T Preparations for the training of 30 Liberian students in nursing by Olive-Harvey City College has begun in earnest with the expected arrival of the first batch in June of next year.

A check of $10,000 was given to Olive-Harvey City College by African International House (AIH) during the gala night for the declaration of the 18th annual African Festival of the Arts in readiness for the Liberian nurses to be trained.

“Education is the solutions to much of the problems facing the society especially a country emerging from 14-years of civil-war,” said Wayne Watson, Chancellor of City Colleges of Chicago.

Watson traced the relationship between African-Americans and Liberia to 1815 when Paul Koffi captained the ship that moved many Black-Americans to the West-African nation after the end of slave trade.

This, he said, led to the declaration of independence by Liberia in 1847.

Liberia and Ethiopia are two un-colonized nations in African.

“I know my root is not in Englewood but in Africa. Our offer of scholarships to 30 Liberian students is consistent with our relationships with Africa for over 100 years,’ Watson said.

Freed American slaves settled in Liberia and ruled the natives for years until Sergeant Samuel Doe came to power and ruled with vengeance leading to 14-years of civil war that ended with the election of Ivy-league trained economists Dr. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

She toured the United States and addressed the joint session of the US Congress where she solicited for help in rebuilding the war-ravaged nation.

In Chicago, Liberian-Americans hosted President Sirleaf in conjunction with Rainbow Push coalition where Mayor Daley promised to train 30 Liberian students in nursing.

The students are expected to start arriving in Chicago next summer and they will be accommodated at Chicago State University.

The city in conjunction with Olive-Harvey College is expected to offset the tuition, accommodation, travels and other expenses of the students.

The African International House (AIH), host of the annual African Festival of the Arts donated $10, 000 towards the scholarship. “We are waiting for the arrival of the students from Liberia.”

In a message to both Mayor Daley and officials of the City Colleges where the students would be trained, President Johnson thanked them for making education available to the troubled youths in Liberia.

Her administration, she said, is rehabilitating educational facilities destroyed during the 14 years civil war and is implementing free education to give hope and opportunity to Liberian students.

“All tuition in elementary schools abolished and high school’s fees reduced to allow more students attend college.

A paltry $10.5 million was budgeted for education, a 24 percent improvement over previous years.

She also praised Liberian-Americans for their support. WGN-TV director of community relations Merri Dee is the Grand Yeye for the 18th African Festival of the Arts while Publisher of Citizen Newspaper Group William Garth receives the Grand Baba of the festival this year.

NBC5 entertainment reporter LeeAnn Trotter emceed the event.