2nd Every Nation College Graduation: 96 Congregates in Bo

By: Paul Kamara

Every Nation College, Bo (Affiliate of Ernest Bai Koroma University of Science and Technology (EBKUST) has on Friday, 12 May, 2023 held its second congregation ceremony for the conferment of degrees and award of diplomas and certificates to deserving students. The ceremony which took place at the New Harvest Global Ministries Mega Feast Ground, Messima Section, Bo brought together distinguished personalities including the Vice Chancellor and Principal of the Ernest Bai Koroma University of Science and Technology (EBKUST) Rev Prof. Edwin J.J. Momoh, Proprietor Every Nation College (ENC) Rev Shodankeh B.E.B Johnson, Principal ENC Mr Christian Johnson, Academic staff of ENC & EBKUST, Education Stakeholders, Sister Colleges and Universities, Traditional and Religious Leaders, Parents and Well Wishers, Graduands, Journalists, among others. 96 students who have fulfilled all requirements successfully went through the graduation process. In his statement, proprietor of Every Nation College (ENC), Rev Shodankeh B.E.B Johnson foremost thanked God almighty for yet another history-making moment at the college. He also thanked the leadership of the Ernest Bai Koroma University of Science and you (EBKUST) for the strong partnership. He expressed hope that some day the institution will be counted among top notch institutions in not just Sierra Leone but Africa as a whole. "I want to unreservedly appreciate and thank God for the opportunity. I also want to thank God for bringing us and creating a very healthy relationship with the Ernest Bai Koroma University of Science and you (EBKUST). I want to thank the most able and dynamic Vice Chancellor and Principal Rev Prof Edwin JJ Momoh and his able academic staff and lieutenants that are doing everything humanly possible to make sure that this baby (ENC) survives. You have done more than well. "We are living in an age and time where many people find it difficult to help others while on their way to the top. They will rather discourage you and tell you nobody has done this before, saying it's painful, it's hard or it's impossible. But those whose hearts have been knitted together to see progress and development, to see that the lives of people are touched not because of themselves but because of what it will bring to humanity are always willing to make the needed sacrifice. And I am here to tell you that EBKUST has done just that. I am more than happy to say thank you. "Ladies and gentlemen and graduates present here, I want you all to understand that God has given us the opportunity, life will not be easy. During your academic studies it was tough and after this conferment it may be even tougher. But life was not meant to be easy by the way. It can be hard, but let me tell you when you meet hard times or difficult moments, my encouragement is that you turn it into a project. "We are here not because we have the money but because we were determined to conquer every tough time. "Our goal is to get to the top, but getting to the top is not easy, and staying at the top is even more difficult. But if EBKUST, FBC, Njala and other higher learning institutions have done it we will do it also! So I can say to the top we are coming, our space is there. With this brilliant, most able, accommodating, and supportive partnership we have with EBKUST we know we can do it", he said. Vice Chancellor and Principal of EBKUST Rev Prof. Edwin J.J Momoh commended the Proprietor of ENC Rev Johnson for his tireless efforts in transforming education in the country thereby contributing to the human capital development in the country. He also appreciated the academic staff for their many sacrifices in holding the academic values of the institution (ENC). He assured that the EBKUST will continue providing the required support to ensure ENC becomes a full blown university. "I am so thrilled to be a part of history making in this part of the country. "You can only support someone who is ready to be supported. My brother here (Rev Johnson) has shown strong commitment towards that end. You can see the energy in him and the passion that he has for building the capacity of people in this nation. Have you ever visited the new campus location? Then you will begin to know that people are working and we must appreciate them. So I have no doubt at all that in the very near future we will be having an ultra modern university in this part of the country, and the ENC will be transformed into an autonomous university. "To this my administration has pledged its support so that by the next congregation ceremony it will be our last by God's grace that we will be conferring degrees. "We can only be effective leaders if we are ready to serve. We are therefore assuring of our unflinching support to this drive to ensure that ENC is finally declared as a full blown university. We are thankful to the president for choosing education as his flagship program which has open the the access to education Addressing the mammoth gathering on the theme: "Expanding Access To Education In Sierra Leone", principal of the Every Nation College, Mr Christian Johnson informed in aligning their commitment to the theme they admitted over 250 students into various programs for the 2022/2023 academic year. He confirmed that this is the highest number of intake ever at the college. He disclosed the institution is expanding in every area yearly with the establishment of a satellite campus in Cline Town, Freetown. Expanding Access to Education Mr Johnson pointed out goes along with standard and quality to which he assured all that the college is committed to upholding. I am highly appreciated by both the academic and administrative staff for their dedication, commitment, and diligent hard work in the past eight months since I assumed office. "Along the trajectory of becoming a university, we are just a few months away from completing and occupying the most ultra modern university campus in this part of the country. On this campus you will have the unique opportunity of sitting right here in Sierra Leone and taking lectures from lecturers across the four corners of the world. In addition you will have the following amenities: you will have access to a 24/7 internet facility to enhance your research and communication capabilities with other institutions and partners around the world. You will have a public address system, projectors, projector screens, TV screens and CCTV cameras in and out of lecture halls. You will also have two ultra modern ICT labs with about 180 computers in both labs combined.  The first lab will be operated in partnership with Orange Sierra Leone and the second will be supported by the STEM Program. Additionally you'll have ultra modern furniture in all of these classrooms. "For this graduating class to enjoy these amenities, you may have to come back at some point for a postgraduate degree when we shall have become a university. Mr Vice Chancellor and Principal sir, a new and exciting highly convenient learning environment awaits the students at the new Every Nation College Campus in Sammi, Bo City. "In addition to the learning environment ENC has the most prolific partnership with EBKUST here in Sierra Leone and we are also partnering with other world-class universities across the globe to enable ENC to deliver on the mandate of academic excellence that will make us the best academic institution in our beloved Sierra Leone. "Vice Chancellor and Principal sir, in addition to the ongoing infrastructure project ENC believes in expansion and developmental progress. Therefore as we bring to an end the ongoing project, there are plans to further invest in other infrastructural projects, such as: construction of hostels and staff housing facilities, construction of both students and staff canteen, construction of a campus clinic etc etc. "Among the above projects the most critical need is the construction of the hostel facility which is urgently required to help accommodate our students. It will further assist to increase enrollment in line with this year's theme of Expanding Access to Higher Education in Sierra Leone. "While the New Harvest Ministries will continue to take the lead in funding these projects, we will explore other options of both government and private partnerships. ENC is blessed to have a supporting ministry like the New Harvest Global Ministries. "There is a saying that we all might be familiar with: All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Although we had a relatively short semester we endeavored to organize the first Inter-Hall Athletics Sports Meet in March of this year". Mr Johnson concluded by admonishing the graduates on the core values of the college which are: discipline, determination, commitment, humility, hard work, integrity, excellence and faith in God. He encouraged them to put these values at the center of every opportunity, challenge, fortune or misfortune, noting that along the way it will make them not only worthy ambassadors of the ENC  but for the country at large. Among the 96 graduating students Mr Johnson confirmed included 36 Bachelors, 19 Higher Diplomas, 38 Diplomas and 3 certificates. Emmanuel Sara Sesay and Tenneh Mansaray were awarded as the best and second best students respectively. Emmanuel who graduated with a Bsc in Public Health got a final grade point average of 4.69, whilst Tenneh has 4.20 as her final grade point average. Speaking to journalists shortly after the ceremony, both students thanked God for the success and encouraged fellow students to treat their studies seriously. According to Emmanuel, "the award came to me as no surprise.I am joyful and grateful to God almighty. This is not the first time I pursued a higher diploma. In the last graduation I was fortunate to be one of the best students again and I promised myself and the institution that I am going to make history and by the special grace of God I am able to make it for the second time. "I am dedicating this great achievement to my parents, especially to my late dad. It's unfortunate he's not here today but I know he must be a proud man in his grave. To my fellow students I want to engage you all to stay focused, work hard, be determined, and stay committed. On her part, Sarah Mansaray expressed profound joy noting "I am super excited, it wasn't easy but thank God I finally made it. I am dedicating this success to my father, mother and children.. "To my fellow students I say please treat your academic work seriously and at the end you'll find yourselves in a similar position as us today. The Every Nation Polytechnic has metamorphosed through various stages of academic and program development. In August 2020, the institution gained an affiliation status with the Ernest Bai Koroma University of Science and Technology (EBKUST). The institution has also recently been upgraded from a college to Polytechnic status by the Tertiary Education Commission with further efforts being made by the institution to be fully approved as a university which process is ongoing as they keep on fulfilling the rigorous criteria or standards set out. Currently, the institution offers a wide range of programs in certificate, diploma and degree as the institution has been able to over the years train leaders who occupy respectable positions in the society, country and the globe at large. Every Nation Polytechnic is fully equipped with teaching and learning materials, qualified academic staff, conducive lecture rooms with whiteboards, library and ICT facilities. This is the second congregation ceremony held by the institution since attaining its Polytechnic status.