In her inaugural address on the main campus of the University of Liberia, Interim Student President J. Blio B. Tingban delivered a call to action marked by hope, determination, and a firm commitment to change.
Addressing a packed auditorium of students, faculty, administrators, and dignitaries, Tingban pledged to lead a student government defined by unity, transparency, and advocacy.
Under the theme “A New Dawn: Forging Unity, Excellence, and Transformational Leadership,” Tingban’s message struck a powerful chord as he laid out a vision that aims to depart from the politics of division and inefficiency and usher in a new era of collaboration and results-driven student leadership.
“Today, as I stand before you, my heart swells with gratitude and my spirit is ignited by the collective hope of this great institution—the University of Liberia,” Tingban began. “This victory is not mine alone—it belongs to every student who dared to dream… and especially to the Student Unification Party (SUP), whose unwavering belief in progressive leadership fueled this journey.”
The event, which brought together university authorities, student political groups, religious leaders, faculty, and student activists, served as a symbolic handover of responsibility to the new interim leadership of the University of Liberia Student Union (ULSU). It also reaffirmed the campus’s long tradition of student activism and civic engagement.
Tingban’s remarks echoed the history of student resistance and struggle at UL, referencing the university’s resilience through years of civil conflict, underfunding, and infrastructural decay. But he urged a shift in focus from mere survival to growth, from protest to meaningful progress.
Her administration, she declared, will be anchored on three central pillars: Unity in Diversity, Accountable and Transparent Governance, and Advocacy for Student Welfare.
On unity, Tingban said, “We are a student body of varying ideologies, tribes, and backgrounds, yet we share one common purpose: the pursuit of knowledge and progress. I call upon SUP, other student organizations, and independent voices to join hands in constructive dialogue—not conflict.”
She pledged to eliminate opacity in student governance by instituting monthly town hall meetings, regular public financial reports, and an open-door policy for all students. “No more backroom dealings. No more empty promises,” Tingban said firmly.
In her most impassioned remarks, the student leader emphasized the urgency of prioritizing student welfare. She listed goals such as improving campus sanitation, enhancing library resources, pushing for affordable tuition, and launching new programs to promote student talents in sports, academics, and creative expression.
“A student government that does not fight for its people is no government at all,” Tingban asserted. “With everyone onboard, we will trigger the activation of all sectors of our dearest institution… ranging from academics to sports and talents.”
She stressed, however, that true transformation would require collective effort. “This change will not come from one leader alone. It will come from students who protest when justice is delayed, scholars who push for academic excellence, and dreamers who believe in a better UL.”
The speech also included a direct message to the university administration and the Liberian government. Tingban expressed hope that President Layli Maparyan’s administration would foster a more inclusive and responsive relationship with students. At the same time, he called on the national government to increase investment in the university, describing UL as a symbol of the broader educational reform Liberia desperately needs.
“To the administration: We seek partnership, not confrontation,” Tingban said. “But let it be known that we will no longer accept neglect as tradition.”
“Let this be remembered as the year we turned the page—the year we moved from protest to progress, from division to unity, from surviving to thriving,” he declared. “Together, we will make the University of Liberia not just a symbol of our past struggles, but a beacon of our future triumphs.”, She stated.
