MONROVIA – In a heartfelt address to the graduating class of 2024 at the African Methodist Episcopal University (AMEU) on November 13, 2024, First Lady Katumu Yatta Boakai inspired the new graduates with powerful lessons drawn from her own life experiences. The ceremony, attended by government officials, faculty, and distinguished guests, marked a moment of triumph for the graduates as they stood at the cusp of new beginnings.
Boakai began her speech with a lighthearted remark, humorously claiming that her return to school in her seventies may have made her the wisest person in the room. She then transitioned into a powerful message about resilience, education, and the importance of family and faith—values that have shaped her personal and professional journey.
“I want to share with you three fundamental lessons that have guided me from my modest beginnings in a small village in Bomi County to standing before you as the First Lady of Liberia,” Boakai stated, setting the tone for her speech.
The first lesson she shared was resilience, emphasizing that her own journey to success was filled with obstacles, particularly her early years in the village of Jawajeh Varney Boohn. Despite facing severe poverty and starting her education late, she was determined to overcome these challenges. “If a village girl from Jawajeh Varney Boohn, who started reading at age 10 and walked miles to school, can stand before you as the First Lady of Liberia, then there is no ceiling to what you can achieve,” she said. Boakai encouraged the graduates to embrace challenges as stepping stones to success and to never let hardships define their future.
Boakai’s second lesson was about the transformative power of education. She reflected on her own educational journey, which began in a village school and eventually led her to the University of Liberia and the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary. She also shared her personal achievement of returning to school in her seventies to earn another degree, despite the challenges of being a student among much younger peers. “Learning has no age, no limits, and no boundaries,” she declared. Boakai urged the graduates to view education not just as a means to gain knowledge, but as a tool for changing the world.
The final lesson Boakai shared was the importance of family and faith. Reflecting on her 52 years of marriage to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, she spoke of the strength she found in supporting one another through both challenges and successes. She highlighted the role of prayer and faith in her journey, drawing strength from her belief in God’s guidance. “With God, all things are possible,” she said, urging graduates to carry forward their values of love, humility, and support for one another.
As she concluded her speech, Boakai reminded the graduates that Liberia’s future lies in their hands. “You are the new generation of leaders, thinkers, and builders who will shape our country’s destiny,” she said. Boakai encouraged them to take pride in their education and the opportunities they have been given, urging them to serve with honor, resilience, and faith as they embark on their professional journeys.
In a poignant ending, she called upon the graduates to carry forward the lessons of resilience, education, family, and faith. “Every challenge you face is a stepping stone to greatness, every lesson learned is a tool for the future, and every act of kindness and integrity is a building block for a stronger Liberia,” she said, inspiring the graduates to take charge of their roles as the future leaders of Liberia.
Boakai’s address not only celebrated the academic achievements of the graduates but also highlighted the personal values that can guide them in their quest to contribute meaningfully to Liberia’s future.
