The Liberian youth activist Martin K. N. Kollie has been elected as the deputy chief of the secretariat of the African Youth Forum, which was organized by Kenyan lawyer and political commentator, Professor Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba.

The forum was hosted by Lumumba, the former director of Kenya’s Anti-Corruption Commission. Along with Kollie, a group of youth and student leaders from across Africa were also invited by Lumumba to have hours of discussions about issues confronting Africa and how they can be addressed.

The forum ended on Wednesday, October 18, with Kollie being invited as the deputy chief of the secretariat on an 11-man executive council. In a Facebook post where he broke the news, Kollie thanked his colleagues for the confidence they put in him as he dedicated the honor to every Liberian youth.

“I am grateful to my colleagues for [entrusting] much confidence in me,” he said. “With God, above, I shall do my utmost best to dutifully discharge my functions in accordance with the African agenda.”

Kollie said he was glad to interact with the highly sought-after Kenyas professor.

“While nations worldwide are eager to see and hear from Prof. Lumumba, it is a privilege for me to be invited by him to Kenya,” Kollie said.

On his way to Kenya, Kollie transited in Ghana for a day where he met with some Liberian students at the University of Ghana, including the Liberian student leader in Ghana, Calvin Nelson. According to Kollie, the student leadership at the University of Ghana agreed to host at least 20 students from Liberia through a student exchange program.

Featured photo courtesy of Martin K. N. Kollie