The International Bank Liberia Limited has launched a new branch at the Caldwell Junction on Bushrod Island.  The launching of a news branch is part of the bank’s expansion of banking services across Monrovia.

In remarks, the Chief Executive Officer Mr. Thomas S. Jeffrey III, says the growth of any nation is dependent upon economic and private sector growth.

Speaking at the official launching program of the Caldwell Branch of International Bank Wednesday, Mr. Jeffrey said without economic growth, there can be no national development.

“We will accelerate the banking sector; IB has a history of being here since 1960. We are going to stay and grow with the country,” Mr. Jeffrey told his audience.

He noted that his banking institution will always serve the Liberian people hoping that their services will be extended throughout the country adding that IB will continue to grow as Liberia grows.

He indicated that the launching of the Caldwell Branch is one of six branches earmarked. The IB Chief Executive Officer disclosed that another branch will be launched in Kakata, Margibi County on July 26, 2008.

He thanked staff of the Bank for their dedication and commitment to duty adding “we hope to do more for the country.” In his keynote address, the Assistant Manager for Bank Supervision at the Central Bank of Liberia, Mr. Michael Ogun lauded IB for opening a new branch that would help Liberians.

He said the CBL has encouraged that expansion of commercial banks as a way of bringing competition. Mr. Ogun urged the management of IB to expand its services to other parts of Liberia aimed at enhancing economic growth.

UNMIL FC Ends Duty
By Sallu Swaray

The outgoing Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) Lt/Gen.Chikadibia Isaac Obiakor has described his tenure in Liberia as “one of the great achievements and success.”

	• Lt/Gen. Isaac Obiakor

At a farewell press conference Wednesday at UNMIL’s Headquarters, Gen.Obiakor said he was proud to have commanded a committed troop to the task of assisting Liberia to achieve peace.

“When I look back and recollect the past, I feel proud of the tremendous successes and achievements of UNMIL.

"Let me state here that this would never have been possible without the joint efforts of the mission as a whole, while each and every member of UNMIL Force, the government of Liberia, other aid agencies and most importantly all of the Liberian People also help greatly to the success of UNMIL,” he said.

He assumed command in January 2006 when the country was extremely fragile and challenging in all the sectors. During his tenure of commander of the multinational force, Liberia held successful elections, which followed by the inauguration of the government of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Touching on the regional situation, Gen.Obiakor said UNMIL is contact with regional security agencies, and that they have accurate knowledge of developments from the various countries bordering Liberia. On arming the LNP, he said the police must first meet the pre-requisites and international standards.

After nearly two-and-a-half years, serving as Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in Liberia, Lt/Gen. Chikadibia Isaac Obiakor leaves the country later this week to take up a new senior job at the UN Headquarters in New York, as the Military Advisor (MILAD) to the UN Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon.

Lt.-Gen. Obiakor, who had served earlier in Liberia, in 1995, as the Artillery Brigade Commander under the West African peacekeeping force, ECOMOG, becomes the first African to take this important position of MILAD at UN Headquarters.

Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan named Lt./Gen. Obiakor as Force Commander of UNMIL on 5 December 2005.

He has had a long and distinguished career with the Nigerian Army, beginning in 1973. Prior to his appointment as UNMIL Force Commander, he was the General Officer Commanding, Second Mechanized Division, of the Nigerian Army.

He has served as the Commander of the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) Artillery Brigade in Liberia in 1996 and 1997, and as the ECOMOG Chief Coordinator of the Liberian elections in July 1997.

He has also served as the Chief of Administration of the Nigerian Army, with responsibility for the welfare, discipline and medical services for all Nigerian military personnel.

Born on 18 February 1951, Lieutenant General Obiakor is a graduate of the National War College in Abuja. He holds a Master of Science degree in strategic studies from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria, and has participated in numerous international military courses.