By Grace Q. Bryant
The valedictorian of the University of Liberia’s Accounting Department, Jacob Luther Kennedy, has issued an urgent call for government to prioritize youth education, stressing the need for serious action in supporting the nation’s future leaders.
Speaking on behalf of over 800 graduates from the Alexander Romeo Horton College of Business and Public Administration, Kennedy emphasized the importance of investing in Liberia’s bright young minds.
He expressed concern that academically driven students are often overlooked, while attention is primarily directed toward rehabilitating marginalized youth.
“While it is commendable that efforts are being made to rehabilitate disadvantaged youth, we must also support those who excel academically,” Kennedy said.
He questioned, “Do we want them to fail before offering assistance? Should we only care when they become street children?”
Kennedy urged the government to establish a “Secretariat on Youth Excellence” to identify and nurture the brightest young minds across the country.
He proposed that this body scouts for talents in all 15 counties of Liberia, fostering healthy competition and encouraging academic excellence among young people.
“Such a program would help cultivate a generation of leaders, scientists, engineers, medical doctors, and other professionals essential to Liberia’s development,” he noted.
Reflecting on his personal experience, Kennedy shared how close some of Liberia’s most promising students came to being lost to the streets due to lack of support, and how mentorship saved him from a similar fate.
He concluded by stressing the importance of supporting academic excellence as a critical factor for national growth. “While addressing the growing number of street children, we must also keep our brightest minds engaged and motivated,” he emphasized.
