Month: March 2023

After the 2015 Edition, Angola will once again host the African Championship in zone VI in swimming, from 3 to 7 May, at the Alvalade swimming pool, in Luanda, said this Wednesday to ANGOP the president of the Angolan Federation of this sport, Joaquim Santos.

The event should count on the participation of more than 14 teams, namely, South Africa, Botswana, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Kenya, Comoros, and Uganda complete the range of competitors, according to the interlocutor.

The competition that had been initially nominated for Madagascar, which ended up declining, was assigned to Malawi, which also appeared unavailable, so Angola received the task of organizing it, on appeal.

According to the federative programme, from the 3rd to the 6th of May the athletes compete in the pure swimming event (swimming pool), and on the 7th of the same month, the XIX Edition of the biggest event in the region ends with long distance events, in open waters, on the island of Luanda.

Swimmers Pedro Pinotes (individual) Salvador Gordo, Daniel Francisco, Marco Furtado, Silvério Manuel, Carlos Fernandes, Luyane Costa, Yusseni Furtado, Djamel Pires, Enzo Anjos and Yano Elias (1º de Agosto) were pre-summoned.

Also listed are Luciano Afonso (Onda Sport Club), Henrique Mascarenhas, Alex Fortes, Janel Tati, Rafael Bredel, José Cochofel, David Padre, Guilherme Sousa, Kenzo Monteiro, Santiago Guimarães (CNIL).

In females, the shortlist includes Lia Lima, Jasmine Lourenço, Aleksandra Zhukov, Stephanie Jurado, Inês Clemente, Nayara Carvalho, Beatriz Pedro, Kenenise Vongo, all from 1º de Agosto club.

Ana Nunes, Maria Freitas, N’Hara Fernandes, Rafaela Santos, Welwichia Silva, Inara Santos, Milena Lourenço, Nyriam Morais, Rhanya Santo, Chelsea Vunge, Wezza Morais, Wendy Morais (CNIL), Alexia Vieira (individual) and Nelma Janota (OSC) complete the group.

In the field of open water competition, the country will be represented by Guilherme Sousa, Kenzo Monteiro (CNIL), Marco Furtado, Silvério Manuel and Carlos Fernandes (1º Agosto).

In females, they include Nyriam Morais, Rhanya Santo, Wendy Morais, Wezza Morais and Chelsea Vunge (CNIL), Stephanie Jurado, Inês Clemente, Nayara Carvalho, Beatriz Pedro, Kenenise Vongo (1º de Agosto).

In the first event of its kind organized in the country, eight years ago, the National Team placed 3rd in the general classification, with 61 medals, 22 gold, 21 silver and 18 bronze

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday in New York praised Angola´s efforts to find solutions for regional peace and stability.

According to António Guterres, the sending of the Angolan troops is a crucial contribution for the achievement of peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as in the region.

In his capacity as mediator in the eastern region of the DRC, the Angolan Head of State made it possible for the parties to come to an understanding which resulted in a ceasefire in that region since March 7, this year.

For the fulfilment of the agreement, in response to a Request for Authorization from the President of the Republic, the National Assembly (Angolan parliament) unanimously approved the sending of a military contingent of 500 soldiers to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The Angolan military personnel should assure the cantonment fields of the M23 elements and protect the members of the Ad-Hoc verification mechanism following the ceasefire between government troops and the rebels.

António Guterres, who was speaking at the farewell ceremony from Angola´s ambassador to the UN, Maria de Jesus Ferreira, who is at the end of her mission, took the opportunity to congratulate the diplomat for the work she did during her mandate.

On her turn, Ambassador Maria de Jesus Ferreira, thanked the United Nations Secretary-General and his team for their support during her term.

The diplomat praised the efforts of the UN Secretary-General for his engagement in the search for solutions for world peace and stability, as well as the different reforms he has implemented within the UN system.

Maria de Jesus Ferreira reiterated Angola´s commitment to international peace and security, especially on the African Continent, highlighting the approval by the National Assembly, at the request of President João Lourenço, of sending a contingent to the DRC, for a period of one year, to be renewed, if necessary.

The diplomat said that during the transition period, until the arrival of the new Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Angola to the United Nations, the Deputy Permanent Representative, Ambassador João Gimolieca, will be in charge of the diplomatic mission.

Maria de Jesus Ferreira served as Permanent Representative to the United Nations, in New York, from February 2018 to March 2023.

The diplomat will perform the same function as Angola´s ambassador in the Portuguese Republic

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Environment announced Tuesday, in Malanje Province, the construction of the Memorial of the Sovereigns of the Kingdom of Ndongo and the requalification of the village of Muculu-a-Ngola, in the Municipality of Marimba.

The project foresees the construction of the tombs where the remains of King Ngola Kiluanji and Queen Njinga a Mbande lie, in addition to 40 residences for members of the court, the King’s palace, a primary school, a health unit and the requalification of other monuments and kingdom sites.

When presenting the project to the local community, the national director of Communities and Institutions of Traditional Power of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Albano Cufuna, said that the budget has already been approved and the start of works depends on the rehabilitation of the road that gives access to the locality, since it is in an advanced state of degradation.

Despite this, he guarantees that feasibility studies are already underway for the execution of the project, which aims to dignify the kingdom and guarantee better living conditions for local communities.

On his turn, the deputy governor of Malanje for the Political, Social and Economic sector, Domingos Eduardo, informed that, with the construction of the memorial and the requalification of the locality of Muculu-a-Ngola, the area will be transformed into an important of tourist attraction.

The official highlighted the historical and cultural role played by the sovereigns of the ancient kingdom of Ndongo, which is why the Angolan government has the duty to restructure the place and facilitate its access to the youth and beyond, in order to be in contact with history.

The Deputy National Director of the Institute for Tourism Development (INFOTUR), Agostinho Xavier, praised the initiative, as the province could register an increase in the frequency of tourists and consequently raise more revenue for the State.

Meanwhile, the sovereign of the Kingdom of Ndongo, King Buba Nvula Dala Mana “Cabombo”, expressed gratitude with the project, considering that it will give greater dignity to the kingdom.

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Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

Angola hosts in September, for the first time, the final of the 2022 international business management simulation contest, called Global Management Challenge.

The event will feature more than 30 groups from around the world, including the hosts.

The Global Management Challenge is a strategic management competition for managers and university students. Participants form teams of 5-8 members to allow the development of skills for managers, company staff, among others.

According to the director of operations at Soik Investments, João Pereira, representative of the organizers of the event, it is a great value for Angola to organize one of the biggest simulation competitions in the world.

João Pereira added that, for the 2023 contest, registrations were already taking place across the country, until 31 May of the current

year, stressing that young Angolans could access the website: www.gms.ao. to participate in this edition.

To participate, he continued, it is sufficient that the candidate has completed at least the first university year, in any course, and is 18 years of age.

He said that the objective for that year is to include young people from all over the country, in order to get rid of the idea that only

Luanda participates.

“We have the objective of reaching the whole country, with the broadening of the candidacies. We had the opportunity to take the competition to the provinces of Namibe, Benguela and Huíla. We also intend to reach Huambo”, he stressed.

The winners for the 2023 edition will be announced on the 6th of July of the current year.

Launched in Portugal in 1980, the Global Management Challenge has become the largest international strategy and management competition,

achieving, over the years, an enormous success, becoming an event of

high notoriety and visibility.

In Angola by Soik investments since 2007, it contributes to the

training and development of management skills, for university

students, company staff and Angolan managers.

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has raised alarm over the high level of non-compliance to its regulations in the retail outlets of the energy sector.

Dr Mustapha Lamorde, the Executive Director, Health, Safety, Environment and Community (HSE&C) of NMDPRA, said this at a one-day South–West region stakeholders’ engagement on incessant incidents in the midstream and downstream of the Nigerian petroleum industry operations, on Wednesday in Lagos.

Lamorde, who was represented by Mr Ayo Cadoso, Regional Coordinator, Southwest, said that the purpose of the engagement was to call for a sound management of HSE in the depots/jetties and retail outlets operations in the downstream sector.

He noted that the discourse was key for adequate profitability in the sector and proper approach to achieve this lies on the fact that HSE should be managed from a business perspective and not for compliance purposes only.

According to him, related matters on HSE should be integrated into the management decision-making process.

Lamorde said that NMDPRA would always want to engage operators to attune them of the need to fully comply with relevant health, safety and environment laws and regulations as stipulated in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

He said that the engagement would also forestall the dangers and risks posed by unwholesome practices and non-compliance to statutory provisions, with respect to HSE in the transportation of petroleum products including gas.

Lamorde noted that there was need for the creation of awareness and a culture of safe operations to protect persons, assets, and the environment, thereby eliminating accidents, and the cost of replacing damaged parts which is a sure way to profitability.

“This will no longer be business as usual, it is now safety first, the NMDPRA will ensure that the aspirations of the Federal Government, by passing the PIA, is achieved.

“The law had provided, in clear terms, that in case of negligence by any operator, such operator would be sanctioned accordingly.

“Although, our aim is not to sanction the operators but to ensure that operations are run in a safe manner to protect people, assets and the environment is the reason for today’s engagement.

“The HSE needs to be a front burner to attract the growth of the business, reduction of insurance premiums and protection of the public (which you are a member of) and for us to achieve the following, we must reawaken the safety consciousness in our operations,” he added.

Mrs Rukhayat Akanbi, HSE &C Team lead of NMDPRA, said that between 2018 and 2023, 412 fatalities and 244 incidents were recorded, while 173 fatalities and 103 incidents were recorded in 2021, meaning an average of one death every four days occurred.

Akanbi also added that in 2022 to date, 48 fatalities and 41 incidents were recorded.

“In terms of accidents statistics, 39 per cent recorded in retail outlets, 13 per cent in vehicle tankers, 13 per cent each in refinery and gas facilities respectively, while 11 per cent was recorded in depots from 2018 to date.

“Retail outlets recorded the highest number of incidents over the years,” she said.

On the way forward, Akanbi said that every truck and station must have adequate earthing cables and hoses of various sizes for discharge and coupling, and inspection must be carried out before loading and offloading.

Responding on behalf of the marketers, Mr Akin Akinlade, Chairman, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Satellite Depot, Ejigbo, Lagos, commended NMDPRA for the sensitisation programme on safety at most filing stations.

Akinlade assured that lPMAN, Southwest zone, would imbibe the culture of training all petroleum attendants in its operations.

He said that body had commenced building of training institute that would engage all members and workers in training.

“We appreciate NMDPRA for this laudable initiative towards organising discourse on Health, Safety, Environment and Community.

“We also appeal to NMDPRA support towards collaboration on area of training and partnership,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the IPMAN, DAPPMAN, FRSC, Federal Fire Service and representatives of NMDPRA in Ogun, Oyo, Ondo and Osun states were in attendance. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

A former Director-General of the PDP Governors Forum, Mr Osaro Onaiwu, has charged governors-elect to reciprocate the electorate’s mandate by coming up with people-oriented policies and implementing them.

Onaiwu, in a statement in Abuja, said the era had gone when those elected by the people could behave anyhow and escape the wrath of the electorate at the polls.

“As you all receive your Certificates of Return this week, it is incumbent that the euphoria of the moment don’t becloud the task before you and those responsible for your ascension to high office – the people.

“Going by how difficult it was for most of you, with incumbent governors losing at the polls, this message has become urgent and imperative,” he said.

According to him, when you serve the people, when you take them into confidence, when you demonstrate empathy and do less politics but more of governance, then your mandate is truly of the people.

“As a religious people, whether Muslim or Christian, let the admonishing that “when the righteous are on the throne the people rejoice be your watchword,” he said.

Onaiwu said, “If you fail to do this, then for those of you fresh on the saddle, second term becomes a huge challenge, and that is not what you wish for.

The owner of Governors Mandate TV and Newspaper, said that the governors needed to work closely with the media and be accommodating for the necessary media mileage and exposure.

“By now, I am certain that all our governors-elect know the value of the media and being on it, you cannot be performing as a Chief Executive of your State and hide under a bushel of ‘I can’t do media.

“My hope is that with excellent media relations, this set of governors will be under the spotlight and do well,” Onaiwu said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria