Capitol Hill Campus, University of Liberia, May 21, 2025 | Mr. Wilmot D. Railey, a junior student of Economics at the University of Liberia (UL) has been awarded the European Union (EU) & I Poetry Prize. Mr. Railey was awarded the prize last Friday, May 16, 2025, after reciting his poem also titled “The EU & I.”

Railey recited his poem at the EU Delegation’s “Europe Day” festivities before an audience of diplomats and dignitaries.

The University of Liberia celebrates student Railey’s victory as a towering mark of academic excellence and congratulates him for bringing pride to the University.

Railey told UL Relations that poetry means a lot to him, explaining that it gives him the space to express himself efficiently using figurative language and poignant words.

“It’s a singular honor for me to have emerged as the first winner of the EU and I poetry competition,” said Mr. Railey.

In his poetry, Railey reflected on some of the ways the European Union has been making meaningful impacts in Liberia through Youth development programs, Technological and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and Academic Excellence.

“I also used my poem to present the diplomatic relationship between the EU and Liberia,” he added.

While writing his poem to participate in the EU and I poetry competition, Railey noted that he was a bit reluctant to submit his work, but he submitted it and he emerged as the first winner.

“I am overwhelmed by this victory, and I hope to always get inspiration from my pen, which is a fountain of my poetry works,” he said.

The President of the University of Liberia Prof. Dr. Layli Maparyan has received with great excitement the news of student Railey emerging as the winner of the EU & I Poetry Prize.

“The University of Liberia is proud of the great achievement of our student, Mr. Wilmot Railey. He has just demonstrated exactly what we love to see in the daily academic activities of our young scholars all across the University,” said Dr. Maparyan.

“Mr. Railey’s victory, as well as what we were already celebrating – the participation of the UL Debate Team in the Kumasi Debate Open in Ghana, and Queen Vashe Weah’s victory in the Inter-University of Liberia pageantry contest – are a testament of the great things we can achieve when we embrace the challenge of academic excellence, intellectual exchange, and competing with skills and knowledge,” Dr. Maparyan added.