At the Zekeh Memorial High School closing ceremony
held in Zekepa, Yarwin Mehnsonnoh Statutory District, Nimba County Electoral District Nine, Liberia, West Africa
Theme: “Empowering the Future: The Transformative Power of Quality Education and Community Service”
Introduction:
Zekepa, Nimba, Liberia:- Our District Education Officer Mr. Michael Goyee, Mr. Principal Evan Kolleh, Nimba County Electoral District Nine representative Taa Z. Wongbe, newly confirmed and inducted local leaders, health practitioners, civil society organizations, the business community, motorists, community leaders, our chiefs and elders, community watch forum, religious community, the physically challenged, distinguished guests, esteemed teachers, dedicated parents, the fourth estate, and my dear students.
I bring you greetings from my wife, Mrs. Beatrice Cooper Gbarwee, including our kids, my humble and retired parents, Mr. Francis Gbarwee and Mrs. Irene S.M. Gbarwee who would have loved to be here but are here with us in spirit, who equally served this noble institution, the Board of Trustees, Management, and Staff at The One Nimba House Media Inc (Nimba D-9 TV), which manages Radio Voice of Yarwin Mehnsonnoh 99.1FM, including our Brand Ambassadors of USA, Queen Vicky Lakpor and Canada, Sophia Johnson, Africa Development Management Associates-ADMA Executive Director Dr. Toga Gayewea McIntosh, managed by its Managing Director B. Elias Shoniyin including Associates, United Nimba Citizens Council-UNICCO headed by its National President Samuel Woegbeh Gee, and Help Minimize Epilepsy in Liberia team chaired in the Diaspora by Retired US Army and a Health Practitioner Pauline Wonzon Land and here in Liberia by Miss Antonette Lapue Johnson.
I stand before you today with immense pride and gratitude. It is an honor to return to Zekeh Memorial High School, where my educational journey began, and to be among those who have shaped and continue to shape the minds of our future leaders. This school is not just a building but a beacon of hope, a foundation for dreams, and a pillar of our community.
Let’s kindly stand for a moment of silence as we honor the late Prof. Johnson N. Gwaikolo, who I believe by faith is smiling with us, including all those faithful souls departed who were products of this great institution called Zekeh Memorial High School. Thank you! You may have your humble seats.
As we gather here today, I am reminded of the African proverb that says, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Our village, our community, is stronger when we come together to invest in the education of our youth. Today, I want to speak to you about
“Empowering the Future: The Transformative Power of Quality Education and Community Service,”
and how each of us—students, parents, teachers, local leaders, stakeholders, and alumni—can contribute to this noble cause.
The Power of Quality Education:
Education is the key to unlocking the potential within each of us. It is the foundation upon which we build our lives, and it is the driving force behind progress and innovation. But what does quality education look like?
- Holistic Development: Quality education goes beyond textbooks and exams. It nurtures critical thinking, creativity, and emotional intelligence. It prepares students not just to pass tests, but to navigate the complexities of life.
- Access and Inclusivity: Every child, regardless of their background, should have access to quality education. This means creating an environment where ALL STUDENTS feel valued and supported, including those with special needs such as physical challenges and those challenged with epilepsy. Those with special needs must be fully attended to and not stigmatized or bullied.
- Empowered Educators: Teachers are the backbone of our education system. They need continuous professional development, resources, and support to inspire and guide their students effectively. We are very grateful to our teachers here at Zekeh Memorial High School including all teachers in the district and beyond for their selfless servant leadership and services as they continue to prepare us for life’s challenges.
Teachers should also be very much aware of their roles and responsibilities not just in the classrooms or on campuses, but in their communities.
Lastly, to our teachers allow me to borrow this quote from the late educator,
Prof. Johnson N. Gwaikolo, “Teach what you know and to know what you teach”.
The Role of Community Service:
Education is not confined to the four walls of a classroom. It extends into our communities, where real-world learning and growth take place.
- Building Character and Responsibility: Community service instills a sense of responsibility, empathy, and civic duty in our students. It teaches them the importance of giving back and making a positive impact.
- Creating Stronger Communities: When students engage in community service, they help address local issues and build stronger, and more resilient communities. This creates a cycle of positive change that benefits everyone.
- Students should always be innovative and creative, accepting to volunteer and serve their communities.
- For every every community development initiative we will appreciate seeing us standing up to participate because this is the only way our communities, counties, and nation will develop. We have to have a sense of belonging and care for each other, which begins with us from our homes and then to our various schools and workplaces.
This should be our civic duty, and starting today, we should embrace the behavioral change of supporting community initiatives for growth and development.
The Call to Action:
Today, I positively challenge each of us to take an active role in advancing education and community service.
- For Students: Embrace your education with passion and curiosity. Seek opportunities to serve your community and develop skills that will serve you throughout your life.
- For Parents: Be involved in your children’s education. Support their dreams, encourage their efforts, and be their biggest advocates. Your involvement makes a significant difference. We are grateful to our wonderful parents here and those out there for their hard work in supporting their children. Let’s clap for them. Sadly, our beautiful cultural practices, which we value and appreciate, sometimes overshadow the quality of education. We urge you, parents, to say no to this during the school period. Let traditional training take place after the school year, allowing parents to prepare their kids financially, morally, and physically for school. We want to see Zekeh Memorial High School and other community schools filled with students so that they will remain in school and progress to the next stage.
- For Teachers: Continue to inspire and challenge your students. Be the mentors and role models they need to navigate their educational journey. Teachers will also have to provide education for reporting Sexual Gender Based violence or SGBV. The fact that we are saying it should be reported equally means it should not be practiced as always.
- For Alumni: Remember where you came from. Use your success and experiences to give back to Zekeh Memorial High School. Mentor current students, support school initiatives, and invest in the future of this institution.
Let me take this moment to appreciate the alumni of Zekeh Memorial High School who are doing exceptionally well in giving back to their alma mater:
- Our DEO, Mr./Mrs. Michael Goyee
- Mr. Evan Kolleh, Principal
- Zokunwon Gbarwee, now an Author, donated a marching band in honor of the late Anita Sonkarlay.
- Pastor Peter S. Y. Neahn
- Mr. Peter Glay
- Mr. Titus K. Payzine,
- Cyrus Dolo
- Larryson Biah
- Doc. Cozie Gwaikolo
- Doc. Quayikeh Yoewah
- Willie B. Tingba
- Derry Duokie
- Roland Nensian Former YARMUSA President, and many others.
God has blessed this school so much that it has produced Teachers, Musicians, Technicians, IT Professionals, Social Workers, Lawyers, Doctors, Public Health practitioners like me here today, Engineers, Local leaders some of whom are here today, Authors, Nurses, Midwives, Pastors, Physician Assistants, Soldiers, Police, Mechanics, and the list goes on and on. With the blessings and favor that God has granted us all, is time we kindly remember home. We call on you to establish the Zekeh Memorial High Alumni Association, enabling those in the diaspora to get involved with activities here at the school.
We are now blessed to have active internet coverage here, which will make it easier to run activities for the benefit of our students and future generations. Sadly, Zekeh Memorial School lacks basic equipment like printers and computers for running school activities. We must stand up now to provide these materials before the next school opening, and I trust we can.
- Local Leaders: To our newly confirmed and inducted local leaders, we say congratulations, and is time you lead not just for your political party arrangements but for all those God has blessed you with. For too long some leaders have seen parties over people and we think it is time you all do it differently in seeing the people than the party because it is the people who made the party. Peace and true reconciliation must be the order of the day for our forward march as I see that our beloved district is divided heavily on these too many party sentiments. Please see citizens of Yarwin Mehnsonnoh Statutory District/Nimba County Electoral District Nine and not as UP, CDC, Crusaders for Gwaikolo, Team Myers, Team Taa, FOT, etc. Seek the face of God almighty for wisdom and vision. Have thick skins, be fast to hear slow to respond, and always prepare to serve because this is the chance to write yet another story in your life and the lives of your family and the district. What you do here to have more students encouraged to be in school and to help reduce teenage pregnancy will be something that other districts will learn from you.
Conclusion:
As I conclude, I want to leave you with this thought: The seeds of today are the flowers of tomorrow. By investing in quality education and community service, we are planting the seeds of a brighter and more prosperous future for our children and our community.
I am equally urging everyone mainly those of us calling ourselves youths to fully respect our leaders beginning with the town chiefs in our towns to our district representative and beyond. Our energy must henceforth grow when it comes to creativity and innovation coupled with self-help community initiatives that are impactful and purposeful. Those who continue to use our radio waves and social media to insult our leaders, providing misinformation and disinformation must be condemned because that will never help the situation we are faced with as one of the remotest districts in Liberia.
Let us work together to ensure that every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential. Let us build a community where education is valued, and service is celebrated. And let us inspire future generations to carry forward the torch of learning and service.
Thank you, and may we all continue to strive for excellence in education and community service.
