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Monday, April 9, 2018

Thousands Pay Last Homage to Mama Rose Murkwi



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On Saturday April 7, 2018, thousands of people from all walks of attended the funeral service at the Revival Baptist Church Binju in Nkambe, Donga Mantung of the North West Region to pay their last respect to Mama Rose Murkwi. Binju quarter was a beehive of celebrations as it hosted dignitaries from across the country as they all trooped in Binju from the fours of Nkambe town to honour and celebrate the life of one of the earliest committed Christian of the Revival Baptist church Binju, and a choir member (Mother of the famous Chief Executive Officer of the Construction Company BOFAS, Godlove Talla Nji alias Kobo Godlove).
In fact everyone was present from administrators to politicians, clergies, contractors to traders, teachers, lawyers, buy’am sell’am etc.
Among the high profile personalities that attended the funeral service was the Senior Divisional Officer for Donga Mantung Division, Nkwenti Simon Doh, Hon. Awudu Mbaya, Hon. Esther Ngala, H.E Shey Jones Yembe, H.E Ngafeeson Emmanuel, Senator Kombongsi, Njong Eric and hundreds other dignities who were buried in the crowd of mourners. There was also the remarkable presence of the Archbishop of the Kumbo diocese and the landlord himself, the mayor of Nkambe, Ngabir Paul Bantar.  
The mood that saluted Mama Rose funeral service from Christian Wake keep to church service was befitting and worth the celebration. 
Delivering his sermon, Pastor Bombang Valentine said Mama Rose Murkwi served God devotedly while alive from all the testimonies given by people and from his personal relationship with her while alive as her Pastor. He called on the kingdom seekers to be prepared at all times because “there is only one room in hell but many in heaven”.  He charged Christians and mourners to be of good behaviour, describing death as unavoidable circumstance in life but went further to caution that everybody is only praying for long life. “When challenges come don’t shake in faith, we are looking forward to new heaven and earth” he continued.
Pastor Valentine enjoined Christians to work in the way of the Lord if they want to enjoy their lives, as well as, inherit the Kingdom of God added that late Mama Rose Murkwi lived a fulfilled life. “It is better for you to believe in Jesus and die not see him than not to believe to die and discover you are far from seeing him”.
He urged her children to imitate the good virtues of their late mother in all ramifications.
Pastor Valentine after drawing inspiration from 2 Peter 3:12-14 and on the Meditation “Making the best use of the Kingdom people” charged the congregation and by extension Christians to see this world as vanity and ephemeral saying the best that human beings can do is to serve God. “Give time to God the creator” he emphasized.
Enter Godlove Talla Nji
Before presenting his eulogy, the second son of the family Godlove Talla Nji aka Kobbo Godlove used the occasion to present to the public Mr. Njong Eric (Buns) whom he said has been very instrumental to his life. He said Njong Eric is “a father, a friend and a partner in business. If I am what I am today, my parents just gave birth to me and when I went into the world, he held me by my hand”.
He said his mother is no more. It is her flesh that is no more but her spirit is alive. Drawing inspiration from Ecclesiastic 3:4, Godlove Talla Nji said the Bible teaches that “there is time to mourn and there is time to rejoice”.  While welcoming everyone who turned out to bid farewell to their deceased mother, he reminded them that they did not come to mourn but rather they should join them to celebrate. “We are not celebrating Mami but we are celebrating God through Jesus Christ”. He said the best gift he gave his mother before he departure to eternity was the fact that he(Godlove) accepted Christ. “I gave her in less than two years what I could not give her after working for 16 years”. He added that Exodus 20:12 teaches us that “Children honour your parents and your mothers”. This he said that is the only commandment with a promise. “I think it is because of that promise that we are all gathered here today and at the same time Mark 10:15, the Bible says “if you don’t accept the Kingdom of Christ as a child, you cannot enter it”. He recalled how in 2016 God sent one of his servants to him asking him to reconcile with his mother. He was surprised that how can someone tell him to reconcile with the mother when they hadn’t any friction. To cut the story short, Godlove testified that for 16 years she was only giving her mother material things whereas what she needed of him was to accept the kingdom of God.
He said he is satisfied that his mother played her part and did her best according to the will of God saying that her mother taught him and other siblings the way of God. He said he is sure Jesus has given his mother peace. He went further to tell the Biblical story of how Jesus healed a blind man on Sabbath day and to the Pharisees he was a sinner but to the blind man whether it was on Sabbath day or whatever, his joy was that he could see again. Harping on the impact of the person who transformed him, Godlove said whether Esther Ella Ze is a fake prophet or what, the reasons is that she made him to see Jesus and more so to give her mother her most cherished gift which was to believe in God. My mother was a poor woman but she always wanted that the day she will die her burial should be a celebration. “So we are just celebrating her life through Jesus Christ which means that it is a life well spent. Jesus is alive and God is alive”.
In a written eulogy, he writes “ Mama others will mourn you but be rest assured that I will remind them that when someone succeeds in fighting a good fight (2 Timothy 4:7) it calls for celebration not mourning: you were a hardworking farmer who should be the first to enjoy the fruit of her labour (2 Timothy 2:6)

Kup Dance, Nka Abee, Mama Rose’s Best Friend Speak Out
Speaker after speaker described Mami Rose as hardworking family head that lived by her words. To all the speakers, Mama Rose Murkwi was frank, honest and someone who spare no efforts to give a piece of advice whenever need arises. She was a problem solver and one that many always look back as in the community and in various groups as a role model mother. Each and everyone shared their memories of the deceased but the most outstanding central was that Mama Rose was a devoted person and very dynamic woman.
Talking to this reporter after the burial, Hon. Awudu Mbaya described the departed heroine as a role model whose hard work has changed lives. Hon. Esther Ngala on her part said Mama Rose’s story is one that will inspire several generations. “She is a good example of a courageous woman” Hon. Esther Ngala added. To H.E Emmanuel Ngafeeson, Mama Rose lives in the Lord and her trappings will forever be remembered. “Just the crowd here can tell you the role she played in Community development”, Mbunkur Julius says.

What You Need to Know about Mama Rose Murkwi
Born in 1940 in Jirt village, Ndu sub Division, into the family of Fai Nganyinkfu and Ngwaakfu (all of blessed memory), who lived a sedimentary life; Mama Rose Murkwi grew up with her only lone sister assisting her in farm work. In the early 40s, education was a rare commodity and luxury and most parents preferred that their children should accompany them in farming than sending them to far distant areas to learn book.
However, in 1957 her desire to build a home linked her to Elijah Nji Kubo of blessed memory and they both decided to get married after fulfilling all the traditional commitments and other dowry rights.
In 1958, the couple was blessed with their first child who survived only for a few months same like the second, third and when in 1962, she gave birth to her fourth child, Patience; it was the end of the death syndrome. The couple was later blessed with Peter Nfor, Wilson Ndi, Godlove Talla, Ida Boka, George Ngala, Angela She and the Benjamin of the house Emmanuel Ndang. But since it is only God who knows why, Mami Rose lost three of her children who were already adults; Ida, Wilson and Patience. Her trust in God, and devotion to the words of God did make her lost faith in the Almighty. Even when she lost her husband, she became the mother and father of the house.
It is worth mentioning that Mama Rose Murkwi was a very hard working woman who relied solely on farming and petit trading principally the selling of puff puff and other perishables from which she raise money to educate her children, pay hospital bills and even bought a piece of land which is the family residence in which all her children, grand children and great grand children live today.  
Those who lived in Nkambe between 1970 and year 2000 would tell you of her puff puff and how caring she was in customer service as well as her family. George Ngala Nji in his eulogy writes “No matter the hard times, there was never a day we came back home and didn’t find food because your energy and sense of providing was constant”. To Emmanuel Kobo, the Benjamin of the house, his mother was his private lawyer during any family matter. “At the age of 10 years” he writes “  I understood the principles of buyam sellam as you had groomed me since the age of 3 as I spent each day watching you get up at 3 am make puff puff so that we could something to eat and basic education. You were in fact a father in my life while dad played the mother role of being soft and pampering me even when I was wrong. We have grown up to be very enterprising because you thought us the genesis of business management”. Harping on the motherly love, her daughter says “growing up, I learnt building a home no matter the difficulties because that is what you taught me....You showed us the true values and responsibilities of a rave woman in the construction of every successful family”. 
Mama Rose Murkwi it should be emphasized lived and died as a devoted militant of the CPDM. When the wind of change swept over Donga Mantung Division in the early 90s, she was one of the few who remained steadfast in the CPDM. She was a resilient grassroot militant. Besides that she was also a committed Christian of the Cameroon Baptist Church, very active member of the women’s movement of the CBC and choir member of Binju Baptist church.
Socially, it was not for nothing that the leader of the Binju Kup Dance Group was one of those who gave testimony about her life. Mama Rose was to Kup Dance Group like a pillar on which group members lean their shoulders. She was a mobilizer, adviser and above all, one of the four pillars of that group.
Mama would be remembered by many as a veritable community leader, a mixer and one who has left her footprints in the sand of time. She leaves behind five children, son in law, daughters in law, grand and great grand children to mourn after her. She will above all be remembered for her modesty, self sufficiency, outspokenness and reserved life, a veritable woman emancipator and societal role model every woman would like to be like.

Burial in Binka
At about 1:30 pm, after thousands of mourners were treated to sumptuous feeding in different places at Binju, all roads led to Ninkong quarter in Binka. The euphoria was total as several dance groups. There was singing and dancing though the pains could be very visible in the faces of the immediate family members as tears keep running across their faces. No one could have captured such a difficult moment more than Mami Rose’s daughter, Angela Seh who writes “though I am crying, its tears of joy because I know you left behind a happy family and saw your kids reconciled as one like any mother would wish”.
In fact, every living thing in Ninkong felt an extraordinary presence of people around them, this just to testify that a heroine has left to eternity.
y their last respect to Mama Rose Murkwi. Binju quarter was a beehive of celebrations as it hosted dignitaries from across the country as they all trooped in Binju from the fours of Nkambe town to honour and celebrate the life of one of the earliest committed Christian of the Revival Baptist church Binju, and a choir member (Mother of the famous Chief Executive Officer of the Construction Company BOFAS, Godlove Talla Nji alias Kobo Godlove).

In fact everyone was present from administrators to politicians, clergies, contractors to traders, teachers, lawyers, buy’am sell’am etc.
Among the high profile personalities that attended the funeral service was the Senior Divisional Officer for Donga Mantung Division, Nkwenti Simon Doh, Hon. Awudu Mbaya, Hon. Esther Ngala, H.E Shey Jones Yembe, H.E Ngafeeson Emmanuel, Senator Kombongsi, Njong Eric and hundreds other dignities who were buried in the crowd of mourners. There was also the remarkable presence of the Archbishop of the Kumbo diocese and the landlord himself, the mayor of Nkambe, Ngabir Paul Bantar.  
The mood that saluted Mama Rose funeral service from Christian Wake keep to church service was befitting and worth the celebration. 
Delivering his sermon, Pastor Bombang Valentine said Mama Rose Murkwi served God devotedly while alive from all the testimonies given by people and from his personal relationship with her while alive as her Pastor. He called on the kingdom seekers to be prepared at all times because “there is only one room in hell but many in heaven”.  He charged Christians and mourners to be of good behaviour, describing death as unavoidable circumstance in life but went further to caution that everybody is only praying for long life. “When challenges come don’t shake in faith, we are looking forward to new heaven and earth” he continued.
Pastor Valentine enjoined Christians to work in the way of the Lord if they want to enjoy their lives, as well as, inherit the Kingdom of God added that late Mama Rose Murkwi lived a fulfilled life. “It is better for you to believe in Jesus and die not see him than not to believe to die and discover you are far from seeing him”.
He urged her children to imitate the good virtues of their late mother in all ramifications.
Pastor Valentine after drawing inspiration from 2 Peter 3:12-14 and on the Meditation “Making the best use of the Kingdom people” charged the congregation and by extension Christians to see this world as vanity and ephemeral saying the best that human beings can do is to serve God. “Give time to God the creator” he emphasized. 
Enter Godlove Talla Nji
Godlove Talla Nji
Before presenting his eulogy, the second son of the family Godlove Talla Nji aka Kobbo Godlove used the occasion to present to the public Mr. Njong Eric (Buns) whom he said has been very instrumental to his life. He said Njong Eric is “a father, a friend and a partner in business. If I am what I am today, my parents just gave birth to me and when I went into the world, he held me by my hand”.
He said his mother is no more. It is her flesh that is no more but her spirit is alive. Drawing inspiration from Ecclesiastic 3:4, Godlove Talla Nji said the Bible teaches that “there is time to mourn and there is time to rejoice”.  While welcoming everyone who turned out to bid farewell to their deceased mother, he reminded them that they did not come to mourn but rather they should join them to celebrate. “We are not celebrating Mami but we are celebrating God through Jesus Christ”. He said the best gift he gave his mother before he departure to eternity was the fact that he(Godlove) accepted Christ. “I gave her in less than two years what I could not give her after working for 16 years”. He added that Exodus 20:12 teaches us that “Children honour your parents and your mothers”. This he said that is the only commandment with a promise. “I think it is because of that promise that we are all gathered here today and at the same time Mark 10:15, the Bible says “if you don’t accept the Kingdom of Christ as a child, you cannot enter it”. He recalled how in 2016 God sent one of his servants to him asking him to reconcile with his mother. He was surprised that how can someone tell him to reconcile with the mother when they hadn’t any friction. To cut the story short, Godlove testified that for 16 years she was only giving her mother material things whereas what she needed of him was to accept the kingdom of God.
He said he is satisfied that his mother played her part and did her best according to the will of God saying that her mother taught him and other siblings the way of God. He said he is sure Jesus has given his mother peace. He went further to tell the Biblical story of how Jesus healed a blind man on Sabbath day and to the Pharisees he was a sinner but to the blind man whether it was on Sabbath day or whatever, his joy was that he could see again. Harping on the impact of the person who transformed him, Godlove said whether Esther Ella Ze is a fake prophet or what, the reasons is that she made him to see Jesus and more so to give her mother her most cherished gift which was to believe in God. My mother was a poor woman but she always wanted that the day she will die her burial should be a celebration. “So we are just celebrating her life through Jesus Christ which means that it is a life well spent. Jesus is alive and God is alive”.
In a written eulogy, he writes “ Mama others will mourn you but be rest assured that I will remind them that when someone succeeds in fighting a good fight (2 Timothy 4:7) it calls for celebration not mourning: you were a hardworking farmer who should be the first to enjoy the fruit of her labour (2 Timothy 2:6)

Kup Dance, Nka Abee, Mama Rose’s Best Friend Speak Out
Speaker after speaker described Mami Rose as hardworking family head that lived by her words. To all the speakers, Mama Rose Murkwi was frank, honest and someone who spare no efforts to give a piece of advice whenever need arises. She was a problem solver and one that many always look back as in the community and in various groups as a role model mother. Each and everyone shared their memories of the deceased but the most outstanding central was that Mama Rose was a devoted person and very dynamic woman.
Talking to this reporter after the burial, Hon. Awudu Mbaya described the departed heroine as a role model whose hard work has changed lives. Hon. Esther Ngala on her part said Mama Rose’s story is one that will inspire several generations. “She is a good example of a courageous woman” Hon. Esther Ngala added. To H.E Emmanuel Ngafeeson, Mama Rose lives in the Lord and her trappings will forever be remembered. “Just the crowd here can tell you the role she played in Community development”, Mbunkur Julius says.

What You Need to Know about Mama Rose Murkwi
Born in 1940 in Jirt village, Ndu sub Division, into the family of Fai Nganyinkfu and Ngwaakfu (all of blessed memory), who lived a sedimentary life; Mama Rose Murkwi grew up with her only lone sister assisting her in farm work. In the early 40s, education was a rare commodity and luxury and most parents preferred that their children should accompany them in farming than sending them to far distant areas to learn book.
However, in 1957 her desire to build a home linked her to Elijah Nji Kubo of blessed memory and they both decided to get married after fulfilling all the traditional commitments and other dowry rights.
In 1958, the couple was blessed with their first child who survived only for a few months same like the second, third and when in 1962, she gave birth to her fourth child, Patience; it was the end of the death syndrome. The couple was later blessed with Peter Nfor, Wilson Ndi, Godlove Talla, Ida Boka, George Ngala, Angela She and the Benjamin of the house Emmanuel Ndang. But since it is only God who knows why, Mami Rose lost three of her children who were already adults; Ida, Wilson and Patience. Her trust in God, and devotion to the words of God did make her lost faith in the Almighty. Even when she lost her husband, she became the mother and father of the house.
It is worth mentioning that Mama Rose Murkwi was a very hard working woman who relied solely on farming and petit trading principally the selling of puff puff and other perishables from which she raise money to educate her children, pay hospital bills and even bought a piece of land which is the family residence in which all her children, grand children and great grand children live today.  
Those who lived in Nkambe between 1970 and year 2000 would tell you of her puff puff and how caring she was in customer service as well as her family. George Ngala Nji in his eulogy writes “No matter the hard times, there was never a day we came back home and didn’t find food because your energy and sense of providing was constant”. To Emmanuel Kobo, the Benjamin of the house, his mother was his private lawyer during any family matter. “At the age of 10 years” he writes “  I understood the principles of buyam sellam as you had groomed me since the age of 3 as I spent each day watching you get up at 3 am make puff puff so that we could something to eat and basic education. You were in fact a father in my life while dad played the mother role of being soft and pampering me even when I was wrong. We have grown up to be very enterprising because you thought us the genesis of business management”. Harping on the motherly love, her daughter says “growing up, I learnt building a home no matter the difficulties because that is what you taught me....You showed us the true values and responsibilities of a rave woman in the construction of every successful family”. 
Mama Rose Murkwi it should be emphasized lived and died as a devoted militant of the CPDM. When the wind of change swept over Donga Mantung Division in the early 90s, she was one of the few who remained steadfast in the CPDM. She was a resilient grassroot militant. Besides that she was also a committed Christian of the Cameroon Baptist Church, very active member of the women’s movement of the CBC and choir member of Binju Baptist church.
Socially, it was not for nothing that the leader of the Binju Kup Dance Group was one of those who gave testimony about her life. Mama Rose was to Kup Dance Group like a pillar on which group members lean their shoulders. She was a mobilizer, adviser and above all, one of the four pillars of that group.
Mama would be remembered by many as a veritable community leader, a mixer and one who has left her footprints in the sand of time. She leaves behind five children, son in law, daughters in law, grand and great grand children to mourn after her. She will above all be remembered for her modesty, self sufficiency, outspokenness and reserved life, a veritable woman emancipator and societal role model every woman would like to be like.

Burial in Binka
At about 1:30 pm, after thousands of mourners were treated to sumptuous feeding in different places at Binju, all roads led to Ninkong quarter in Binka. The euphoria was total as several dance groups. There was singing and dancing though the pains could be very visible in the faces of the immediate family members as tears keep running across their faces. No one could have captured such a difficult moment more than Mami Rose’s daughter, Angela Seh who writes “though I am crying, its tears of joy because I know you left behind a happy family and saw your kids reconciled as one like any mother would wish”.
In fact, every living thing in Ninkong felt an extraordinary presence of people around them, this just to testify that a heroine has left to eternity.

(Coming up next  PhotoNews of the Burial ceremony )








When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Sunday, April 8, 2018

Here is the Full List of 70 Elected Senators


While Waiting for President Biya to Appoint 30 more senators, here below is the full list of the 70 elected senators of March 25, 2018

*List of CPDM Senators*

*Adamawa Region*
NANA ISMAILA
HAMADOU Paul
ROUGAYATOU ASTA DJOULDE
OUMAROU ISSA
SOUADATOU DJALLO épse KALKABA
BAROUA NYAKEU
MAMOUDOU MAZADOU

* Centre Region*
NAAH ONDOA SYLVESTRE
ESSOMBA TSOUNGUI Elie Victor
ANONG ADIBIME Pascal
BELL Luc René
OKALA BILAI épse AHANDJENA
SM MAMA Jean Marie
KOUNGOU EDIMA Eliane Didier

*East Region*
SALE Charles
Mme DJOLE ASSOUHO épse TOKPANOU
Mme OULI NDONGO Monique
NDANGA NDINGA Badel
AMAMA AMAMA Benjamin
Mme MOAMPEA MBIO née NGBANGAKO MARIE
MBOUNDJO Jean

*Far North Region*
MAHAMAT ABDOUL Karim
ABDOULAYE WOUYACK MARAVA
Mme ZAKIATOU épse SALE
AMRAKAYE Martin
FOUTCHOU épse DJAKAOU
ALIOUM ALHADJI HAMADOU
BLADI ABBA

*Littoral Region*
HANGLOG Géneviève épse TJOUES
TOBBO EYOUM Thomas
DIN BELL Marie Armande
KINGUE Simon
MINYEM ENDENE Patience Félicité épse EBOUMBOU
KEMAYOU Claude
BILE Jean David

*North Region*
AMIDOU Maurice
NAMIO Pierre
AMADOU ALIM
ASTA Yvonne
BEBNONE PAYOUNNI
Mme DOUDOU épse ADAMOU
HAMA DJABOU

*West Region*
NGOUCHINGHE Sylvestre
NGOUBEYOU François Xavier
FOMETHE Anaclet
NGANGOUBE Aminatou
POKAM Max
DSAMOU Micheline
TEINGNIDETIO Joseph

*South Region*
MBITA MVAEBEME Lippert D.R
ZANG OYONO CALVIN
OBAM ASSAM Samuel
MBA MBA Grégoire
ELOUMBA THERESE
AMOUGOU BERNARD
AFANE GISELE Solange
*South West Region*
CHIEF TABE TANDO NDIEB-NSO
OTTE Andrew MOFA
MBELLA MOKI Charles
NTUBE Agnès NDODE épse NDJOCK
ANKIE AFFIONG Rébecca AMAH
LEKUNZE Andreas MEMBO
Lionel PAPIANATU FONDERSON
*SDF Senators*

*North West Region *
NKEZE Emilia KALEBONG
VANIGANSEN
Henry GAMSEY KEMENDE
BUH SULE TEGHA
AJUOH NGAM Honoré
KINYANG NYANG Georges
KUMBONGSI DYX METEN ALIM
 


When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

DLD Executive MBA Scholarship at Berlin, 2018

Fully Funded MBA Int’l Scholarships at UCD Smurfit School in Ireland, 2018

Friday, April 6, 2018

Africa Trade and Investment Global Summit 2018


Africa Trade and Investment Global Summit 2018
Picture


“Driving Trade, Unleashing Investment and Enhancing Economic Development”

Prominent African and international business executives and investors to explore business opportunities at the Africa Trade and Investment Global Summit (ATIGS); a prestigious biennial conference and exhibition to be held on June 24-26, 2018 in Washington, DC, USA at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center.   

Thursday, April 05, 2018. Washington, DC, USA. Organized by GAA Exhibitions & Conferences, the 2018 ATIGS edition will gather key economic players from more than 70 countries including government delegations, high-profile African leaders, project developers and international investors on June 24, 25 and 26, 2018 in Washington, DC. Designed to promote and facilitate international trade between Americas, Asia, Europe, United Arab Emirates and Africa, the 3-days event will provide a unique platform to gain strategic knowledge about local investment opportunities and business networking.

“Sub-Saharan African trade volumes are expected to quadruple by 2030. African markets are firmly on the radar of major investors and international trade as they hold many untapped opportunities for investors, exporters and companies. ATIGS aims to create an environment conducive to exchanges. It
will allow participants to connect with key players to get their projects off the ground and expand their activities inAfrica.” said Bako Ambianda, member of ATIGS Organizing Committee

ATIGS 2018 will cover 16 economic sectors particularly manufacturing, agribusiness, power, construction, infrastructure, transportation, IT, tourism, healthcare, telecoms, fintech, and natural resources sectors. Featured agenda items will include projects showcase, deal marketplace, Africa FDI pitches, country and sector briefings, investment roundtables, and among others.

The event has a well-structured format for facilitating direct peer engagement, for more advanced deal-making, showcasing fundable companies, co-investments and financing engagements, strategic partnerships, and business networking. The event will welcome the participation of prominent officials and distinguished personalities, accredited investment firms, high-level speakers, quality exhibitors, and delegation groups.

With mega sponsorship from Lufthansa Group, Banco Sol, Foster LP, GRUPO ASAS, and Labacorp Group, the event is organized in collaboration with strategic partners, media houses, and country representatives. ATIGS 2018 is strategically positioned between the 27th World Gas Conference – expecting over 12,000 delegates, and the 2018 SelectUSA Investment Summit – expecting 1,200 global business investors, given ATIGS delegates more opportunity to be in Washington that week in June 2018.

Interested companies are invited to register to attend or exhibit, and receive regular information via the following website www.atigs2018.com  
Prominent African and international business executives and investors to explore business opportunities at the Africa Trade and Investment Global Summit (ATIGS); a prestigious biennial conference and exhibition to be held on June 24-26, 2018 in Washington, DC, USA at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center.   

Thursday, April 05, 2018. Washington, DC, USA. Organized by GAA Exhibitions & Conferences, the 2018 ATIGS edition will gather key economic players from more than 70 countries including government delegations, high-profile African leaders, project developers and international investors on June 24, 25 and 26, 2018 in Washington, DC. Designed to promote and facilitate international trade between Americas, Asia, Europe, United Arab Emirates and Africa, the 3-days event will provide a unique platform to gain strategic knowledge about local investment opportunities and business networking.

“Sub-Saharan African trade volumes are expected to quadruple by 2030. African markets are firmly on the radar of major investors and international trade as they hold many untapped opportunities for investors, exporters and companies. ATIGS aims to create an environment conducive to exchanges. It
will allow participants to connect with key players to get their projects off the ground and expand their activities inAfrica.” said Bako Ambianda, member of ATIGS Organizing Committee

ATIGS 2018 will cover 16 economic sectors particularly manufacturing, agribusiness, power, construction, infrastructure, transportation, IT, tourism, healthcare, telecoms, fintech, and natural resources sectors. Featured agenda items will include projects showcase, deal marketplace, Africa FDI pitches, country and sector briefings, investment roundtables, and among others.

The event has a well-structured format for facilitating direct peer engagement, for more advanced deal-making, showcasing fundable companies, co-investments and financing engagements, strategic partnerships, and business networking. The event will welcome the participation of prominent officials and distinguished personalities, accredited investment firms, high-level speakers, quality exhibitors, and delegation groups.

With mega sponsorship from Lufthansa Group, Banco Sol, Foster LP, GRUPO ASAS, and Labacorp Group, the event is organized in collaboration with strategic partners, media houses, and country representatives. ATIGS 2018 is strategically positioned between the 27th World Gas Conference – expecting over 12,000 delegates, and the 2018 SelectUSA Investment Summit – expecting 1,200 global business investors, given ATIGS delegates more opportunity to be in Washington that week in June 2018.

Interested companies are invited to register to attend or exhibit, and receive regular information via the following website www.atigs2018.com  
Media inquiries:
Media & Business Development Contact 
Daniel Dorksen, Head of External Relations, GAA Exhibitions & Conferences | daniel@atigs2018.com
Ceci Guevara, Manager, Business Development | atigs@gaadvancement.com


When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

South Korea: Ex-President Park Sentenced to 24 Years in Prison

Supporters of former South Korean President Park Geun-hye, gather to protest against the trial of South Korean President Park Geun-hye on Friday. Photo by Kim Hee-Chul/EPA-EFE


April 6 (UPI) -- Former South Korean President Park Geun-hye will spend up to 24 years in prison on corruption charges, a court in Seoul ruled Friday.

Park, 66, was not present at her sentencing, citing health problems, and has boycotted proceedings since October, The Guardian reported. She has one week to appeal the charges against her.

Also fining her $16.8 million, the court found that Park colluded with a friend, Choi Soon-sil, to solicit bribes from South Korean conglomerates in exchange for policy favors.

WWE WrestleMania to Crown New Champions this Week: Here are 34 Predictions: Who will win?


Ronda Rousey (L) poses with her WrestleMania 34 opponent Stephanie McMahon. The event takes place on Sunday in New Orleans. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI| License Photo
 
April 6 (UPI) -- WWE's biggest event of the year, WrestleMania, hits the ring this weekend with the potential crowning of new champions, the return of a legend in Daniel Bryan and the debut of former UFC Champion Ronda Rousey.
The competition takes place live Sunday 8 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. Here are the top matches and our predicted winners.
Brock Lesnar (champion) vs. Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship
Lesnar won the Universal Championship at last year's WrestleMania when he defeated Goldberg. The Beast now must contend with Reigns, a superstar who has gained slightly more favor with WWE fans as he has called out Lesnar's lack of respect for the company and the fact that he appears to have a part-time schedule. Taking into account UFC President Dana White's announcement that Lesnar will be returning to the octagon, it's easy to see The Big Dog ending Lesnar's yearlong title run. If this is indeed Lesnar and his advocate Paul Heyman's last go-around in WWE, they will be missed.
Predicted winner: Roman Reigns
AJ Styles (champion) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the WWE Championship
Two of the best superstars from Smackdown Live battle it out in a bout that has the potential to be the match of the night. Styles and Nakamura had a history together in New Japan Pro-Wrestling and now will be showcasing their chemistry together in front of an even larger audience. While Styles has developed quite the fan base during his time in WWE, Nakamura has ascended the WWE ladder in quick succession, earning this main event match by winning the Men's Royal Rumble. It appears it's Nakamura's time to shine in a match that wrestling fans have been dying to see once again.
Predicted winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
Ronda Rousey & Kurt Angle vs. Stephanie McMahon and Triple H
Rousey is, simply put, one of the biggest signings WWE has ever made. The company will be using this match to ease her in nicely by placing her around legends such as Angle and Triple H before she moves onto competing in the women's division. Rousey will surely take the fight to Stephanie, a surefire way to get WWE fans fully behind the former UFC champion. Expect plenty of crowd-pleasing moments, a crazy entrance form Triple H and McMahon and for Rousey to make the bad-guy authority figures tap out.
Predicted winners: Ronda Rousey & Kurt Angle
Daniel Bryan & Shane McMahon vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
The feud that has dominated Smackdown Live for months comes to an end at WrestleMania with Bryan making his surprising return after announcing his retirement in 2016. Bryan being back in the squared circle is special. But Owens and Zayn get their jobs back on Smackdown if they win, so Bryan's homecoming could be ruined by the best friends. Perhaps a shocking betrayal by Shane is in the cards as he appeared to have made up with Bryan way too easily on Tuesday with a hug after months of disagreements and bickering.
Predicted winners: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
Charlotte Flair (champion) vs. Asuka for the Smackdown Women's Championship
Flair has beaten them all but will be pushed to her limits against Asuka in a dream match that was bound to happen eventually as Asuka has remained undefeated during her time in WWE. If anyone can finally defeat The Empress of Tomorrow it's Flair, who always delivers an impressive performance at WrestleMania. Fans are in store for a truly athletic display full of Moonsaults and submission maneuvers. When the dust clears, Asuka will likely win, however, Carmella has been waiting in the wings with her Money in the Bank contract and would be foolish not to cash it in on a depleted Asuka, making her the new Smackdown Women's Champion and the first to end the undefeated streak.
Predicted winner: Asuka, followed by Carmella using her Money in the Bank contract to become the new Smackdown Women's Champion
The Miz (champion) vs. Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor for the Intercontinental Championship
The Miz has elevated the Intercontinental Championship to new heights and will be looking at WrestleMania to be his victory lap following a stellar 2017. The odds are stacked against him and with The Miz's wife, Maryse, recently giving birth to their first child, it's time for the A-lister to take a break and be with his family. This leaves the Intercontinental Championship up for grabs with Balor getting the slight edge as he may unleash his Demon form or due to The Balor Club -- consisting of Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson -- providing backup from ringside. Rollins, meanwhile, can leave the Intercontinental title behind and set his sights on the Universal Championship once again.
Predicted winner: Finn Balor
Randy Orton (champion) vs. Bobby Roode vs. Jinder Mahal vs. Rusev for the United States Championship
Despite the inclusion of former World Champions such as Orton and Mahal, Rusev has to be the favorite as he continues to get some of the loudest cheers every Tuesday after introducing the concept of Rusev Day alongside his personal singer, Aiden English. WWE will be looking to keep Rusev's momentum going and continue selling the Happy Rusev Day t-shirts that litter WWE crowds weekly. WWE should do the right thing here and deliver a nice Rusev Day present to all of his adoring fans.
Predicted winner: Rusev
Alexa Bliss (champion) vs. Nia Jax for the Raw Women's Championship
Jax has finally stepped out of Bliss' shadow and a win here can allow her to dominate the Raw Women's division like nobody else can. It's Jax's time to shine and she may even defeat Bliss in a very fast and convincing fashion. Bliss's cowardly ways will not help her this time.
Predicted winner: Nia Jax
The Usos (champions) vs. The New Day vs. The Bludgeon Brothers for the Smackdown Tag Team Championships
The Bludgeon Brothers have been decimating The Usos and The New Day in recent weeks but now Harper and Rowan will have to deal with both teams at full strength at the same time. Once The Bludgeon Brothers are out of the way, The Usos and The New Day can continue their impressive rivalry. The Usos, who have reinvented themselves into one of the most entertaining Tag Teams in WWE, will win the crowded match and continue to shine on Smackdown.
Predicted winner: The Usos
Sheamus & Cesaro (champions) vs. Braun Strowman and a mystery partner for the Raw Tag Team Championships
Strowman has proven week in and week out that he doesn't need a partner to win a Tag Team match but is being forced to choose a partner if he wants to compete for the titles. Strowman's options for a partner seem limited, but, WWE would not have kept the partner's identity a secret unless it had a surprise in store. Perhaps The Monster Among Men will team up with a returning Big Cass who matches him in height, or even Elias in a fun twist that would put the former rivals together. Either way, Strowman is walking out of WrestleMania as a Tag Team Champion.
Predicted winner: Braun Strowman and his mystery partner
WrestleMania 34 will also feature Cedric Alexander vs. Mustafa Ali for the Cruiserweight Championship, the annual Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal and the first-ever WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal.
WrestleMania 34 airs live at 7 p.m. ET Sunday on the WWE Network and pay per view.


When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Thursday, April 5, 2018

48 African countries meet in Nairobi to explore climate change technologies


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


 
 
48 African countries meet in Nairobi to explore climate change technologies
 
Nairobi, Kenya, 5 April 2018 – Climate experts from Africa will meet next week in Kenya to discuss collaboration and technology transfer. Representatives from government, private sector, finance and research institutions will gather in Nairobi, Kenya, 9–10 April 2018.

Nationally-selected technology focal points (National Designated Entities, or NDEs) from more than 40 countries including Algeria, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa will share experiences and best practices in the region. The United Nations Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) will play host to the regional forum.

“Africa is facing increasing challenges from changing weather patterns, increasing droughts and extreme rain and floods that have an impact on the security of food supplies. By serving as a bridge between developing countries’ technology needs and the proven expertise of finance, private sector and research experts from around the world, the CTCN builds partnerships that achieve countries’ climate and development objectives”, says CTCN Director Jukka Uosukainen.

The CTCN promotes the development and transfer of clean technologies, and provides developing countries with access to free technology solutions at their request by mobilizing relevant technology experts from a global network of more than 400 technology companies and institutions to design and deliver customized solutions. Over 100 technology transfers are currently underway in more than 75 countries for sectors ranging from agriculture and energy to industry and transportation. The CTCN provides expert policy and technology support to developing country stakeholders, coordinated by the NDEs.

“Most African countries have chosen clean energy technologies as a part of their environmental solutions. ICRAF supports these efforts through its work in developing cleaner options for woody biomass-based energy, a key technology used across the continent,” said Tony Simons, ICRAF Director General. “In partnership with CTCN, we contribute to environmentally sustainable clean energy solutions by helping countries in Africa to formulate national policies and sub national programs designed to meet their national targets on climate through agroforestry”.

As the implementing arm of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Technology Mechanism, the Climate Technology Centre is hosted and managed by the United Nations Environment and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

The forum is organized together with the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), a founding CTCN consortium partner. The Forum will be held during Africa Climate Week along with the Africa Carbon Forum (11–13 April).

Venue: United Nations Complex, United Nations Avenue (off Limuru Road), Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya

For further information, please contact:
Ms. Irma Juskenaite, Communications Associate
Climate Technology Centre & Network (CTCN)
i.juskenaite@unido.org
Tel: +45 4533 5381
http://www.ctc-n.org/

Dr Mehmood Hassan, Head of Capacity Building
World Agroforestry Centre
m.hassan@cgiar.org
Tel: +254 703786055
http://www.worldagroforestry.orgWhen News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)