The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2014

Nigeria hosting of the First edition of the Liberia/Nigeria Joint Commission, the Liberian Government’s release of seven persons accused of rioting in Nimba and the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization’s disrobing of six officers of the bureau are among stories highlighted in our Tuesday, July 15, 2014 selected dailies.

DOMINANT STORIES

1st Edition of Liberia/Nigeria Joint Commission Opens In Abuja 

The First edition of the Liberia/Nigeria Joint Commission has gotten under way in the Nigerian capital, Abuja with a commitment by both countries to strengthen bilateral cooperation in six (6) thematic areas. The opening session of the Joint Commission was addressed by Liberia’s Foreign Minister Augustine KpeheNgafuan and Nigeria Minister of State II Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed at a ceremony held in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria. The Joint Commission meeting which will run from July 14 -15,2014 will focus on  enhancing  cooperation in the areas of Education, Health, Sustainable Agriculture Development, Promotion of Commerce Trade and Industry, Regional Peace, Security and the Rule of Law as well as Transport and Civil Aviation, INSIGHT reveals.

Related Caption:  Liberia, Nigeria open joint commission (New Dawn), 1^st Edition Of Liberia/Nigeria(Heritage), 1^st Edition Of Liberia/Nigeria Joint Commission Opens In Abuja – Focuses On Education, Health And The Economy(INSIGHT), Liberia/Nigeria Commission First Edition Opens In Nigeria – Education, Health, Others On Agenda(IN PROFILE DAILY)

7 Rioters Released

State prosecutors’ desire to establish a prima facie case against 41 Liberians accused of vandalizing the promises of Arcelor/Mittal in Nimba County has led to the release of seven persons who confessed to the crime and revealed to cooperate with the state lawyers. Solicitor General, Cllr. Betty LaminBlamo confirmed Monday freedom has been restored to seven out of the 41 defendants and not nine as being reported in several quarters, New Democrat reports.

Related Caption: Gov’t Releases 7 Detained Nimbaians – Apologizes For Falsely Arresting Them(National Chronicle), 7 Nimba ‘Rioters’ Set Free(Daily Observer)

BIN Disrobed Six Officers

The Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization (BIN) has disrobed six officers for time indefinite without salary.A release said the officers were involved in forgery, doctoring of Immigration related documents, bribery and falsification of the Commissioner’s signature.Those officers involved include Ltc. Othello Choloply, Chief of Intelligence of the Grand Bassa detail; Capt. James Sibley of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, Maj. Dennis K. Yorgbor, Chief of Budget (BIN); Capt. Isaiah Williams, Press and Public Affairs; Lt. Joe Kerbah, Task Force and Capt. Anthony Taylor, now on the run, The NEWS writes.

Related Caption: Six BIN Officers Disrobed(New Democrat), BIN Suspend SixFor Doctoring Rob Sirleaf Application (FrontPageAfrica), BIN Disrobes 6 Officers (INSIGHT)

UNDP Encourages Youth To Own Constitutional Review Process

The Country Director of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Liberia is encouraging youth Representatives to stay engaged with the constitutional review process of the Country. Dr. KamilKamaluddeen said young people play a pivotal role in reforms that shape the destiny of their future and as such, their participation in such democratic exercise is necessary. “Take this process as your own business” says Dr. Kamaluddeen. Speaking earlier, one of the Commissioners at the CRC, SokoSackor, described the views of youth groups, as valuable to the entire process. Mr. Sackor urged the delegates to help disseminate the message of constitutional reform to their respective communities and constituencies, New Dawn reports.

Related Caption: UNDP Boss Encourages Liberian Youth(The NEWS), UNDP Country DirectEncourages Youth to Own TheConstitutional Review process(FrontPageAfrica), UNDP Country Director Encourages Youth to Own the Constitutional Review Process(INSIGHT), UNDP Country Director Encourages Youth – To Own The Constitutional Review Process (IN PROFILE DAILY)

OTHER STORIES

Gov't Backs Women Having Access To Information

The Government of Liberia has backed Liberian women’s quest to have access to information in the country. Information Minister Lewis G. Brown said the essence of women having freedom of access to information provides an opportunity for them to have equal participation in issues of national concern. Minister Brown spoke over the weekend at the Monrovia City Hall. He told participants that if Liberia must be seen as a State of transformation, women should be involved in every decision making process because they can also play a vital role in decisions that govern the State, New Dawn reports.

Carter Center Trains Chiefs In Margibi

The Carter Center in collaboration with the Ministries  of Justice and Internal Affairs has begun a three-day training for traditional chiefs in Margibi County. The training, which is aimed at strengthening the capacity of indigenous leaders in good governance and dispute resolution, runs from July 14 to the 16th. Over 45 participants are attending, including Town Chiefs, General Town Chiefs, Clan Chiefs and Paramount Chiefs from all parts of Margibi County. Speaking to The New Dawn on Monday, July 14th  in Kakata,  Margibi, Carter Center Chief of Party, Pewee Flomoku, said the training is part of the Center’s access to justice program, New Dawn reveals.

NEC Replaces 1,657 Lost Voter Cards In Margibi

The National Elections Commission (NEC) has replaced the lost voter identification cards of about 1,657 eligible voters in Margibi County.The exercise is part of the voters ID cards replacement exercise launched by NEC on July 7 and ended on Saturday, July 12, according to the Liberia News Agency.The Elections Magistrate of Margibi County, FumbaSwary, told LINA Monday that of the total number of lost cards replaced during the process, 1,195 were males, while 462 were females.Swary described the process as “very smooth and successful without hurdles,” adding that replacing the cards will enable eligible voters exercise their voting rights in the October 2014 Mid-term Senatorial elections.He said those who failed to take advantage of the replacement exercise should have themselves to blame, adding “there was enough public awareness on the process throughout the length and breadth of Liberia,” INSIGHTreports.

4000 UL Students On Probation                  

The University of Liberia Administration Monday disclosed it would drop 4,000 probation students from its regular academic activities in the first half of the current academic semester. Dr. S. Momolu Getaweh, Head of UL Relations, informing this paper during a telephone conversation yesterday, said “These people (students) are claiming 5,000 of their colleagues are affected by the closure of the registration deadline but we have about 3000-4000 of them that are on probation list. They are not informing you about that,” Dr. Getaweh informed New Democrat

CENPID Declares Election Campaign Opened

One of the leading intellectual forums in Central Monrovia, based on Carey Street, the Center for the Promotion of Intellectual Development (CENPID), over the weekend held its official launch of  “campaign opened”, for its upcoming election. Speaking during the opening ceremony, the Deputy Minister for Legal Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Boakai Kanneh, described the period as a transformation one, noting that in the past CENPID sowed seeds, but today the organization is harvesting, National Chronicle reports.

Liberia For 10^th World Amp World Cup In Mexico

Emotions that gripped thousands at the just ended FIFA Brazil World Cup were felt by the world. In Brazil, 200 million people wept as their pride was hurt after the humiliating 7-1 drubbing in the semi-finals by eventual winners, Germany, whose nationals are still celebrating their win against Argentina. Though Liberia was not among the elites, we are lucky to be among the elites of the Amputee soccer sector.. A dispatch from Mr. DuannahSiryon, international coordinator of LAFASA said Liberians in the United States are excited about the friendly match,Daily Observer reports.

Diabetes On The Rise In Kakata – Residents Appeal For Help

Residents of Kakata, Margibi County, are calling on the government to help fight the prevalence of diabetes in the county. The call was made during a two-day free community testing and awareness outreach, lunch in the county on Tuesday by Pervocate, a diabetes testing and awareness center recently established in the county. The outreach program, which took place at the M.S. Community Healthcare Center, Kakata, is in continuation of the free diabetes testing and awareness community outreach to the people. Commenting during the outreach initiative at the M.S. community clinic, James Momoh explained to the residents about the importance of diabetes testing and awareness, and the devastating effect of the disease if testing is ignored, National Chronicle reports.