A Living Tribute to Dr. Elias E. Saleeby

Former World Bank Central Banking Expert, Former Minister of Finance of the Republic of Liberia, and First Executive Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia
By Nathaniel Chen Gbaba, BBA, LLB, MBA, PMP
Attorney-at-Law
"The greatest leaders are not remembered merely for the offices they held, but for the lives they transformed."
Some people build institutions. Others build people. The truly exceptional do both.

Dr. Elias E. Saleeby is one of those rare leaders.
I first met Dr. Saleeby in 1997 in the lobby of the Hotel Sofitel in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. At the time, he was serving as Liberia's Minister of Finance. Liberia was emerging from one of the darkest chapters in its history, and he was on a mission to identify and recruit young Liberian professionals in the diaspora to return home and help rebuild a nation devastated first by hatred and then by war.
My family answered that call.

My wife joined the Ministry of Finance as its first Director of Domestic Debt, while I returned to Liberia to serve as a consultant on the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) project on Engendering the Budget Processes. Like many Liberians who answered Dr. Saleeby's call, we came home believing that rebuilding Liberia was not merely an opportunity—it was a patriotic duty.

In 1999, Dr. Saleeby was appointed the first Executive Governor of the newly established Central Bank of Liberia. One Wednesday afternoon, he invited me to visit him after work. After exchanging warm pleasantries, he called in his former Special Assistant from the Ministry of Finance.
Looking at both of us, he said:
"I have two vacancies in my office—Special Assistant and Administrative Assistant. One of you will serve as my Administrative Assistant, and the other will become my Special Assistant."
To my surprise and immense honor, he entrusted me with the position of Special Assistant.
That decision changed the course of my life.

Working with Dr. Saleeby was like attending the finest graduate school in leadership, public administration, economics, diplomacy, and nation-building. Every day offered another lesson.

Our first official assignment together was to Abuja, Nigeria, where we attended the Meeting of the Association of African Central Bank Governors. It was my first exposure to continental discussions on monetary policy, regional integration, and financial stability.
From there, our journey continued to the Czech Republic, and later to Washington, D.C., where I accompanied him to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings, as well as the World Bank Winter Meetings in 2000.
Those missions became my classroom.

I had the privilege of sitting in meetings with Central Bank Governors, Ministers of Finance, World Bank and IMF officials, and international development partners. Governor Saleeby ensured that I was not merely present—he made me part of the learning process.

He taught me how to prepare briefing notes, summarize complex discussions into concise minutes, appreciate the subtleties of economic diplomacy, and, on occasion, represent him in meetings.
One experience remains unforgettable. I accompanied him to a Cabinet meeting. Although the Executive Governor of the Central Bank is not a member of the President's Cabinet, his expertise and counsel were so highly respected that his presence was sought on matters of national importance.

The lessons I learned under Dr. Saleeby cannot be found in textbooks. He taught me leadership by example, integrity without compromise, humility in service, excellence in execution, and the importance of investing in people.

Nearly three decades later, I have been privileged to serve Liberia in several leadership positions, including Deputy Managing Director for Operations at the National Port Authority, Policy Advisor in the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Officer-in-Charge of the Liberia Telecommunications Corporation, Chief Operating Officer of New Millennium Oil & Gas, and today as Director of Insurance at the Central Bank of Liberia.
Today, I also have the distinct honor of serving as Chairman of the West African Insurance Supervisors Association (WAISA) and as a Member of the Expert Committee drafting the Insurance Model Law for the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ).
As I contribute to shaping insurance regulation across West Africa, I often reflect on the invaluable lessons first taught to me by Dr. Saleeby. His mentorship continues to influence my leadership, my commitment to institution-building, and my unwavering belief that public service is a sacred trust.

Yesterday, the Student Met the Teacher Again
Yesterday, I had the distinct privilege of sitting once again at Dr. Saleeby's feet.

The accompanying photographs capture far more than a reunion. They capture the enduring bond between mentor and mentee—a relationship forged through years of trust, discipline, and shared commitment to national development.

As we spoke, I found myself listening with the same attention and admiration I had nearly three decades ago when I first entered his office as his Special Assistant.
Time has not diminished his intellect, his humility, or his passion for Liberia. His reflections on leadership, economic governance, institution-building, and public service remain as relevant today as they were when he laid the foundation for Liberia's modern central banking system.

Looking across the table at the man who first opened doors of opportunity for me, I was reminded that while titles change and careers evolve, the privilege of learning from a great mentor never ends.

Yesterday, I was not simply the Director of Insurance at the Central Bank of Liberia, the Chairman of the West African Insurance Supervisors Association, or a Member of the WAMZ Expert Committee drafting the Insurance Model Law. (Thank you Executive Governor Henry F. Saamoi for privilege to continue to serve)

I was simply a grateful student, once again learning from a teacher whose influence has profoundly shaped my professional life and my understanding of servant leadership.
Photo Captions
Photo 1: A conversation across generations—sharing ideas with my mentor, Dr. Elias E. Saleeby.
Photo 2: A moment of gratitude with the first Executive Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia.
Photo 3: Nearly three decades later, the lessons continue.

Yesterday, I had the privilege of sitting once again at the feet of my mentor, proving that true learning never ends.
Photo 4: Still listening. Still learning. Still inspired.
Closing Reflection
As I look at these photographs, I do not simply see two men in conversation.

I see the enduring power of mentorship.
I see the story of a visionary leader who chose to invest in people, and of one grateful beneficiary striving each day to honor that investment through service to Liberia and to the wider West African region.

Dr. Elias E. Saleeby did far more than establish the Central Bank of Liberia.
He built leaders.
He strengthened institutions.
He inspired a generation of Liberians to believe that excellence, integrity, patriotism, and selfless public service are the foundations of nation-building.

Governor Saleeby, thank you for believing in Liberia when she needed rebuilding.
Thank you for believing in young Liberian professionals and giving us opportunities to serve.
Thank you for believing in me.

Your legacy is not measured only by the institutions you helped establish, but by the countless lives you have transformed through your wisdom, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to public service.

Yesterday reminded me that, despite the responsibilities I now carry, I remain your student.

May Almighty God continue to bless you with good health, strength, peace, and many more years of purposeful service.

As I look at these photographs, I do not simply see two men in conversation. I see the enduring power of mentorship. I see the story of a leader who chose to invest in people, and of one grateful beneficiary striving to honor that investment through service to Liberia and the West African region.
Governor Elias E. Saleeby, thank you for opening doors, sharing your wisdom, demanding excellence, and demonstrating that true leadership is measured not by the positions we hold, but by the people we inspire and the institutions we leave stronger than we found them.

Your legacy lives on—in the Central Bank of Liberia, in the many public servants you mentored, and in every generation that continues to benefit from your vision, integrity, and unwavering commitment to our nation. May God continue to bless you with good health and many more years.
"A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence ends." — Henry Adams

Thank you, Governor. Your influence lives on.