Weah Rewards Poor Student With National Honour, Cash, Scholarship
Liberian president, George Weah, has rewarded a young student, simply Emmanuel Tuloe, with a national honour, cash and scholarship award for returning the sums of $50,000 and Liberian Dollar100,000, respectively to its owner.
The poor young 7th Grade student, who is said to be self-financing his education by borrowing a motorcycle from his friend, reportedly found and returned the money to a Liberian businesswoman in Nimba.
Weah also gave out two brand-new motorcycle to the boy and announced that the scholarship, up to Master’s Degree level for the boy, is from his personal purse and will be valid, even if he (Weah) ceases to be the Liberian president.
The Liberian president, in a letter announcing the gesture to Emmanuel, described the action of the boy as “an extraordinary act of honesty” on the part of a poor young boy who willingly returned the money to the businesswoman who was on her way to Guinea for a business transaction.
He said he is very proud of the boy for “this exceptional sense of morality and good citizenship” and expressed the hope that the act would serve as an inspiration to all Liberiand, especially to the youths.
President Weah writes in the letter: “Dear Emmanuel: I have heard in the media about an extraordinary act of honesty on your part.
“It is reported that you recently found US$50,000 and approximately One Hundred Thousand (LD100,000) Liberian Dollars which had been lost by a Liberian businesswoman who was passing through Nimba on her way to Guinea to purchase goods for her business.
“And that when she announced her loss on the local radio station and made an appeal to the public for the money to be returned, you willingly located her and gladly returned her money to her intact.
“I am very proud of you for this exceptional sense of morality and good citizenship, and I hope that this will serve as an inspiration to all of our citizens, especially to our youths.
“You are a prime example of what the Bible teaches us in Proverbs 22:1, that a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.
“This honest behavior on your part is even more amazing when seen against the backdrop of your personal circumstances.
“I am made to understand that you are in the 7th Grade with no money to continue your education; that you have no means of income except to occasionally borrow a motorbike from one of your friends when he is off-duty in order to earn a few dollars to sustain yourself.
“You are a Champion, Emmanuel, and we are all very proud of you. Although it is often said that virtue is its own reward, I believe that you should be additionally rewarded for this virtuous act, which brought miraculous rescue and relief to a hardworking businesswoman.
“Accordingly, I want to inform you that at the next national investiture ceremony, you will be recognised and honored with one of Liberia’s highest Orders of Distinction for your honesty.
“Additionally, I am hereby presenting you, herewith enclosed, an amount of US$10,000.00, as well as two (2) brand-new motorcycles for you to improve your circumstances and sustain yourself financially.
“Finally, and more importantly, I am offering you a scholarship for you to attend any school of your choice in Liberia, all the way to the level of a Master’s Degree.
“This scholarship is personal from me and my family, and will be valid whether or not I am President of Liberia. Please accept my personal congratulations.
“Sincerely,
“George Manneh Weah.”