Source: Africa Publicity
Sierra Leone’s President, Julius Maada Bio, has called on Africa’s youth to harness the transformative power of education to drive the continent’s renewal, urging graduates to become agents of innovation, dignity, and self-reliance.
Delivering the commencement address at the 12th Convocation Ceremony of Baze University in Abuja on Saturday, President Bio reflected on his own journey from the chalkboards of a rural classroom in Tihun to the highest office in Sierra Leone, underscoring how education shaped his path to leadership and service.
He linked this personal experience to broader continental aspirations, stressing that Africa’s progress depends on the knowledge, innovation, and integrity of its youth.
President Bio highlighted the strides made in Sierra Leone under his administration, where more than two million children who previously lacked access to schooling are now enrolled in classrooms nationwide. He described this achievement as part of his government’s broader commitment to human capital development and the belief that education is central to sustainable growth.
He urged the graduating students to see themselves as catalysts for change across Africa, encouraging a shift from dependency to dignity and from aid-driven development to innovation-led progress. By investing in knowledge and cultivating creativity, he noted, Africa can redefine its future on its own terms.
The convocation ceremony, attended by students, faculty, families, and dignitaries, celebrated the achievements of Baze University’s newest graduates. President Bio’s address reinforced the idea that education is not only a personal milestone but a collective responsibility—one that holds the potential to transform communities and nations across the continent.
