THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015

News of Ambassador Noh Kyu-Duk’s quest for the prioritization of science and technology education for development in Liberiaandthe disclosure by the Liberian National Police that the bodies of seven year-old Rubben Paye and four year-old Alvin Moses showed “no signs of being brutally murdered are the dominant stories among selected stories from today’s dailies.  

DOMINANT STORIES

Prioritize Science, Technology For Dev.

Korean Ambassador to Liberia, Noh Kyu-Duk has stressed the need for Liberia to prioritize science and technology education, which he says will accelerate economic development. Speaking Thursday at the commencement convocation of students of the T.J.R Faulkner College of Science and Technology at the University of Liberia, Ambassador Kyu-Duk recalled that after its civil war in 1953, Korea invested substantially in education thereby making the country to be developed today. “During the period of war and restoration, however, education remained the nation's highest priority,” he said. Recounting how Korean achieved its economic success story, which turned it into one of the “Asian Tigers,” Ambassador Kyu-Duk said Korea developed a five-year economic plan in 1962. “Korea's economic development goes back to the year 1962 when Korea put a first five- year economic plan into action.”  Speaking to the 189 graduates, Ambassador Kyu-Duk said “You will never be too late do anything; forget too much entertainment and don't enjoy laziness, but focus on what you can do to improve yourselves.”  Similarly, Ms. Anita Tarplah, the valedictorian of the 2015 graduating class of the T.J.R Faulkner College of Science and Technology and also the valedictorian  of all 2015 undergraduate students of the University of Liberia, urged her fellow graduates to civically engaged, rather than focus on egoistic ideals, prestige, or ambitions of splendor. “As we move into tomorrow, let us hold fast to the words of Frederick Douglass, remembering that “If there is no struggle, there is no progress, and that progress is in our community, in our country, in our world which can only happen when bright minds like us adopt to become involved,” Ms. Anita Taplah said.  She emphasized that an effective generation requires the compressive education to make some strong predictions about the future, and recommended that the Government of Liberia make the salary and benefits of hardworking professors attractive so as to enable other professors in the Diaspora to join the profession to impact knowledge into the student populace of Liberia, according to the NEWS newspaper.

Related Captions: Priority In Science & Technology Education Can Spur Economy Growth(The New Dawn), Korean Envoy Recommends Focus On Science And Technology(FrontPage Africa), ‘Make Science & Tech A Priority’ -Korean Ambassador Noh Kyu-Duk(Daily Observer)

‘No Sign Of Murder’

The Liberia National Police in Monrovia has disclosed that the bodies of seven year-old Rubben Paye and four year-old Alvin Moses showed “no signs of being brutally murdered,” concluding that the children “died from asphyxiation (suffocation)” due to the lack of oxygen in the vehicle. The kids were found dead in an abandoned vehicle in the VOA Community, off the Robertsfield Highway on 2 December, having gone missing the previous day. The incident resulted to the looting and burning of the home and four vehicles of a Nigerian national, Mr. Henry O. Nandi, in whose premises the bodies were discovered. Police Director Chris C. Massaquoi issued preliminary findings, indicating that “all the body parts of the two children are intact” and showed no sign of murder. Mr. Massaquoi said the vehicle in which the kids were found had inside locks, with openers damaged or absent. He indicated further that police investigation established that the two children died accidentally, and that the police did not have evidence to link Mr. Henry O. Nnadi to their deaths. He noted that eight suspects - Raymond Brown, Stephen Wilson, Dubon Logan, Augustine Gbarpu e, Emmanuel Diggs, Eric Karty, Lassana Kannah and Micheal Horace, have been charged and awaiting court prosecution due to the mob action that resulted to the burning of Mr. Nnadi’s house and destruction of his properties, reports the New Dawn newspaper.

Related Captions: Police Investigation Finds No Foul Play In Children Deaths, Suffocation Ended Their Lives(FrontPage Africa), ‘2 Kids Died Of Suffocation’ --Police say, while awaiting Autopsy in Woman’s Death in prison cell(Daily Observer), Children Died Of Suffocation-Police Chief Releases Final Investigative Report(FOCUS)

OTHER STORIES

Pres. Sirleaf Congratulates Kenya

The New Dawnnewspaperreports that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, has congratulated the Government and People of the Republic of Kenya on the occasion commemorating that country’s 52nd Independence Anniversary, which falls on 12th December. In her message to the President of Kenya, His Excellency Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta, President Johnson Sirleaf on behalf of the Government and People of Liberia extended heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the Government and People of Kenya as they celebrate their 52nd Independence Day. The Liberian Leader further entertained the hope that as the people of Kenya celebrate this historic event, the cordial ties of friendship subsisting between the two countries and peoples will be further strengthened for the mutual benefit of their two peoples as they continue to work together in furtherance of the principles of the African Union and the United Nations for the promotion of international peace, security and economic cooperation amongst all nations. President Johnson Sirleaf then prayed that the Almighty God will endow President Kenyatta with abundant wisdom and strength as he leads his compatriots to sustainable peace and greater prosperity.

Related Caption: Pres. Sirleaf Congratulates Kenya On 52^nd Independence(FOCUS)

Broh Wants Mawah Clinic Closed Cites Unhealthy Environment; Says She is Back to Clean up the City

‘Gen.’ Mary T. Broh, head of the presidential taskforce to beautify the city, has recommended to the Ministry of Health and the Medical and Dental Board the immediate closure of Mawah Clinic for its unsanitary environment.  She told a team of Ministry of Health officials assigned to the taskforce that the clinic should be closed to enable the management carry out a full cleanup exercise. Mawah Clinic is a well-known private medical facility in Vai Town, Monrovia, offering a wide range of medical services, from lab tests to surgery. Speaking to reporters shortly after a tour of the facilities Thursday, Madam Broh said improper disposal of needles, testing kits and syringes is dangerous for children and adults in the community. “We were around the entrance of Mawah Clinic last week and I thought by now they would have cleaned the place and sanitize the facilities to give it a facelift, which the management has not done, reports the Daily Observer.

Related Captions: Entangled InBroh’s Web Head Of Presidential Task Foce Wants Popular Mawah Clinic Closed Over Filthiness(FrontPage Africa)

Miss UN Demands Happiness For Liberian Children

The winner of the 2015 Miss United Nations Pageant, Sherrie Gearheart says it is important to teach young people how to prevent suicide. Speaking early Thursday during a visit paid to the Len Millar High School in Sinkor, Miss Gearheart told a gathering of students about preventing suicide. She said the children in Liberia should be given a save place in order to grow properly. “All the people I spoke with in Liberia say the children do not have a place to play and a sense to grow in real life and that is important. Growing up was the same, but if you believe in yourself, you can make the difference,” the Miss United Nations said. The Miss United Nations however pointed at the loss of smiles on the faces of the children she was talking to. “When I look at you, I can’t see smile on your faces. Now I want you smile, will you smile for me,” she insisted. Also speaking at the of Ministry of Information press briefing, Miss Gearheart extended thanks and appreciation to the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Information for affording her the opportunity to address a major issue in Liberia, depression and suicide. According to the Miss United Nations, she was invited by the Bill Rogers Youth Foundation. She thanked the foundation for making her trip a success. Sherrie further noted that suicide kills one million people worldwide every year, adding that depression is the immediate cause. She said another way of dealing with suicide and depression is positive thinking to train the body and mind, naming Bill Rogers as an example, pens the FrontPage Africa newspaper.

Lawmaker warns Against H/Right Abuse

River Gee County Senator, Commany B. Wesseh, has warned institutions and individuals against human rights abuse and other inimical practices including human trafficking. Senator Wesseh sounded the warning Thursday when he served as Guest Speaker at the observance of International Human Rights Day held in the Auditorium of the University of Liberia (UL) mean Campus on Capitol Hill in Monrovia. He said institutions and individuals should not use the issue of human rights as their commercial business, reports the In Profile Daily.

Related Caption:Senator Wesseh Warns Against Mob Violence, Abuse(FOCUS)

UN Craves Efficiency In Justice System

According to the FOCUS newspaper, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General in Liberia, Mr. Farid Zarif has called on the government to take actions appropriate to ensure efficiency within the justice system; aimed at responding to sexual exploitation and abuse in the country. SRSG Zarif spoke Wednesday, December 9, 2015 during the launch of a campaign on sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) at the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in Monrovia.

UN SG Wants Global Fight Against Corruption

The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called for united efforts to deliver a clear global message that firmly rejects corruption and embraces the principles of transparency, accountability and good governance. “Doing this will benefit communities and countries, helping to usher in a better future for all,” he noted. In a dispatch from New York marking International Anti-corruption Day on December 9, Mr. Ban said global attitudes towards corruption have changed dramatically, especially where bribery, corruption and illicit financial flows were often considered part of the cost of doing business. He noted that today, corruption is widely and rightly understood as criminal and corrosive, reports FOCUS newspaper.