Author: IGIHE

Akagera Business Group partners with world best-selling champagne brand, Moët &Chandon

The partnership was kicked off with a VVIP dinner at Soy Asian Table inviting guests such as ambassadors, CEO’s, MD’s, government officials and business leaders for an amazing food pairing with different categories of champagne.

The celebrations continued on Thursday night at Pili-Pili where over 200 plus attendees enjoyed the Moët &Chandon champagne, a local designer fashion show, and networking.

The President of ABG, Vinay Gorajia, said that they are proud to add Moët &Chandon in the variety of brands ABG represents. “We believe that the luxury product will be enjoyed in Rwanda.”

“As the hospitality industry grows and the high-end luxury hotels and lodges are coming into the market, there are requirements for having high-end champagne like Moët &Chandon, it is a product that pairs well with high-end hotels and lodges and there is a demand for it,” Mr. Gorajia said.

Moët &Chandon’sBrand Ambassador, Pierre-Louis Araud, explained how the champagne’s history was followed from France, whereby Madame de Pompadour, a highly respected monarch, encouraged drinking champagne.

Today, we can see that people are appreciating Moët &Chandon Champagne with its bubbly and lively taste and it is a bottle for all celebrations: weddings, parties, etc…it’s a bottle of champagne that’s easy to enjoy anywhere, anytime.

“We are thrilled to be entering into this partnership and look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship with ABG for years to come,” said Alexandre Helaine, Market Manager Eastern Africa, Moet Hennessy.

“ABG is a perfect fit for Moët &Chandon in Rwanda as we both share the same values of integrity, loyalty, and luxury. We couldn’t be more excited for our clients and consumers who love the experience of Moët &Chandon,” Helaine added.

Akagera Trading Sales Manager, Hugues Basabose, observed that the partnership will be a success, clients will taste a premier quality Moët &Chandon Champagne.

Founded in 1743, Moët &Chandon, the first registered champagne in the world, is based in France where every single drop of the world’s Moët &Chandon’s Champagne is produced.
Today, Moët &Chandon is a true global icon found in more than 140 countries around the world and is the most valuable champagne brand in the world.

According to different sources such as The Drinks Business, Moët &Chandon, is one of the best-selling champagnes on the market with over 30 million bottles sold per year.

March 2, 2019
RDB hands over Carnegie Mellon University to MINEDUC

The US$ 10 million facility was constructed by RDB and funded by the African Development Bank.

The handover aims to transfer the management and operations of CMU Africa as an institution of higher learning to the custodian ministry.

The campus is moving to the newly constructed state of the art facility located in the Kigali Special Economic Zone this year from Telecom House in order to offer a better teaching and learning experience to its students.

Speaking during the handover event at the Ministry of Education’s offices, Dr. Eugène Mutimura said:

“The new CMU-Africa campus is part of the 15-hectare land designated by the government as the Kigali Innovation City with an aim to address the issue of limited capacity in hardware and software engineering, network design, and large-scale ICT project management in Africa. We are pleased of this opportunity that has been extended to us by RDB to manage the new modern facility that will continue producing the finest graduates in Information Technology, Electronic and Computer Engineering that can share their attained knowledge with others in the country.”

Ms. Clare Akamanzi, the RDB Chief Executive Officer said: “CMU Africa is envisioned by the Government of Rwanda as one of the ICT Centers of Excellence that can drive the much-needed talent that can drive the country’s economic growth through digital transformation. It is worth noting that since its establishment in Rwanda in 2011, CMU Africa is the only U.S. research university offering its Master’s degrees courses with a full-time faculty, staff, and operations in Africa. Over 145 students have graduated from the new facility so far who can work anywhere in the world. This new facility is capable of receiving extremely competitive students from all over Africa with modern classrooms and amenities to ensure that they attain Masters degree certificates that are of the same standards as those offered at the varsity’s headquarters at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the USA.”

March 2, 2019
LT Global Ltd slashes Cost of houses by 5%

The Head of LT Global Ltd, Legese Tafese told IGIHE that the company is not focusing on gaining profit but focusing on helping Rwandans settle in good conditions matching with their financial ability.

“These houses are low-cost and are built basing on international standards,” he explains.

The units have a sitting room, dining room, and a storeroom; each has three self-contained rooms with the Master bedroom honored with a balcony while the two rooms have restrooms with ample space. They have a parking lot which can accommodate 2 or 3 cars, a big compound with gardens and annexes with a restroom.

LT Global Ltd has reduced the cost of houses by 5%. One can buy a house costing $85 000 only. You can also make an initial deposit of 20% and pay the balance in installments in a ten year period through the Bank of Africa.

February 28, 2019
Aegis Trust awards US Ambassador to Rwanda for confronting genocide and championing humanity

Ambassador Quinn is recognized for his service over several decades in confronting and countering genocide, especially in relation to the people of Cambodia and thereby championing values of humanity globally.

Speaking on the remarkable work done by Dr. Quinn that deserves recognition, Dr. Smith, CEO of the Aegis Trust, said, “It is truly remarkable to have someone who played such a leading role in responding to the humanitarian fallout of a genocide, in this case, the Genocide in Cambodia. He raised the alarm some two years prior to the genocide starting. Imagine if we had listened; imagine a world where we had used our ethical intelligence to invest in early prevention. And then, some years later, when he was U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia, he developed an ingenious way to eradicate the remnants of the perpetrators of this mass murder. That is exceptional.”

Ambassador Quinn said, on accepting this award, “I am truly humbled to be recognized with this Award, named in memory of Steven Krulis. The incomparable suffering of the millions and millions of victims of genocide in the 20th century, in the Holocaust in the 1940s, in Rwanda in the 1990s and in Cambodia from 1974 to 1999, amongst others, is an indelible stain on human history. I want to express my most profound gratitude to Dr. James Smith and the Aegis Trust for this extraordinary honor that they are bestowing upon me, and my unending admiration in all that the Aegis Trust is doing to ensure that future genocides do not occur again in the 21st century or beyond.”

Thomas Krulis, son of Steven Krulis, in whose memory this award is being given, said, “Our family very much appreciates that my father’s life is being honored. He was a great man, who survived the horrors of Auschwitz and the Holocaust, teaching me what it is to be a champion of humanity. We survived and prospered because of his humanity and the humanity of others. To my dad, may you be comforted in the knowledge that in your memory something really positive has begun.”

Ambassador Quinn currently serves as president of the World Food Prize Foundation in Des Moines, Iowa, USA.

Distinguished guests invited include Rwandan Government officials, Diplomatic corps, members of civil society and delegations from neighboring countries community in particular where Aegis Trust has been establishing its work in Genocide prevention and Peace education like South Sudan, Kenya and the Central African Republic.

February 28, 2019
Rwanda’s first satellite launched to provide broadband internet to schools in remote areas

The satellite was named ‘Icyerekezo ‘by the students from Nkombo Island (Groupe Secondairfe St Pierre Nkombo) which will be the first to benefit from the internet which will be brought by this satellite.

Different satellites were launched including ‘Icyerekezo’in Guyane in South America and surveyed by France .the satellites were launched by the help of a rocket called Soyouz which was made by Russians.

The ministry of ICT (Information and Technology) said that this is a great achievement our country has made since it is putting forth the use ICT mainly 4G LTE internet which is 96.6% of the country.

The minister of ICT and Innovation, Paula Ingabire highlighted that they are delighted to partner with One Web in this initiative which presents a huge opportunity to use satellite connectivity by using One Web’s constellation providing a low-latency and high –speed internet in schools of remote areas.

The Chairman in the ministry of ICT and Innovation, Gordon Karema said that One Web is investors who allowed to ally with Rwanda due to its vision.

“I would say that One Web Ltd is like our partner but the launching of ’Icyerekezo’ has brought friendship and good relationship .he added that supplying internet in those areas will start in June. One Web has a plan to be sending satellites every after 21 days sending 36 of them and when they are enough, the internet will start being supplied.” He said

“It is 16km to reach Nkombo from the land which will be costly to reach their internet by using fiber optics. Trying to count, this can take like $2M which is so expensive .though students in Nkombo were given laptops, they still didn’t have access to the internet,” says Karema

It is expected that this school will be given internet for free in a ten year’s period thus developing its education and helping the society to access IREMBO services.

{{Schools to benefit from the move
}}

The Minister of education, Dr. Eugene Mutimura said that the partnership with One Web is a big chance to expand their activities so for the Internet to reach all schools of the country in the three years to come.

The satellites will be launched every after 21 days until they are enough to supply internet so another satellite is awaited for in June being made in collaboration with Japan.

“There are over 30 Rwandans studying about satellites in Japan and also others in Guyane and we are aiming much for Rwanda to step forward in ICT”.

Chairperson of One Web Ltd, Greg Wyler said that accessing the internet in schools is a good way to enable people to use the internet in the line it aims to,

“We appreciate the partnership with the government of Rwanda and Nkombo students. And this internet will help us reach our goals plus Rwanda to be a place of innovation in ICT.

February 28, 2019
International NGO advocate peace, connect states and citizens for peaceful development in Asia-Pacific

{{The Philippines – Hub of peacebuilding with the central role of civil society and nurturing peace education}}

On February 15, a peace festival named “We are One for Peace to Attain Sustainable Development” was held. Hosted by HWPL and Volunteer Individuals for Peace (VIP), the 30,000 participants included governors, local political and ethnic leaders, university presidents and students, and NGO representatives to build an international association for peacebuilding and enhance the role of civil society.

HWPL has invested its efforts in interfaith communication and peace education for peace in Southeast Asia. On January 24, 2014, HWPL set up a peace agreement in Mindanao by mediating local leaders and civil society groups to overcome damages of the 50 years of conflict in the region. Since then, peace campaigns such as peace walk by youth, founding peace monuments, exhibitions in the museum and inter-faith dialogues continued to raise awareness of peace to citizens.

In 2016, 70 schools in Mindanao and HWPL signed MoUs to implement peace education for students. Along with MoUs with 189 institutions from 20 countries, HWPL established a partnership agreement with Commissioner of Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to introduce curriculums of peace education in both state and local universities and colleges to expand the synergy of peacebuilding efforts between government and civil society in the Philippines.

“Promoting peace education through the CHED will affect many Philippine educational institutions and play a crucial role in promoting peace in the Philippines. It is expected to transform the Philippines into a society where people live in harmony and respect each other to attain sustainable peace,” said Dr. Ronald Adamat, Commissioner of CHED, as well as Chairman of VIP.

{{South Pacific – Initiating global cooperation for the establishment of international law for peace
}}

Though not affected directly by wars, South Pacific has become the venue for regional cooperation for peace and stability as it faces newly emerging security factors – climate change, economic fluctuation, ethnic diversity, and multicultural coexistence.

On February 19, “2019 Pacific Leaders Summit for Peace: Centre of Spreading Peace beyond Ethnicity and Borders” was held at the New South Wales Parliament House in Australia to discuss the need for an international mechanism for sustainable peace based on the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War(DPCW).

As the main agenda of the summit, the DPCW drafted by international law experts includes principles of peacebuilding such as the prohibition of the use of force, development of friendly relations, and peaceful dispute settlement, which have been advocated by ASEAN and Pacific countries. It further emphasizes cooperation based on interfaith dialogue and civic participation to create and spread a culture of peace.

Hon. Gibbs Salika, Chief of Justice of Papua New Guinea, said, “I believe any threat against human security should not be overlooked but to bring awareness and resolve these matters through the implementation of the DPCW in the international field to challenge any threat against human security by cooperation of nations. We must work in solidarity in oneness to create a peaceful atmosphere, spreading the culture and good spirit of peace.”

In the summit, former and current heads of state and political leaders in 8 Pacific countries signed “HWPL-Pacific Islands Comprehensive Agreement on Advocacy for the DPCW”. This agreement stipulates that national leaders “actively cooperate and participate in the process of introducing the DPCW to the UN so that it can be adopted and developed into a binding instrument” and “express their support for the DPCW in the form of a document”.

{{Cambodia – Comprehensive discussion for peaceful mutual development in Southeast Asia
}}

On February 21, 1,000 social representatives including youth and women from ASEAN member states, religious leaders, and NGOs participated in the “2019 Southeast Asia Peace Forum” held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia to discuss practical approaches to peacebuilding in the region.

With the theme of “Cooperation and Leap for Realization of Peace”, the event discussed a global partnership for mutual development of peacebuilding measures while considering the achievements of the Southeast Asian version of peacebuilding efforts for the last decades to tackle violent extremism including terrorism and internal conflicts.

On 22 February, Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport of the Kingdom of Cambodia (MoEYS) hosted “2019 Launching Ceremony of the MoEYS-Affiliated HWPL Peace Education Committee” to execute discussion for the introduction of peace education in the country. To further expand partnership with the Ministry and HWPL from the MoU last year and successive pilot education programs applied to schools in Cambodia, 20 schools and universities and HWPL signed MoUs to implement peace education.

In order to seek for the solutions for religious harmony, a conference titled “Peace message for the Implementation of Peaceful Religions” was held in attendance with 450 participants including religious leaders from Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity in Cambodia, South Korea, Vietnam, India, and Singapore.

Regarding the important role of religious leaders, H.H. Samdech Preah Agga Mahā Sangharājādhipat Tep Vong said that religious leaders are responsible for educating peace to the people and cooperating with HWPL to gather at the interfaith dialogue meeting to leave the inheritance of peace to the future generations.

{{Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light – Collective efforts from citizens to the national leaders to realize peace
}}

“As humanity continues to evolve, this development is not just to save the world. We must change the world that we live in today. For this, international law is needed to realize peace. The DPCW was drafted by examining 21 international law experts several times. If we all become one and achieve peace, it will be recorded as the work of light forever,” said Chairman Man Hee Lee of HWPL at the 2019 Pacific Leaders Summit.

According to the official of HWPL, this strategic approach by HWPL gaining support from governments and civil society internationally is significant in collecting worldwide support for the great cause of peace.

Along with the adoption of the resolution supporting the DPCW in Central American Parliament, HWPL has established a partnership through an MoU with Pan-African Parliament (PAP) from 55 member states of the African Union (AU) and International Centre for Black Sea-Baltic Studies and Consensus Practices (Centre for BBS), which is composed of former heads of state in Eastern Europe for the support of the DPCW.

This flow of network for peace from Central America, Africa, and Eastern Europe where government officials, leaders of NGOs, and citizens are called to advocate the UN and global community for international law for peace.

February 27, 2019
Being air-linked washes away many transport challenges- Kagame

The president who was officiating at the opening of the 4th Aviation Africa Summit in Kigali today at the Radisson Blu and Convention Center noted that Rwanda will continue investing in the aviation sector as one of the ways through which transport costs challenges shall be addressed.

“Sixteen countries in Africa are landlocked, including Rwanda. That is almost one-third of Africa. But every country is “air-linked”. So geography should not be seen as an excuse for underdevelopment. This highlights the importance of regional integration, where there have been some notable achievements over the last year,” considered the president.

Removing barriers on the movement of goods and people, he said, means there will be steadily increasing demand for commercial air services in the years ahead. To this effect, President Kagame said that Rwanda intends to continue investing in aviation infrastructure, including “growing our national carrier, RwandAir, and inaugurating a new state-of-the-art international airport in the near future.”

He promised that the Aviation Africa Summit will continue to be the essential meeting point for industry and government as these transformational changes occur.

The 4th Aviation Africa Summit brought together leaders across the civil and military aviation spectrum to discuss key issues that are driving change across the continent.

February 27, 2019
Edwin Alcibiades Avila Vanegas wins stage four of 2019 Tour du Rwanda

Mugisha Samuel, winner of 2018 Tour du Rwanda is the Rwandan on the front where he ended the race in the fourth position.

{{Top five of stage four, Tour du Rwanda 2019
}}

1. Edwin Alcibiades Avila Vanegas: 02h37’32”
2. Pablo Torres Muino: 02h37’32”
3. Sirak Tesfom: 02h37’35”
4. Mugisha Samuel: 02h37’35”
5. David Lozano Rabi: 02h37’40”

{{The General Performance of Rwandan Cyclists
}}

10. Didier Munyaneza: 06’17”
15. Areruya Joseph: 09’54”
16. Valens Ndayisenga: 10’04”
18. Manizabayo Erick: 10’23”
25. Mugisha Samuel: 14’45”

{{Best Performers Awarded
}}

The Skol jersey was given to the stage winner, Edwin Alcibiades Avila Vanegas
The Yellow jersey was given by Miniscop to Merhawi Kudus
The Cogebanque jersey is awarded to the best hilly rider, Pablo Torres Muino
The jersey for the rider with the highest sprint offered by SP was given to Du Plooy Rohan
The jersey for the best competitor offered by Rwanda Tea was given to Mugisha Samuel
The jersey for the best combater offered by Rwanda Air was given to Merhawi Kudus
The jersey for the best youngest performing rider offered by Prime Insurance was given to Debesay Yakob
The jersey for the best Rwandan rider, offered by RBA is held by Didier Munyaneza
The jersey given to the best performing team offered by Inyange Industries was given to (Astana Pro Team)

{{Stage Four of 2019 Tour du Rwanda [PICTORIAL]}}

February 27, 2019
Life International Christian Academy Students display outstanding Computer Skills

Life International Christian Academy (LICA) educates children of different age using an International program ‘Accelerated Christian Education (ACE), an individualized, self-paced, biblically based system of education which provides the student with a complete education in body, mind, and spirit.

It is a school quite different from other schools as students do not study using chalkboards but instead have a Supervisor following up on each of them. The Supervisor also trains the student based on the level of one’s of understanding.

Life International Christian Academy is one of the schools that have a partnership with the International Computer Driving License (ICDL), so as to equip children with Computer knowledge from lower grades to High school.

The school prepared the competition for the first time so as to survey the knowledge children have on the use of computers through challenges of the fastest typist, use of computers without a mouse and alike interesting challenges.

Two students were competing at each level whereby the winners were awarded books, Pens, T-shirts and other prizes.

Some of the students who performed well are, Joshua Amabe, aged 9, who is able to connect all parts of a computer and Cyrus, 5 Years old, who is fully able to name all parts of a computer.

Life International Christian Academy (LICA), is an independent school which is registered with the Rwanda Education Board (REB) and Accelerated Education Enterprise (AEE) South Africa. The school has been in operation since 2014 and caters for children from 36 of age months to grade 12.

February 27, 2019
President Kagame castigates Huye local leaders over buildings closure

He said this on Tuesday during his dialogue with residents of Huye district where he commented on an illogical decision made four years ago to close buildings in Cyarabu ward, leaving the place desolate and economically inert. District leaders closed the buildings after asking owners to revamp some and replace others with storied structures.

This idea of building flats has failed to take off in the last four years as owners say they cannot afford storied buildings.

The closure of buildings came at a time when some faculties at the University of Rwanda were relocated, cutting down on student population causing more losses to the business community.

In 2018, it was decided to reopen the buildings and owners given a grace period of five years to erect a building that in tandem with Huye town master plan. houses thus letting people work.

President Kagame said it was Huye’s maladministration that caused all this mess.

The president asked local leaders how the decision for closing the buildings was reached without consulting the affected people.

One of the owners of closed buildings said renovating the buildings is a good idea which would have been implemented after making wide consultations.

President Kagame made a case for consultative and participatory decision making. “It is not a bad idea to renovate these houses but it would have been done after a consensual agreement. Instead, it was not discussed which brought about information gaps,” said President Kagame.

“When leaders make decisions with the involvement of people concerned, it makes implementation easy,” added Kagame.

February 26, 2019