Basketball Africa League (BAL), Rwanda Announce Five Year Extension

 ***BAL to Collaborate with RDB on Building African Talent

 

*** RwandAir To Continue As Official Airline

 

KIGALI, RWANDA, June 19, 2023 – The Basketball Africa League (BAL) and the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) today announced a 5 year extension of their existing collaboration that will see the BAL continue to play games at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda each season, including the BAL Playoffs and Finals in 2024, 2026 and 2028.  The BAL and RDB will also collaborate on youth development and social impact programs.

 

The extension will see “Visit Rwanda” - the country’s marketing and tourism initiative - continue as a Foundational and Host Partner of the BAL.  Through the agreement, Visit Rwanda will continue to be showcased on BAL team uniforms and at the BAL Combine. [RwandAir - Rwanda’s national airline - will continue as the Official Airline Partner of the BAL and facilitate travel to and from Kigali for select BAL teams and staff.]  

 

“The Rwanda Development Board, as a Foundational Partner, has been integral to the launch and continued growth and success of the Basketball Africa League over our first three seasons,” said BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall.  “Coming out of our most competitive and compelling season yet, we’re excited to renew our collaboration with RDB that will bring BAL games as well as youth development and social impact programs to Rwanda for years to come.”

 

“We are excited to extend our collaboration with the Basketball Africa League,” said RDB CEO Clare

Akamanzi.  “We have seen tremendous success and return on investment over the last three years and look forward to doing much more together. In the first two years of the partnership Rwanda saw a net benefit of 9.1 million dollars to the Rwandan economy. BAL has proven to be a great unifier, and we remain committed to showcasing the best Rwanda has to offer in terms of tourism, investment opportunities, talent development, made in Rwanda products and much more to the world. With the BAL and other major events, Rwanda is the home for sport, not just basketball in Africa.”

 

Yvonne Makolo, RwandAir CEO, said: “RwandAir is proud to be a partner of the Basketball Africa League and we are excited to see the Rwandan Development Board continue to bring world-class basketball to Rwanda. 

 

“We know how sport can bring communities together as teams compete to win and celebrate the power of teamwork and know the extended partnership will further strengthen those bonds.

 

“We are also focused on our goal of delivering world-class customer service as we bring people together through our extensive route network, and we look forward to flying fans and players over the coming years.”

 

Hon Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju, Rwanda’s Minister of Sports noted: "This partnership renewal seals our commitment of being home of the most prestigious basketball league in Africa. We will keep ensuring that this partnership strengthens the core of our sports industry, from talent development programs to capacity strengthening initiatives to further job creation opportunities for Rwandans."

 

On May 27, 2023, Egypt’s Al Ahly defeated Senegal’s AS Douanes 80-65 to win the 2023 Finals,

which took place at BK Arena and reached fans in 214 countries and territories in 17 languages.  In conjunction with the 2022 and 2023 BAL Playoffs and Finals, the BAL and NBA Africa held a variety of youth development and social impact programming in Rwanda, including in collaboration with RDB.  Activities to date have included Jr. NBA, Special Olympics and coaches clinics; an environmental day of service; innovation summits that brought together African leaders from business, entertainment, sports, social entrepreneurship and beyond to discuss the enormous growth opportunities on the continent; and a series of workshops for young women from the local community as part of BAL4HER, the league’s platform for advancing gender equality in the African sports ecosystem and celebrating women in the sports industry who serve as role models to young women across the continent.

 

The BAL’s Foundational Partners also include NIKE, Jordan Brand, Wilson and New Fortress Energy (NFE).  The league’s roster of world-class marketing partners also includes the Attorney General Alliance (AGA-Africa), Envol City, Hennessy, SERTEM and Société Pétroliere (SP).

 

About Visit Rwanda: Visit Rwanda is the tourism and marketing initiative of the Rwanda Development Board, a government body responsible for fast-tracking Rwanda’s economic development by enabling private sector growth. Visit Rwanda works with local conservation, tourism, and development partners to create and market tourism experiences that benefit inbound tourists, local communities, and wildlife and ecosystems. For more information about Visit Rwanda, visit www.visitrwanda.com.

 

About the Rwanda Development Board: The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) is a government agency in Rwanda with a vision to transform Rwanda into a dynamic global hub for business, investment, and innovation. Its mission is to fast-track economic development in Rwanda by enabling private sector growth. Learn more about the Rwanda Development Board at www.rdb.rw

 

About RwandAir: Operating from Kigali, RwandAir is the national airline of Rwanda, with a fleet of modern aircraft, and serves 25 destinations across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. The airline has a reputation for delivering a premium service to all its customers, while also promoting Rwanda's tourism and trade industries.

 

RwandAir has received numerous awards for its service, including the "Best Airline Staff in Africa" award at the Skytrax World Airline Awards.        

 

About the BAL: The Basketball Africa League (BAL), a partnership between the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the NBA, is a professional league featuring 12 club teams from across Africa that completed its third season in May 2023.  Headquartered in Dakar, Senegal, the BAL builds on the foundation of club competitions FIBA Africa has organized across the continent and marks the NBA’s first collaboration to operate a league outside North America.  Fans can follow the BAL (@theBAL) on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube and register their interest in receiving more information at BAL.NBA.com.

 

  

King Prof. T.J.T Princewill has passed on

His Serene Majesty King Prof. T.J.T Princewill, Amachree the XI and Amanyanabo of the Kalabari Kingdom has passed on

In a statement titled “The King has departed, long live the Kingdom” signed by his son, Prince Tonye Princewill, on behalf of the family said, “It is with a very heavy heart that I am formally announcing the departure of my father, our King and His Serene Majesty, King Prof. T.J.T Princewill, Amachree the XI and Amanyanabo of the Kalabari Kingdom. He was not just my father; he was also my best friend.

“Earlier today, the Buguma Council of Chiefs and the Kalabari Council of Chiefs were formally briefed, all in accordance with Kalabari tradition, thereby opening the door to our now officially informing the world, as the cart cannot be put before the horse.

“Further announcements will follow in the days and weeks to come, but we call on you for your prayers and your well wishes, not just for the family, but for the entire Kalabari Kingdom. He’ll truly be missed. “

Brief Biography:

His Serene Majesty King Prof. T.J.T Princewill, JP, CFR, Amachree XI, The Amanyanabo & Natural Ruler of the Kalabari Kingdom was born on the 4 January, 1930 in Buguma City into the Royal Family of King & Queen Jacob Tom Princewill, Amachree the VII.

Academically, he attained his professorship in the year 1984 at the University of Port Harcourt. He was the first Head of Department of Microbiology, the first Professor of Microbiology and the first black Professor to be Dean, Faculty of Science, Rivers State University of Science and Technology where he finished his stint with academia.

Traditionally, he was installed King Amachree XI on the 23rd day of March, 2002, thus making him the first Professor to become a King of the Kalabari Kingdom and by extension Rivers State. HSM King Prof. T.J.T Princewill was appointed Chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers on the 1st of January, 2010 by His Excellency Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, thus becoming the first Professor King to be Chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers as well as the first King of Kalabari extraction to be Chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers.

In 2011, he was honoured with the National Award of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by the Administration of HE Dr. GoodluckEbele Jonathan GCFR, former President and Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Though a Professor of international repute, his in-depth knowledge of the tradition and custom was such that he was the second King after King Kariboye- Abbi Amachree IV to have adorned and played the famous Egbelegbe masquerade to the admiration of the people of Tombia from whom the masquerade was acquired by King Kariboye Abbi Amachree IV.

The sum totality of his being was peace personified even in the face of persecution; hence he was fondly referred to as HIS SERENE MAJESTY.

Customs Area 1 Command Ph, Sensitizes Stakeholders on Customs Clearance procedures

 By Bon Peters, Port Harcourt

 

The Nigeria Customs Service Area 1 Command Port Harcourt has commenced what it termed stakeholders partnership on the training and retraining of its trading community with the aim to sensitize stakeholders on issues of non conformities with statutory procedures and other vices in Customs clearance processes.

 

The event which commenced last week in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital comes  in phases   to  avail  the Maritime operators especially the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents, (ANLCA), (NAGAFF,) Bonded Terminals operations, shipping agents among others  the opportunity to learn the Customs procedure codes which would in turn ensure seamless clearance of containers at the ports.

 

In his opening remarks, the Zonal Coordinator, Zone C Customs headquarters in Port Harcourt, ACG Olugboyega Peters who expressed happiness with, the level of revenue profile of the Command, cooperation and synergy among the stakeholders and the Nigeria Customs Service said he was happy with the level of seamless operations the Command is enjoying with the stakeholders insisting that the essence of the gathering was to learn hence according to him, “there is no end to education." 

 

He went further to posit that people should continue to learn adding that "learning stops when we have entered the grave."

 

Speaking further, he said in  Customs operations, the most important thing is transparency even as he charged the operators to be transparent in their declaration as such would ensue they exit their containers within 48 hours." If you're doing the right thing, your consignment can leave the terminal within 48 hours" Peters said.

 

Delivering the lecture, CSC, Joseph Atile said the objective of the interactive session was to enlighten,

educate and create awareness and sensitize the service personnel and the trading community on the importance and use of correct Customs procedure as it affects imports, exports and transit operations with respect to commonly abused factors on declarations and customs procedure code (CPC) leading to huge loss of revenue. He insisted that to be a Licensed Customs Agents a basic sound knowledge of tools, processes and documentation is required, adding that agents should make training and retraining their watchword, even as he noted that they should embark on consultation and strict adherence to customs procedures, process and documentation.

 

In his contribution, the Customs Area 1, Controller, Comptroller CD Wada, admonished the stakeholders to build capacity and add value to themselves and their organizations, vowing to partner with the agents to train and retrain them. While reminding them on the cure mandate of Customs which he said included revenue generation trade facilitation and Anti smuggling, he said every genuine and compliant trader would enjoy trade facilitation but recalcitrant ones, even their agencies would be blocked from doing business.

 

Responding, on the impact of the training, Slot Bonded Terminal Manager, Mr. Fabian Nwanyanwu said the lecture was impactful as what customs was doing to the agents according to him was very much expected. “What customs is doing today is part of what they ought to do. The Nation is moving forward and customs should not be left behind, my prayer is that everybody should key in and learn since they have promised to be doing it regularly."

 

Continuing, Nwanyanwu said, I have learnt today that most of the applications we use during capturing are in error and as ACG Peters has said, you can't apply anything you do not know" He insisted.

 

To comrade Ngozi Uzoho of NAGAFF, what the agents and customs did was to rob minds on compliance trade. According to him, "compliance is everybody's game and once you complied, you helped the Customs, yourself and the stabilization of the Nigerian economy."

 

Written by Bon Peters, Port Harcourt

 

Akpabio will shape Nigeria’s future for the better - South-South leaders

 .....Move to stop Yari, Kalu, others

 

South-South leaders on Friday called on Senators-Elect to better understand what is at stake and to have an enhanced commitment to work for the victory of Senator Godswill Akpabio.

“Nigerians are looking to Senator Godswill Akpabio for leadership. They are looking to him for strength. The former Akwa Ibom State governor is in a unique position in his political career, with a unique set of experiences and insights for this moment in history. He has the skills and experiences to bring about meaningful change in the country.”

The leaders also described Akpabio as a genuine patriot.

“We need a tested, seasoned, wise, strong, courageous, steady hand on the throttle. We need an experienced leader to have a firm hand on the controls. That is why we need Senator Godswill Akpabio as Senate President.”

The leaders under the aegis of the South-South Front (SSF) praised Akpabio for serving remarkably during his first term in the National Assembly.

In a statement by the Chairman SSF, Chief John Harry, the leaders urged Abdulaziz Yari, Orji Uzor Kalu and others to throw in the towel.

“Senator Godswill Akpabio has become a force of nature in the country’s ruling party. His persistent and gritty determination projected confidence. He is the favourite. You can feel it in the country.”

The prominent South-South leaders applauded Akpabio for growing stronger in the face of obstacles and opposition, setting the Niger Delta on a better course for the future.

“Senator Godswill Akpabio took the job of leading the Niger Delta through one of the most trying and difficult periods of change the region has known. He will move the Senate in a new direction and help to shape Nigeria’s future for the better.”

The leaders also praised Akpabio for his understanding of issues and flexibility in thought.

“Senator Godswill Akpabio is a thoughtful person, a man of sound judgement. As minister, he made a positive difference in a lot of ways. As governor, the list of his accomplishments is pretty solid.”

The statement underscored credibility, integrity, Akpabio’s personality, and personal history.

The statement also emphasised faith, strength, composure, leadership and guidance.

“Senator Godswill Akpabio is engaging, has a great sense of humour and is a strongly devoted family man.”

Akpabio, a sincerely pleasant man with a bright smile and a winsome personality, is expected to be the country’s next senate president.

 

Good speech on “Democracy Day, 2023" by President BAT: Not much has changed

 

Written by Obiaruko Christie Ndukwe

 

"We can easily recall the sacrifice and martyrdom of Chief MKO Abiola, the custodian of the sacred mandate that was so cruelly annulled. He sacrificed his life in unyielding, patriotic defense of the ideals of democracy as symbolized in his choice, by his fellow countrymen and women, as their duly-elected President. There was an easier choice for him. It was to forgo the justice of his cause and opt for the path of ease and capitulation in the face of the tyranny of power."

 

Above is an excerpt from the speech delivered by Nigeria's president who was one of the key actors in the struggle to entrench democracy against the military junta in 1993.

 

It captured very well what would have been the alternative if the hero and winner of that election which was aborted on June 12, 1993, had abandoned his mandate and the pursuit of justice. He could have opted out considering the enormous weight of tyranny by the anti-democratic forces, yet he remained a stickler for the truth and the preservation of democracy in its real sense rather than aligning with the forces that truncated the willful mandate bestowed on him by the Nigerian people through the ballots.

 

It's yet 30 years and another election similar to the kind which aborted the transition from military to civilian government has taken place. The hitherto lackadaisical populace who had long lost faith in the Nigerian electoral system for the first time after 30 years decided it was time to take over their nation and foster a truly people-influenced democracy. They stepped out en masse with their personal voter's cards, defying tyranny and intimidation by opposing forces who sought to silence their voices in electing the next leaders. It was a long-drawn battle for the soul of Nigeria by the people for the people.

 

Even though three decades have passed, and a new date signaling the rebirth of democracy set, the only success recorded has been the victory of civilians over the military. It has been a sustained transition from one civilian administration to another which has spanned 24 years. But it is not yet Uhuru as the forces which have silenced the Nigerian voters have transmuted from the military garb to the long-flowing gowns known as "agbada" in local parlance.

 

Not much has changed. It is now a battle between the cabal and the people.

 

The 2023 elections have been a reformation of the 1993 elections where the choice of the people is no longer truncated by the military but by an organized and systemic group of Nigerians through the electoral body, INEC, and the Judiciary.

 

Just like MKO's failed efforts at justice, Peter Obi is not likely to get justice through these democratic forces. It's only a modification of the process of muzzling the man whose mandate has been snatched!

 

As usual, those who should have made history like the martyrs and the living legends in that struggle for June 12 will again set another record on whatever date the apex court chooses to do justice or opt for a "peaceful" transition without recourse to justice.

 

Happy Democracy Day to all Nigerians who would read this article dispassionately without fear or favour.

 

Chief Obiaruko Christie Ndukwe, a socio-political commentator, analyst and columnist based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State