By T. Lula Jaurey
IPNews-Monrovia, Liberia-30 June 2018: President George Weah has encouraged graduates of the Cuttington University not to give up in whatever they venture into, in the pursuit of new life after walking out of college.
He reminded the graduates of the tedious challenges and tasks ahead after college, but urged them to remain steadfast, and try again whenever they fail in their first attempt of taking upon themselves a task.
Serving as commencement speaker at the 57th Commencement Convocation of the Cuttington University, held at its main campus, Suakoko, Bong County, on Friday, June 29, 2018, President George Weah stated that the path to success will not always an easy route but it takes courageous people to be successful.
Speaking on the topic “The Path Will Not Always Be Clear,” the Liberian Leader informed the graduates that by walking out of college, they will be counted alumni alongside leaders, educators, politicians, medical professionals and business people.
“You all have plans for what you will be able to do, what jobs you will get, what businesses you will open, where in the community you will serve. All of those are what you should be thinking about; and all of those are what you should be creating plan to achieve,” President Weah told the graduates.
The Liberian Leader also encouraged the graduates to think bigger than they have ever done, to look beyond what they have known and seen, what others before them have done and to believe that they can do better and greater things.
“I challenge each of you that wherever you go next, to always think about ways to innovate in your chosen profession, ways to get over obstacles that have stopped others, ways to create new things, and ways to solve problems and serve others,” President Weah urged.
According to the Liberia leader, the graduates should endeavor to create avenue for themselves, and not to be complacent, and reminded them also of the saying of Philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson “Do not follow where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
He said: “I challenge each of you to do just that, because especially in this country, we are building a stronger, better Liberia and it will take people with new ideas, new ways of approaching our issues, people who are determined not only to just talk, but to take new, different and even radical actions.”
The President also called on the graduates to be resilient and committed to whatever they choose to do because “people fail not because they are not good, but because they are not patient.”
“You have a well laid out plan with a very clear goal, but life will introduce challenges and obstacles along the way. Whether it is lack of resources, maybe illness, death of a loved one, or a business deal gone bad, or the failure of something that you started… remember my message to you: The Path will not always be clear.”
President Weah called on the graduates to take cue from his life, which has been about dreaming, thinking, planning, commitment and hard work, trying, learning and trying again before success is achieved.
He thanked the administration of Cuttington for the invitation to serve as commencement speaker, and said he was humbled and honored for the conferral of the Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters upon him.
“I accept this accolade with deep humility, bearing in mind that it represents, in part, a recognition and acknowledgement of the modest role that I have been privileged to play, in giving care and support to many people less fortunate than me,” he acknowledged.
Meanwhile, the Board of trustees and administration of the Cuttington University in Suakoko, Bong County has conferred an Honorary Doctorate Degree upon President George Manneh Weah.
The Doctorate Degree of Humane Letter (L.H.D) – Honoris Causa – is in recognition of President Weah’s accomplishments in many fields including humanity, football, peace-building and education.
The honor was bestowed on the Liberian leader during the 57th Commencement Convocation of the University on Friday, June 29, 2018 in Suakoko, Bong County.
In the citation; Cuttington University determined the many strives and impacts President Weah has made over the years on the world stage, as the only African to reach the acme of football, winning European and FIFA best player of the year, as well as the endeavors he made to bring peace to Liberia through sports.
The University stated as reasons for awarding the Liberian leader his “par excellence” activism and humanitarian role over the years. “During your football career, you stood off the pitch to denounce racism in football, and you became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. You used football to bring hope and joy to the children of Liberia and Africa in general,” the University recalled.
It also recalled how the President used proceeds from a “Lively UP Africa” CD in 1998 to raise funds for charity in other African countries -then beset by conflicts and social disorders.
The University also recalled President Weah’s role as peace ambassador during the administration of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in 2013: promote national reconciliation and peace-building, impacted and informed the decision to confer the doctorate Degree on him.
‘Your timely intervention in the recent impasse at Cuttington University has proven again that you are indeed a problem-solver, and an expert in conflict resolution. You have committed and continues to commit your personal resources and finances in peace-building initiatives,” the University recounted in the citation read by Prof. Anthony Siakor, Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs.
“In recognition of these facts, in appreciation of your selfless services to humanity and the well-being of the people of Liberia, the Board of Trustees and the Faculty Senate of Cuttington University now hereby confer you, Your Excellency, Dr. George Manneh Weah, 24th President of the Republic of Liberia, the Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D) Honoris Causa, with all the rights and privileges thereto appertaining.”
