President Koroma attends University of Makeni Matriculation

President Ernest Bai Koroma was over the weekend a guest at the first private University of Makeni for the installation of the Chancellor, Conferment of Honorary Degree and Matriculation of Students at The Fatima College Campus Makeni.

The commencement of the occasion saw the Rt. Rev. Dr Bishop George Biguzzi Bishop of the Diocese of Makeni installed as the first Chancellor of the University of Makeni by Chief Justice Umu Tejan Jalloh. Bishop Biguzzi was also conferred with the degree of Doctor of Education (honoris causa).

Chairman for the Tertiary Education Commission Prof. Kosonikeh Thomas said the occasion is a commitment of Bishop Biguzzi sincere dedication to God and great work to develop mankind.

He said the Tertiary Commission is committed to supporting the University’s growth in line with the vision and aspiration of the chancellor.

He raise concerned for the quality of education from tertiary institutions and called for resources to be provided to help in the increase of student’s commitment and knowledge.

In his address the Chancellor Bishop Biguzzi said he shared the honour with all those who in different ways labored to bring about the birth of the first private University in Sierra Leone.

He added that Makeni is now a University City and one of learning.

According the Chancellor the growth of the University of Makeni, alone with all the other development taking place around the country, is another clear sign that Sierra Leone is a nation  on the move.‘

The credit of this wonderful growth goes to many individuals. A few years when a small group of us started to think of an institution of higher learning, we found out that the most enthusiastic supporter of the idea was His Excellency President Koroma’ He noted.

He added that President Koroma regularly wanted to be informed of developments and to back up his words with deeds he handed over the campus at his father’s village for the expansion of the University. “Even for today he gave a generous cash donation” He said.

Bishop Biguzzi said he was pleased to be associated with many distinguished Professors, administrators and lecturers of the University of Sierra Leone.

He pledged that the University of Makeni will join in the common effort to provide students the best possible education in a time of crises and change.

“In our strategic plan we envision a University striving to be an innovative and collaborative institution, attentive to the needs of the students and the communities we serve. We will strive to be an incubator for economic transformation, community development and cultural dynamism, based on our human and religious values that uphold the primacy of human being in every endeavor” said Bishop Biguzzi.

He added that the above are ambitious goals, but he has no doubt in the ability of the growing younger generation to face these challenges and shape a new future.

He thanked the Tertiary Commission, Ministry of Education, the Government and President Koroma for the collective support “My prayer is that the Almighty God will guide everyone, leaders, students and people everywhere, towards greater solidarity, unity, justice and freedom”, he said.

Delivering the keynote address President Koroma said he was happy to be part of the occasion for such a promising institution and that his fervent hope is that the University will serve as a beacon of education not only in Sierra Leone but the world.

He congratulated Bishop Biguzzi as Chancellor of the University President asked students to be excel and prepare to serve God and Man. “Students our country needs your skills and awaits your national contribution. The way forward is providing basic and strong education, including distant learning through satellite” he observed.

President Koroma maintained that we needed to support women to develop educationally and guide them to copy the example of Chief Justice Umu Tejan Jalloh. The President noted that education is the bed rock for transformation and that education without character is a recipe for trouble.

He prayed the University will provide big height. Government, he stated appreciated the dedicated work of Bishop Biguzzi especially during and after the period of our civil war.

He congratulated all students for the bold step in enrolling in the university.

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