The University of Liberia (UL) has honored and gowned four traditional chiefs in Grand Cape Mount County in recognition of the provision of 1,000 acres of land for the construction of the David A. Straz – Sinje Technical and Vocational College.
The ceremony held Wednesday, 4 December at the University’s Sinje campus, brought together UL authorities and students, elders and young people of the county, as UL observes its custom of kick starting its commencement convocation with the exhibition of arts and craft in Sinje.The honorees include Sinje Town Dean Elder moneruSonii, GohnZodua Dean Elder henry CongorBoakaiZodua, Manivalu Town Dean Elder AlieuDukuly and Konoma Town Dean Elder Varney G. Kiadii.
In appreciation of the Elders and the people of Grand Cape Mount County, UL Vice President for Administration Prof. WeadeKobbah – Boley says the elders will go down in history for the provision of the 1,000 acres of land to UL.“What you did by making the decision to donate this 1,000 acres of land to the University of Liberia was nothing small. You will go down in history of this county and the Republic of Liberia for this kind gesture,” she says.
She recalls that the Sinje campus actually started in 1982 under the leadership of Dr. George Boley, [now a representative of Grand Gedeh County], but the project was abandoned due to lot of things that happened along the way, key of which is the civil crisis.
But she gives credit to former Liberian President Ellen Johnson – Sirleaf and former UL President Dr. Emmet A. Dennis for reviving the project.
Earlier, UL Vice President for Academic Affairs Prof. Dr. William E. Allen says the occasion at Sinje on Wednesday was in observance of the University’s custom to begin its commencement with the arts and craft [exhibition].
“When we have this arts and craft displayed, it means that we are opening our commencement season. So our commencement season officially begins today,” he says.
He explains that another reason for assembling at Sinje is in celebration of UL’s centennial commencement which will see more than 3,000 students graduating mid – next week.
According to him, the Dean of Sinje College Dr. John M. Sellu observes that whenever graduations are held at Sinje, the locals can go there to witness the ceremonies and help the college to recruit students.
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In view of Dr. Sellue’s concern, Dr. Allen says UL administration decided to do the arts and craft exhibition at Sinje since there will be a one – day graduation ceremony in Paynesville which some of the locals in Sinje might not be able to attend.
In remarks, one of the honorees Dean Elder MoneruSonii appreciates the University for the recognition given the elders over the donation of the land, but urges UL authorities to act fast and develop it so that other people do not encroach on it.
Meanwhile, Elder Sonii appeals to UL to include nursing program at the Sinje College to cut down the distances of students wishing to do nursing.
A prominent citizen and businessman of the county, Mr. IdrissaMansary applauds UL for constructing the Sinje campus, saying he values it because it has cut down the transportation cost of his brothers and sisters in the county who desire to seek higher education.
He pledges to construct facilities closed to the Sinje campus to help lodge students who will come from far distances to attend school at Sinje.By Winston W. Parley
