospital is running successfully, people are benefiting from it across the county.” Mr. Toby stressed that the university should be preserved for the benefit of the community. “The late senator worked with the government for a longer period, used all his salaries to invest in a university aimed to prepare the county’s next generation of leaders,” he added.
Roland Glee, an elderly man highlighted his total dissatisfaction, arguing that the university was built for the benefit of the people of Nimba County, particularly for their children’s education. Mr. Glee stated, “To me, I do not feel fine about selling the PYJ Polytechnic University. The university was built for us the Nimbaians, mostly for our children’s education, but not to be sold.”
He added that this was not the intention of Senator Johnson when he established the school. Mr. Glee questioned the decision to sell the university, asking, “Is there no good educators in the Nimba County that would take charge and run the university, even payback to the people of Nimba despite individual selling and buying this man’s university?”
He believes that someone should be brought in to manage the university instead of selling it. Mr. Glee emphasized that selling the university would be wrong, regardless of who the buyer is. “The school shouldn’t have been sold, instead somebody should have come and manage it. But, for somebody to buy it, even a citizen, brother or a son, it’s wrong,” he stated.
Jame Gbanlah, a respected elder in Nimba County also stressed deep concerns over the proposed sale of PYJ Polytechnic University to another Nimbaian, calling it a “complete evil act of the sellers and buyer”. According to him, the university’s fate has been shrouded in mystery, and he can’t understand why it’s being considered for sale.
“I don’t really understand what the problem is,” Gbanlah stated, arguing that leasing the university would be a better option, allowing the family to maintain control and preserve the late Senator Prince Yormie Johnson’s legacy. “That’s my point, yeah, when it’s leased, the family will have the edge to maintain the late senator’s hard-earned legacy,” he said.
Gbanlah emphasized that selling the university would be a misguided move, effectively erasing the senator’s contributions to the people of Nimba. “Let’s ensure the university’s fate is decided in the best interest of Nimba County’s students and the senator’s legacy,” elder Gbanlah concluded.
Emmanuel Yekeh, voiced his opposition, stating, “When it comes to the sale of PYJ Polytechnic University, I’m not in support of it. If they are leasing it, that will be fine. And also, lease it to maintain PYJ.” He emphasized that Senator Johnson built the university to leave a lasting legacy for future generations and that selling it would be equivalent to burying his name.
Yekeh added, “PYJ to be frank, he was our leader. He rescued us. And if you visit most of the countries in the world, they write down their famous leader’s name for tourism purposes.” He stressed the importance of preserving the senator’s legacy and maintaining the university as a symbol of Nimba County’s history.
Richard M. Gaye, a citizen of Nimba County Electoral District #6, suggested that if someone has paid money to buy the university, that money should be refunded.
“The buying or taking away another person’s sweat is an abomination, carrying a lasting curse because nobody knows how that property was acquired,” he said.
The controversy surrounding the sale of PYJ Polytechnic University has raised questions about the future of the institution and the legacy of Senator Johnson. While some argue that the sale would be a betrayal of the senator’s legacy, others believe that it could be an opportunity for transformation and growth.
