The Haywood Mission Institute (HMI) has graduated more than 120 students for academic 2022/2023.
Speaking Thursday, August 31, 2023 at the graduation ceremony, the Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), Monie R. Captan, challenged the graduates to remain focused in their education sojourn to obtain higher education for nation building.
Chairman Captan stated that education is one of the basic fundamentals to ensuring a successful life in any society, and Liberia cannot be an exception. He indicated that there are three things the graduates need to enhance to become prominent citizens in society: competence, integrity and vision.
Chairman Captan maintained that the graduates should endeavor to cultivate these characteristics to transform their lives and the society.
He noted that education is the bedrock, but integrity and vision are needed to enhance their chances in any endeavor in life. He asserted that if the individual is competent but lacks any of the two characteristics, it will be difficult to excel in his endeavors.
The LEC Board Chairman urged the graduates to ensure that they are organized, and plan and work hard to achieve their goals if they want to become prominent citizens in the society.
Chairman Captan emphasized that the graduates should be determined to champion their goals in life with these virtues, which are key to ensuring successful living at this critical time in Liberia.
Meanwhile, the Valedictorian of the 52nd graduating class of the Haywood Mission Institute, Philip J. Zeagban, said if the youths are the future leaders then it is crucial for more investments to be made in the educational system.
Valedictorian Zeagban stated that investing in the education of Liberian youths will go a long way in eradicating illiteracy and ignorance in the society.
He noted that several Liberian youths have been engaged with drug abuse in various communities around the country, which poses a serious threat to the future of Liberia. He underscored the need for government and other stakeholders to invest in youth education, despite the economic constraint confronting the nation.