Senator Teahjay of Sinoe County saw it prudent to solicit the opinion of political parties and civil society organizations. The political parties present at the hearing were Liberty Party (LP), Alternative National Congress, (ANC), the Unity Party (UP) and the True Whig Party. We ask that Mr. Floyd Sayon be rejected by this Committee to head the data center of the National Elections Commission (NEC). “Political parties should be made to channel their grievances through the office of the chairman of the committee. All the concerns raised by political parties in the opposition are driven by politics and propaganda.

Harbel, Margibi County – Firestone Liberia has announced that the company will continue the temporary halt on the purchase of rubber in early second quarter, contrary to its promise to resume in April. The company then promised to resume rubber purchase activities during early second quarter, which is the beginning of April, this year. “Firestone Liberia has made the difficult but necessary decision to not resume rubber purchase operations in early 2nd quarter as previously announced,” the company said in the statement released by its Communication Officer, Patrick Honnah. As the situation continues to develop, Firestone Liberia noted that it will remain in close communication with local rubber farmers and the Ministry of Agriculture on the company’s next steps to resume rubber purchase activities. Meanwhile, the company’s decision is a big blow to the thousands of local farmers who depends on the company to sell their rubber for their livelihood.

MONROVIA – The United States government is dishing out an initial aid of US$274 million to lead the world’s fight against the novel coronavirus. At least 14 African countries and European countries are benefitting but America’s oldest African ally and its neighbor, Sierra Leone were left out. The country partially shutdown with the discovery of the third case – a move that is now hard-hitting the already struggling economy. But the U.S. did not consider Liberia in its humanitarian and health assistance response to the COVID-19 pandemic. U.S. government agencies are working together to prioritize foreign assistance based on coordination and the potential for impact.

Prof. Ansu Sonii, Minister of EducationMONROVIA – In an effort to coordinate and collaborate for the safety of our students, teachers, and parents, all schools should remain closed until further notice from the Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL). Meanwhile, the re-opening of schools will be predicated upon the declaration and advice from NPHIL and the Ministry of Health. As of this date, all schools should remain closed until otherwise. All students, parents, and guardians, as well as all Education Stakeholders, are to observe all preventive measures and protocols from NPHIL and the Ministry of Health. This program will be broadcast on various national radio stations in Montserrado County and community radio stations throughout the country.

Alvin E. AttahMONROVIA – It was a jubilant mood yesterday as the baton of leadership was handed over to the newly appointed Interim President of the AME University, Rev. Alvin E. Attah by the Board of Trustees of the University. In view of the foregoing, the Interim President, Rev. Degree in Project Management from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria; a MBA in Management from University of Liberia, and a MTh. He is currently the Senior Pastor of Eliza Turner Memorial AME Church, Camp Johnson Road, Monrovia, Liberia.

Monrovia – The youth league of the Council of Patriots (COP) has identified with several Liberians in Monrovia in the fight against the coronavirus in Liberia. Speaking during the donation ceremony, the chair of the COP youth wing Ben Togbah said, it was their way of identifying with the Liberian people in the fight against the virus. “In these periods of critical health situations, the COP sees it necessary to identify with the Liberian people. Togbah on behalf of COP in Liberia appreciated the United State of America COP Chapter for its contribution in buying the anti-coronavirus material. The donation started from central Monrovia up to Montserrado County District 5 and 6 and will later engage the 17 districts of the Montserrado County.

Nwabudike as Chairman of NEC is in violation of the Constitution and Elections Law of Liberia. The ANC, in the letter noted that the Elections Law of Liberia barred Cllr. Nwabudike is not eligible to serve as a commissioner and/or chairman of NEC for reason that Cllr. Nwabudike’s Nigerian Citizenship to have ended, he was required to “make a declaration in the prescribed manner for the renunciation. On the national level, the ANC, citing the Constitution and the Elections Law of Liberia said “Cllr.

SLAD’s Founder/CEO Emmanuel B. Lavela (in African attire)and some SLAD’s members at the programBUSHROD ISLAND – Twenty-nine years ago, 1991, Emmanuel B. Lavela was one of many kid-members of the Liberia Culture Dance Troupe (LCDT) founded and based on Ghana’s refugee camp popularly called Buduburam. The program was held on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 in a small compound of a house in Point-4. Three members of Mobilization Team had been Mr. Lavela’s protégés (dance trainees) 23 years ago (2007) when SLAD was born. “This is called Bassa Woman Dance,” Queen Morris said to this writer, after she threw her little hands, legs, and face in various directions. Patrick Weah called his “Ballet”, which he had demonstrated with a ‘slow motion’ to this writer demanding a ‘free style’.

Smith Toby, Deputy Presidential Press SecretaryMonrovia – TheExecutiveMansion has announced the arrival of a huge consignment of COVID-19 testing kits in Liberia from the People’s Republic of China. Testing will be carried out by trained health practitioners to know our status,” Mr. Toby said. Toby said the Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) will begin a vigorous testing exercise next week. Toby disclosed that an “Executive Mobile Team” has been set up by President Weah to spread message on the prevention of COVID-19 in simple Liberian English. Dispelling Rumor against President WeahMeanwhile, Mr. Toby has dispelled rumors in the public that President Weah attended worship service on Sunday, March 29 in violation of public health guidelines.

This includes access to family planning services & commodities, access to Basis Emergency obstetric care (Bmoc) and Emergency obstetric care (Emoc), Antenatal & Post-natal services, labor & delivery, routine immunization services and services for TB, HIV and Malaria. That risk communication and community engagement is robust and efficient to counter rumors and misinformation surrounding COVID-19 response in Liberia. That response mechanism for COVID-19 is gender-responsive considering that women are the first line of care for sick family members. Further, there should be uninterrupted access to sexual and reproductive health services to women and adolescent girls, as well as healthcare services for key populations, and people with intersecting needs. That mental health and psychosocial support should be provided for frontline health workers, affected families, those in care and survivors of COVID-19.

Monrovia – The National Association of Forex Exchange Bureau of Liberia (NAFEBOL) has donated several disinfectant items to the Group of 77, the Monrovia Central Prison and the Slipway Community Clinic as part of efforts to curb the spread of Coronavirus in the country. According to Sayeh, disabled people are also their customers and the association was keen on giving back to the community. Since health is everybody business, the National Association of Forex Exchange Bureau of Liberia with consortium from partners, NAFEBOL has decided to bring in these gifts,” Sayeh said. It is very much important that we all can work together and kick this Coronavirus out of Liberia”. Clapha warned that the Coronavirus should not be overlooked considering that the country’s health system is already fragile.

Interestingly, a much higher resonance of public controversy is being reserved for the nominated chair. I faithfully submit no such considerations are motivating my concerns about the naturalized citizenship of the nominated chair. Mr. President Pro-Tempore and Honorable Senators, the nominated chair is not just an exclusive subject of Liberian citizenship and our laws by reason of his naturalization. It is publicly documented that approximately three months ago, the Liberian Senate confirmed the nominated chair to head the important Anti-Corruption Commission, tenured for at least 5 years. Please accept, Honorable President Pro-Tempore and Distinguished Members of the Honorable Liberian Senate, the assurances of my highest esteem.

Madam Leymah Gbowee urged President Weah to go back to the “original” George Weah of integrity and stand up for Liberians void of the fruits of politicsMONROVIA – Nobel Peace Laureate Leymah Gbowee has urged President George Weah to “go in his conscience and ask himself” if his decision to appoint Cllr. A. Ndubusi Nwabudike which has raised so many public outcries is right for Liberia. Report by Lennart Dodoo, [email protected]She described the appointment as an “error” that needs to be reversed. “I think that the nomination was an error by the President and I think he needs to withdraw that man. Even the President should have that conscience to say these people, they voted for on the basis of my perceived integrity.

The rights group challenged the Senate and sought a prohibition on the entire confirmation hearing from the Supreme Court of Liberia. The Justice in Chamber, Associate Justice Jamesetta Wolokollie, however, denied the petition, something which left the CSO Platform in disappointment. “Others including churches and marketers have suspended every livelihood activity in line with the health protocols, but the Senate still continues to carry activities that promote large gathering and this is unfair to those observing the protocols. But unfortunately for us at the Supreme Court, the Justice in Chamber refused to yield to our request to issue a writ of prohibition to stop the Senate,” said Adama Dempster, Secretary of the CSO Platform. Petitioner says countries provide humanitarian and developmental supports to Liberia because Liberia is one of the poorest countries in the world.

Hundreds of independent research studies on TM have found major increases in calmness, clarity of mind, happiness, creativity, and energy. Scientific research has demonstrated over and over that this advanced IDT practice raises the consciousness of all those within its field. A global experiment to assess the influence of the advanced practices of advanced TM on world trends was conducted December 1983 for three weeks. COVID19 may be an opportunity for Africa to re-evaluate its approach to societal issues and try something new. At this time, the extensive body of TM research does not yet indicate that meditation will makes society immune to the COVID-19 virus.