By: Trokon Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
YEKEPA, NIMBA COUNTY – The Chief Financial Officer of ArcelorMittal Liberia, Conor O’Brien, has urged newly enrolled students of the African Bible College University (ABCU) to embrace their new environment wholeheartedly and prioritize their academic journey as a foundation for both their personal success and Liberia’s future.
Speaking at a matriculation ceremony that welcomed 34 new students, O’Brien reminded both freshers and returning students that the essence of university life is to learn, grow, and prepare for a life of service.
“Being at university means stepping into a space of growth and responsibility. It means that you are no longer just beneficiaries of your parents’ dreams, but custodians of your own future,” he said.
While acknowledging the freedoms that come with university life, O’Brien warned that freedom without discipline can be destructive. He cautioned students against drugs and alcohol, describing them as scourges that continue to rob too many young Liberians of their future.
“Do not let temporary pleasures rob you of permanent progress,” he urged.
O’Brien also linked the students’ academic pursuits to the broader economic opportunities being created under ArcelorMittal Liberia’s Phase II Expansion, noting that the company’s multi-billion-dollar investment is not just about boosting iron ore production but also about opening career pathways for Liberians.
“We are building railways, expanding our port facilities, and most importantly, creating opportunities for employment and skills development for young people like you. The knowledge you gain here at ABCU positions you to seize those opportunities,” he explained.
Reflecting on the growing partnership between ArcelorMittal Liberia and ABCU, O’Brien pointed to the collaboration with the company’s Training Academy as an example of how industry and academia can work together.
He stressed that further cooperation would help prepare students for leadership, expand training initiatives, and build stronger bridges between the classroom and the workplace.
“As ArcelorMittal invests in infrastructure and industry, we want to walk together with institutions such as ABCU to ensure that Liberia’s young people are ready to lead in every field — whether in business, governance, ministry, or community development,” O’Brien said.
Turning to the newly matriculated students, he encouraged them to view every lecture, assignment, and challenge as a step toward enlightenment.
“Know that your education is not just for you alone, but for the transformation of your family, your community, and your country,” he stressed.
Concluding, O’Brien challenged the students to rise to the call of nation-building:
“Liberia needs men and women who are wise, disciplined, and compassionate — and my challenge to you is to be among them.”
