Buchanan, Grand Bassa County – This year’s graduation ceremonies in the country have given the President of the Republic, H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah, many speaking assignments, the most recent being at the Grand Bassa University College (GBUC).
The Liberian Leader, in the last few weeks, was Chief Orator at the graduation ceremonies of the Adventist University of West Africa, and the African Methodist Episcopal University, amongst others.
Making special remarks at the GBUC’s 6th Convocation ceremonies Friday, June 17, 2022, at which time First Lady Clar Marie Weah was the keynote speaker, President Weah congratulated the graduates for what he termed ‘milestone achievement,’ and urged them to pursue excellence and develop the sense of self-confidence.
He warned graduates that obtaining the first degree was just the beginning of a long road ahead of them, particularly when they are desirous of pursuing Master/PHD levels education.
“This is the first step,” the President told them. “It is left with you to continue or stop here, but I want to encourage you to press for excellence no matter what happens along the way.”
“Now that you have obtained your degrees, you have to step forward for your own wellbeing,” he continued. “There are a lot of jobs. Go forth and seek job opportunities.”
He encouraged the graduates to always keep themselves in the mood of happiness because it is key in overcoming foreseeable and unforeseeable circumstances. He urged them also to be committed and resilient because there is always a way to circumvent any obstacle.
Recalling his administration’s declaration of free tuition in public universities and colleges, including the GBUC, President Weah informed the gathering that the opportunity that the current breed of graduates have to receive external assistance in clearing financial obligations did not exist for others in the past.
He pledged the Government’s continued support to the educational sector in order to provide opportunities for those who do not have opportunities of going to school to do so in order to become productive citizens.
President Weah advised the graduates to believe in themselves and not be carried away by what is said about them, or how others define them.
The President also called on the graduates to put to practice what they acquired, conduct themselves appropriately in ways that are representative of the college education achieved.
He, as his custom has been in recent years, defrayed the GBUC graduates’ graduation fees.
Over two hundred students received degrees in various fields of discipline, including agriculture, education, nursing, business administration, accounting, among others.
The Wife of President Weah, First Lady Clar Marie Weah, served as the Commencement Speaker of the 6th Commencement Convocation of the Grand Bassa University College.
It was established during the administration of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as a community college but upgraded to full university status under President Weah’s tenure.