“The mindsets of “Dependency and Entitlement,” are breeding corruption, laziness, and mismanagement. Transformation does not begin with buildings or budgets. It begins with the mind. As a nation, let us begin to think differently, expect differently, work differently, so Liberia will become different. To foreign investors and Liberian businesses…”  Davidetta Togba-Cassell/ 2026 Valedictorian LICOSESS College of Education 

His Excellency President Joseph Nyumah Boakai;

Hon. Minister Dr. Jarso Jallah;

Distinguished Guests, Faculty,

Parents, and My Fellow Graduates;

Today, we gather to celebrate the 2025/2026 graduation of LICOSESS College of Education. We graduate as proud Liberians, each bearing great values. It was a battle hard fought. We had many sleepless nights. Yet, we succeeded through commitment and determination.

Moving on, our path forward will be guided by truth.Today, I stand before you not only as a valedictorian, but as a Liberian whose heart beats with hope for our nation’s future. As we celebrate this milestone, let me appeal to us to use the ceremony to renew our pledge of love and service to our homeland. no foreign voice can echo our visions, no foreign hand can raise our dignity.

We,  educated, empowered, and united – are the architects of our tomorrow. Only Liberians can build Liberia. Foreigners will come with big projects, but hear me very well, they will never give more than what they will take. Check the stories: our rubber goes, iron ore goes, timber goes, even our sweat has price too. Even as we celebrate today, our beloved nation still faces immense challenges in education. According to, today, only 36 % of primary school teachers are fully qualified, and many trained teachers are in short supply.

Our Education Minister also highlighted urgent needs in teacher training, school leadership, and infrastructure. Our roles as Liberian citizens, Like in Romans 12:2: “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind,” our first responsibility to our nation is the renewing of our mindsets. Mindsets play a powerful role in shaping individuals, communities, and nations. In Liberia, mindset has been both a barrier and a badge.

The mindsets of “Dependency and Entitlement,” are breeding corruption, laziness, and mismanagement. Transformation does not begin with buildings or budgets. It begins with the mind. As a nation, let us begin to think differently, expect differently, work differently, so Liberia will become different. To foreign investors and Liberian businesses, invest not just in profits, but in people, in our communities, in education, and infrastructure. Build factories that hire Liberians, not just companies that exploit resources.

When Liberians empower Liberians, that is a foundation and a future being built.To the President of the Republic: Your Excellency Mr. President, we honor motto to think Liberia, love Liberia, and build Liberia. Know that we stand with you, but we cannot succeed without a full commitment. These are my recommendations:Mr. President that you ensure that Liberians create wealth for Liberia, not elsewhere.

What do I mean by this? From the foundation of this nation, public officials send millions abroad for their children’s education, families’ relocation and medicals. That is nearly a quarter of our national income. Imagine if that capital was channeled to improve education, healthcare, and agriculture right here at home. This must end now, not tomorrow.What can you do Mr. President? Let Liberia start with you, with what lies in your purview. Make it a non-bargaining requirement that all appointed public officials and their dependents, attend Liberian schools, and attend medical in Liberia during the officials’ times of service. By doing so, appointed officials will begin to ensure that all standards of schools are elevated.

Our medical facilities will receive full attention and support. We won’t need to fly to India nor Ghana or UK or USA for surgeries. This is how we think Liberia, love Liberia and build Liberia.That you and the Ministry of Education find it appropriate to include LICOSESS in your subsidy plan. Why? We are your biggest educational partner in the nation.

Every year, LICOSESS trains more than one thousand teachers to reduce teacher gap. Those teachers develop the foundation of every professional person in this country. To our innovative President Dr. Benjamin Wehye and our dedicated teachers and faculty: you have been the torchbearers of knowledge and character. You taught us the meaning of citizenship and service.

Today, we look at the challenges; our schools need teachers, and we say: Here we are, not just with degrees in our hands, but with integrity in our hearts, and disciplines in our examples. We stand as proof that your work matters. Keep inspiring more young Liberians with that same passion. To our cherished parents, and loved ones: your sacrifices have brought us to this proud day. We thank you for every sacrifices and words of encouragement, especially to my own husband Mr. D. Webster Cassell. Please continue to hold us accountable and continue to instill patriotic values.

To my fellow graduates, we are the next generation of Liberians charged with building our country. Distractions are everywhere, but remain focus. Let your focus be rooted not in what is popular, but in what is right, and not in what is easy, but in what is meaningful. Hereafter, teach every child to cherish this country.

In conclusion, to every Liberian, Liberia is all we have so let us own her intentionally. Lasting change must be Liberian-led. The responsibility is ours. The time is now. With conviction, unity, and love, let us begin to deeply think Liberia, love Liberia, and build Liberia because Only us Liberians will build Liberia.

May God bless LICOSESS, may God bless Liberia and guide our steps as we build her future.

I thank you.