The Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY) has elected its first female president, Ms Banica Stephanie Elliot, in its 48 years of existence.
Ms Elliot was elected in a landslide victory at FLY’s 7th general assembly convened in Buchanan; Grand Bassa County was held under the theme ‘Enforcing the Youth Agenda continuing the Journey in Unity’ with over 300 Youth delegates from different youth institutions from across the 15 counties of Liberia.
Ms Elliot contested against the former president of the University of Liberia Student Union (ULSU), Flomo Mau Maiwo and won with a vote margin of 214 to 16.
Before her election, she initially served FLY as its 2nd Vice President. She graduated from the University of Liberia and the Bluecrest University College of Liberia, bagging a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Economics and Information Technology with distinction (CUM LADE).
She is a Fellow of the Young Political Leadership School of Africa and has indulged her career with the acclaim of professional certificates in organisational development, program planning, advocacy, and diplomacy, among others. Internationally, she is associated with the Folke Bernadotte Academy (Sweden); Diplomacy at the International Diplomacy Conference (Ghana); UN Climate Change COP 26, Glasgow, United Kingdom; Fellow, Getting Ready to Lead (the United States of America – National Democratic Institute (NDI), among others.
Ms Elliot raised to prominence the specific leadership goals that “Aim to rebrand the Federation as an accountable institution and leverage on potential resources and partnership that promotes the space for active youth engagements, welfare, programs and policy development and stands as A Voice for All despite affiliation and associations.”
During the campaign, she decried the lack of innovation of the institution to cater to youth issues; the absence of traditional programs that address youth issues, the inactivity of youth structures across the counties, youth policy issues; the absence of branding or institutional image; the lack of staff capacity development and low budgetary support among other.
She vowed to address these challenges and prioritise youth empowerment and employability, youth program and innovations, advocacy and youth policy enhancement, accountability and rebranding, gender and social inclusion and partnership, cohesion, and capacity building.
She pledged that her leadership would fight to close the gap, fast-track youth access to opportunities, and enhance hard skills and personal realisation by way of establishing a vibrant platform.
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