MONROVIA: President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr. has honored veteran footballer and coach, Josiah Nils Johnson, alias JNJ, recognizing his decades-long contribution to Liberia’s football development and national sporting heritage.
President Boakai made the remarks Sunday, September 6, during a courtesy visit to Johnson at his residence in Barnesville, Gardnersville Township, where he praised the former Lone Star midfielder and coach for his service to Liberian football.
“I admire the people who have contributed to the development of sports in Liberia. That is why I am here today to recognize and give back to those who have made contributions to the Liberian sporting community,” President Boakai said.
According to the president, his decision to visit Johnson was driven by a desire to recognize Liberians whose contributions to national development may not have received adequate acknowledgment or compensation.
Although he acknowledged that he never had the opportunity to pursue sports during his childhood because of work and other responsibilities, President Boakai said, his personal absence from the sporting arena has never diminished his appreciation for athletics.
“I never lived a childhood life devoted to sports owing to the fact that all my life has been saddled with my work and other responsibilities imposed on me by circumstances,” he explained.
He said, his interest in sports extends beyond personal participation, particularly to creating opportunities for younger Liberians aspiring to become professional athletes.
“We Have Not Forgotten You.” President Boakai invoked the popular adage, “If you don't remember the past, there is no way you can get prepared for the future,” stressing the importance of preserving Liberia’s sporting history and recognizing those who laid the foundation for future generations.
Speaking on behalf of the government and the Liberian people, the president commended Johnson for what he described as an invaluable contribution to the country.
“We have not forgotten you. The country has not forgotten. We remember your invaluable contributions to this country that you gave without adequate compensation. We appreciate you,” President Boakai declared.
As part of the visit, President Boakai made a personal contribution toward Johnson’s welfare and pledged to help address some of the immediate challenges confronting the veteran footballer and coach.
The gesture comes amid broader calls for greater government support for former national team players and other sporting personalities who served Liberia during earlier generations but now face significant challenges in retirement.
JNJ: ‘Your flower is given you’. Johnson, who represented Liberia as a national team midfielder from 1958 to 1971, later served as head coach of the Lone Star from 1971 to 1979.
During his coaching tenure, Johnson guided Liberia to a memorable Six Nations Tournament triumph over Ghana’s Black Stars, further cementing his place in the country’s football history.
Receiving the President, Johnson expressed gratitude for the visit, describing it as a deeply meaningful gesture to him and his family.
“Here your flower is given you. My entire family is appreciative of your visit and your leadership. We are grateful for this visit and it’s going to be remembered throughout my family history,” Johnson said.
The veteran coach also commended President Boakai for what he described as ongoing development initiatives, particularly road infrastructure projects connecting southeastern Liberia.
Johnson said, improved road connectivity is creating greater access between Maryland, Sinoe, Grand Bassa and Monrovia.
“I am also happy because of the road connections ongoing in my home and other parts of the South-East,” he said. “People can now leave from Maryland and pass through Sinoe and then to Grand Bassa, onward to Monrovia in about a day. We are grateful.”
Meanwhile, the government has previously initiated a support program for former Lone Star players through the former Lone Star Players Association, under the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The initiative was introduced during the tenure of former Youth and Sports Minister, Cllr. Jerror Cole Bangalu as a means of providing assistance to retired national footballers.
Former Lone Star defender and chairman of the association, Washington Blay, disclosed that members are receiving government subsidies through the Ministry of Youth and Sports budget.
Blay expressed hope that the financial support would eventually be increased, citing the numerous economic and personal challenges confronting retired national players.
The call for increased assistance underscores a broader concern within Liberia’s sporting community: that athletes who represented the country during their prime years should not be forgotten once their playing careers end.
President Boakai’s visit to Johnson therefore, carries significance beyond a personal courtesy call.
It represents a renewed public acknowledgment of Liberia’s sporting pioneers and the need to preserve their legacy while building a stronger foundation for the country’s next generation of athletes.
For Johnson, a player and coach who devoted decades to Liberia’s national football cause, the President’s message was clear: the contributions of the country’s sporting heroes remain part of Liberia’s national history—and should not be forgotten.
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