By Vaye A. Lepolu
More than 5,200 students celebrated their graduation from the Netlib Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) Saturday April 26, as the institution marked a significant milestone in equipping Liberian youth with practical skills and a renewed sense of hope for the nation’s future.
The colorful ceremony, held in Congo Town, drew together students, parents, faculty, and community leaders. It featured an inspiring keynote address from renowned Liberian peace activist and Nobel Laureate Madam Leymah Gbowee, CEO of the Gbowee Foundation, who challenged the graduates to become “a light in the dark” for Liberia.
Addressing the class of 2024 on the theme “A Light in a Very Dark Country,” Madam Gbowee addressed the pressing need for integrity and ethical leadership.
“Our country is extremely dark,” she said, highlighting Liberia’s challenges with corruption, struggling healthcare, and a scarcity of professional opportunities.
“But you have chosen to be the light – in electrical engineering, hospitality, data analysis, pastry and catering, software and computer technology. You are the light in your fields.”
Gbowee urged graduates to resist the temptation of dishonesty that has long plagued the country’s institutions.
“The corruption we see nationally often begins in our communities, in small contracts, in everyday dealings,” she warned. “When you begin to compromise your integrity at a small level, you are planting seeds of corruption that grow into great trees.”
Sharing a personal story from her time in Ghana, Madam Gbowee recounted how a simple act of honesty—returning money mistakenly given to her—broke stereotypes and earned respect. “Today, I introduced a Ghanaian military officer to something he thought did not exist: an honest Liberian,” she reminisced, urging graduates to let their honesty define them even in lonely moments. “Being the one honest person is lonely — but it is also powerful. Your friends may fear your integrity, but you will stand tall when others fall.”
She ended her speech with a challenge: “This country has been broken by years of corrupt practices. You are the ones we are waiting for. You must be the light Liberia needs. Congratulations, God bless you.”
NVTI founder Mr. Abdullai Kamara, who is also chairman of the Liberia Telecommunication Authority, expressed his pride in another successful class, noting, “Today, we have been able to produce almost 20,000 students — and that is remarkable.”
He reminded the graduates that the idea of being a “light” extended beyond politics: “She [guest speakaer] spoke not about political light, but the light in your trade — the difference you can make.”
Kamara highlighted a major recent achievement: NVTI was named Best Vocational Institution in Africa at the Business Executive Excellence Awards in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The announcement sparked jubilant cheers from the audience. “Are we proud?” he asked, to a resounding “Yes!” from graduates and attendees alike.
Kamara pointed to other examples of Liberia’s rising profile, such as a recent Grammy nomination for a Liberian musician, encouraging the graduates to continue striving for excellence. He also announced that all students who achieved a score of 15 or higher would receive tuition-free scholarships at the college level.
NVTI was founded in 2003 by Kamara in the Netherlands to support Liberia’s post-war recovery by empowering vulnerable youth through vocational skills. In 2008, it was officially launched in Liberia, focusing on high-demand fields to enhance employment and entrepreneurship.
“We are not just celebrating an institution, but a dream that has become a reality,” Kamara said. He closed with an important reminder: “Deliver your best and work in honesty.”
The occasion ended with well-wishes for the graduates, as they step into the world equipped to make positive impacts in their communities, their fields, and their nation.
