Monrovia – Human Rights lawyer Cllr. Tiawan Gongloe is calling on young people of Liberia to develop interest in education for the forward match of their country and the world at large.
Speaking at a one-day symposium and honoring program organized by the Nimba University Student Association (NUSA-UL) in Paynesville recently, Cllr. Gongloe said it was important that students take advantage of the opportunity and time given them to acquire education in order to be productive in the society.
“If the young people of Liberia develop interest in education as the same way they have great interest in European football, then we will have a great nation ’’ he said.
Addressing University Students, the former Solicitor General of Liberia added that knowledge is the most precious thing that any man can boost of.
“Having knowledge is more than having Diamond. So if you take advantage of education, you will become more valuable and precious in society’’ he added.
The Human Rights Lawyer further noted that education has no boundary; and called on students to accept education as a key pillar to the growth and development of Liberia, saying “education is what we need to be effective in society.”
Speaking on the topic “Advocacy and Activism from Student Perspective,” the human rights lawyer urged student leaders to be civil, non-violent in their advocacy.
“The arm and ammunition of advocacy and activism is knowledge. And the intention of any advocates is to lead and not to mislead’’ he added.
Cllr. Gongloe further noted that the bed rock of a successful activist is optimism.
He admonished the students to always advocate for a just cause and be the example that others would follow. He then challenged NUSA-UL to be gender sensitive by electing female students to key positions in the association.
Also speaking, the Deputy Minister for International Corporation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dehpue Y. Zuo, challenged the students to be honest, committed and truthful to the people they lead.
He named patience, prudence and trust as key attributes of good leadership, noting that lack of these qualities derail the whole system.
“Student leaders are servants of the people that should render their services on the national scene through commitment and advocacy,” he declared.
“Student leaders should have attributes of good moral behavior and value in being trust worthy and committed to the people they represent through advocacy,” Deputy Minister Zuo said.
For his part, the president of the Nimba University Student Association, Francis J. Messah, thanked the key note speakers and guests for honoring their invitation.
He said their presence was a clear manifestation of their willingness to support the student community of Nimba; and called on them to continue their kind gesture.
He through their financial contribution, his organization was able to give financial aid in the tone of LD$135000.00 to several students this current semester.
He named the provision of sign boards on both the Capitol Hill and Fendell campuses of the University of Liberia and the erection of seating capacities at the association’s meeting site in Fendell as some of the projects his administration is currently under taking.
Meanwhile several citizens from Nimba County including Musa Bility, Cllr. Tiawon Gongloe, Deputy Minister Dehpue Zuo and scores of graduating students were honored for their immense financial and moral contributions to the association.
“This is our way of saying thank you for all the good things you have done and continue to do for us, said Andrew Z. Freeman, Vice President of NUSA.”
“We hope to continue the cordial working relationship in years to come.” The NUSA-UL Vice President said.
Columbus Dorlaie, speaking on behalf of the honorees, thanked the Nimba University Student Association for the recognition and pledged their continuous support to the group. “This award has made us proud and we are motivated to do more to uplift your association,” he averred.
The Nimba University Student Association at the University of Liberia comprises of thousands of Nimba students studying at the state run university.
The association, among other things, advocates for scholarship and financial aid for needy students hailing from the county.
It can be recalled at the association’s leadership induction ceremony in Ganta, Nimba County in mid-September, 2016, several individuals and institutions pledged their financial commitment to NUSA.
The biggest of which was businessman Musa Bility’s pledge of US$25000.00 to be given within the period of five years.
Report by Augustine T.Tweh/Gerald C. Koinyeneh -0770182298/0880881540