Among them are RnB Star Alioune Damala Badara Thiam, aka Akon on stage; Legendary Arsenal and Cameroun footballer Laureano Bisan Etamé-Mayer, aka Lauren; and former Nigeria President Dr. Olusegun Obasanjo.
The naming of 23 gorilla infants is taking place Friday in Kinigi, Musanze District.
The 14th ceremony, locally known as Kwita Izina, has come at the time gorilla population has increased to over 600 from 480 in 2010.
Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has announced that a number of politicians, artistes, conservation specialist, philanthropist, among others, are thronging into the country to give names to baby gorillas.
The ceremony also features two former Arsenal players as part of Rwanda-Arsenal deal dubbed ‘Visit Rwanda.”
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Crown Prince Sheikh Dr. Abdulaziz Ali Bin Rashid Al Nuami from the United Arab Emirates; he is nicknamed Green Sheikh for having dedicated his life to travelling and environmental stewardship.
Dr. Noeline Raondry Rakotoarisa, the Programme Chief of Capacity Building and Partnerships Section at the UNESCO.
Graca Machel, the former First Lady of South Africa and Mozambique. She is an international advocate for women and children’s rights.
Aliaume Damala Badara Akon Thiam, an American-Senegalese singer, songwriter, businessman, record producer and actor of Senegalese descent.
Samba Bathily, a Malian philanthropist, Samba is CEO of Solektra International and co-founder of Akon Lighting Africa with international Akon and Thione Niang.
Alexandra Virina Scott: a retired English footballer who mostly played as a right-back for Arsenal Women. She made 140 appearances for the English national team and also represented Great Britain at the 2012 London Olympics.
Laureano Bisan Etamé-Mayer, commonly known as Lauren, is a retired Cameroonian footballer, who played as a right back for the Cameroonian national team and Arsenal FC. He was a member of 49-game unbeaten Invincibles team.
Strive Masiyiwa, a Zimbabwean businessman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He is the founder and executive chairman of diversified international telecommunications, media and technology group Econet Wireless and Econet Media.
Adrian Gardiner, a South African founder and chairman of Mantis, a family-run collection of privately-owned hotels, eco escapes and lifestyle resorts located around the world, with a large presence in Africa.
Michael O’Brien-Onyeka, the Senior Vice President of Conservation International for Africa, a non-governmental conservation and sustainable development organisation.
Thomas Krulis, the Coordinator for Young Presidents’ Organisation (YPO) coordinator and CEO for Loto Investments.
Hong Liang and Xinyu Zhang, the celebrity couple are hosts of the popular online travel programme called ‘Lu Xing’ (On the Road).
Hugh Fernley-Whittingstall, the Vice President for Flora and Fauna International- UK. He is an English celebrity chef, television personality, journalist, food writer and campaigner on food and environmental issues.
Peter Riedel, the President and COO of Rhode Schwarz International, an international electronics group specialised in the fields of electronic test equipment, media as well as cyber-security.
Alexa Gray, is the representative of Gordon and Patricia Gray Animal Welfare Foundation. The foundation is a supporter and donor for the VNP Expansion Programme through the Africa Wildlife Foundation.
Michael Wale, the Group CEO of Kerzner International, a company that develops and manages luxury resorts, residences and integrated entertainment resorts.
Ambassador Peter H. Vrooman, the US Ambassador to Rwanda.
Dr. Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007.
Theo Kgosinkwe and Nhlanhla Nciza, the duo known as Mafikizolo, are three-time winners of the South African Music Award for Group or Duo of the Year.
Odette Nyiramongi, the proprietor of Paradis Malahide Resort, an eco-friendly hotel in Rubavu.
Rao Hongwei, the ambassador of the People’s Republic of China
Judith Kakuze, a former porter at the Volcanoes National Park, Judith is now on the Advisory Committee of the Volcanoes National Park Porter Association. In addition, she is a member of the Advisory Council of Kinigi Sector in Musanze District.
Jeannette Uwiragiye, in 2017, Jeannette graduated as the best female student in the Department of Forestry Conservation at the IPRC- Kitabi.
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