Though students are set to start first term holidays tomorrow, MINEDUC has urged them to attend the commemoration activities by participating in discussions from their villages.
Through the announcement signed by the State Minister for Primary and Secondary Education in MINEDUC, Dr. Isaac Munyakazi, students were requested to participate in different activities expected in the week while at home.
“The Ministry of Education would like to remind you to participate in 24th commemoration activities which will be organized from villages, continue to comfort survivors, participating in activities to clean genocide memorials, and participating in discussions and all planned activities,” the announcement reads.
The announcement says that the role of education is to train Rwandan children to avoid any form of genocide ideology and being explained about the reason for commemoration and dignify victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, as well as reflecting the heroism of former Rwanda Patriotic Army that liberated the country and individuals who performed remarkable activities like ‘Pact Protectors’.
Though the commemoration week last seven days, remembrance activities continue until July, a reason why MINEDUC requested all schools to organize a commemoration event to remember students and teachers killed in the genocide.
“School management from different levels are requested to organize a particular day meant to remember students and teachers who were killed during the genocide, particularly head teachers and teachers should play the big part during the commemoration week,” the announcement reads.
The retreat officially launched by President Paul Kagame at Petit Stade Remera has drawn participants including all sector executive secretaries, Districts and City of Kigali council members, and executive committees, District Executive Secretaries, representatives of different institutions in districts and provincial governors.
The retreat is in line with ‘Umuturage ku Isonga’ (Citizens on top) programme which aims at prioritizing citizens interests in all government programmes. After the official launch, leaders will spend three days in FAWE Girls School located in Gasabo District.
The retreat will discuss different issues like service delivery, human security issues, accountability among different programmes.
Under the project, BRD will provide loans to Bank of Kigali, I&M Bank, Access Bank and KCB; and those banks will also provide loans to people and businesses who will need to invest in renewable energy.
Last year, the Government of Rwanda through BRD, launched a $49 million (over Rwf41 billion) project which will enable 445,000 households get access to electricity through renewable energies by 2023.
The project will facilitate small and medium businesses and 1.8 million people to get access to electricity specifically those who do not have access to national grid.
BRD Chief Executive Officer, Eric Rutabana said that the signed agreement is a way to approach people with projects that need loans to buy materials which they will use in renewable energies.
“Projects to fetch electricity from renewable energies like solar and small hydropower plants among others will get funding, for individuals who will need to connect their homes or buy materials will be able to acquire loans,” he said.
He said that through the six-year project, $46 million will go in electricity related activities, whereas other $3 million will go to support partners like Saving and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs), banks and micro-financial institutions which will provide loans to people and investors.
According to BRD, private sector role is paramount towards achieving the government’s target to have 100% access to electricity by 2024.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Bank of Kigali’s Chief Commercial Officer, Vincent Gatete said that the partnership comes as response to the interest rates which are high and discourage people working in energy sector.
The Managing Director of KCB Bank George Odhiambo said “As a business we are ready to see this project successful and we consider this as a catalyst to offset other development projects in Rwanda,”
Under the seven-year government programme, the government has targeted that in 2024 all households will be connected to electricity, 52% of them will be connected to National Grid whereas 48% will be connected to other sources of energy.
Mrs. Kagame was speaking Tuesday in Nyamagabe District of Southern Province while closing the ceremony of this year’s Promotion of Girls Education Campaign.
Under the ceremony, 82 best performing females in last year’s national examinations from Primary school, Ordinary and Advanced secondary school, and Technical Vocational and Education Training were awarded.
First Lady said that she is pleased to see girls joining some courses, but reminded them that there is still a gender gap in sciences as it was echoed in the Next Einstein Forum that is taking place in Kigali.
Figures from the Ministry of Education indicate that between 2011 and 2015, the number of girls studying sciences increased from 48% to 55%.
“We are not yet where we want to be. Let’s aim for at least one girl, in the first Division marks in every sector by next year,” she requested.
“I would like to remind you that being a best performing girl is not only about the knowledge you have, but it also means having a mindset that can bring transformation, and the kind of solutions your parents, Rwanda and Africa expect from you,” she told students.
The First Lady also acknowledged teachers for encouragement and passion in creating an environment that facilitates training of young and courageous women.
This year, 172 best performers in last year’s Primary Leaving Examinations, Ordinary and Advanced levels have been awarded. Over 4,600 students have been awarded since the programme launched 13 years ago.
Visiting the stocks at the factory located in Gikondo Industrial Park today, IGIHE reporter learnt that to be auctioned are five types of tobacco including Premier Filter (5,553 cartons), Filter Star (1,033 cartons), Filter Star King (328 cartons), Premier Super Menthol (191 cartons) and Filter Star Soft (90 cartons).
Each carton contains 5,000 pieces of tobacco, making about 36 million pieces in total. IGIHE has also learnt that tens of interested buyers have been visiting the stocks since last week and that the auction will undoubtedly take place on Wednesday.
Information on the cartons indicate that the tobacco was manufactured between May and July 2017 but the stocks were impounded towards end of last year by RRA claiming tax arrears amounting to Rwf6 billion in the period spanning from 2012 to 2017 as Premier Tobacco Company allegedly evaded taxes.
Under the order of RRA, Bailiff Védaste Habimana announced the auction a fortnight ago without specifying the quantity of tobacco stocks and amount of tax arrears that are intended to be recovered.
Trying to know if the auction is expected to leave all arrears cleared, IGIHE asked Habimana who said he will give any further details tomorrow after the auction, confirming that it is taking place at 10:00am at the factory.
RRA has repeatedly said that it approached Rwigaras asking them to pay arrears but the family turned a deaf ear.
Richard Tusabe, RRA Commissioner General, told the press last month that the auction was delayed by the fact that The Rwigaras also owe huge debts to different people and banks, among other reasons.
{{Court ruled in favour of RRA}}
The Rwigara family had filed a case in the Commercial Court of Nyarugenge in January 2018, accusing RRA of illegally seizing its bank accounts and assets, claiming that RRA’s acts had prevented their tobacco factory from recovery but the court ruled in favour of RRA.
The family’s lawyer, Janvier Rwagatare, told the court that the Premier Tobacco Company’s computers, books of accounts and warehouses had illegally been seized by RRA, leading to the factory’s failure of operations.
He said raw material used to make cigarettes was decomposing in the warehouse because of lack of access and requested the court to order RRA to withdraw all seizures. He added that the factory had lost all clients after being out of business for seven months.
However, RRA lawyers Clement Gatera and Bajeni Byiringiro argued that the assets including books of accounts, computers and finished tobacco products had been seized legally due to the company’s failure to clear arrears.
The judgment made on 5th February ruled that RRA had seized the factory legally and dismissed the case. On the spot, the family’s business representative Anne Rwigara said the decision would be appealed but IGIHE has not learnt of the appeal so far while the 30-day maximum period for appeal has expired.
The Rwigaras got into the spotlight in 2015 when industrialist Assinapol Rwigara was killed in a controversial accident which his family claimed was politically motivated but the government denied the allegations.
The family was again outspoken last year when Diane Rwigara, the family’s eldest daughter, launched an unsuccessful bid to run for presidency in the August polls. She was later disqualified by the electoral commission and charged with inciting insurrection and forging signatures required of presidential candidates.
Diane is currently in detention together with her mother Adeline Rwigara who is charged of inciting insurrection and promoting sectarianism.
The lucky winners that were selected by different local radio stations were all prized with brand new Huawei smartphones.
The digital banking competition that has been staged for the third time now; is aimed at raising awareness about digital banking options provided by the bank and their (customers’) experience while using them.
Speaking at the prize giving function, Niragira Athanasie, head of marketing and customers experience at Equity Bank reminded the attendees that the Bank was investing in digital solutions to improve banking service delivery in Rwanda.
“We are investing in these digital solutions to deliver a digital ‘step change’ in banking service delivery, while bringing banking services closer to the people by expanding and improving financial service delivery. The EazzyBanking suite of products caters for the increasing preference by Rwandans for self-service channels,” she said.
Andrew Kulahige, Commercial Director at Equity Bank Rwanda who also attended the event, prompted the winners to stand as brand ambassadors for Equity Bank and to encourage others on the Eazzy banking range of solutions.
“As we are promoting a cashless culture among Rwandans; we encourage you to advocate the Eazzy banking range of solutions, to provide users an easy, comprehensive, and secure banking experience.”, he said
Kulahige also explained how the bank’s Eazzy loan platform enables customers to apply and access small loans on their mobile phones, while the Eazzy net app allows for internet banking.
The Eazzy Banking suite of products include the EazzyBanking app, a global financial app that directly integrates with telecom services, allowing customers to open accounts, send money and even make payments using their mobile phones anywhere, anytime.
Downloadable on both Android and iOS-enabled devices, the EazzyBanking App is easy to activate and provides a host of key service offerings, ranging from opening of accounts, sending money to bank accounts or mobile wallets, applying and repaying loans, and utility bills, among others.
Its EazzyNet retail internet portal enables customers to manage their bank accounts, while the EazzyPay interoperable payment platform allows one to pay for bills such as monthly TV subscriptions, as well as pay for goods and services at registered merchant outlets.
The system also boasts of a mobile loan product known as EazzyLoan and a cash and liquidity management solution for SMEs, corporate firms, big organisations and institutions called EazzyBiz.
Kagame was speaking Tuesday in Leaders Panel at the ongoing Next Einstein Forum that is taking place in Kigali.
On the Panel under the topic ‘Laying the Groundwork for Knowledge-Led Economies’, Kagame and Senegal President, Macky Sall discussed different matters about science.
The Head of State said that education is important as it benefits everyone in the country and that the government has invested in education, encouraged and incentivized science.
“We invest in education; of course the biggest part of National Budget is invested in health and education. We make sure that we have done things that actually we can do ourselves or together with other partners. Foundations and countries have been very helpful in investing in education,” he said.
“Apart from that education we also encourage and incentivize science, we encourage young people to go into science by availing what they can use as tools for their own development and other incentives in terms of what they have access to for their development,” he added.
Kagame said that they have encouraged a kind of ecosystem where from private sector and public partnership they facilitate ideas of youth and get developed.
Kagame said that they have invested in youth by sending them to study from different countries across the World. However, he said that Rwanda is yet to reach where Rwandans want to be.
“We are yet to realize half of where we want to be, but the trajectory is a pleasant one and we are moving forward,” he said.
He said that the government makes sure that they have put condncive environment on the investment side.
Kagame assured that Rwanda will continue to support the development of science.
“We will continue doing our best, we will invest our time, energy and policies to make sure that there is always place for science. Even if we didn’t do it, it has place whether we support it or not. We are the ones to lose if we don’t support that,” Kagame noted.
The Three-day biennial conference started yesterday. The next forum will take place in Kenya.
Speaking at the awarding event of the 13th edition, the Minister of Land and Forestry, Francine Tumushime urged students to continue to be confident and work towards excelling in life.
She urged them to work hard towards developing the country and requested them to pursue sciences, ICT and Technical Vocational and Education Training studies.
“We urge you not to study targeting to go to work in sector or district administrations, but you should learn targeting innovations which will promote locally made products,” she said.
Imbuto Foundation Director General Sandrine Umutoni said that since 2005, the Foundation has awarded over 4600 outstanding girls and the gesture impacted them positively.
“Some of the awardees have got employment and others are pursuing university studies. We are glad that these students are performing well in schools and have become role models of their colleagues,” she said.
Audrey Umurerwa, a student at Riviera High School in Kigali said she was pleased to receive the award, adding that she will continue to work hard.
“I will continue to concentrate on my studies so that I always be the overall best performer,” she said.
The awarding ceremony continues today in Nyamagabe District by awarding outstanding females from Southern Province.
This year, 172 best performers in last year’s Primary Leaving Examinations, Ordinary and Advanced levels will be awarded, bringing a total of 4,600 students awarded since the programme launched in 2005.
The fifth freedom flight was signed on Monday in Kigali between the State Minister in charge of Transport in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye and Nigeria’s State Minister for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Abubakar Sirika.
Uwihanganye said that the agreement has budding impacts to both countries.
“The agreement allows us to operate to all Nigeria’s airports and carry passengers from there to any other airport in African countries,” he said.
“It will also facilitate both countries’ private sectors collaborate and do business together,” he added.
Nigeria’s Abubakar Sirika emphasized that the agreement is in line with easing integration through the Single African Air Transport Market as part of the Africa’s 2063 Agenda.
He said that both countries will benefit from the agreement both in cultural industries and business.
“Transportation, especially air transport will become easy and enhanced; it will connect people, culture and the market. Signing such agreement will allow Rwandans interconnect with Nigerians and do business together,” he explained.
RwandAir Chief Executive Officer, Col. Chance Ndagano said that the agreement will help the career attain their mission of facilitating Rwandans, Africans and beyond having easy movements.
“When we look at the economy, easing movement will promote tourism and businesses between both countries and Africa in general,” he said.
Currently, RwandAir has 25 destinations. In May, it will enter Abuja in Nigeria and start Accra road in Ghana.
In 2010, both countries had signed the agreement which allowed RwandAir to operate from Lagos.
It is said to be the largest collective expulsion of Russian intelligence officers in history.
More than 20 countries have aligned with the UK, expelling more than 100 diplomats.
Russia vowed to retaliate to the “provocative gesture”.
Russia denies any role in the attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, in Salisbury, southern England. The pair remain in a critical but stable condition in hospital.
EU leaders agreed last week it was highly likely Russia was behind the nerve-agent poisoning.
Mrs May said: “President Putin’s regime is carrying out acts of aggression against our shared values and interests within our continent and beyond.
“And as a sovereign European democracy, the United Kingdom will stand shoulder to shoulder with the EU and with Nato to face down these threats together.”
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson also praised the “extraordinary international response” by the UK’s allies.
The Russian foreign ministry said the moves demonstrated a continuation of a “confrontational path”.
“It goes without saying that this unfriendly act by this group of countries will not go without notice and we will react to it,” its statement said.
{{Who is expelling diplomats?}}
The UK announced it was expelling 23 Russian diplomats earlier this month.
Various countries announced they were making the same move in solidarity on Monday. These are:
US: 60 diplomats
EU countries: France (4); Germany (4); Poland (4); Czech Republic (3); Lithuania (3); Denmark (2); Netherlands (2); Italy (2); Spain (2); Estonia (1); Croatia (1); Finland (1); Hungary (1); Latvia (1); Romania (1); Sweden (1)
Ukraine: 13
Canada: 4, plus the rejection of 3 further applications from Russia
Albania: 2
Australia: 2
Norway: 1
Macedonia: 1
Iceland has also announced it is suspending high-level dialogue with Russian authorities, and its leaders will not attend the World Cup, which starts in Russia in June.
The UK said earlier this month it would not send ministers or members of the Royal Family to the football tournament.
EU countries that have said they have no intention of expelling diplomats include Austria, Greece and Portugal, although all have said they support the UK and condemn the poisoning.
{{Source:BBC}}
