Renowned Liberian humanitarian, Dr. Thomas Nimene Tweh, Jr., has provided scholarship opportunities worth over US$100,000 to scores of less fortunate Liberian youths attending various schools and universities across the country, with a call for more investment in human resource capacity and the improvement of the country’s educational system.
Dr. Tweh, who is affectionately known as Original Country Man (OCM), was denied by the Supreme Court of Liberia from contesting for the representative seat of electoral district #11, Montserrado County, following a domicile case filed against him by a few of his political opponents.
Though the Hearing Officer and the Board of Commissioners of the National Elections Commission (NEC) earlier ruled that Dr. Tweh was a resident of the district, the Supreme Court overturned the decision, which prompted a high level of division among residents of the district.
Dr. Tweh, through his Nimene Tweh Foundation, offered the scholarships to over 500 young Liberians, attending more than 20 academic and vocational schools and universities in the country.
Speaking during the launch of the initiative in Caldwell, outside Monrovia recently, Dr. Tweh disclosed that the gesture was intended to provide the beneficiaries the opportunity to acquire knowledge and educationally equip themselves to face and address future challenges with ease.
He noted that no nation can move forward in terms of economic and infrastructural growth and development if adequate support is not provided to citizens, especially young people, to advance their studies.
He observed that many young Liberians are eager to acquire academic or vocational skills, but the lack of support makes it difficult for them to realize their dream or full potential.
Dr. Tweh said if Liberian youths are to compete with their counterparts across the African Continent and the world at large, they should be educationally empowered by not only the government, but those who have the hands to do so.
He added that Liberia will also get on par with other countries in terms of growth and development if more investment is made in the education of young people in the society. “Investment in human capital remains one of the best ways in transforming the society,” he stated.
“Today I am here to contribute towards the recovery and rebuilding process of Liberia by empowering young people through education. I strongly believe that education is one of the surest ways in which we can develop our country. If we invest in human resource development, we can be assured of a better future for the young generation.”
Dr. Tweh continued, “Many of you may wonder why I am awarding scholarships to hundreds of citizens today, even though I was deprived from contesting despite being the preferred choice of the people in district #11. Serving humanity and giving to my people is something that cannot easily be taken away from me. I don’t care whatever the situation may be. I am awarding these scholarships because I care for the people and always like to see people moving from one stage to another, positively.”
He emphasized that Liberia would become a middle-income country in the future if young people are supported and provided the requisite opportunities to acquire academic or vocational skills by those who are in the position to do so.
Dr. Tweh observed that government alone cannot do all and, as such, humanitarians and philanthropic organizations should exert the effort in molding the minds and providing educational grants to underprivileged and deserving Liberian students whose parents cannot afford to send them to school or college.
“When you are in a position to help somebody, you can do so without expecting anything back in the future. You shouldn’t help somebody because you want to get something from them.”
Dr. Tweh’s foundation also launched a free computer literacy program in the Township of Caldwell, outside Monrovia.
According to the Manager of the Original Countryman Movement, Attorney Tonia A. Gibson, the OCM Computer Literacy Program was launched to bridge the huge gap between citizens who are computer literate and those who are not.
He disclosed that the establishment of the program was in fulfillment and continuation of Dr. Tweh’s uncompromising humanitarian work being carried out in Liberia, despite his unfortunate denial by the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, beneficiaries of the scholarships and computer literacy program have commended Dr. Tweh for helping to alleviate some of the constraints they are faced with in acquiring quality education at the grade and university levels.
They vowed to utilize the opportunities in order to become productive citizens in the future.