Youth Activist Martin K. N. Kollie Elected to African Youth Forum

A prominent Liberian youth activist and writer Martin K. N. Kollie has been elected as the Deputy Chief of Secretariat of the African Youth Forum, which was organized by the PLO Lumumba Foundation under the auspices of the learned Kenyan Lawyer and Director of Kenya School of Law, Professor Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba, popularly known as PLO Lumumba.

The forum was hosted in Nairobi by Prof. Lumumba, the former Director of Kenya’s Anti-Corruption Commission and an acclaimed Pan-Africanist. Along with Kollie, a group of firebrand youth and student leaders from across Africa were also invited by Lumumba to have some days of serious discussions about issues confronting Africa and how they can be addressed in a more concrete and sustainable manner with specific focus on Agenda 2063.

Speaking at the start of the conference to young African leaders in the Board Room of the Kenya School of Law, Prof. Lumumba admonished young Africans to stand up for Africa by fully utilizing their energy, skills and knowledge to build a NEW AFRICA that believes in itself – An Africa that seeks economic independence.

At the end the forum, a full leadership was elected to steer the affairs of the African Youth Forum for the next one (1) year. Youth Activist Martin Kollie was elected as Deputy Chief of Secretariat on an 11-man Executive Council to serve 54 African countries.

In a Facebook post where he broke the news, Kollie thanked his colleagues for the confidence they reposed in him as he dedicated such honor to every Liberian youth.

“I am grateful to my colleagues for reposing such confidence in me. With God above, I shall do my utmost best to dutifully discharge my functions in accordance with the African agenda. We will roll up our sleeves henceforth to stand up for this great continent. From the largest slum of Kibera to the highest peak of Kilimanjaro, I see a new Africa rising above the world,” Kollie said.

Kollie also said he was glad to interact with the highly sought-after and inspiring Kenyan professor who he considers his mentor.

“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,” Activist 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 a prominent Liberian student leader in Ghana, Calvin Nelson. According to Kollie, the student leadership at the University of Ghana has agreed to host at least 20 students from Liberia through a Student Exchange Program after his engagement with them.