Reunion Wire

Addis Ababa: Office of the Prime Minister ceremoniously transferred ‘Dine for Ethiopia’ projects to the Amhara, Oromia and South West Region and conducted a signing ceremony for the management and operation agreement of the ‘Dine for Ethiopia’ lodges, by Ethiopian Airlines, operating under its renowned Skylight Hotel brand.

According to the Office of the Prime Minister (PMO), today marks a significant milestone for the ‘Dine for Ethiopia’ projects.

PMO ceremoniously transferred the projects to the Amhara, Oromia and South West Ethiopia People Region and conducted a signing ceremony for the management and operation agreement of the ‘Dine for Ethiopia’ lodges, by Ethiopian Airlines, operating under its renowned Skylight Hotel brand.

It is to be recalled that three of the four projects (Halala Kella Lodge; Chebera Churchura Elephant Paw Lodge and Wonchi Eco Lodge) have been recently inaugurated, with the Gorgora project completion and inauguration in the pipeline.

The ‘Dine for Ethiopia’ initiative, champion
ed by the Prime Minister, aimed to bolster tourism, a cornerstone of our national homegrown economic reform program.

These projects rallied public support during the financing stage, generated numerous jobs during construction, and kickstarted extensive infrastructure development. They stand as symbols of innovative project management and swift completion.

Entrusting their operation and management to our national flag carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, promises not only enhanced service but also an avenue for international tourism promotion.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Addis Ababa: The 15th East African Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (EAAACA) Annual General Meeting is underway in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The conference was hosted by the Federal Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission of Ethiopia under the theme: “Coordination, Collaboration and Corporation in Asset Recovery and the Fight against Corruption.”

The annual session brought together representatives of member states of the association to discuss ways of preventing and fighting corruption and strengthening collaboration as well as promoting partnership among the members.

Speaking on occasion, Commissioner of Federal Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission of Ethiopia, Samuel Urkato said this conference has become an important platform in strengthening regional cooperation, collaboration and coordinating on anti corruption agendas.

As member states of EAAACA, Ethiopia has realized that this platform is increasingly getting expanded with various stakeholders and key actors of anti corruption strategies in t
his regards.

President of East African Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities, Nirere Madeliene said on her part, this conference has given great emphasis on coordination, collaboration and cooperation in the efforts to fight against corruption.

She further stressed the anti-corruption activity requires working in synergy to tackle the root causes of the problem.

Moreover, the president added that transparent and accountable governance are pivotal in the fight against corruption practices.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Addis Ababa: The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced today a 35-million-USD initiative aimed at improving health and nutrition outcomes for mothers and children in the pastoral regions of Ethiopia.

USAID Deputy Mission Director Eleanor TanPiengco and Health Minister Dr. Mekdes Daba inaugurated the initiative dubbed Lowlands Health Activity project that would be implemented by Engender Health Inc., along with a consortium of international and local partners

The project will span 35 districts across the Somali, Afar, Southern Ethiopia, and Oromia regions, according to the U.S Embassy in Ethiopia.

The Lowlands Health Activity will offer services to marginalized populations such as primary healthcare, access to quality services, the adoption of healthy behaviors, and health facilities that provide essential reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, adolescent, and nutrition services.

The project directly supports the achievements of USAID’s and Ethiopia’s Health Sector Transformation g
oal, aimed to prevent maternal and child morbidity and mortality, it was learned.

Since 2017, USAID has supported maternal and child health in pastoralist regions through the Transform Health in Developing Regions project, which has advanced key health indicators, such as skilled birth attendance and immunization coverage.

Deputy Mission Director TanPiengco stated at the launch event, ‘The Lowlands Health Activity will enhance access to skilled birth care and comprehensive pre- and post-natal services for mothers as well as improved healthcare and nutritional services for their children. Additionally, it will aid in the restoration of conflict-affected health facilities in Afar.’

According to the statement of the embassy, this new project symbolizes the ongoing partnership between the American and Ethiopian people.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Addis Ababa: President Sahle-Work Zewde has shared food items with low income and destitute residents in Arada Sub-City of Addis Ababa for celebration of upcoming Ethiopian Easter holiday.

On the occasion, the president said that providing supports to destitute communities in the country should be a regular task of everyone pledging for a continued and enhanced provision of sustenance.

She also stressed the need to spend the upcoming holiday with destitute members of the community.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

The Director of Lagos State Library Board, Mr Oyadipe Amoo, has called on students to make use of public libraries in their localities to explore, learn and have fun with books.

Amoo gave the advice at the Year 2024 World Book Day with the theme ‘Read your way’, held on Tuesday at the Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Maryland, Lagos.

The event, organised by the Ministry of Tertiary Education through the Lagos State Library Board, had 150 students from 12 schools across six education districts in the state.

He said that across the state, 13 public libraries had been established under the board, adding that the 2024 theme was centered on ways to help, promote, influence and impact reading culture on youths.

The Director said that the libraries included Henry Carr Public Library, Agege; Epe Divisional Library, Epe; Ikorodu Divisional Library; Borno House Library, Amuwo-Odofin; Igbogbo Bayeku Public Library, Ajegunle; Ipaja, Ilupeju, Isolo, Meiran and Isolo,

According to him, reading for pleasure ha
s many great benefits for students.

‘It helps improve their literacy skills, expand their vocabulary and enhance their creativity.

‘The Lagos State Government is playing a very crucial role in nurturing love for literature by providing access to vast array of books, resources and activities that spark their imagination and curiosity.

‘This year’s World Book Day is more than a celebration of books, writers and authors.

‘It’s a celebration of joy of reading and the State Government is dedicated to create a conducive environment where students can be reading and have individual study’.

Earlier, Mrs Anike Adekanye, Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary (TG/PS) Education District 2, in her address, described reading as an integral part of journey and a powerful weapon that helps to navigate ways through life.

According to Adekanye, the objective of today’s theme is to make reading an enjoyable experience and to promote its widespread adoption as a healthy habit among students and individuals striving for self im
provement.

‘ `Read your way’ is not just a phrase, but an essential ingredient in shaping and molding our lives; it’s a lifelong journey we embark on to explore and acquire knowledge for us to function productively in our world.

‘Reading helps to rejuvenate our thinking capacity and provide a sound mind for sustainability and improves our communication skills, we must therefore cultivate reading habit,’ she added.

The TG/PS was represented by Mrs Bosede Macaulay, Director of Education, District 11.

In her remark, Oghenekevbe Ogufere, author, Africa Writers Tribe, who urged the students to be ‘Gen Z goody’, a tribe that reads, said that readers are leaders that change the world.

‘Know it today that Lagos State depends on you because you are our future leaders and the future starts now,’she added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the organisers distributed books and school bags to the students.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The House of Representatives has reassured that the long queues at filling stations in the country will soon fizzle out.

Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere, Chairman, Petroleum Downstream, said this at a joint news conference in Abuja on Wednesday.

‘We hereby express our concerns over the temporary presence of fuel queues in petrol stations across the country.

‘However, we are convinced that this is temporary based on our investigation, and in a couple of days, we shall get over it,’ he said.

Flanked by Rep. Henry Okojie, the Chairman, Petroleum Midstream, Ugochinyere said that investigations had revealed that the scarcity was artificial.

‘We have discovered that there is availability of petrol products. We have it on good authority that we have in our storage facilities at least about 1.5 billion liters of petrol,’ he said.

He said that 1.5 billion liters can last for 30 days.

‘We have gotten assurances from the regulators in the distribution value chain that these bottlenecks have been cleared. In the course o
f this public holiday, more grounds will be covered.

‘From our findings, the issues that necessitated the disruptions that led to the appearance of fuel queues in petrol stations have been cleared.

‘They said that it will take a few more days for things to return to normalcy, while calling on Nigerians not to panic over this development.

‘We have gotten assurances from the regulators and the unions that these challenges will be cleared in a few days,’ he said.

Ugochinyere added: ‘It will require more time, like two to three days for products to be distributed to all stations nationwide.

‘As a committee that is charged with downstream and midstream oversight, we have been monitoring this development.’

Source: News Agency of Nigeria