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On 3 February 2021, the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, Federal Government of Somalia, Federal member state (FMS) ministers from Jubaland, Hirshabelle and South West States, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) held a meeting in Mogadishu to deliberate and agree on immediate actions to address the critical desert locust situation in the country. Somalia is experiencing a devastating locust upsurge, particularly in the southern states where swarms have migrated and destroyed crops. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation and Member states urgently request for a rapid scale up of response to the ongoing locust threat to mitigate the potentially devastating impact on farmers, pastoralists and agropastoralists in affected areas.

During the meeting, delegation members acknowledged the need to amplify efforts in the coming weeks and months to mitigate damage towards food security and livelihoods in Somalia due to desert locust infestation. Funding is needed to increase control efforts over the coming months, with sustained efforts needed in Northern and Central Somalia as national institutions and FAO monitor the development of potential new swarms. The meeting highlighted the need to continue ongoing surveillance and control operations in Puntland, Galmudug, and Somaliland whilst boosting the capacity of southern states (Hirshabelle, Southwest and Jubaland) to combat the threat. Substantial and timely funding is needed to scale-up operations to reduce desert locust populations. Increasing needs for livelihood support are emerging, especially in the south. 
Finally, all parties recognized that the risk for desert locust crop damage in 2021 remains high and alarming. The Federal Government of Somalia, together with State Governments, FAO and other partners are strongly committed to coordinating emergency efforts and reinforcing their partnerships to rapidly scale up and sustain the response to the desert locust crisis. The delegation has issued an urgent appeal and call to action to the international donor community for additional resources to continue crucial operations and address the increasing needs and vulnerabilities of affected communities.
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Joint communiqué on the critical desert locust situation and emergency response in Somalia

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Buildings set up to serve refugees were among several destroyed in Ethiopia’s Tigray region according to satellite imagery received by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). In addition to NRC facilities, a school and a health clinic were also damaged and burned down in Hitsaats and Shimelba refugee camps in recent weeks.

“We condemn the criminal destruction of our buildings and facilities that we set up to serve refugees in great need,” said Jan Egeland Secretary General of NRC. “This rampage of burning and looting by armed men deepens an already dire crisis for millions of people.”
UK-based analyst group, DX Open Network, showed the destruction of the facilities through newly released satellite imagery. Its analysis, which aligns with other reports from the camps, indicates that between 5 and 8 January 2021, NRC’s compound in Hitsaats camp appears to have burned down and roofs of its structures substantially damaged.
“NRC urges the Government of Ethiopia and donor nations to investigate the destruction of aid supplies or infrastructure, hold any perpetrators to account and ensure that humanitarian facilities are protected. We again urge all warring parties to respect and protect humanitarians and our assets, in line with international humanitarian law,” said Egeland. “This is an unexpected and unacceptable negative development in a country that has for so long been an example of aid facilitation and response.”
The Hitsaats and Shimelba camps were home to over 25,000 Eritrean refugees. The full impact on refugees from the damage of the facilities remains unknown, and the UN has reported that while 3,000 refugees have been relocated, as many as 20,000 refugees remain unaccounted for.
Independent verification of the fate of the refugees and damage to facilities is not possible as aid organisations are unable to access the area. Ongoing conflict and significant bureaucratic challenges continue to block humanitarian access into Tigray, three months since the start of the conflict. Most rural areas, along with these two refugee camps and surrounding areas, are cut off to aid workers.
“Thirteen long weeks without being able to go in, respond effectively and verify the status of our humanitarian assets is simply unacceptable,” Egeland said. “We cannot say it enough. The humanitarian community requires unrestricted access to all parts of Tigray to assess the needs and damage, and provide urgent life-saving assistance.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Norwegian Refugee Council.

Buildings belonging to Norwegian Refugee Council destroyed in Ethiopia&apos;s Tigray

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506 new cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria;

Ondo-90 Kwara-89 Rivers-53 Borno-45 Gombe-32 FCT-28 Imo-26 Ogun-25 Lagos-22 Kaduna-14 Kano-14 Edo-13 Osun-11 Cross River-10 Yobe-9 Ekiti-7 Kebbi-6 Nasarawa-6 Oyo-5 Jigawa-1

139,748 confirmed 113,525 discharged 1,667 deaths
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Coronavirus – Nigeria: COVID-19 update (7 February 2021)

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Minister of Health Lizzie Nkosi&#39;s COVID-19 update:

New cases: 23 Total cases: 16,204 Active cases: 3,963 New recoveries: 145 Total recoveries: 11,614
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini.

Coronavirus – Eswatini: COVID-19 update (7 February 2021)

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Tests conducted: 8,495,811 Positive cases identified: 1,476,135 Total recoveries: 1,360,204 Total deaths: 46,290 New cases: 2,435
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Coronavirus – South Africa: COVID-19 update (7 February 2021)

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Daily: Laboratory test: 6,677 Severe cases: 208 New recovered: 88 New deaths: 3 New cases: 885

Total: Laboratory test: 2,004,312 Active cases: 14,569 Total recovered: 125,619 Total deaths: 2,148 Total cases: 142,338
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Coronavirus – Ethiopia: COVID-19 update (7 February 2021)

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Due to some inaccurate interpretations disseminated in national and international media and also on social media about the work to be carried out in the Angolan interior basins, particularly in the Etosha/Okavango Basin, the Angolan Agency for Oil, Gas and Biofuels, clari­fies the following: 

1. In compliance with the guidelines established by the Angolan Government in the National Development Plan 2018-2022, for the oil sector, and in compliance with Presidential Decree No. 282/20 of 27 October, which approves Angola&#39;s Hydrocarbon Exploration Strategy 2020-2025, the Angolan Agency for Oil, Gas and Biofuels is promoting several public tenders for the assessment of the oil potential of several onshore interior basins.
2. The inner basins of Kassanje, which are located in the Angolan provinces of Malange and Uige, and that of Etosha/Okavango, located in the provinces of Cunene, Cuando Cubango and Moxico – in a total area of about 520,000 km2 – are sedimentary basins, in which there is a strong probability of occurrence of crude oil and natural gas. Of the total existing area, only 20% is located in protected areas, which means that it is incorrect and inappropriate to assume that all of the interior basins referenced for the assessment of their oil potential are protected environmental conservation areas.
3. Studies in these basins started in 2010 with an aero gravimetric survey that allowed the definition of their limits and the depth of sediments, an important aspect to assess the possibility of hydrocarbon generation (crude oil and natural gas).
 4. At the end of this first phase, it was considered important to move on to a second phase which should start with environmental impact, restoration and repopulation studies to prevent against possible situations that may cause any damage to the environment, although this is not expected, as the sampling will be done on the surface.
5. Accessibility studies will also be carried out for these sedimentary basins to allow teams to move around the terrain and ascertain the geographical situation of the area, through topographic surveys and the acquisition of satellite images, which will detail the occupation of space.
6. The final purpose of the fieldwork will be to collect samples of crude oil and natural gas on the surface, which has been reported by the population, as well as to obtain samples of rocks that will be sent for laboratory analysis. The final result of the laboratory analysis will be integrated into the maps generated in the first phase, allowing a perspective of the level of prospective of the different areas of the basins under analysis.
7. All this activity will prioritize areas outside the environmental protection zones, and work in protected areas will start as soon as it is legally possible. This work will be carried out in coordination with the ministerial department responsible for the environment, which must approve the environmental impact study and coordinate the public consultation.
8. The decision to bid or not to bid in the protected areas of these basins, which are less than 20% of total area, will be based on the results of the environmental pre-feasibility study, to be carried out by an independent entity in coordination with the ministerial department responsible for the environment.
9. Based on the principle that each State has the right to know the existing resources in its territory, it is essential to carry out these studies before taking the decision of awarding its exploration by specialized and reputable investors in the sector.
10. It should be noted that countries in the region, such as Zambia, Namibia and Botswana, have already gone through the same process, which thereafter they carried out the respective bidding processes with safety and respect to the environment.
The Angolan Agency for Oil, Gas and Biofuels counts on Africa Oil &#038; Power (AOP) – the continent’s leading energy investment platform – as consultant.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Oil &#038; Power Conference.
Please contact Joao@africaoilandpower.com for further information.
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Angola’s ANPG Clarifies Environmental Impact of Upcoming Onshore Licensing Round

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Responding to the continuously growing market requirement for 4K content across multiple genres including corporate, education, house of worship and independent documentary and film making, Canon Europe (www.Canon-Europe.com) today announces the XA45 is available in EMEA. The 20x optical zoom professional camcorder, which has a 1⁄2.3 inch-type CMOS sensor, can record in 4K UHD or Full HD XF-AVC [1] and MP4 codecs – giving users creative flexibility. The XA45 follows on from the XA40 (launched in 2019), with the addition of a 3G-SDI output terminal, allowing users to connect to broadcast standard equipment such as live streaming encoders – reflecting the increased need for professional IP connections.

Compact and powerful
Weighing approximately 730g (body only), the XA45 is a highly compact 4K UHD camcorder. Despite being small, the combination of a 4K UHD 1/2.3-inch type CMOS sensor and DIGIC DV6 image processor delivers sharp 4K UHD images and incredible Full HD images thanks to oversampled HD processing – meeting the accelerating demand for quality content.
A step up from the XA15 and XA11, users of the XA45 can enjoy the professional recording format of XF-AVC – providing integration into professional workflows with additional metadata, and therefore enhanced creative ability in post-production. The camcorder supports 4K UHD XF-AVC or Full HD [2] with a maximum bit rate of 160 Mbps at 25.00P and 45 Mbps when capturing Full HD. While camcorders like the 4K-capable XA45 help futureproof user content in line with the rising demand for 4K content, Full HD is still widely used. In Full HD mode the XA45 offers 25.00P, 50.00P and 50.00i.
For those that require a faster turnaround without compromising the quality, the XA45 can also record 4K/UHD footage to SD cards using the MP4 CODEC.
The perfect streaming set-up companion 
2020 saw the acceleration of live streaming across a multitude of sectors. For many, such as education and corporate, the need for reliable filming equipment that can stream in high-quality proved increasingly important as many institutions and businesses went virtual. With its 3G-SDI output, this is just one challenge the XA45 is a direct response to. However, with the choice of both SDI and HDMI outputs, the XA45 easily integrates into multiple live streaming set-ups.
Optical excellence 
Equipped with a high quality 20x optical zoom lens the XA45 has an impressive zoom ratio for a small camcorder &#8211; starting with a 35mm equivalent focal length range of 29.3mm at its widest up to 601mm telephoto. The 20x optical zoom can also be enhanced using the camcorder’s built-in 2x extender. With an optional digital zoom range of up to 400x also available, users can capture images from a long distance that may otherwise be impossible. When image stabilisation is required the XA45 features 3 powerful IS modes, Standard IS, Dynamic IS and Powered IS to ensure images remain shake free in all conditions.
In December 2020, Canon launched a firmware update (https://bit.ly/2YSzxt4) for its camcorder range – including the XF405 / XF400, XA40 / XA45, XA55 / XA50 and both the LEGRIA HF G60 and HF G50. The update confirmed the XA45 supports Custom Picture – a feature that adjusts image settings such as, sharpness, saturation, skin detail and noise reduction, giving users enhanced creative flexibility to suit their filming needs. For improved customisation, it is also possible for users to allocate additional features to assignable buttons, such as zebra, peaking and markers for increased functionality.
Versatile audio options
“Professional audio recording is also supported by the XA45. A detachable handle/grip contains two standard 3-pin XLR connectors for external microphones, supporting two or four channel audio recording. It also has line, mic and 48V Phantom inputs and an on-board stereo microphone is available as is a standard 3.5mm Stereo Jack plug which can also supply power to an external microphone” ” said Amine Djouahra, Sales and Marketing Director at Canon Central and North Africa. 
For more information about the XA45, please visit: https://bit.ly/2MNou1Z.
1. XF-AVC recording may require user-executed firmware update. Firmware is available at no cost via the Canon website/Product support page. 2. Specifically, the camcorder is capable of recoding in XF-AVC in 4K UHD 3840&#215;2160 &#8211; 29.97P / 23.98P / 25P, and FHD 1920&#215;1080 – 59.94i / 59.94p / 50i / 50p / 29.97p / 25p / 23.98p.

 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA).
Media Contact: Canon Central and North Africa Mai Youssef e. Mai.youssef@canon-me.com
APO Group &#8211; PR Agency Rania ElRafie e. Rania.ElRafie@apo-opa.com
About Canon Central and North Africa: Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) (Canon-CNA.com) is a division within Canon Middle East FZ LLC (CME), a subsidiary of Canon Europe. The formation of CCNA in 2015 was a strategic step that aimed to enhance Canon’s business within the Africa region &#8211; by strengthening Canon’s in-country presence and focus. CCNA also demonstrates Canon’s commitment to operating closer to its customers and meeting their demands in the rapidly evolving African market.
Canon has been represented in the African continent for more than 15 years through distributors and partners that have successfully built a solid customer base in the region. CCNA ensures the provision of high quality, technologically advanced products that meet the requirements of Africa’s rapidly evolving marketplace. With over 100 employees, CCNA manages sales and marketing activities across 44 countries in Africa.
Canon’s corporate philosophy is Kyosei – ‘living and working together for the common good’. CCNA pursues sustainable business growth, focusing on reducing its own environmental impact and supporting customers to reduce theirs using Canon’s products, solutions and services. At Canon, we are pioneers, constantly redefining the world of imaging for the greater good. Through our technology and our spirit of innovation, we push the bounds of what is possible – helping us to see our world in ways we never have before. We help bring creativity to life, one image at a time. Because when we can see our world, we can transform it for the better.
For more information: Canon-CNA.com.
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Canon XA45 now available in EMEA – a compact 4K camcorder with professional recording capabilities

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Ahead of the 45th Ordinary Congress of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), the organisation has disclosed the candidates for positions that are to be filled at the conference.

Names of candidates for the 17 positions have been confirmed.

There is certainly nothing out of the ordinary about the release of the names of the aspiring men and women for the congress set for the Swiss traditional resort town of Montreux on April 20.

What must be highlighted is the individuals that would automatically qualify for Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) roles by virtue of their election in Switzerland must undergo the requisite eligibility check to be conducted by the world governing body’s Review Committee.

The committee informs the respective confederation and the candidates on the outcome of the tests.

On offer in Montreux at the UEFA Congress would be seats for the FIFA vice-president’s position reserved for the four British associations (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales) as well as for five ordinary members’ positions on the FIFA Council, including at least one female.

All the 18 candidates, a majority of them standing for re-election, have meanwhile passed the requisite eligibility check carried out by the UEFA Governance and Compliance Committee.

This is line with the Article 21(6) of the UEFA Statutes and Article 4bis of the Regulations Governing the Implementation of the UEFA Statutes.

Regarding the eligibility checks for the elections posts that would qualify the European officials for positions at FIFA, these checks are a prerequisite all of FIFA’s affiliates.

Besides UEFA, FIFA’s 211-member associations fall under the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Confederation of African Football (CAF), Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) and Oceania Football Confederation (OFC).

To reiterate, according to statutes, the confederations elect members for the FIFA Council. The presidents of the respective confederations are automatically FIFA vice presidents.

The upcoming election CAF is organising to elect a new leadership begs the explanation.

Among positions to be filled is the presidency, following the controversy around Ahmad Ahmad.

With the winner of the presidential poll set for March 12 in Rabat, Morocco automatically becoming the FIFA vice president, FIFA’s Review Committee recently ran eligibility checks for all candidates vying for the presidency.

The same committee thus running the rule of the UEFA candidates, cleared CAF aspirants, namely Ivorian Jacques Anouma, South Africa’s Patrice Motsepe, Augustin Senghor and Ahmed Yahya of Mauritania.

Therefore, there was nothing peculiar with the FIFA Review Committee conducting the suitability checks on the CAF candidates.

It is a norm at the global football governing since it embarked on reforms to avoid financial and election scandals that rocked it in the past decade.

Among other checks are past criminal convictions and disciplinary sanctions, ongoing legal proceedings, ensure political neutrality and prevention of any form of government interference as well as curbing potential conflicts of interest.

It is here that the issue of Constant Omari, the Congolese interim president of the CAF after Ahmad was suspended for alleged financial misconduct, comes in.

Omari was before Ahmad’s suspension the first vice president of CAF.

Hence, according to CAF statutes, if the president vacates office, was the case when Ahmad was banned by FIFA, Omari took over.

There was therefore no need for an eligibility test in November 2020 when he assumed office on an interim basis.

Thus, an eligibility test became necessary now that he wanted to retain his seat on FIFA’s Council. He held the position since 2015.

At the end of last month, FIFA announced Omari had failed an integrity and eligibility check and was barred from seeking reelection.

He is reportedly under probe from suspected financial irregularities relating to CAF commercial contracts under Ahmad’s besieged reign.

This, therefore, quashes speculation of contradiction on FIFA’s part regarding eligibility checks.

Read the article: https://bit.ly/2N1Pfzs
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of CAJ News Africa.

No contradiction in FIFA’s barring of Confederation of African Football (CAF) candidates

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Total cases: 16,451 (+114) Recovered: 12,342 (+295) Active cases: 3,889 In critical condition: 22 Tests: 917,829 (+4,721) Test positivity rate: 2.4% Recovery rate: 73.7% Deaths: 220 (+3) | 1.3%
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Republic of Rwanda.Media filesDownload logo

Coronavirus – Rwanda: COVID-19 update (7 February 2021)

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The long-awaited African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is finally operational, wherein trading commenced on the 1st of January 2021. This marks a celebrated milestone for intra-Africa trade. The AfCFTA eliminates tariffs on 90 per cent of goods produced on the continent, tackles non-tariff barriers to trade and guarantees the free movement of persons. It consolidates a market of 1.2 billion people and a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $2.5 trillion.

While the private sector in Africa has been grappling with dealing with the effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the AfCFTA provides for key benefits such as open borders, improved contracts, and better structured value chains. The private sector being a key stakeholder and a major beneficiary of the AfCFTA has a lot that it can benefit from the AfCFTA.
The AfCFTA provides an opportunity for businesses to expand into African markets through the liberalization of markets and the progressive reduction of access barriers within the continent. In addition, businesses can take advantage and participate in supporting the diversification of African economies away from low-value-added products and commodities as well as in the development of regional value chains. The AfCFTA enhances competitiveness at the industry and enterprise level through exploitation of opportunities for scale production, continental market access and better reallocation of resources.
Taking this into account, the Tax and Investment Desk of Centurion Plus launches the AfCFTA Impact Report, which will provide critical business impact assessment, especially for multinational companies and investors conducting business in Africa under AfCFTA protocols. This will be a bespoke report for each entity and will be powered by Centurion’s fully integrated resource base of country-qualified and internationally mobile professionals in all 54 countries in Africa.
The AfCFTA Impact Report is a guide to what businesses need to know about the African Continental Free Trade Area including: 

 	AfCFTA’s impact on movement and provision of goods and services and the respective taxation outcomes 	Business optimisation opportunities 	Customs and immigration 	Employment, including movement of personnel and potential changes in permit laws and regulations 	Intellectual property 	trade and investment advantages 	Potential anti-trust and market access issues 	Potential environmental obligations 	Legal issues surrounding mergers and acquisitions 	dispute resolution 
The guide will assist businesses and investors to identify the major opportunities provided by the AfCFTA, while also identifying the blind spots and shortcomings in terms of the business models to adopt.
While as an Africa-focused Group, we will provide updates and new resources to help you keep ahead of the developments in the AfCFTA. What we have launched here ensures that businesses take full advantage of the opportunities offered by the AfCFTA and transact end-to-end in Africa (including in ultra-frontier markets), with absolute confidence and at the most competitive business cost.
Contact info@centurionlgplus.com to procure a customised AfCFTA Impact Report.
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The Tax and Investment Desk of Centurion Plus Launches the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Impact Report

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Webb Fontaine (www.WebbFontaine.com) and the Nepal Government have officially launched the Nepal National Single Window system (NNSW). The Nepal Department of Customs, who are the lead agency in this project, choose as a launch date Jan 26th which is WCO (World Customs Organisation) International Customs Day to emphasise the synergy between the Trade Single Window platform and Customs clearance processes.

Recently brought online the platform will interconnect 40 government and private agencies involved in Nepal international trade cycle. The new NNSW system will have a substantial impact on the country’s end-to-end logistics supply chain network and will boost its competitiveness regionally and on the global stage.
As the provider of the solution, Webb Fontaine worked closely with Nepal’s Department of Customs (DoC) and other major government bodies and stakeholders to set up the NNSW project.
A fully digitised online system, the NNSW significantly thrusts the operations associated with import and export practices though the use of AI and advanced technologies.
Powered by Webb Fontaine’s tried and tested technologies and network solutions, the NNSW system securely integrates a wide range of processes related to the smooth operation of the Trade and Customs cycle involving governmental and private organisations.
The project is strategically aligned with a number of key initiatives, including World Bank sponsored Nepal India Regional Trade and Transport Project (NIRTTP).
The NNSW will dramatically reduce the processing time and costs associated with bringing goods in and out of the country. The NNSW system will propel Trade movements and will streamline processes by doing away with the need for traders to visit various government offices. Instead, all of the required registrations and fees can be processed via one centralised online portal.
Led by Webb Fontaine, the NNSW system has created a ‘one-stop-shop’ where Traders and Customs stakeholders can easily access services such as licenses submission and ePayments digitally.
The NNSW also offers officials in Nepal greater information about imports and exports, reduces any shortfalls in revenue collection and considerably boosts the financial viability and success of Customs operations.
The NNSW will support the NIRTTP by completely restructuring the trade supply chain between Nepal and India. All of the NNSW’s key processes and procedures are applicable to the full scope of Nepal’s current cross-border trade commitments and future growth plans.
Webb Fontaine’s expert information handling and distribution technologies has laid a solid foundation for the continuing success of the NNSW system, which will facilitate ease of Trade, streamline border management and solve issues impacting transportation, timescales and logistics.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Webb Fontaine.
About Webb Fontaine: Webb Fontaine (www.WebbFontaine.com) is a world-leading technology company re-shaping the future of Trade. Trusted by governments globally, Webb Fontaine provides industry wide solutions to accelerate Trade development and modernisation. The company uses unique technology including Artificial Intelligence to enable countries to emerge as leaders in the future of Trade.
Knowledge transfer is at the core of Webb Fontaine; comprising a team of experts who work across the world, empowering local communities and governments.
As an industry leader with the largest R&#038;D centres in the industry, Webb Fontaine is constantly developing international Trade practices connecting countries, borders and people.
For more information visit www.WebbFontaine.com.
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Webb Fontaine announces official launch of far-reaching Nepal National Single Window Trade and Customs project

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In a letter dated 19th January 2021 by Chairwoman, Africa Rugby Advisory Committee states; &#39;&#39;Following the agreement of the Women’s Rugby Advisory Committee, the Chairwoman of the Sub Committee, Leadership Training &#038; Conferences, Ms. Regina Hellen Lunyolo, is pleased and honoured to inform you of your official appointment as a member of the same Sub Committee. Your involvement in Rugby and the passion you show for your sector and the function you occupy in the great and diverse field of rugby are now rewarded and you fully deserve this new distinction&#39;&#39; &#8211; Paula Lanco (Women’s Rugby Advisory Committee Chairwoman).

Grace Iyorhe is a lover and a great enthusiast of Rugby. In the year 2012, she developed strong interest in Rugby and partook in Medical and Coaching courses in which she obtained relevant certificates.
In the year 2017, she was selected by the National Association of Women in Sports (NAWiS) as Women&#39;s representative in the Nigerian Rugby Football Federation (NRFF).
Following her membership into NRFF, Grace partook in many activities concerning the development of the sport in Benue State and later contested for the position of the National Vice President of the NRFF in 2017 and emerged winner.
She has since 2017 been involved in the Administration and Management of the sport in Nigeria. As an administrator of the sport, She set up Male and Female Rugby teams in Benue state and has also developed and helped to inculcate the sport in secondary schools across Benue State.
Grace is a retired Chief Nursing Officer, Retired as premier league grade one football referee and once served as Chairman of Benue State Football Association. She was also a former member of the National Women&#39;s Football Board.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF).
Media Contact: Email: info@thenrff.com / fnigeriarugby@gmail.com Rugby@APO-opa.com
Twitter: @nigeriarugby1 IG: @nigeriarugby FB: @nigeriarugby
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Nigerian Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) Vice President; Grace Iyorhe has been appointed into Rugby Africa Women&apos;s Rugby Advisory Sub Committee

Content provided by APO Group. CNBC Africa provides content from APO Group as a service to its readers, but does not edit the articles it publishes. CNBC Africa is not responsible for the content provided by APO Group.
Team Qhubeka Assos (www.TeamQhubeka.com) put in credible performance in its opening race of the season, the Etoile de Besseges. European champion Giacomo Nizzolo placed 4th &#038; 3rd on stages 1 &#038; 2, respectively. Michael Gogl then infiltrated the race defining breakaway on stage 3, taking 9th on the stage and moved into overall GC contention.

Yesterday, an untimely puncture for Gogl put Team Qhubeka Assos on the back foot during the 4th stage, but a good team effort allowed Gogl to limit his losses and held onto 10th overall going into the final 11km time trial stage.
The final race against the clock had riders take on a mostly flat 8km stretch, before ending with a sharp 3km climb to the top of Alès. Gogl, the 10th last rider off, put in a fine performance to stop the clock in 15 minutes and 55 seconds.
This result had Gogl climbing up 4 spots on the overall general classification, finishing in 6th place on GC. A positive result for Team Qhubeka Assos in its debut race of 2021.
The Tour de la Provence is the next race on the teams calendar, and will get underway this coming Thursday.
Michael Gogl &#8211; Team Qhubeka Assos I am very happy with my performance in the TT today and moving up to 6th place in the GC. It was a tough final stage with that ramp up the finish where you just needed to go as deep as you could. I can take this race as a good indication that my preparations over the winter were correct and went well.
A big thanks to all of the riders and staff, they were excellent this week and I thoroughly enjoyed being back racing. Now I am looking forward to the next race.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Team Qhubeka ASSOS.
Media Contact: Jean Smyth (Head of Communications) Email: jean@ryder.co.za Mobile: +27 63 4701 1710 or +31 625 739 033
About Team Qhubeka ASSOS: Team Qhubeka ASSOS (www.TeamQhubeka.com) is a purpose-led, high-performance team, fighting to win on the world&#39;s biggest stage, to inspire hope and create opportunity. Founded in 2007, Team Qhubeka ASSOS (formerly NTT Pro Cycling) became the first-ever African cycling team to gain a UCI WorldTour license, in 2016.
We achieved our first major win in 2013 when Gerald Ciolek won Milan-San Remo, one of the five Monuments of cycling. We have competed in six Tour de France’s and notched up 7 stage wins, with Mark Cavendish wearing the coveted Yellow Jersey at the 2016 Tour de France.
We are a multicultural, diverse team with bases in South Africa, the Netherlands and Italy. There are 19 nationalities represented across our World Tour and continental feeder team rosters. Our focus on developing African cycling has resulted in more than 55 riders from the African continent be given the opportunity to race on the world stage, since the team&#39;s inception.
We race to help people to move forward with bicycles through our relationship with Qhubeka Charity. Through our work with Qhubeka, we have contributed to the distribution of over 30 000 bicycles in communities in South Africa.
About Qhubeka: Qhubeka (www.Qhubeka.org) is a charity that moves people forward with bicycles. People earn bicycles through our programmes, improving their access to schools, clinics and jobs.
A bicycle is a tool that helps people to travel faster and further, and to carry more. In the face of extreme and persistent poverty, bicycles can change lives by helping to address socioeconomic challenges at the most basic level – helping people to get where they need to go. 
All images attached to the press release can be used with the respective image credit, Getty Sport, in combination to this release.
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Michael Gogl races to strong 6th place overall at Etoile de Besseges

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By Leoncio Amada NZE; Executive President of the African Energy Chamber (www.EnergyChamber.org) CEMAC Zone and CEO of Apex Industries SA

When the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said that the pandemic-ravaged global economy shrunk by 4.4% in 2020, the news probably surprised no one. The world has not experienced an economic decline so dramatic since the Great Depression, and very few of us have escaped COVID-19’s financial tumult. Over the past 12 months, only China’s economy grew. Everywhere else, stock markets cratered, businesses shuttered, and unemployment rates climbed to new highs.

As vaccines have started their roll-out, however, signs of recovery, however tentative, are emerging. While this sounds a hopeful note, what the future looks like remains difficult to predict. Uncertainties abound, and how they play out will determine who’s right: the optimists, who believe that renewed spending and investment are just around the corner, or the pessimists, who fear a relapse in global consumption and even more pronounced economic slowdown are imminent.

In the initial phase of any recession, as well as in the exit phases, psychological components and the tension between optimism and pessimism play an important role. How we think things will evolve can influence what happens. Still, we can’t simply wish ourselves out of a pandemic or into economic health. In the world of money, miracles do not exist.

But the countries of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) — Gabon, Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic, and Chad — might be able to make our own miracles happen. The first step?  Recovering our confidence through action. Historical trends show us that countries that adopt courageous and aggressive policies in the face of crises are better positioned in the medium- and long-term to emerge stronger than before. Through vigorous leadership, the implementation of difficult and even unpopular policies, and our own intrinsic spirit, we can begin climbing out of the abyss.

Lessons from History

Though the economic effect of the pandemic has drawn well-deserved parallels to that of the Great Depression, the two resulted from significantly different circumstances. The Depression was the culmination of progressive economic deterioration, not the result of a global lockdown event that brought spending to a grinding halt.

Yet by studying the Depression, we can learn something about how to craft a recovery. The political leadership of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt is particularly instructive.

After World War I, the United States was considered the great world power, an indispensable actor in international trade, and a lender to other countries. This meant nations worldwide depended on the American economy to keep humming along. When it slowed, a global recession followed. And when the U.S. stock market crashed in 1929, it created a deep economic crisis replicated throughout the world. 

The pain wasn’t easy to alleviate, but when Roosevelt took office in 1933, he moved quickly to try to repair the damage, at least in his own country. The interventionist measures known collectively as the New Deal included public spending to restore the financial system, regulate free enterprise, and develop job programs that would put millions of unemployed Americans to work. The government intervened in numerous sectors of the economy, including banking, foreign trade, insurance, and pension systems.

Little by little, Roosevelt&#39;s public plan worked, economic indices improved, and private enterprise grew stronger again. The New Deal became the model for similar public spending programs in the UK, France, and Germany, all of them successful.

A Bold Plan

But what about now? The world is vastly different than it was in the 1930s, including being even more globalized. Can the same mechanisms that worked then be effective today?

If the 2020 example set by German Chancellor Angele Merkel is any indication, the answer is yes.

To mitigate the economic hit from COVID-19, the German government in June adopted a tax and spending stimulus package worth more than 1.3 trillion euros  — an amount unmatched by Germany since World War II. That was on top of a €750bn rescue package agreed to just two months earlier. The new program included massive aid to companies and workers, particularly the self-employed and small businesses, as well as hundreds of billions of euros to support the German health system. The sweeping package included a financial rescue plan, as well, to keep struggling corporations from falling into the hands of foreign investors. The government also contemplated an aid fund of up to €600 bn through which Germany could buy shares in companies that were at risk of bankruptcy. The fund was proposed to benefit the tourism, business services, and transportation sectors simultaneously.

Moving Forward

Contrasted with these historical and current examples, the way the CEMAC zone has confronted the economic impact of the pandemic is disheartening at best.

Rather than a coordinated effort to prop up companies, communities, and people, we’re seeing inaction on one hand and the continuation of counterproductive policies on the other. This includes the disastrous Foreign Exchange (FOREX) regulations imposed by the Bank of Central African States (BEAC), which impede foreign direct investment (FID), prevent the free flow of capital, and destroy the incipient local business fabric. Considering that the zone’s extraction sector depends heavily on international markets and is among the least economically integrated and diversified regions on the African continent, this seems counterintuitive, if not destructive.

To pull the CEMAC sub-region out of the economic morass, we need coherent economic coordination to make the area more attractive to FDI, not less. We have to remember that the market is an efficient resource allocation mechanism, and letting the market operate freely is like giving the zone a hand up.

Moving forward, the CEMAC countries must prioritize the following:

 	Restructuring the financial system. Currently, credit is not reaching families and companies. The credit restriction and limited movement of financing flows are due both to the global financial situation and to the BEAC Forex issue. We should create and lower the price of monetary facilities and encourage financial institutions to restore credit flows to the private sector, establishing, if necessary, a private risk mechanism with a partial public guarantee to protect against default. 	Reforming labor markets. To stimulate job creation and promote a change in the production model, reforming the labor market is essential. Immediate actions can include: 	Modernizing employment contract negotiations as they relate to working conditions and productivity; 	Helping less-skilled workers avoid long periods of unemployment through customized training or insertion activities; 	Reducing taxes paid by companies and freelancers; and 	Promoting entrepreneurship by eliminating excessive regulation. 	Reforming the fiscal terms in the extractive industry. This will enable the sector to remain attractive to and competitive for FDI. 	Integrating and diversifying the economies of the sub-region. 	Empowering young people, men and women alike, to reach their maximum potential. 	Capitalizing on the opportunities and synergies from the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). AfCFTA presents a major opportunity for African countries to bring 30 million people out of extreme poverty and to raise the incomes of 68 million others who live on less than $5.50 per day. Implementing AfCTA will help integrate the economies of the CEMAC zone nations and open the region to continent-wide markets. 
The Next Chapter

These recommendations are not a miraculous or magical formula for the CEMAC’s zone economic recovery in the post-COVID-19 era. Things won’t improve just because they hope we will. Instead, the road to economic recovery will be tedious. It will require sacrifices from all of us, along with the drive and determination of our economic and political leaders to make integrative, bold, and responsible policies. Together, we can reenergize the sub-regional private sector and write a new chapter in our collective history.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.Media filesDownload logo

Miracles of Our Own Making: How CEMAC Countries Can Emerge Stronger from the Economic Crisis (By Leoncio Amada NZE)

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The Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) today announced that a new case of Ebola has been detected in Butembo, a city in North Kivu Province, where a previous outbreak was declared over in June 2020.

The Butembo branch of the National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB) confirmed Ebola in samples taken from a patient with Ebola-like symptoms who had sought treatment at a local health centre. The woman was the wife of an Ebola survivor. She has since died. 
Butembo was one of the epicentres of the previous Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC. It is not unusual for sporadic cases to occur following a major outbreak.  
Due to the enormous local capacity built in the previous outbreak, the North Kivu Provincial health authorities are leading the current response with support from the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO provided training to laboratory technicians, contact tracers, local vaccination teams and reached out to community groups to raise Ebola awareness as well as put in place an Ebola survivor programme.
“The expertise and capacity of local health teams has been critical in detecting this new Ebola case and paving the way for a timely response,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “WHO is providing support to local and national health authorities to quickly trace, identify and treat the contacts to curtail the further spread of the virus.”
WHO epidemiologists are on the ground investigating the case. Already more than 70 contacts have been identified. Disinfection of sites visited by patient is also ongoing.
Samples from the confirmed Ebola patient have been sent to the National Institute of Biomedical Research’s main laboratory in Kinshasa for genome sequencing to identify the strain of the Ebola and to determine its link to the previous outbreak.
The DRC’s 10th Ebola outbreak which lasted for nearly two years was the second largest in the world and by the time it ended there were 3481 cases, 2299 deaths and 1162 survivors.
Response to the outbreak was particularly challenging due to insecurity that disrupted emergency efforts.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

Resurgence of Ebola in North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Content provided by APO Group. CNBC Africa provides content from APO Group as a service to its readers, but does not edit the articles it publishes. CNBC Africa is not responsible for the content provided by APO Group. 
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The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) might have provisionally suspended his ban by the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) but Ahmad Ahmad is not out of the woods yet in his bid to regain the presidency of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

He thus faces a race against time with polls scheduled for next month in Rabat, Morocco.


The Madagascan official, found guilty by FIFA for financial misconduct and banned him for five years last November, still barbours ambitions of a return to CAF’s highest office.

However, in an about turn, the executive committee (Exco) of the continental mother body deemed FIFA should have the final say on the matter.

With FIFA unlikely to rescind its decision, it appears the 61-year-old’s prospects of leading the organisation, and the automatic rule as FIFA’s vice-president is null.

The CAF Exco met at a heated meeting in Cameroon ahead of the conclusion of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) where the board decided to ignore the independent Governance Committee’s advice.

The Exco opted to rely on FIFA’s position on the matter, which at the moment, is a ban.

The meeting in Cameroon was Ahmad’s first official event since his ban by FIFA last November.

He left the meeting in a huff while his candidacy was under discussion.

Ahmad also lost in his attempts to have the March 12 polls postponed.

A postponement could have bought the beleaguered executive, found guilty of breaching FIFA’s Code of Ethics, some time.

It is believed a majority of the CAF Exco is advocating for Ahmad to excuse himself from the election.

Jacques Anouma (Ivory Coast), Patrice Motsepe (South Africa), Augustin Senghor (Senegal) and Ahmed Yahya (Mauritania) are in the running for the polls.

Read the article: https://bit.ly/2OfzQMB 
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of CAJ News Africa.

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Joint communiqué on the critical desert locust situation and emergency response in Somalia

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No contradiction in FIFA’s barring of Confederation of African Football (CAF) candidates

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The Tax and Investment Desk of Centurion Plus Launches the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Impact Report

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Michael Gogl races to strong 6th place overall at Etoile de Besseges

Miracles of Our Own Making: How CEMAC Countries Can Emerge Stronger from the Economic Crisis (By Leoncio Amada NZE)

Resurgence of Ebola in North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Ahmad Confederation of African Football (CAF) presidential chances in tatters as Exco snubs his candidacy

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