Former LRRRC Executive Director Challenges T-SAPU Graduates

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The former Executive Director of the Liberia Refugee Repatriation Resettlement Commission (LRRRC) has challenged graduates of the Salvation Army Polytechnic University to take the lead in in the country’s recovery drive and contribute their quota meaningfully through their acquired technical skills. Serving as a Keynote Speaker through proxy for  Montserrado County Senator, Saah Joseph, at the 4th Graduation Convocation exercises of the Polytechnic, held recently at the Headquarters of the Salvation Army Secretariat Hall on 17th Street in Sinkor, Festus Logan, emphasized that the graduates should build networks and be focus in devising strategic and long term objectives relative to how they can contribute to their personal growth and the country at large. He said T-VET education is very significant now in post- war Liberia, now that it is concentrated on rebuilding its infrastructure that got demolished as the result of the civil upheaval and as such the nation will be looking up to them for  technical skills in the  rebuilding process.

He said it is saddened to see many high school graduates who should be nation builder lacking these technical, vocational skills as such many of them sit home hopelessly because they do not have a space in the market place. He further noted the owing to the lack of these skills, many young men have chosen motorbike riding and pen-pen driving as another career path but regrettably, when these objects are stolen or taken away by rogues or its owners; they become frustrated and turn into “Zogos” because of the lack of skills they can rely on as an alternative. Consequently, the Senator proxy pinpointed the country currently is craving and in dire need of these acquired skills to Fast-track most of its developmental agendas. According to him, the Senator, understanding the need of technical skills is planning to construct technical universities ‘free of charge’ as a means to strengthen the economic growth of the country through harnessing technical skills of Liberians.  The former LRRRC head stressed that acquiring the diplomas, certificates and degrees is quite unique but what is more paramount is the practical exhibition to the social and economic infrastructure of the country. He maintained that for the country to progress and reach its noblest height and to contribute to the socioeconomic development three cardinal things should be taken into consideration. Mr. Logan told the graduates that to become successful, they should be focused as they navigate through the walls of the polytechnic, possess a determined mind to elude distraction, cautioning them that they aren’t the first persons  to acquire degrees but there have been people who did  but today the degrees have acquire them due to distraction. He also admonished the graduates to set strategic goals as to what they intend to venture into through the creation of networks that will enhance their sailing as well as setting a long-term objective that will assist them in comprehending their sole objectives through decorous planning. The proxy of Montserrado County Senator Joseph encouraged the graduates to serve as ambassador of the Salvation Army Polytechnic University in their various communities, the streets and the counties from which they hailed from through their performances.  “Senator Saah Joseph have asked me to convey to you, that a determined mind can never be distracted. Your leaving these walls with degrees and certificates acquired here today does not determine that you have an automatic job, it is based on your consistency with the determination to push through the walls of obstacles and come out with a clean color,” Logan emphasized. Also making remarks at the convocation, the Director of Education at the Salvation Army Education Secretariat, David Massaquoi, stressed the need for investment in quality education, indicating that the Salvation Army has over 35 colleges and more than 2500 schools that are supporting the learning of more than half of a million students around the world.  Director Massaquoi said this evidenced by the tremendous contribution the Salvation Army is making in helping to shift the destiny of the country by molding the minds of people through the educational sector that would help make positive and informed decisions.

He divulged that the first learning institution of the Salvation Army was established in 1992 with focus to be supportive to government effort in the education sector which is the Len Millar high School that have produced several responsible citizens that are now contributing immensely to the development of the country in all sectors. Dr. Massaquoi said after years of providing quality primary and secondary education, the institution saw the ardent need in 2008 to establish a technical and vocational training program that would serve   as a conduit to a full flag university, adding that goal has been achieved!  He then extolled the President of the Salvation Army Polytechnic University (T-SAPU), Dr. Jonathan Minagogo Hart for his farsightedness and tremendous work in just a year time for rebranding and creativity that leaps the university. According to him, the university would had taken a snail pace speed to reach where it is now but with the innovation and versatility of Dr. Hart, other colleges have been added especially the college of Health sciences which is the crux of post war Liberia. The University is currently offering Bachelor of Science (BSC), Associate of Arts (AA) Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in various disciplines. The graduation ceremony was graced by members of the National legislature as well as dignitaries.

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