UL: Business College Dux Wants GOL to Establish A Youth Secretariat to Attract Excellence

The Valedictorian of the 104th Commencement Convocation of the A. Romeo Horton College of Business and Public Administration, Jacob Luther Kennedy, wants the Government of Liberia (GOL) to establish a youth secretariat of youth excellence as the surest way to recruit some of Liberia’s brightest minds.

Mr. Kennedy earned the right to make such a recommendation because he achieved the highest cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.369 in the Business College, graduating cum laude.

Alongside the graduating class, he was conferred a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Accounting (BBA).
According to Mr. Kennedy, the proposed secretariat shall be responsible for designing programs and scouting outstanding students from secondary and tertiary institutions within the 15 counties.
He asserted that this would inspire and promote competition in the counties.
In this way, Mr. Kennedy said higher institutions of learning, including the University of Liberia, can build a think-tank of emerging leaders, academicians, scientists, engineers, medical doctors, technical and vocational skills, and other relevant professionals.

Similarly, the Valedictorian also wants stakeholders to prioritize youth education to satisfy the widespread claim: “Youths are the future leaders, and education is the key to success.”

“There is one thing we have to remember: the obligation of our government to assist youths who distinguished themselves amongst their peers amid the challenges,” Mr. Kennedy stressed.

He recommended that the Government and other stakeholders recognize and reward youths for upholding excellence despite the numerous socio-economic and political challenges they face.

“In most developed countries, there are rewards for students who distinguished themselves amid the challenges,” he said. “This way, we can encourage competition, excellence, growth, innovation, and creativity.”

Mr. Kennedy’s proposal comes in the wake of growing concern that there are little or no entry-level programs for the most talented and brilliant young people in Liberia.
Consequently, he fears, many youths may be goaded into unwholesome social behavior because of the increased number of ghettos around the country.
The young scholar decried the current state of many disadvantaged youths, commonly called ‘Zogos’, and street children languishing in ghettos and the sidewalks.
He said the Government must invest in their wellbeing.
Like many of those disadvantaged youths, the valedictorian reminiscence on how endured excruciating pains, hunger, and suffering that could jeopardize his chance of earning a degree.
“I sincerely believe I overcame all those challenges only by God’s special grace,” Mr. Kennedy recalled.
The valedictorian meanwhile lauded the efforts of the government and partners to design programs to rehabilitate the youths.
Notwithstanding, Kennedy wonders why programs are not there to assist students who are making earnest efforts to gain knowledge.
He said some of his colleagues, whom he described as even smarter than him, are living in conditions worse than the ‘zogos’.
“Is it because they are courageous, so they don’t deserve support? Do we want them to go into the ghettoes before we can support them? I don’t think this is what we want,” Kennedy questioned rhetorically.
He reflected on a particular moment of his senior year of study when it became almost impossible for him to enroll for the second semester due to the difficulty he faced with nowhere to lodge, money to transport himself to class and pay his fees.

Not until he met Atty. Steve Joe-Joe, an instructor who lectured Accounting at the UL and explained his condition.

Mr. Kennedy said Instructor Joe-Joe immediately intervened to get him back in school.
“Since that conversation, things changed,” he explained. “The student who faced economic difficulty is now the dux of this graduating class of the Business College.”
As he was applauded by members of his graduating class and guests, Kennedy struggled to contain his emotion, not hold back words, heaping praises of gratitude to Instructor Joe-Joe.

“Mr. Joe-Joe, I owe you and your generation this achievement,” he said. “Thank you very much.”

The Business College dux then turned to address his fellow graduates by reminding them to reflect on those memories that culminated in the accomplishment they long sought.

Kennedy wants them to use the education and skills they acquired at the UL to succeed in the competitive world of business.
“The true measure of our success will not be found solely in the accolades we receive or the positions we hold, but in the impact, we make on the world around us,” Kennedy charged.
He concluded by challenging his fellow graduates to aspire to be the best in their businesses by demonstrating the skills and talents they have acquired from the UL.

“As future business leaders, it is our responsibility to use our skills and talents to drive positive change in our society, to be innovative and forward-thinking in our approach and to always and to always strive for excellence in all that we do,” Mr. Kennedy stated.
His valedictorian address was greeted with thunderous applause from the audience and the platform guests, with many referring to him as eloquent, intelligent, and deserving of the honor bestowed on him.