HARBEL, Firestone – The Liberty Party candidate for representative of Margibi’s second district, Henric Marcus Speare, has donated L$700,000 (US$6,195) to the African Methodist Episcopal Zion University as an initial payment of L$1,000,000 (US$8,850) he promised in funds to upgrade the university’s computer laboratory.
Speare, who is a graduate of the University, said he has long dreamt of giving back to the institution.
“I’m extremely happy today, that after several years, I’m honorably back to my alma matter as an orator and a major contributor to a modern computer laboratory project as a Zion Knight,†Speare said.
The former Mboo Statutory District superintendent was selected by the university as its college 27th graduation and commencement convocation speaker.
Speare cautioned the graduates never to be complacent with their present accomplishment but to see it a step to professionalism, advising them that perseverance and hard work would help them achieve their goals.
The university also awarded Speare an honorary doctorate degree in education administration for his contributions to education in Liberia.
Conferring the degree to Speare, the president of the college, Charles Wesley Ford, said the Board of Trustees and the administration of the college had unanimously agreed to bestow such academic honor on it 27th commencement orator.
Speare had helped establish the AME Zion Extension Program in Unification City in Lower Margibi. The program is located at the St. Paul Ecumenical High School and Speare currently teaches philosophy and theology there.
Speare has been campaigning for second district seat since at least 2015 and had launched a L$1,000,000 (valued at US$11,363 in Oct. 2015) women’s empowerment program in Lower Margibi using what his staff said was his personal funds.
The district is currently represented by Ballah Zayzay, who was first elected in 2008 to fill a vacancy created as a result of the death of then district four Representative Flashers Childeryou. Zayzay was re-elected in 2011 as district two representative following the district demarcations.
Speare is the founder and chief executive officer of Eagle FM Radio Station, St. Paul Ecumenical High School and Green Pastures Funeral Service in Unification City.
Featured photo by Gbatemah Senah
