Great personalities should be viewed as role models in nurture of country

President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik has said that great personalities of the country should be viewed as role models in the nurture and upbringing of the country’s younger generations.

President Waheed made the statement while paying tribute to the memory of Late Dr Abdul Samad Abdulla at a function to lay the foundation stone of 12 additional classrooms of South Huvadhu Atoll Education Centre.

Stressing the distinguished services of Dr Abdul Samad to the country, President said the country was proud of the Late Foreign Minister, and that he was an exemplary man.

“Dr Samad is a source of pride. We have to view him as an exemplary man,” the President said.

Noting that Late Dr Abdul Samad Abdulla was one of the first Maldivian doctors, President said he had played a central role in designing the public health system of the county.

President Waheed also highlighted Late Dr Abdul Samad’s role in the World Health Organization (WHO) as well as his services as the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

During the function to lay the foundation stone for additional classrooms in South Huvadhu Atoll Education Centre in Thinadhoo, President Waheed announced that the name of Thinadhoo Regional Hospital has been changed to Dr Samad Memorial Hospital, as per a Cabinet decision made on Monday.

In his speech, President Waheed also said that the academic performance of the South Huvadhu Atoll Education Centre had improved in 2012. He, therefore, congratulated teachers, students and administrators of the school. He also expressed hope that the school would make further improvement in this year.