IGIHE

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  • First Lady’s Speech on Financial Responsibility

    First Lady’s Speech on Financial Responsibility

    {{• Governor of the Eastern Province,
    • Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and ICT,
    • Mayor of Gatsibo District,
    • Our guest speakers from far and near,
    • Forum moderators,
    • Young Rwandan professionals,
    • Distinguished ladies and gentlemen,

    Good morning,}}

    It has become tradition at Imbuto Foundation, to bring young Rwandans together in order to inspire, but mostly challenge, them to think about the kind of legacy their generation will leave.

    Investing in the youth is at the heart of our mission at Imbuto. We find it important to accompany young people on this journey, by helping to instill important Rwandan values; nurture a positive can-do attitude; and encourage you to communicate with confidence. We also find it fitting to honor those of you who demonstrate excellence.

    I understand that some of the participants were alarmed to receive an invitation to a military facility.

    You may have been under the impression that this is an army recruitment exercise. Let me relieve you of that anxiety. But should any of you be inspired by our time here, I will be happy to point you in the right direction.

    This is our 21st youth forum and we chose ‘Financial Fitness’ as a theme. We are here to learn and share how to shape a secure financial future.

    It is our hope that by the end of our forum, you will be motivated to become agents of financial responsibility.

    Being at Gabiro, reminds us of the liberators, most of them you’re your age or younger, that freed our country from a destructive leadership, 20 years ago. Although resources were scarce, the struggle to liberate the country was successful.

    They did it because they effectively managed the little they had. As we aim for financial fitness, let us draw lessons from our respected armed forces.

    ‘Financial Fitness’ is about having the right financial knowledge and the skills to put this knowledge to good use. This is quite a challenge, as many of you know, and so today we have called upon seasoned speakers, to share their wisdom and experience.

    We are usually quite gender balanced; but since tomorrow is Father’s day, it is a happy coincidence that we selected four men to speak with us.

    Allow me to express my appreciation to our distinguished speakers: Mr. Aly Khan Satchu, the Proprietor of Rich Management; Mr. James Gatera, the Managing Director and CEO of Bank of Kigali; and Permanent Secretaries Mr. Vincent Munyeshyaka, of the Ministry of Local Government and Mr. Sam Mulindwa of the Ministry of Public Service.

    We all look forward to interacting with you and sharpening our financial acumen.

    Dear Friends:
    In a recent statement by one of Rwanda’s economists, Monique Nsanzabaganwa Vice-Governor of the central bank, financial literacy was cited as one of the most wanting areas among our citizens.

    We believe therefore, that it is worth spending time to understand how financial systems work; and examine the trends within our society with respect to savings, spending and investment.

    It is also important to increase awareness of available opportunities for investments; and equip ourselves with the tools to make more responsible financial choices.

    As we interact throughout the day, I wish to reflect on some key questions:
    • What components of our culture hinder us from managing our finances better?
    • How can we become better investors, consumers and producers?
    • How can we remain confident and comfortable with who we are?
    And if I may get even more specific:
    • How many among us know how much the Government of Rwanda plans to spend in the next financial year?
    (Rwf 1.75 trillion)
    • And if we know this, how many understand the opportunities our national budget offers us? For example if our government is focusing on energy, how can you as a young professional benefit, while helping to solve a key national challenge?

    I am sure the speakers will address these issues in more depth, but let me offer a few of my thoughts.

    Cultural hindrances:

    For those of us who have children or plan to have them, do you wonder whether it is ever too early to teach them a few things about finances? For some, money matters sound too complex for a child to grasp.

    Beliefs that are rooted in our culture can sometimes cost a child later on in life. We tend to ‘protect’ children from coming into contact with money; some incorrectly believe that children will turn into thieves if they are exposed to money too early.

    The truth is that financial responsibility begins at childhood. We have some financial institutions that offer child friendly ways to teach children to have a healthy relationship with money, once he or she becomes an adult.

    Starting off on a shaky foundation, may explain some of the attitudes and behavior we see in our society, for instance:

    • The sense of entitlement: placing high expectations on family and friends to finance lavish weddings or costly funerals.

    • The pressure to pay for distant relatives’ basic needs.
    • Discomfort showing one’s real wealth, for fear that you will be expected to shoulder a heavy financial burden. In some places people are even bewitched for being wealthier than others.

    Confidence in who we are

    There’s a saying that goes: ‘You must stand for something or you will fall for anything”. Therefore, despite some of the cultural hindrances we face, I think it is essential to invest in personal, well-informed choices and to appreciate who we are as individuals.

    This confidence is an invaluable asset for all of us trying to improve ourselves, our communities and make a valuable contribution to our nation.

    I often wonder who sets the standards of how we should dress, what car we should drive and the places we should be seen frequenting.

    If we focus on competing to drive the most expensive car, or buy the most expensive outfits, we may be too exhausted to work on the more meaningful things in our lives.

    Every one of you has the right to choose what is suitable and affordable for him or her. That being said, I would still urge you to apply ‘common cents’.

    What is most important is to embrace and accept who you are. Being true to yourself should be one of the guiding principles, in making choices, be it in finances or in any other area.

    It is even more important to strive to be the very best of yourself; and to celebrate your success and growth as an individual.

    As I end my remarks, I would like to thank you all once again for honoring our invitation, especially the World Cup fans.

    I wish to leave you with this quote:
    ‘I choose to live by choice, not by chance
    To be motivated not manipulated
    To be useful, not used,
    To make changes, not excuses,
    To be the best of myself, not compete,
    I choose self-esteem, not self-pity,
    I choose to listen to my inner voice, not to the random opinion of others’.

    Thank you for your kind attention, I now declare this forum open.

  • Hope Academy Holds Science Fair

    Hope Academy Holds Science Fair

    {{Hope Academy Rwanda held its first annual Science Fair last weekend. There were 26 projects in all, mainly in science, maths and ICT.}}

    It was open to public and many visitors came to enjoy the fair.

    Students had fun and learnt while the visitors were impressed with their knowledge and presentation skills.

    “The fair is planned to grow and become nationwide in the following years in partnership with other institutions and schools,” said the headmaster of Hope Academy, Mr. Isa Gokturk Yilmaz. “This way we will raise the young innovators to be future scientists and inventors,” he added.

    The premium option in Rwanda for Cambridge Qualifications (Primary, Secondary-1 & IGCSE) and ICT Starters. The premium international school of Kigali, Rwanda. (0786 67 56 67)

  • U.S. Embassy Introduces New Visa Application, Fee Payment

    U.S. Embassy Introduces New Visa Application, Fee Payment

    {{The U.S. Embassy in Rwanda will use a new and improved visa fee payment and appointment system starting Monday, July 28, 2014.}}

    This new system will allow applicants to pay the visa application fee outside of Kigali and schedule a nonimmigrant visa interview appointment online or by calling local phone numbers.

    Please note the visa application fee is 160 U.S. dollars and will not increase with the coming changes.

    • If you have paid the U.S. visa application fee at I&M Bank (formerly Banque Commerciale du Rwanda, BCR): Please schedule a visa interview appointment now. Your visa interview should be conducted before July 20, 2014.

    • If you require a visa interview appointment before July 20, 2014: Pay the U.S. visa application fee at I&M Bank and schedule a visa interview appointment now. Your visa interview should be conducted before July 20, 2014.

    • If you require a visa interview appointment after July 20, 2014: Do not pay the U.S. visa application fee at I&M Bank.

    We will provide additional guidance in July on how to pay the visa application fee using our new system.

    The U.S. Embassy will begin accepting new visa interview appointments using the new system starting July 28, 2014.

    The implementation of this new system is part of our efforts to continually improve our services for our visa applicants.

  • Cristiano Ronaldo Says is 100% Fit

    Cristiano Ronaldo Says is 100% Fit

    {{Cristiano Ronaldo insists he is ‘100 percent fit’ and ready to help Portugal break their losing streak against Germany in Monday’s key Soccer World Cup clash.}}

    The 29-year-old Ballon d’Or winner has laboured with a knee and thigh problem recently, but took a full part in Sunday’s final training session in Salvador.

    “I have been practising for a few days, which I couldn’t do if I was injured,” said superstar Ronaldo ahead of the Group G clash.

    “I’d like to be 110 percent, but I am at 100 percent and ready to help the national team.

    “Obviously, I would like to play without pain, but in my entire career I have always had injuries and knocks to deal with, but I am ready to play.”

    Ronaldo was dismissive of media reports which implied he would not be fit for the Germany clash.

    “The press say whatever they want, I have been playing at a high level for years and I am used to those unhappy statements,” he said.

    “The media often just throw things up in the air and try to hit something.

    “The most important thing is the health of the player and if there is any problem during the game, I will tell my coach.

    “I am not willing to risk my career on one game, if I am not fit, I won’t play.”

    The Arena Fonte Nova clash is a re-run of Portugal’s Euro 2012 opener against Germany, when they lost 1-0, while the Germans have beaten the Portuguese at three of the last four major tournaments.

    “Obviously the historical record has been positive for Germany recently, but I remember a recent case when Real Madrid couldn’t beat Bayern Munich and that changed,” said Ronaldo, whose Real beat Bayern in this season’s Champions League semi-final.

    “I hope this is the year Portugal change things against Germany and maybe tomorrow is when that will happen.”

    With 111 appearances for his country, Portugal’s all-time record scorer with 49 goals, Ronaldo will be playing at his third World Cup.

    Having been part of the side which lost the third-place play-off to Germany in 2006 and was beaten by Spain in the round of 16 four years ago, Ronaldo insists he has nothing to prove at a World Cup.

    “I don’t think I have to show anyone anything. If you look at my statistics and resume you’ll see that,” he said brusquely when asked if his World Cup record was the only blot on his stunning CV.

    “I have no words for that question, I just have to continue my career, which has been great so far.

    “We have to be realistic (at the World Cup), we aren’t favourites and, in theory, there are teams stronger than ours.

    “We must be humble and accept this will be a difficult tournament, but we will face one of the favourites and we have the chance to try and win.”

    Portugal coach Paulo Bento said it is impossible to underestimate Ronaldo’s importance to his side’s hopes of a first World Cup title.

    “The importance of having someone like Cris is enormous, because he influences the way we play and his team-mates know that,” said the 44-year-old.

    “His projection is global. He’s huge, not just in our country.

    “The pressure we put on ourselves is not enough, we have to get through the group and take it from there.

    “But having the best player in the world doesn’t necessarily mean we will automatically be world champions.”

  • African Music Legends Pay Homage to Mandela

    African Music Legends Pay Homage to Mandela

    {{African superstars Johnny Clegg and Youssou N’Dour paid homage on Sunday to late South African icon Nelson Mandela at the 20th edition of the World Festival of Sacred Music in Morocco.}}

    The show in Fez, the spiritual capital of the north African nation, began with a reading of English poet William Ernest Henley’s “Invictus”, often recited by Mandela while imprisoned by the apartheid government.

    Thousands of people then broke into dance as South Africa’s Johnny Clegg, a musician internationally renowned as the “White Zulu” for mixing English and Zulu lyrics and rhythms, took to the stage.

    “Thank you for this homage to a great man who played an important role in my life and in the world,” Clegg, 61, said in French, after belting out his hit 80s ode to Mandela “Asimbonanga” (We have not seen him).

    {{End of mourning }}

    He melded his voice with that of another African great, Senegal’s Youssou N’dour, in a medley including N’dour’s song “Nelson Mandela”, which he wrote in 1985 after spending hours in Dakar “watching the news on apartheid with my mom”.

    “At that moment, you really felt as if the image of Nelson Mandela was soaring over the stage,” said French festival-goer Michel Pautel after the three-hour double concert.

    The show fell on the day that Mandela’s family marked the traditional end of mourning – six months after his death on 5 December at the age of 95, after a long illness – which prompted a global outpouring of grief.

    It also came as excerpts were published from a book by a longtime aide to South Africa’s first black president, that tells of family squabbles as Mandela lay in hospital fighting for his life.

    “Good Morning, Mr Mandela” by Zelda la Grange, his personal assistant for 19 years, is due for official release on Thursday.

    The Moroccan music festival, which is celebrating its 20th edition, ends on Saturday.

    – AFP

  • Ebola Kills More 10 in Liberia

    Ebola Kills More 10 in Liberia

    {{The Ebola virus has claimed 10 more lives in Liberia, Front Page Africa reported on Monday.}}

    Foreign health workers confirmed to dpa that six of the victims died at a hospital in the Monrovia suburb of New Kru Town, including a nurse.

    Four other deaths, including health workers, were said to have occurred in northern Lofa County during the initial outbreak a few months back, Front Page Africa said.

    Deputy Health Minister Bernice Dahn said on Sunday over 60 Red Cross volunteers are being trained and will be deployed in Monrovia.

    Since the outbreak of Ebola in Liberia from Guinea few months ago, the disease has claimed the lives of about 20 people.

    – SAPA

  • Mozambique Rebels Kill Govt Troops in Ambush

    Mozambique Rebels Kill Govt Troops in Ambush

    {{Four government soldiers were killed and 13 others injured after an ambush by the opposition Renamo forces, Portuguese media reported.}}

    Lusa quoted an eye witness as saying the soldiers were ambushed at Mucodza River, Gorongosa District in Sofala Province.

    “The government soldiers were in two vehicles escorted by an armoured vehicle,” the report added.
    Renamo leader Alfonso Dhlakama is believed to be hiding in the conflict-hit Gorongosa District.

    Mr Dhlakama tod clerics in Maputo two weeks ago he had intensified attacks in Mozambique’s central zone to protect himself against the government Security and Defence Forces incursions.

    The southern African country goes to the polls on October 15.

    So far, there is no agreement between Remano and the government to cease fire in the southern African nation.

    Renamo wants its generals to head all army and police units as a condition for laying down arms, while the ruling Frelimo has termed the demands as unrealistic.

    Early this month, Mozambican President Armando Guebuza accused Dhlakama of doing all to derail the elections.

    “Through criminal attacks against military and civilian targets, Mr Dhlakama is finding a way to obstruct development,” he added.

    {Lusa}

  • Police Starts Investigations into Shooting Incident

    Police Starts Investigations into Shooting Incident

    {{Police has launched investigations into the Sunday morning shooting incident in Gicumbi District where a Police officer shot and killed the main suspect in the poisoning case, Eric Hashakimana as he tried to escape on the way to the scene of investigation in Kageyo sector.}}

    Police Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police Damas Gatare said: “The suspect tried to escape and was shot to death but investigations by the Criminal Investigation Department to establish full circumstances surrounding the incident have started and final findings will be made public.”

    ACP Gatare further said the inquiries will establish if the officer respected rules of procedure.

    He appealed to the general public to desist from speculations until final findings are made public.

    RNP

  • Experts Call for Global Action Against Chronic Diseases

    Experts Call for Global Action Against Chronic Diseases

    {{A three-day East African meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) has drawn a charter calling for global action to inform the fight against chronic diseases.}}

    “We believe that urgent and decisive global action is needed to improve the lives of people living with or at risk of NCDs in the East African Community (EAC),” said Dr William Lumu, the Uganda Non Communicable Disease Alliance (UNCDA) vice chairperson while briefing the media.

    He added that action was not an option but imperative and that the charter is targeted principally at governments, regional institutions and the global community and to inform preparations for the forthcoming United Nations High-Level Review on NCDs in New York from July 10-12 as well as regional bodies and institutions including the EAC, the African Union and the World Health Organisation Africa Regional Office.

    The stakeholder meeting also reviewed the NCD Alliance East Africa Bench-marking Survey draft report which highlights gaps and good practices and provides evidence in the fight against NCDs.

    The report, which is yet to be released, also underlines the increasing burden of NCDs in the region which are being fuelled by increasing vulnerability to risk factors like unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, tobacco use, household air pollution from solid fuels and the underlying social, economic and environmental determinants like urbanisation.

    The meeting brought together a wide range of representatives from governments, NCD alliances, NGOs, academia and the private sector committed to accelerating the response to non-communicable diseases in the EAC countries of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. It was organised in partnership with the Danish NCD Alliance, the Global NCD Alliance and the universities of South Carolina, Yale and Aarhus.
    NMG

  • Rwanda Welcomed to Big Brother TV Show

    Rwanda Welcomed to Big Brother TV Show

    {{For the first time Rwanda will be represented at the forthcoming 9th Season of the Big Brother TV reality show courtesy of MultiChoice. }}

    According to MultiChoice Africa CEO Nico Meyer, “The inclusion of Rwanda in this season is even more exciting as this displays that our reach and growth into the various sub-Saharan markets is going from strength to strength.”

    The usual participating countries will take part, and will be joined by Ethiopia which was left out last year. This year Angola will not participate, and will be replaced by Rwanda, which is participating for the very first time.

    Meanwhile auditions for the 9th season of the Big Brother Africa TV early next month at the Kampala Sheraton Hotel, officials from MultiChoice Africa have announced.

    Prospective participants in Africa’s largest reality show will attend auditions on July 7th and 8th.

    The actual show will kick off on September 7th when housemates enter the Big Brother house, and after 90 days the last person standing will walk away with US$300,000.

    Any citizen of the participating countries who is 21 years and above can audition in of the countries listed below.

    Since the first Big Brother Africa in 2003, Uganda has had several representatives: Gaetano Kagwa (2003), Maureen Namatovu (2004), Morris Mugisha (2008), Hannington Kuteesa (2009 & 2010), Phil Okure (2009), Ernest Wasake (2011), Sharon O (2011), Kyle (2012), Janette Lutaaya (2012), Denzel (2013)a, and LK4 (2013)

    The countries are Ethiopia, Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

    Previous winners have come from Nigeria (3), Zambia, Namibia, Angola, Zimbabwe, Tanzania and South Africa.

    MultiChoice Africa CEO Nico Meyer says, “We look forward to seeing further growth as well as the impressive social media presence that the show enjoys.”