Citizens of Bong County over the weekend honored former Cuttington University President and former Bong County Senator, Dr. Henrique Flomo Tokpa, for his longstanding contributions to education, leadership, and human capacity development in Liberia.
The honoring program, held in Bong County, brought together government officials, educators, students, alumni, community leaders, former colleagues, scholarship beneficiaries, and family members to celebrate what organizers described as Dr. Tokpa's transformative impact on Liberia's education sector, particularly during his tenure as president of Cuttington University from 2005 to 2013.
Providing an overview of the program, organizer Lepolu Torlon said the event was organized by Dr. Tokpa's former colleagues, mentees, children, and scholarship beneficiaries in recognition of his years of dedicated service to national development and academic advancement.
According to Torlon, Dr. Tokpa played a major role in expanding access to higher education for underprivileged Liberians through initiatives such as the Work-Study Scholarship Program, Presidential Scholarships, High School Dux Scholarships, and educational opportunities for persons living with disabilities.
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Organizers also highlighted Dr. Tokpa's efforts in strengthening academic excellence and staff development at Cuttington University. During his administration, several faculty and staff members reportedly benefited from opportunities to pursue graduate and doctoral studies in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ghana, Nigeria, and Botswana.
The program further recognized his administration's introduction of tuition waivers for university staff, their children, and graduate students, a move participants described as critical to improving professional capacity within the institution.
Speakers at the event also praised Dr. Tokpa for supporting the establishment of Liberia's first master's degree programs in business and expanding Cuttington University's graduate school in Monrovia, as well as its junior college in Kakata, Margibi County.
Activities marking the occasion included award presentations, gowning ceremonies, cultural displays, and tributes from invited guests who described Dr. Tokpa as a committed educator and nation-builder whose legacy continues to inspire young Liberians.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the launch of an annual award and scholarship initiative intended to support deserving students pursuing higher education in selected academic disciplines.
Several speakers used the occasion to call for increased national investment in education and human capacity development, emphasizing that Liberia's progress depends heavily on empowering young people through quality and accessible education.
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