Sokopa, Nimba County – Superintendent Meapeh Kou Gono has announced preparations for the week-long funeral of the late Senator Prince Y. Johnson. The county, under her stewardship, is renovating key structures, including the historic Sokopa Welcome Center, in anticipation of the senator’s elaborate and traditional farewell set for January 14-18, 2025.
Known as the “Political Godfather of Nimba,” Senator Johnson will be honored with a series of ceremonies reflecting his profound legacy in the county. Superintendent Gono revealed that the Sokopa Welcome Center, originally established during the administration of President William V.S. Tubman, is undergoing extensive upgrades to host dignitaries and traditional leaders for the occasion.
“This center, long neglected, is being transformed into a modern facility featuring a gift shop, eating areas, a convenience store, and enhanced security structures,” Gono said. She emphasized that the center would serve as the primary reception point for the late senator’s body upon its arrival in Nimba County.
The renovations, along with upgrades to the County Administration Building, are estimated to cost over $200,000. These projects, initially part of Nimba’s 2024 budget, have been expedited to ensure readiness for the funeral. Superintendent Gono described the Welcome Center as a symbolic gateway where Senator Johnson’s remains will first be received with traditional rites.
The funeral procession will begin in Monrovia on January 14, with the senator’s body lying in state at the Capitol Building for a state funeral. The next day, the procession will travel to Nimba County, making stops in Bong County and other key locations before arriving in Sokopa. From there, the body will journey through towns such as Ganta and Sanniquellie, where citizens will pay their respects during overnight stays.
The week-long tribute will conclude with a grand burial ceremony in Ganta. Superintendent Gono announced that the senator’s casket would be displayed in a glass case, allowing thousands of mourners to bid farewell to their beloved leader.
She praised Senator Johnson’s commitment to traditional values and his advocacy for preserving cultural heritage. “Before his passing, he expressed gratitude for our efforts to uphold the roles of traditional leaders in society,” Gono stated.
The funeral preparations are not just a tribute to Senator Johnson but also a push for infrastructural development in Nimba. “This initiative reflects Nimba’s status as Liberia’s second-largest economy and reinforces its reputation as a cultural and economic hub,” Gono noted.
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