By Rocheford T. Gardiner | CPNTV
HARPER, MARYLAND COUNTY — Over the weekend, the newly inducted Superintendent of Maryland County, Hon. Nathaniel Toe, hosted a high-level diplomatic delegation from Tabou, a neighboring region in Côte d’Ivoire.
The Ivorian delegation included the Deputy of Tabou, Hon. Gnepa Iroko Joseph; Mr. Youkou Blanė Patrice, representing Tabou City Mayor Ouallo Jean-Luc; Mr. Nean Hire Dominique, General Manager of Radio PHARE of Tabou; the Grebo Paramount Chief of the Tabou Region; and several other traditional leaders.
Welcoming the guests fluently in French, Superintendent Toe reaffirmed the deep-rooted bond between Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire. He shared a brief historical overview of regional migration patterns and noted how colonial borders ultimately divided the West African people.
In response, Hon. Gnepa Iroko Joseph expressed his gratitude for the warm reception and celebrated the enduring brotherhood between the two nations. He praised Liberia’s historical contributions to African independence movements and pledged to work closely with local authorities to enhance cross-border trade and cooperation in alignment with ECOWAS protocols.
Engagement with the Fulani Community
Earlier on the same Friday, July 17, leaders of the Fulani Community in Maryland County also paid a courtesy visit to the Superintendent’s office to reaffirm their commitment to maintaining peace and upholding the law.
The delegation comprised prominent community figures, including the Chief of Harper, Ibrahima Sori Balde; the Chief of Pleebo, Abdourahmane Diallo; and the Coordinator for the Fulani Business Association across Maryland and Grand Kru counties, Bassirou Bah.
Highlighting that many Fulanis are now Liberian citizens by birth, the delegation expressed their full support for Superintendent Toe’s administration and presented him with traditional African attire as a gesture of goodwill.
Superintendent Toe commended the Fulani community for their consistent commitment to peace and assured them of his administration’s continued partnership.
In a historic move, Superintendent Toe appointed Mr. Yahaya Keita as the official “Fulani Liaison”—a decision widely described as unprecedented for both Maryland County and Liberia as a whole. Expressing gratitude for the initiative, Chief Ibrahima Sori Balde noted that the gesture made the community feel deeply “welcomed and at home.”
Looking Ahead
Following these engagements, Superintendent Toe departed Harper on Saturday for official duties in Monrovia. He is scheduled to return to Maryland County to celebrate Liberia’s upcoming Independence Day festivities alongside his constituents.
