By: Fatou Krubally
More than 400 students graduated on Thursday as Gaye Njorro Skills Academy held its 16th graduation ceremony at Penchami, with speakers urging the new graduates to see their skills not as certificates for comfort, but as tools for responsibility, innovation and national service.
Opening the ceremony, Board Chairperson Dr Cherno Omar Barry told graduands that the end of training marked the beginning of real work. “You are not graduating into comfort; you are graduating into responsibility,” he said. “Your skills are your dignity, and your work is your future.” He reminded them that learning does not stop at graduation, stressing that what they build with their skills will ultimately define them.
Dr Barry described the graduates not as statistics but as solutions, adding that the country needs builders, creators and problem-solvers. “Today, Gaye Njorro releases over 400 of them,” he said.
In her address, Chief Executive Officer of Gaye Njorro Skills Academy, Fatou Saine Gaye, said the ceremony celebrated more than certificates. “Today is not just a celebration of certificates, but of courage, growth, and the belief that you can create your own future,” she told the graduates. She urged them to combine skills with creativity, innovation and courage in a fast-changing world.
Director of Academics, Alieu Sambou, highlighted the practical value of technical and vocational skills. “The world does not only need managers; it needs builders, technicians, creators and problem solvers,” he said, encouraging graduates to let quality and integrity define their work.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Permanent Secretary Moherst emphasised standards and professionalism. He warned graduates not to compromise quality for convenience, noting that skills only become respected careers when guided by trust and excellence.
The keynote speaker, Dr Jorjoh Tambedou, Executive Director of the Tertiary and Higher Education Trust Fund, described certificates as “keys, not finish lines.” He encouraged graduates to remain resilient, create opportunities and uplift others as they shape their futures and communities.
Representatives from NAQAA, ITC and the National Youth Service Scheme echoed similar messages, stressing that skills development is central to national growth, sustainability and inclusive economic development.
The ceremony also featured a parade of works by students, cultural performances, award presentations and messages from partners, including Star-Fish International.
In a brief but emotional address, the head girl reminded fellow graduates that every milestone is a reminder of potential. “Today marks your achievement; tomorrow is yours to create,” she said.
As certificates were handed out, one message remained clear throughout the ceremony: skills are only the beginning what matters is how they are used to build lives, communities and the nation.
