The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2014

News of the signing of five agreements of cooperation between Liberia and Nigeria and the launch of a campaign to end violence against women are among stories highlighted in our summary of Thursday, July 17, 2014 selected dailies.

DOMINANT STORIES

Liberia, Nigeria Sign Cooperation Pact; Diplomats To Get Scholarships

The Inaugural Session of the Nigeria-Liberia Joint Commission has ended in Abuja with the signing of five agreements for cooperation between the two countries. Liberia’s Foreign Minister Augustine Ngafuan signed the Joint Communiqué on behalf of Liberia while Nigeria’s Minister of State II Nuruddeen Muhammad singed on behalf of the Federal Government at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, Nigeria on Tuesday, July 15, 2014. According to a Foreign Ministry dispatch from the Nigerian capital, Abuja, the inaugural session laid the basis for enhanced economic and social development of the two countries and peoples and the promotion of regional security and development. Liberia and Nigeria signed agreements for cooperation in Education, Culture, Bilateral Trade and Training of Liberian Foreign Service Officers. The two countries also entered into a Memorandum of Understanding on Mining and Geology. One of the significant features of the agreements signed is that Nigeria has committed to grant a soon to be agreed number of scholarships to Liberian diplomats to pursue an 18-month Masters in International Relations and Strategic Studies (MISS) programme at the University of Lagos. While pursuing their masters’ degree, Liberian beneficiaries of the Nigerian scholarships would also take courses at the Nigerian Foreign Service Academy. Speaking ahead of the signing ceremony, Liberia’s Foreign Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan gave special recognition to experts from both countries that worked behind the scenes to make the signing of the agreements a reality. Minister Ngafuan sees the signing of the Joint Communiqué as a giant step forward in consolidating Liberia/Nigeria relations, FrontPageAfrica reports.

Related Caption: Liberia, Nigeria Sign Five Cooperation Agreements(INSIGHT), Liberia, Nigeria Sign Five Cooperation Agreements…Liberian Diplomats To Benefit Scholarships (Heritage)

UN, Liberia Shining Light On Ending Violence Against Women

On Tuesday July, 15, 2014, two of the United Nations System Agencies, the Joint Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) and the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) in collaboration with the Government of Liberia (GOL) through the Ministry of Gender and Development (MOGD)-SGBV Joint Program launched a new campaign in Monrovia named: “Shining the Light on ending violence against women” and empowering them to remain free from HIV.The Shine the Light Campaign was jointly launched in Monrovia by Madam Ng’ong’a M. Gulavie, head of the office of the UN Resident Coordinator on behalf of the UN; and Madam Maima Karneh, MODG’s Assistance Minister for Planning and Administration on behalf of the Government of Liberia, FrontPageAfrica reports.

Related Caption: UN, GoL Launch Shining The Light On Ending Violence Against Women Campaign (INSIGHT)

LACC Takes Corruption Fight To Markets

In an effort to sensitize ordinary Liberians about the ills of corruption, the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) will Thursday, July 17, 2014, commence the first phase of its anti-corruption awareness campaign in market places. The campaign will commence at the Red Light Market and continue to the LBS and Coal Field Markets. The Executive Chairperson of the LACC, Cllr. James N. Verdier, Jr. is expected to officially launch the campaign. The overall goal is to use a bottom up approach in changing the mindset of marketers on corruption and explain to them the evil, causes, manifestations and dimensions of corruption in Liberia. The anti-corruption awareness program will dramatize real life situations, FrontPageAfrica reports

Related Caption: LACC Takes Corruption Fight To Markets(Inquirer), LACC Takes Corruption Fight To Markets (FrontPageAfrica)

OTHER STORIES

 Chief Justice Warns Judges, Magistrates

The Chief Justice of Liberia, Francis Korkpor, has warned judges and magistrates across the country to refrain from accepting gifts from party litigants. Speaking at the induction of the Ganta Magisterial Court in Nimba County recently, Justice Korkpor among others said there is nothing in the law referred to as bond fees, which are being requested from petitioners by court authorities. He urged magistrates and judges to conduct the court as a place for re-dress and not to collect money or act in a way that could discourage citizens from  going to court but rather to engage in mob justice. “You judges and magistrates need to do away with collection of huge fees from people; do things that will make citizens to respect the rule of law”, he advised.
The Chief Justice also challenged judges and magistrates to be fair in their proceedings and rulings, stressing that everyone is equal before the law. Justice Korkpor’s comments come in the wake of citizens’ disappointments in the justice system of Liberia with some noting that the poor cannot get justice against the elite in court due to alleged favoritism or bribery, New Dawn reports.
 

Ohio Council Donates To Schools In Porkpa District

The Ohio State Council in the United States of America has donated 2,000 textbooks and several computers to schools in Porkpa District in Grand Cape Mount County. The Paramount Chief of the District, Jamiyatu K. Watson, who, made the disclosure upon return from the United States, recently said the consignment is expected to arrive in the country next month, IN PROFILE DAILY reports.

Gov’t Erects Six Admin Buildings In Grand Kru

The Government of Liberia has constructed six administrative district buildings from the County Development Fund in Grand Kru County. Disclosing this recently on UNMIL Radio, Grand Kru County Representative Nimene Bartekwa named the districts where the buildings were constructed as Buah, Jloh, Sasstown, Jarbo and Trehn Districts. Meanwhile, the Grand Kru County lawmaker has said that the road network in the county has improved significantly, INSIGHT writes.

LEITI Calls For Budgetary Increase

The Communication and Outreach officer at the Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI) is calling on central government to increase its budgetary support to the institution. LEITI is a government run institution that is responsible for accessing basic functions of Extractive Industries and companies operating within the 15 political subdivision of the country. Speaking to FOCUS news on Tuesday, 15 July, 2014 in Monrovia, Mr. Sampson Wonnah said the institution needs more funding to carry out its operation without fear or favor.

Gov’t Alarms Over Fake Ebola Vaccine

A senior health official here has alarmed of the issuance of “false Ebola vaccine” by imposters, acting as health workers in Monrovia and surroundings. Deputy Health Minister for Research Planning, Ms. Yah Zolia told UNMIL radio Wednesday, July 16 that the Health Ministry is receiving reports of imposters offering Ebola vaccine in some communities. Ms. Zolia disclosed that one of her staff and the health promotion director at the ministry had informed her about imposters delivering what they claimed is an Ebola vaccine, New Dawn reports.

US$1.5m To Rescue D-Tweh

The Superintendent of the Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS) Adolphus Benjamin Jacobs has revealed that it needs US$1.5 million dollars to rescue the D-Tweh High School from sea erosion in New Kru Town. Superintendent Jacobs told newsmen that experts hired by the MCSS disclosed that to barricade the Bushrod Island based school from the sea erosion will cost approximately US$1.5Million, FOCUS writes.

Police Declare 15 Wanted Over Nimba Rio

The Liberia National Police (LNP) has declared 15 persons wanted for their alleged connection with the recent rioting in Yekepa, Nimba County. According to police spokesman Sam Collins, those wanted are Saye Tee Suweh, Jett G.Forgay, Korkar Saye Korte, Peter S. Zuweh, Paul Gantu, Lawrence Twen and Harnson Newah. Others are Ernest Gbowin, Abel Nyanamah, Sylvester Moore, Joseph Suah, Anthony Weegon, Lucia, Eric Bentor and Othello Bentor. Collins said the LNP has already arrested and charged 41 suspects for crimes ranging from rioting, armed robbery and arson, among others, and forwarded them to the Magisterial Court in Sanquellie, Nimba County, INSIGH reports.

Lebanese Embarks On Rescue Mission

The Executor of the interstate estate of the late business tycoon Milad Hage says it is morally and socially imperative to serve humanity and contribute positively to their development needs in several meaningful ways. Mr. Bassam Jawhary said lots of people are currently praying for miracle to improve their lives, noting that, “We have to realize that we can become their miracle; we should have the attitude that I am going to do something for someone else.” Serving as chief launcher at the God’s Rescue Mission Ministries, Inc. located in upper Caldwell, Mr. Jawhary said it is important for individuals to actively engage in humanitarian activities and encourage someone, meet their needs, be kind to a neighbor, help communities in need and become someone’s miracle, FOCUS writes.