In Keeping with a tradition by this paper, we have selected and recognized several personalities and institutions for their exemplary roles over the year 2007.

The exercise by this paper is based on the invaluable contributions these selected individuals and institutions have made during the course of the year.

As a way of getting the public involved in the public involved in the exercise, the paper solicited the views of the public, which were received through entries delivered to the paper's offices on Gurley Street over the past weeks.

We are of the conviction that the selection carried out by the editorial staff of the paper will meet your expectation.
The Inquirer takes great pleasure to reserve the right to withdraw its recognition from any of the honorees who fails to live up to expectation.

The honorees for this year are ailing Catholic Archbishop Michael Francis, Man of the Year; Defense Minister Brownie Samukai; Minister of the Year; Liberty Party; Political Party of the Year; Representative Zoe Pannoh and Madam Victoria A. Lynch; Lawmakers of the Year; Arcelor Mittal; Concession of the Year; Henry Jackson; Businesssman of the Year, Rev. Kortu Brown; Clergyman of the Year; Ambassador Lin Songtian; Diplomat of the Year; Charles Walker Brumskine; Politician of the Year; Dr. Togba Nah Tipoteh; Most Determined Politician of the Year; Liberia Media Center and the center for Media Study and Peace Building (CEMSPE); Media Groups of the Year; John Morlu; News Maker of the Year; Attorney Samuel Kofi Woods; Most Innovative Government Official of the Year; Phillibert Brown and Upjit Jeety; Consul General of the Year; President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf; Great Achiever of the Year.

Others are, the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL); Women Group of the Year; Christian Aid; Humanitarian Group of the Year; Solomon Friday Smith, alias "Friday the Cellphone Man," Musician of the Year; Chris Toe; Most Determined Government Official of the Year; Augustine Toe; Human Rights Advocate of the Year; Rufus Karmoh, Public Relations Officer of the Year; Ecobank Liberia Limited; Bank of the Year; Chairman Richard Tolbert; Hard Working Government Official of the Year; Minister Jeremiah Solunteh and Minister Jackson Doe; Most Committed Public Servants of the Year; Special Emergency Activity to Restore Children Hope (SEARCH); Local NGO of the Year.
……
Diplomat of the Year:

Former Chinese Ambassador to Liberia, Lin Songtian, is undoubtedly our choice for this award. He initiated a number of policies, which set an imprint for the Chinese government to implement a number of development programs in the country. Among them, is the renovation of the historic Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex and the Foreign Ministry Building in Monrovia among others.

Ambassador Lin worked tirelessly in helping Liberia recover from the ashes of the civil war and cemented a more cordial and excellent ties between Liberia and China, through which many Liberian professionals are now building up their professional capacities in that country.

Source: The Inquirer (Dec. 31, 2007)