Jonglei government warns graduates to avoid NGOs, politics

December 9, 2013 (BOR) – The government of South Sudan’s Jonglei state warned newly graduating students against joining non-governmental organisations or going into politics.

The minister of agriculture, Mayen Ngor, warned the students not to abandon their government, while speaking during a farewell party organised for recent graduates from the John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology in Bor.

“I warn you, don’t go for politics after you go the villages. You will not be competent, you lack experience,” he said.

Ngor was addressing the students whom his government supported financially through their training. Some of those who are government employees were granted to leave to study while still being paid.

“Join your respective ministries based on your qualification so that you are given a space to climb the ladder. If you go for NGOs, you will start a fresh from the government when you come back, you better go now and then later negotiate when you get job with NGOs,” he added.

Among the 37 graduates, four studied fisheries, 10 environmental science, 11 agronomy and 12 animal production.

Jok Gai Mach, one of the deans of the colleges at the university urged the students to perform to their best in their future careers.

“You have just graduated today, you are armed to face any challenge that will come your way in your lives,” he said.

Dean of students, David Malual Wuor, who said the the university graduation ceremony was being planned by the university’s administration, asked the graduates to represent the university in a good light.

“By releasing you to the public, we are showing the image that we have, whether we are disorganised community, whether we educate the students very well whether we have the right skills, all will be known through you.”

(ST)