Month: June 2024

19 June 2024 is by no means an ordinary day in the collective landscape of South Africa. With President Cyril Ramaphosa having taken his Oath of Office, marking the start of the seventh administration, the country is now firmly in the fold of the creation of a Government of National Unity.

The recently concluded 29 May National and Provincial Elections, while having been conducted in a manner that has been deemed free and fair by the South African Human Rights Commission, among others, demonstrated the maturity of South Africa’s democracy since its early steps in 1994. Even though the outcomes of the first democratic election made clear the resounding message of the masses, who had long battled for the right of political and societal agency, a Government of National Unity was formed to help the fragile populace to navigate the treacherous waters of a nation that was new to inclusivity.

While this year’s General Election results produced no outright majority winner, the requirement for leaders of different f
ormations to work together is not too unsimilar to what the country had to do to find its way at the inception of democracy. Today, leaders are required to carve a new path, one where cooperation amongst parties with different views have come together, and continue to do so, united in the single purpose of providing citizens with services that are aimed at improving their quality of life and building a sense of national solidarity.

Addressing the public in his inaugural speech, and essentially the world at large who had been following developments in the country, President Ramaphosa on Wednesday said the formation of the Government of National Unity is a moment of profound significance.

‘It is the beginning of a new era,’ President Ramaphosa said at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

He said the Government of National Unity requires a common mission, which is anchored in safeguarding national unity, peace, stability, inclusive economic growth, non-racialism and non-sexism.

‘Through the ballots that they hav
e cast, the people of South Africa have made plain their expectation that the leaders of our country should work together.”

President Ramaphosa said the people of South Africa have directed their representatives to put aside animosity and dissent, to abandon narrow interests and to pursue together only that which benefits the nation.

‘As leaders, as political parties, we are called upon to work in partnership towards a growing economy, better jobs, safer communities and a government that works for its people.’

President Ramaphosa said from across the political spectrum, parties have answered that call.

‘Understanding that no party can govern alone and make laws alone, these parties have agreed to work in partnership, to employ their talents for the good of the country and the progress of its people.

‘Together, they have resolved to establish a government of national unity to pursue a common programme of fundamental and lasting change.

‘As the leaders of this country came together in a Government of Nati
onal Unity 30 years ago to forge a common future and build a united nation, the parties in the government of national unity of today have agreed to work together to address the most pressing challenges before our nation,’ President Ramaphosa said.

President Ramaphosa said the parties have adopted a Statement of Intent, in which they have committed to pursue rapid, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, to create a more just society by tackling poverty, to safeguard the rights of workers, to stabilise government and to build state capacity and to pursue a foreign policy based on human rights, solidarity and peace.

‘As South Africans, we must each do what we can to achieve this mission. We will invite all parties, civil society, labour, business and other formations to a National Dialogue on the critical challenges facing the nation,’ the President said.

President Ramaphosa said the parties have made a commitment to invest in South Africa’s people through quality education and health care, to address cri
me and corruption, to strengthen social cohesion and build a united nation and the will of the people shall be done without any doubt or question.

‘The voters of South Africa did not give any single party the full mandate to govern our country alone.

‘We will seek, as we have done at so many important moments in our history, to forge a social compact to realise the aspirations of our National Development Plan.

‘As individuals, as families, as communities and in our many formations, let us draw on our every strength to turn our dream for a better South African into reality,’ President Ramaphosa said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Mrs Aisha Edward-Maduagwu, National Co-ordinator, Association of People Living with Sickle Cell Disorder says that sickle cell is the worst of all health disorders.

Edward-Maduagwu made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka, to mark the 2024 World Sickle Cell Day.

World Sickle Cell Day is observed every June 19, to raise awareness about sickle cell disease and highlight the challenges that patients and their caregivers face.

The theme of this year’s commemoration is ‘Hope Through Progress: Advancing Care Globally’.

She described sickle cell disease as a genetic disorder in which the red blood cells were shaped abnormally, thereby affecting blood flow, causing pain and tissue damage in the body.

She said: ‘Sickle Cell is the most serious and worst disorder out of all the health disorders but it is sad that it is not getting adequate attention in our society.

‘How come more attention is given to cancer patients than sickle cell, whereas we go through the same pains?

‘Ou
r government and the society at large need to pay adequate attention to sickle cell disease.

‘This is because the patients go through pain and spend so much to stay alive or survive the pains inflicted in them by others,’ she said.

Edward-Maduagwu lamented the rate of stigma in the society as persons living with sickle cell disorder were seen as not marriageable, not adoptable and not employable.

‘The society is mean and insensitive to the plight of persons living with sickle cell. They are intellectually and academically sound, but no job opportunities for them.

‘Our organisation will continue to educate the public on the adverse effects of genotype incompatibilities, and ensure that people get tested for genotype, especially intending marriage couples,’ she said.

She commended Gov. Chukwuma Soludo and his wife, for free enrolment of 71 persons living with sickle cell into the state’s health insurance scheme, to reduce the burden of medical bills on patients and their families.

She urged well-meaning
individuals and the government to donate a permanent and central sickle cell centre in Anambra.

‘We are appealing for support to acquire a centre for moral, psychological and emotional management as well as rehabilitation of vulnerable sickle cell patients,’ she said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

With 325,000 square meters of exhibition area for the seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE) having already been booked by more than 1,000 companies around the globe, the 2024 edition of the world’s first national-level import-themed expo is expected to make an even bigger splash this November.

Global brands further expand business in China via the CIIE

As a frequenter of the CIIE, Ireland has over the past six editions of the event brought a range of high-quality food products, including milk powder from grass-fed cows, organic chocolate, whisky and gin, with many of them making their global debut at the annual trade fair.

Over the years, companies from 173 countries and regions have made appearances at the CIIE and carried out tentative transactions worth over $420 billion. Nearly 2,500 new products, technologies and services have debuted at the event.

Greece’s Piraeus Port, the chief seaport of Athens and a key project in China-Greece cooperation, has participated in the expo every year since 2
018.

‘Six-time participant Piraeus Port has further boosted its interaction with global maritime stakeholders and enhanced the creation of business opportunities,’ Greek Infrastructure and Transport Minister Christos Staikouras noted, hailing the fair as ‘significant and well-recognized globally’.

In addition to the Business Exhibition, the Country Exhibition proffers a platform where countries can improve their global image and increase their international presence.

As a major participant, the UK has showcased its world-leading technologies and services in areas like healthcare, finance, education food and agricultural products at the event.

According to the UK government website, the expo offers a unique platform for UK businesses to display some of the country’s most innovative technologies and connect with Chinese businesses, investors, and consumers.

Hongqiao Forum spotlights global issues

As a crucial part of the annual CIIE, the Hongqiao Forum invites worldwide high-profile government officials,
Nobel Prize laureates and senior executives of industrial pacesetters to discuss global issues.

The sixth Hongqiao Forum in 2023 saw a record attendance of more than 8,000 people and featured 22 subforums on a range of subjects such as financial reform and innovation, digital governance and green investment.

Organizers of the forum have held a series of symposiums and salons over the past few months and invited important figures, including UN representatives, government officials, scholars, and member companies to contribute to this year’s themes and topics.

CIIE 2024 expects more participants

The seventh CIIE will launch another series of global roadshows in the UK, Ireland and Greece from June 19 to 28 to attract more companies with an interest in exporting to China and highlight the CIIE’s supporting policies.

In addition, registration for professional visitors, including buyers, for this year’s expo is now in full swing. A number of roadshows aimed at inviting buyers are now underway, motivating the
trade missions to leverage the expo’s prospects and expand their trade partnerships with companies around the world.

With so many showing interest in the trade fair, be sure to secure your spot at CIIE 2024:

Sign up as an exhibitor: https://www.ciie.org/exhibition/f/book/register?locale=enandfrom=press

Sign up as a professional visitor:

https://www.ciie.org/ciie/f/visitor/pre-book?locale=enandfrom=press

Contact:Ms. Cui Yan

Tel.:0086-21-968888

Email:[email protected]

Website:http://www.ciie.org/zbh/en/

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ciieonline

Twitter:https://twitter.com/ciieonline

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has urged civil servants to remain diligent and value-oriented in the execution of their official duties.

Gabriel Aduda, Permanent Secretary in the ministry gave the charge when Ali Seidu, Chairman of the union in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, alongside some members of staff, visited him in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visit was in appreciation of Aduda’s impactful role during his tenure as the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, from December 2020 to October 2022.

Aduda said that the civil service was the engine room of government adding that, it was their responsibility as civil servants to ensure effective service delivery to Nigerians.

He further said that the civil service was crucial in actualising the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu-led Administration.

He, therefore, urged civil servants to always give their best in their service to humanity.

‘Always put in your best at eve
ry opportunity you are given to serve. You may never have a second chance to make a first impression, so always put your best foot forward.

‘Never relent in supporting your subordinates and superiors,’ he advised.

Aduda reaffirmed the government’s commitment to capacity development for workers; enhance efficiency and productivity for effective service delivery in the public sector, in line with global standards.

Responding, Seidu, the union chairman expressed gratitude to the permanent secretary for his contributions to staff career progression and capacity building at the foreign ministry.

He acknowledged Aduda’s efforts in facilitating the conversion of staff from the Executive Cadre to Officer Cadre.

Seidu said that the knowledge and opportunities gained from these initiatives would be utilised to achieve the goals and objectives of the federal government.

NAN reports that the high point of the event was the presentation of a customised, handcrafted thank-you card by the group.

Source: News Agency
of Nigeria

Excitement at the Union Buildings in Pretoria is palpable as packed buses have started dropping off guests and members of the public who will witness the inauguration of President-elect Cyril Ramaphosa later this morning.

Many braved the cold winter morning and started arriving early, with their hearts set on being present at the swearing-in of the President-elect Ramaphosa following his election by Parliament on Friday, 14 June 2024.

With the inauguration signifying the beginning of the President’s second term of office Khula Community Development Project Director Petros Majola told SAnews civil society was ready to work with government for the best interests of communities.

‘Today is a very big day, which comes after we have cast our vote. [This means that] we will have a government that will take us through for the next five years. We are ready to work with a government that will deliver in the best interests of our vulnerable groups, especially the victims of crimes and violence.

‘After the inaugurati
on, we expect delivery of services to those people (vulnerable groups) because those people have hope in the government that they voted for,’ Majola said on Wednesday.

Avid sports fan Mama Joy Chauke told SAnews she was excited to see the President-elect Ramaphosa being inaugurated.

‘Today is an important day for South Africa. I am here to witness our President being inaugurated and lead us…we are waiting for him to lead us. We are waiting for him to do the best and we are here to support him,’ Chauke said.

The President-Elect will be sworn in by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo in the Union Buildings’ Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre.

The ceremony will be witnessed by South African and international guests, including South African royalty, Members of Parliament, representatives of political parties, leaders of organised labour, business and civil society organisations, religious leaders and South Africans who have excelled in various capacities and endeavours.

Attendees will include representatives of regional, c
ontinental and international organisations and bodies such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN).

President-Elect Ramaphosa will also be honoured by the attendance of a number of Heads of State and Government and former Heads of State and Government from different regions of Africa as well as other world regions.

To date, 18 Heads of State and Government, three former Heads of State and Government and nine Heads of Delegation are expected to attend. Additional confirmations are being received.

Countries that will be represented at a high level at the Inauguration include the Kingdom of eSwatini and Kingdom of Lesotho; the Republics of Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Angola and Tanzania; the Republic of Uganda; the People’s Republic of China; the Arab Republic of Egypt; the State of Palestine and the Republic of Cuba.

The theme for the occasion is ’30 Years of Democracy, Partnership and Growth.’

Source: South African Government News Agency

Amb. Geoffrey Pyatt, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Energy Resources, said the U.S. and Nigeria are working closely toward convening a maiden Energy Security Dialogue (ESD) in 2024.

Amb. Pyatt announced this at a digital news conference on Wednesday following a U.S.-Angola energy security dialogue to strengthen U.S.-Africa Energy Partnerships in Luanda, Angola.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Angola ESD was the first in-person dialogue in sub-Saharan Africa to be held during U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration.

Pyatt said that the U.S.-Nigeria ESD would target a broad agenda, including decarbonisation of fossil energy production, acceleration of clean energy deployment, and liquified natural gas.

He said other issues to be discussed during the event would be the challenges of the global gas market, critical minerals, energy access, grid interconnections, and partnerships.

The U.S. envoy said Deputy Secretary of State, Kurt Campbell, had discussed the prospective dial
ogue with Nigerian government officials during his recent visit to Nigeria, after which he took it up.

‘And then I followed up at the Corporate Council for Africa summit meeting in Dallas just a few weeks ago, where I joined Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield for our meeting with the Nigerian foreign minister.

‘So, I think our governments are agreed that we want this to happen. We want it to happen in 2024, and I’m hopeful that we will have an announcement in the next couple of weeks about the specific timing.

‘Much like the dialogue with Angola, our dialogue with Nigeria would be built around a broad agenda, including decarbonization of fossil energy production, acceleration of clean energy deployment, LNG and the global gas market, critical minerals, issues of energy access and grid interconnections,’ he said.

According to him, the dialogue will also involve a business element, whereby U.S. and Nigerian companies come together to explore opportunities and push their governments to accelerate the deepeni
ng of their energy partnerships.

He noted that for most of Sub-Saharan Africa, the number one energy priority was energy access; how to deliver the expanded volumes of energy that citizens needed to meet the aspirations for uplifting their situation.

The envoy said the U.S. was partnering with Sub-Saharan African countries in providing massive access to energy, adding that American companies were already partners in that regard, operating in Angola, Mozambique, and Nigeria, among others.

He said the most crucial issues on the U.S-Africa energy partnership agenda include tackling climate change challenges and addressing energy transition through partnerships.

‘We also understand, and this is painfully clear, in a country like Angola, where you see the impact that the climate crisis has on traditional agriculture and weather patterns.

‘And so, taking climate action and being as ambitious as we can in our targets to reduce the carbon footprint of the energy that we produce, the energy that the world needs,
is job number one.

‘We want to ensure that we support, in Africa in particular, a just energy transition.

‘Every country is going to have its energy mix and a unique endowment of natural resources,’ he said.

Amb. Pyatt said that Nigeria and Angola as two of Africa’s largest oil producers, are important countries with a globally significant capacity to produce crude oil, hence their ESD significance.

‘They are also countries whose crude oil economies have been significantly impacted both by Russia’s weaponization of its energy resources and also the role of China.

‘When I was in Angola, we talked a lot about the fact that Angola owes about 17 billion dollars to China for years and years of checkbook diplomacy.

‘So we want to talk to both governments about their role in the global energy matrix, our partnership, the role of the United States as a major oil producer, and how we see energy,’ he said.

‘Our energy security interests are impacted by the disruptions created by Russia’s weaponisation of its en
ergy resources and how our producers are responding to that,’ he added.

NAN recalls that the State Department had in June 2023 announced the formation of an energy security dialogue with Nigeria to advance collaboration on shared energy and climate goals, saying it would host it this year.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria