By Matthias F. Larbeindee
MONROVIA, LIBERIA – The 6th Annual Youth Global Leadership Summit at the YMCA Auditorium in Monrovia witnessed an electrifying keynote address from B. Elias Shoniyin, an esteemed diplomat, academic and development professional. Under the theme, “The King’s Code: Building Character, Integrity, and Influence,” Shoniyin delivered an inspiring message on the virtues required for impactful leadership.
Addressing a packed auditorium of eager young leaders’ college and high schools, Shoniyin opened with the compelling story of Kofi, a young boy from Ghana who embodied perseverance and dignity despite his humble beginnings. Kofi’s journey from adversity to becoming one of Ghana’s youngest mayors underscored Shoniyin’s key message: “leadership is not about status or privilege but about purpose, responsibility, and service”.
Shoniyin acknowledged the challenges facing Liberia and Africa youth, citing data from the African Development Bank that highlights Africa as the youngest continent, yet one burdened with high unemployment and limited access to leadership mentorship. He also referenced the 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer, which reveals declining trust in governance among young people in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“You have the power to change the narrative,” Shoniyin urged. He emphasized that the future of Liberia and Africa rests in the hands of committed, ethical young leaders. The foundation of such leadership, he explained, lies in “The King’s Code, built upon three pillars: Character, Integrity, and Influence”.
Character, he noted, is revealed as commitment to doing the right thing when no one is watching. Leaders must cultivate honesty, dependability, and consistency in their actions, recognizing that reputation may be shaped by others’ perceptions, but character reflects one’s true self.
Integrity, Shoniyin stressed, is the courage to stand alone even when no one else is, against shortcuts and corruption. He urged his audience to embrace accountability, resist unethical practices, and whenever they are tempted to do the wrong thing, they should ask themselves whether they would be comfortable seeing their actions printed on the front page of critical newspapers like “FrontPage Africa”.
Finally, he emphasized Influence, stating that leadership is not about titles but about meaningful impact. He cited examples of leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Wangari Maathai, and Nelson Mandela, who shaped history not through titles but through vision, conviction, and service.
Shoniyin provided practical guidance on how young leaders can implement The King’s Code in their lives. He encouraged them to volunteer, manage their finances wisely, guard their digital presence, expand their knowledge through reading, and surround themselves with truth-tellers who challenge them to grow.
The keynote took a humorous yet pointed turn as Shoniyin critiqued Liberia’s culture of grand titles, challenging young leaders to seek genuine impact rather than superficial recognition. “Leadership is not about titles or how long your title is, it’s about how deep your impact is on society,” he asserted.
As he concluded, Shoniyin reminded attendees that every great leader begins as an ordinary individual. With personal anecdotes from his own struggles, he reinforced that obstacles should not define one’s future. “The throne doesn’t wait for the perfect, it waits for the prepared,” he declared.
His closing words served as a call to action: “Rise each day with intention. Walk with purpose. Lead with conviction. And build the Liberia that future generations will thank you for.” The address was met with enthusiastic applause, inspiring hope and determination among Liberia’s next generation of leaders.
