![\"\"](\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/jeremy-jauncey.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n-* Jeremy Jauncey, Founder & CEO of Beautiful Destinations, an award-winning nation branding agency named a baby gorilla from the Isimbi family as well, \u2018Ingando\u2019 which represents \u2018opportunity for the future and hope for a better world\u2019.<\/p>\n -* Madeleine Nyiratuza, Programme Specialist, Sustainable Growth Unit at UNDP Rwanda, named a baby gorilla from the Amahoro family, \u2018Isanzure\u2019 noting that the name means that gorillas should be allowed to roam freely.<\/p>\n -* Amb. Ron Adam, the Ambassador of the State of Israel in Rwanda named a baby gorilla from the Sabyinyo family, \u2018Igihango\u2019 which means \u2018covenant\u2019 and said it represents the unbreakable bond between the gorillas and their guardians.<\/p>\n -* Tony Alexander Adams MBE, an English football legend named a baby gorilla from the Mafunzo family, \u2018Sura\u2019urwanda\u2019 which translates to \u2018Visit Rwanda\u2019, symbolizing the partnership Rwanda has with English football club, Arsenal.<\/p>\n -* Niklas Adalberth, Swedish entrepreneur and founder of Norrsken named a baby gorilla from the Isimbi family, \u2018Irembo\u2019 which means \u2018gateway\u2019.<\/p>\n -* Ngabo M\u00e9dard Jobert, better known as Meddy, a Rwandan RnB and pop artist named a baby gorilla from the Musirikare family, \u2018Inkoramutima\u2019.<\/p>\n -* Otara Gunewardene, a Sri Lankan businessperson and philanthropist, named a baby gorilla from the Pablo family, \u2018Kira\u2019 which means \u2018bless you\u2019 in Kinyarwanda and named after her two sons, Kiran and Rakhil.<\/p>\n -* Louis Van Gaal, Dutch former football manager and a player named a baby gorilla from the Hirwa family, \u2018Indongozi\u2019 which means \u2018leader\u2019.<\/p>\n -* His Excellency Hailemariam Desalegn Boshe: Former Prime Minister of Ethiopia named a baby from the Pablo Family \u2018Umukuru\u2019 as a tribute to Mutware, the oldest elephant in Akagera National Park that died last year.<\/p>\n -* Ronan Donovan, National Geographic photographer and filmmaker named a baby gorilla from the Kwitonda family and the name was chosen after National Geographic opened the naming process to their social media followers. The name that was chosen was \u2018Intego\u2019 which means \u2018purpose\u2019.<\/p>\n -* HRH Princess Basma Bint Ali, an advocate of biodiversity conservation and sustainable agriculture in Jordan named a baby gorilla from the Mafunzo family, \u2018Uhiriwe\u2019 which means \u2018lucky one\u2019.<\/p>\n -* Emmanuel Niringiyimana, a young Rwandan who built a road on his own to facilitate the movement of people and goods in his village in Karongi District named a baby gorilla from the Igisha family, \u2018Mugwire\u2019.<\/p>\n -* Paul Milton, the founder of Milton Group who developed the Singita Kwitonda Lodge on behalf of investors Mr. Paul Tudor Jones and Mr. Anders Povlsen & Luke Bailes, the Founder and Executive Chairman of Singita, named a baby from the Pablo family, \u2018Inararibonye\u2019 which means \u2018wise and experienced\u2019 in Kinyarwanda.<\/p>\n -* Dame Louise Martin, DBE, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation and Patricia Scotland, named a baby gorilla from the Igisha family, \u2018Uruti\u2019 which means \u2018the highest recognition of heroism\u2019 and \u2018Nazarian\u2019 which means \u2018the one who loves and initiates peace among the communities\u2019.<\/p>\n -* Naomi Campbell, an English supermodel, actress, and businesswoman named a baby gorilla from the Muhoza family, \u2018Intarutwa\u2019 which translates to \u2018excellent\u2019 in Kinyarwanda.<\/p>\n -* Award-winning Rwandan Professional cyclist, Joseph Areruya named a baby gorilla from the Amahoro family, \u2018Inganji\u2019 meaning long life.<\/p>\n -* Marco Lambertini, Director General of World Wildlife Fund for Nature named a baby gorilla from the Kwitonda family, \u2018Ikirenga\u2019 which means \u2018Exceptional\u2019.<\/p>\n -* Sherrie Silver, Actress, and choreographer named a baby gorilla from the Susa family, \u2018Ibirori\u2019 which means \u2018celebration\u2019.<\/p>\n -* Anthony Nzuki: Ranger Post Leader at Akagera National Park, Rwanda named a baby gorilla from the Kureba family, \u2018Karame\u2019.<\/p>\n -* Kenyan entrepreneur and philanthropist, Dr. Kiboro Wilfred, named one of the new baby gorillas from the Sabyinyo family, \u2018Ituze\u2019 which translates to stability in Kinyarwanda and \u2018take care of it\u2019 in Swahili.<\/p>\n -* Jean Nepomuscene Musekura, one of the incredible park rangers from Volcanoes National Park chose the name \u2018Bisoke\u2019 for one of the new baby gorillas from the Ntambara family.<\/p>\n -* H.E Amb. Kar\u00e9n Chalyan, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Rwanda named a baby gorilla from the Ntambara family, \u2018Umwihariko\u2019 which means \u2018exception\u2019.<\/p>\n -* Robert Twibaze, one of the senior tour guides with over 12 years of experience chose the name \u2018Inzobere\u2019 for a baby gorilla from the Agashya family.<\/p>\n -* Amina Mohammed: Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations. She was formerly the Federal Minister of the Environment of Nigeria. She named a baby from the Umubano family, \u2018Ingoga\u2019 which means courage in Kinyarwanda.<\/p>\n -* Shaffer Chimere Smith, better known by his stage name Ne-Yo named a baby gorilla from the Kuryama family, \u2018Biracyaza\u2019 which means greater things are coming for Rwanda.<\/p>\n Speaking while making her remarks at the ceremony, RDB Chief Tourism Officer, Belise Kariza said that: \u201cAs we give names to 25 baby gorillas today, we celebrate our conservation successes and thank the community, partners and friends from around the world for their invaluable support to protect these remarkable animals.\u201d<\/p>\n She said that more work is needed to ensure the long-term survival of mountain gorillas that remain endangered species.<\/p>\n The most recent census tells us that the mountain gorilla population in the Virunga Massif has grown by 23% since 2010 to 604 individuals. <\/p>\n Kaliza highlighted that this success is the result of governments, communities and conservation partners working hand-in-hand to protect the species and its habitat.<\/p>\n RDB Chief Executive Officer, Clare Akamanzi also emphasized that \u2018Kwita Izina forms part of an ambitious strategy to preserve our natural heritage and further expand the role of tourism in our country\u2019s transformation. We have set the lofty target of increasing tourism revenue to 800 million dollars over the next five years \u2013 roughly double what it is today. Achieving the vision, we have set for ourselves requires thinking big and even acting boldly\u2019. <\/p>\n {{About Kwita Izina}}<\/p>\n Kwita Izina is a time-honored tradition in which Rwandan families hold a ceremony to name a newborn baby. For three decades prior to the first official gorilla naming ceremony, park rangers and researchers named Rwanda\u2019s mountain gorilla babies as part of monitoring each gorilla in their family and habitat.<\/p>\n The Government of Rwanda, through the Rwanda Development Board and in collaboration with conservation partners, the private sector and local communities, has achieved remarkable success in protecting and growing the endangered mountain gorilla population and conserving its habitat. <\/p>\n Rwanda\u2019s traditional naming ceremony was adapted to celebrate this success as a national flagship event now known as Kwita Izina.<\/p>\n Kwita Izina was introduced in 2005 to raise awareness of conservation efforts and to thank communities for their on-going and invaluable participation and support of these initiatives. <\/p>\n It is now the most important event on Rwanda\u2019s conservation calendar and is attended by national, regional and international participants.<\/p>\n 281 baby mountain gorillas have been named since Kwita Izina began. Alongside the naming ceremony, a weeklong celebration of activities is hosted to share the importance of conservation and the role of tourism in protecting rare and iconic species. <\/p>\n Today, Kwita Izina is fast becoming Africa\u2019s leading dialogue on conservation and sustainable tourism.<\/p>\n As a result of conservation efforts such as Kwita Izina, the population of the endangered mountain gorilla increased to 604 in 2016 in the Virunga Massif compared to 480 in 2010. <\/p>\n The Virunga Massif is comprised of Mikeno Sector of Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. Mountain gorilla numbers in the entire region had fallen as low as 242 in 1981.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Thousands of Rwandans, conservation partners, special guests and friends of Rwanda gathered on Friday at Kinigi, Musanze right on the foothills of Volcanoes National Park to celebrate this year\u2019s milestone 15th Kwita Izina baby gorilla naming ceremony.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[75],"byline":[170],"hashtag":[],"class_list":["post-39995","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-homenews","byline-igihe"],"bylines":[{"id":170,"name":"IGIHE","slug":"igihe","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":8}],"contributors":[{"id":170,"name":"IGIHE","slug":"igihe","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":8}],"featured_image":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39995","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39995"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39995\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39995"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39995"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39995"},{"taxonomy":"byline","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/byline?post=39995"},{"taxonomy":"hashtag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hashtag?post=39995"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/madeleine-nyiratuza.jpg\")
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