Sanniquellie, Nimba County – The political leader of the Alternative National Congress (ANC), Alexander Cummings, has donated L$5.2 million for the construction of an Engineering Department at the Nimba Community College.
Speaking Friday in Sanniquellie, Cummings said he decided to contribute towards the construction of an Engineering Department because of his conviction that good quality education is the bedrock of meaningful development and as such only a sound mind can facilitate development.
The ANC political leader said he was passionate about education and the development of Liberia.
“It is often said put your money where your mouth is. Because I love educating the young people that is why I am investing such amount in the project,” Cummings said.
“I will continue to prioritize education in order to raise entrepreneurs that will help make our economy better through meaningful employments. Project like this is dear to my heart.”
Cummings said constructing a modern Engineering and Geosciences Complex would help advance the knowledge and skills of students of the college and build their capacity that would help boost the country’s economy in the future.
“Unless we develop more Engineers, Mathematicians and more people with technical skills Liberia will continue to retrogress. We have to develop more people with technical skills,” the ANC political leader said.
Cummings also said the construction of an Engineer Department of the college was dear to him because he wanted to make sure that the younger generation passed through a better system of education.
Cummings said he was pleased with the level of transformation at the college since Dr. Wonkeryor took over as president.
“Dr. Wonkeryor has done well since his appointment as president of the Nimba County Community College. He and his staff are doing pretty well,” Cummings said.
“Students of Nimba Community College represent the best and brightest of Nimba.”
“The Nimba Community College is one of the most impressive community colleges in Liberia. I have not been to all of the community colleges in Liberia but the ones I have been to Nimba Community College is the best,” Cummings said.
Earlier, the president of the college Professor Dr. Edward Lama Wonkeryor, commended Mr. Cummings for his support, describing him as the largest individual donor to the university and a legacy that would forever be cherished.
Dr. Wonkeryor told the audience that the contribution of Cummings to the educational sector and more importantly the college was unprecedented.
“This is not the first time you have identified with the Nimba County Community College. It can be recalled you identified with us last year. You also identified with Tubman University through cash when I was president of that university. I am not a stranger to your good will,” he said.
Dr. Wonkeryor said the story about the development and upliftment of the Nimba County Community College to a university level can’t be complete without Alexander Cummings.
“This is a historic moment not only for the college but the citizenry of Nimba County,” he said.
He urged well-meaning Liberians to emulate Mr. Cummings by intervening in the education and health sectors
Also speaking, Nimba County’s District #8 lawmaker, Larry P. Younquoi, showered accolades on Cummings for his interventions in various sectors not only in Nimba County but the entire country, urging other well-meaning individuals to emulate.
Rep. Younquio said Liberians have a lot to learn from Cummings whose wealth has no influence on his humility and is ever willing to do for his immediate environment and make the society better.
He expressed his appreciation to Cummings for rising up to the occasion each time he is called upon to do one thing or the other in the interest of the society.