By Our Reporter | Smart News Liberia
GREENVILLE, SINOE COUNTY — House Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon has pledged to mobilize legislative support to restore the Health Sciences Department at Sinoe Community College, describing the revival of the institution’s nursing program as essential to strengthening healthcare delivery and expanding educational opportunities in southeastern Liberia.
Delivering the keynote address at the college’s Third Commencement Convocation in Greenville on Saturday, July 4, 2026, Speaker Koon congratulated 33 graduates while reaffirming the National Legislature’s commitment to advancing higher education and improving infrastructure at the institution.
Addressing graduates, faculty members, traditional leaders, government officials, and guests, the Speaker praised the college’s resilience since its establishment by an Act of the Legislature in 2015 and its opening to students in 2017. He commended the institution’s Board of Trustees, President Rev. Jappah, faculty, and staff for sustaining academic progress despite persistent challenges.
“Education remains the most powerful instrument for transforming lives and communities,” Koon declared, describing graduation as a testament to resilience, discipline, and perseverance.
He told the graduates that their academic accomplishments extend beyond earning certificates and degrees, emphasizing that they now carry a responsibility to contribute meaningfully to Liberia’s development through ethical leadership, professionalism, and public service.
Reflecting on the institution’s growth, Speaker Koon noted that Sinoe Community College began with four academic departments: Teacher Education, Business and Public Administration, Agriculture and Forestry, and Health Sciences, with the vision of becoming a center of excellence serving Sinoe County, the southeastern region, and Liberia as a whole.
According to the Speaker, the college had already produced 60 graduates before this year’s commencement, many of whom are serving in schools, government institutions, financial establishments, and other sectors across the country. The addition of 33 new graduates, he said, demonstrates that investment in higher education continues to produce tangible benefits for national development.
However, Koon acknowledged that the institution continues to face serious obstacles, particularly the closure of its Health Sciences Department following action by the Nursing Board because of inadequate infrastructure required to maintain the program.
He described the suspension as a major setback for aspiring healthcare professionals in Sinoe County and neighboring counties, stressing that the region urgently needs trained nurses and other medical personnel.
“As Speaker of the House of Representatives, I am committing to work with the administration of the College and the leadership of Sinoe to ensure that the Nursing Department is restored,” Koon pledged.
He emphasized that the effort goes beyond reopening a single academic department, arguing that restoring the nursing program is about renewing hope, expanding opportunities for young Liberians, and strengthening the country’s healthcare system.
Koon further announced that the Legislature intends to increase its support for Sinoe Community College as part of a broader effort to help the institution attain university status in the coming years.
“Our county must be amongst the very best when it comes to education in Liberia,” he said, urging local authorities, including the county superintendent, members of the legislative caucus, and other stakeholders, to unite behind the college’s development agenda.
The Speaker also linked educational advancement to economic development, noting that Sinoe County continues to seek greater investment through concessions and industrial projects. He argued that producing skilled graduates would enable local citizens to compete for senior managerial and professional positions created by future investments.
“We are praying for concessions and factories to come to our county. In order for us to fully benefit, we will need trained professionals who are able to occupy top-level managerial positions,” he said.
Closing his address, Speaker Koon encouraged the graduates to serve Liberia with integrity, diligence, and honesty, reminding them that they now represent not only themselves but also the reputation of Sinoe Community College wherever their careers may take them.
