By: Taisiah K. Merfee
The Chairman Emeritus of the former governing National Patriotic Party (NPP), Chief Cyril Allen, says if Liberia must progress, the country must prioritize Technical vocational technical education (TVET), saying that it is time for young people to unite in fostering the Development agenda of the country. Chief Allen accentuated that Liberia needs more young people, especially as graduates, to help in the development of the country.
Mr. Allen told the graduates that they have been empowered at the Versatile Trust Vocational Training Center (VVTC) to take the center stage of post-war development.
He spoke when he served as guest speaker last Saturday at the first Commencement Convocation of VVTC on the Roberts Field Highway in Paynesville, where 31 students graduated from a nine-month intensive training in various disciplines.
The Liberian politician blamed the older generations for the backwardness of Liberia, and therefore pointed out that it is now time that all young the people of the country unite in promoting national peace and unity amongst the citizenry.
The commencement speaker, addressing both Graduates and parent, said- “Unity is lacking in all aspects of our society; the Schools, our various worship centers, our organizations, our places of work, and even in the Government”.
Chief Allen maintained that the development of Liberia is not only restricted to formal education alone; he added that technical and vocational trainings has also huge potential in and are crucial to the development of the country. He committed himself to be part of such graduation program of young people as the one he was attending, noting that it is prudent to inspire the young people with positive thoughts that give way to free interactions between both the young and old folks.
The NPP chairman emeritus also donated the administration of the VVTC L$50,000 Liberian Dollars to help in other areas of the operations of school during the next training cycle.
Versatile Vocational Training Center is a not-for-profit organization with the so purpose of helping young Liberians who do not have the means to formal tertiary educational to discover their potentials through vocational education.
The school offers a regular nine-month session of ten different courses, including Electricity, Journalism, Tailoring and Fashion Designs, Driving, Front Office Management, Cosmetology, Catering, Event Planning, Event Decoration, Broadcast Engineering and Graphic Arts and Craft; it also runs an internship program for enrichment of students.
The Chairman and Founder of VVTC, Mr. Lewis T.Togba Sr., expressed delight over the level of improvement of the institution, especially during its first Graduation program which he said is a resounding success.
The successes scored during its first period of time covering the VVTC’s first graduation, Mr. Togba said, is by the grace of God who made it possible to have overcome the test of time in the face of the several challenges.
According to Mr. Togba, the establishment of the institution is a complete fulfillment of a long time dream for him and his family to give back to the society through education.
He then to call on the Government of Liberia to invest more in Technical Vocational Educational, if the Nation must move forward in forging its development agenda.
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