GOMPA, Nimba – Students from 26 universities and colleges in Liberia congregated in Gompa last weekend for the Union of Nimba University Student Association to elect its first ever leadership to a two-year term.

The gathering concluded with election commissioner G. Glaman Turay announcing that Preston B. Loffen would serve as UNUSA’s president. Loffen, from the United Methodist University, was challenged by Dahn Barpin of Cuttington University.

“Out of 75 cast ballot papers, Mr. Dahn G. Barpin of Cuttington University was able to receive 27 [votes], while Mr. Preston B. Loffen of the United Methodist received 48 votes,” Turay said. “Therefore, Preston B. Loffen is the winner of the election.”

The UNUSA was formed in 2015 as an umbrella organization to bring together students of Nimba at institutions of higher learning across the country. At every university or college, students from Nimba belong to a Nimba University Student Association.

The new president, Loffen called for the continual existence of “unity in diversity.”

“We remain committed to all that we said in our platform,” Loffen said in his acceptance speech. “UNUSA is all that we have. Nimba is all that we have and [Liberia] is all that we have. We must build this Union, we must build Nimba, and we must build Mama Liberia.”

Barpin, in his concession speech, thanked his colleagues for their confidence in him and promised his cooperation in working with the newly elected president of the association.

“Comrade Loffen, with the confidence I have in this unique body, I am willing to work with you everywhere we go in your struggle,” he said. “We will work as one family.”

Featured photo by Arrington Ballah