Christopher T. Minikon, Sr. served as a public servant of the Liberian Government in many capacities for over 50 years. Before becoming a public servant, he earned his High School Diploma from St. Patrick’s High School in Monrovia, Liberia in 1951, then won scholarships to Xavier University in New Orleans, LA where he earned his bachelor’s degree in History in 1957, followed by a master’s degree in Modern World History from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI in 1959. His goal was to be a professor. He was a part-time instructor, at Lott Carey Mission in Brewerville, B. W. Harris in Monrovia; St. Patrick’s High School in Monrovia and the Student Union Institute in Monrovia, of which he later became Principal.

However, upon his return from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI, he taught as an instructor of Social Studies at the University of Liberia for a year ending in 1961. In 1962, he became an instructor of Liberian History at the Foreign Service Institute at the State Department in Monrovia. He got additional scholarships and earned two master’s degrees in 1963 and 1964 from Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in Medford, MA. Upon his return to Monrovia in 1964, he married the former Bernadette Mamakor Sandie on December 26^th. They have seven (7) children, nine (9) grandchildren and five (5) great grandchildren.

In 1966, he worked as an instructor of International Relations at the Foreign Service Institute in Monrovia, Liberia. By 1968, he became the Acting Director of the Institute. From 1964-1969, he served as the Research Officer, at the Department of State, Monrovia, Liberia. Between 1969 and1973, he continued at the Department of State, where he served as Director of European Affairs and Director of International Organizations Affairs. He was then appointed as Counselor to the Permanent Mission of Liberia to the United Nations, New York, NY through 1975 and the following year, 1976, as Minister/Counselor and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, New York, NY.

Upon return to Liberia, he resumed with the Department of State and from 1976-1986, he served as Assistant Minister for American Affairs, Assistant Minister for African and Asian Affairs, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. He was then appointed as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Liberia to the Republic of Korea, the Philippines and Singapore, with residence in Seoul, Korea from 1986-1991. During the interim Government, from 1996-1997, he was appointed as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Liberia to the People’s Republic of China, Beijing.

Upon return to Liberia, he served as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1997-2000. In 2001, he was appointed as the Ambassador of Liberia to the Republic of France, Paris. After the first election of President Sirleaf, he returned home and served his final role as Advisor to the President of Liberia on International Affairs through 2006.

 From 1966- 1999, during his tenure with the Department of State, he was a member of various delegations and teams on behalf of the Liberian Government, such as the meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 1968, member of the Liberian Delegation to the 6th Summit of Heads of State or Governments of the Non-Aligned Countries Movement in Havana, Cuba in 1979, Chairman of the Liberian Delegation to the Afro-Arab Cooperation Meeting in Dakar, Senegal in 1982 and he was Vice Chairman to the 38^th - 40th and 54th sessions of the United Nations General Assembly in 1983, 1984, 1985 and 1999 to name a few.

He was very active in the Sacred Heart Cathedral Catholic Church as Vice chairman & chairman of the Parish Council, Member & Secretary of St. Cecelia’s Choir, Member of the Legion of Mary, and Founder of the Liberia Grand Commandery of the Knights of St. John Int’l. and first Grand President of the Liberia Grand Commandery Worthy President, Knights of St. John International, Sacred Heart Commandery #366.

He also served on several boards, such as the Board of Directors of the Catholic Hospital, Board of Directors of Air Liberia, Inc., Board of the United States Educational and Cultural Foundation in Liberia, Board of Don Bosco Polytechnic, and the Education Committee of the, Archdiocese of Monrovia.

Christopher T. Minikon, Sr.’s career spans from the Tubman Administration to Johnson-Sirleaf’s. He was a true public servant.