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Author: Dismas Otuke

  • Marrakech will host this year’s IMF-World Bank annual meetings

    Marrakech will host this year’s IMF-World Bank annual meetings

    The famous tourist city of Marrakech in Morocco will host this year’s International Monetary Fund (IMF)-World Bank annual meeting, set for 9th till 15th of next month.

    IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, in an exclusive interview with the Moroccan News Agency (MAP), clarified on Monday that the annual meetings of the IMF and the World Bank will take place as planned on the same date in Marrakech.

    “The announcement we are making together with the Minister of Finance and the World Bank President is that the meetings will go forward as planned” in Marrakech on October 9–15, Georgieva.” Affirmed Georgieva

    “I want to thank the Moroccan authorities and the Moroccan people” for the attention paid to the meetings, said the IMF chief, who takes part in the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

    “We are very grateful to Morocco for its hospitality”. We will do our utmost as institutions to be of help to Morocco, which was hit by a powerful earthquake.”

    “It is a message of solidarity with Morocco and with each and every country that is faced with shocks because we do live in a more shock-prone world and we need to face it together,” Georgieva added.

    The annual meetings will be attended by, among others, central bankers, finance ministers, the private sector, civil society, the media, and academicians who will discuss and deliberate on global issues, including the world economic outlook, global financial stability, poverty eradication, inclusive economic growth, and climate change.

    For the first time in 50 years, Africa will host the meeting.

    Normal operations have resumed in Marrakech city, with schools reopening following a 6.8-magnitude earthquake, that struck the El-Huz and Amzmiz regions near the Atlas Mountains early this month.

    Marrakech boasts a wealth of historic treasures, including World Heritage sites such as Ksar Bahia, and is among the prime tourist destinations in Africa.

  • Biden lauds Morocco’s effort during  earthquake

    Biden lauds Morocco’s effort during  earthquake

    The United States of America President Joseph Biden has lauded the Royal Kingdom of Morocco for its swift measures i to save lives during the earthquake.

    In a telephone conversation between Biden and the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, on Monday, the US head of state also reassured his support for the North African country to ensure all the victims of the earthquake get assistance.

    Biden requested that the King establish areas of need in order for his country to support Morocco.

    The quake that occurred two weeks ago, led to over 3,000 deaths and the same number of people injured,while over 50,000 people were left homeless.

  • Multichoice calls for stringent action to end piracy

    Multichoice calls for stringent action to end piracy

    There is a need to tighten the noose on piracy to save the creative industry in Kenya, a vice that has caused huge losses to investors.

    This was said on Monday by Multichoice Kenya Managing Director Nzola Miranda, during a media content showcase of their entertainment content for the Kenyan market.

    Nzola reiterated the company’s commitment to cooperate with government agencies such as the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) and other law-enforcing apparatus to ensure the piracy menace is curtailed.

    According to the statistics from the Partners against Piracy PAP, actors in the creative industry and the government in Kenya suffer a gross loss of Ksh 92 billion annually, equivalent to Ksh 252 million per day through piracy of music, videos, and cinema content.

    The rising cases of piracy have compelled the creative industry actors to call for amendment proposals for the Kenya Cyber Crime Act in a bid to tame the runaway piracy.

    Ronald Shelukindo – Marketing Manager,MultiChoice Kenya
    Elisha Kamau – PR manager ,MultiChoice Manager
    Nzola Miranda – MD ,Multi Choice Kenya
    Glauco Ferreira – Regional Director Northern Africa Multi Choice
    Yasmin Said- Actress (The picture with the lady in pink)

    Among the suggestions in the act are provisions for internet backbone providers to block infringing and inappropriate content through blocking domains that infringe on rights holders’ intellectual property.

    The provision will ensures protection of original content and encourage more creativity and innovation in the Kenyan digital space.

    Multchoice, which is a leading pay-TV service provider in Sub-Saharan Africa, at the same time revealed its plan to increase its investment in hyperlocal content through the introduction of a new premium 24-hour local content channel, Maisha Magic Plus (MMP), in a campaign dubbed “Tumefungulia Magic, according to Miranda.

    Maisha Magic Plus (MMP), which was previously only accessible on Compact, Compact Plus, and Premium on DStv and on Supa and Supa Plus on GOtv, will now be available to DStv customers on Access, Family, and to GOtv customers on Plus, Max, and above—to say, Tumefungulia Magic.

    “MultiChoice Kenya is steadfast in its commitment to complimenting the quality of content with a great level of service to our customers through our people, who are the heart of our business,” said Miranda

    “We have made Maisha Magic Plus available to more customers as a demonstration of our commitment to deliver more value and more choice to our customers with the aim to inform, educate, entertain, and inspire people across the country,” concluded Miranda.

    The showcase also gave the audience a deep dive into the MultiChoice talent factory academy, kids shows and content, football and sporting action, general entertainment, and the customer service journey that MultiChoice is championing towards delivering digital solutions for its customers from self-service portals on MyDStv and MyGOtv Apps as well as livestreaming apps like Showmax and DStv Stream.

    MultiChoice Kenya (MCK) is a joint venture between MultiChoice Africa and the Kenyan Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), a partnership that was cemented in 1995.

     

  • Morocco denies invititing President Macron for an official visit.

    Morocco denies invititing President Macron for an official visit.

    The royal government of Morocco has denied having invited French President Emmanuel Macron for an official visit to the North African country.

    An official statement from the Royal Kingdom government stated that Macron’s visit to Morocco was neither on the agenda nor scheduled.

    In an interview with a news channel, France’s top diplomat, Catherine Colonna, announced that a visit by President Macron to Morocco had been scheduled at the invitation of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.

    The same official government source expressed astonishment that Colonna had taken “this unilateral initiative and allowed herself to make an uncoordinated announcement concerning an important bilateral event.”

  • Wetangula urges national assembley staff to embrace sports

    Wetangula urges national assembley staff to embrace sports

    The national assembly held its annual sports day on Friday Nyayo national stadium.

    While gracing the event, the speaker of the national assembly, Moses Wetangula, challenged the staff of the national assembly on the need for keeping fit and embracing unity through sports.

    “Sports is one of the areas that Parliament gives priority to, and I urge staff to embrace sports,” said Hon. Wetang’ula.

    He added,I commend the youthful workforce that I have seen here today and encourage them to stay fit through sports for optimum performance”.

    “I am proud to see how youthful our working force is,” Speaker Wetang’ula stated, acknowledging the energy and vitality of the staff.

    He humorously noted, “You all look very fit, apart from a few who have excess weight and should shed it off to work effectively.”

    National assembly speaker Moses Wetangula tests his skills while opening this year’s National assembly sports day at  Nyayo Stadium 

    Underscoring the significance of the Sports Day, Wetang’ula urged all staff members to actively participate in the games, highlighting that the alertness of their minds depended on their physical fitness.

    He also emphasized that the Members of Parliament depended on the staff for the effective execution of their mandates, regardless of the department they worked in.

    “Whichever department or corner you work in, you are very important in Parliament. All of us who work in any office contribute greatly to the success of the 13th Parliament,” he affirmed.

    Speaker Wetang’ula reflected on the progress of Parliament since he joined the house in 1993.

    He recounted the challenges faced by the staff in the past, such as abrupt transfers to different ministries without notice.

    However, he assured them that under his administration, he aimed to make all staff permanent, with exceptions for those who lacked the necessary qualifications.

    “I salute the catering department that did an excellent job to ensure MPs voted for me as their Speaker,” Wetang’ula added, acknowledging the efforts of various departments in Parliament.

    He encouraged the staff to give their best in sports, drawing inspiration from his own sports background, particularly soccer during his time at Kamusinga School.

    He also praised the recent achievements of Kenyan athletes like Faith Kipyegon and Nancy Moraa, who have brought honor to the nation.

    The National Assembly Sports Day saw enthusiastic participation from the staff, fostering a sense of camaraderie and fitness among its members, all in alignment with Speaker Wetang’ula’s vision for a more vibrant and efficient parliamentary workforce.

  • King Mohammed VI announces housing for 50,000 displaced earthquake victims

    King Mohammed VI announces housing for 50,000 displaced earthquake victims

    King Mohammed VI has announced emergency rehousing programme for over 50,000 victims displaced by the earthquake that struck Morocco early this month.

    The King made the announcement on Thursday afternoon after chairing a meeting with senior government officials at the Royal Palace in Rabat.

    The meeting was the latest following a series of measures ordered by the King Mohammed VI as an urgent measures of mobilizing resources, to help the affected families.

    This first phase of rehousing program presented to the Sovereign, and which was prepared by the inter-ministerial commission set up pursuant to the High Royal Instruction, will cover 50,000 people whose homes were either totally or partially collapsed in the five affected provinces .

    The emergency temporary rehousing measures, will adopt on-site accommodation formulas in structures designed to withstand cold and bad weather; or in reception sites equipped with all the necessary amenities.

    In addition,the State will grant emergency aid of 30,000 dirhams to each victims concerned .

    The King ordered authorities in charge of the programme to prioritise fairness and needy cases basis.

    In addtion the King directed disbursement of a further 140,000 to each family whose houses were completely destroyed and 80,000 to each house that was partially destroyed to rebuild .

    In addition to repairing the damage caused by the earthquake, these measures will also involve launching a well-thought-out, integrated and ambitious program for the reconstruction and general upgrading of the affected regions, both in terms of infrastructure reinforcement and improving the quality of public services.

    This multi-faceted program will primarily mobilize the State’s own financial resources and those of public bodies, and will also be open to contributions from private players and associations, as well as from brotherly and friendly countries that so wish, and to whom His Majesty the King reiterates, on this occasion, the Kingdom of Morocco’s most sincere thanks.

    During the meeting,His Majesty the King, may God assist Him, also raised the equally crucial issue of immediate care for orphaned children, who today find themselves without family or resources.

    The meeting was attended by the Head of Government, Mr. Aziz Akhannouch, Advisor to HM the King, Mr. Fouad Ali El Himma, the Interior Minister, Mr. AbdelouafiLaftit, the Endowments and Islamic Affairs Minister, Mr. Ahmed Toufiq, the Economy and Finance Minister, Ms. Nadia Fettah, the National Territory Planning, Land Planning, Housing and City Policy Minister Ms. Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, the Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy and Finance, in charge of the Budget, Mr.Faouzi Lekjaa, as well as Lieutenant General Mohammed Berrid, Inspector General of the FAR and Commander of the Southern Zone.

    The devastating earthquake of 6.8 magnitude left over 3,000 people dead with an equal number of casualitues and over 50,000 homeless .

  • Hussein Confident in Sports CS restoring sanity in Kenyan Football

    Hussein Confident in Sports CS restoring sanity in Kenyan Football

    Extreme Sports Limited chief executive office Hussein Mohammed has exuded confidence with the Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba to restore sanity in the management of Kenyan football.

    While delivering keynote address on Thursday at the Africa Football business summit in Nairobi ,Hussein also emphasized on the need for stakeholders to invest more in grassroot football as it’s the only sure way of continuity and progress in performance of national teams.

    “Grassroots football, the heart of Extreme Sports, aligns perfectly with Football Foundation for Africa’s mission.

    From poor infrastructure, inconsistent development strategies and bad governance, most African federations are struggling to reap the benefits of an ever growing global football economy.At the heart of these challenges, our struggle to decisively deal with corruption, blatant theft and impunity in the football management remains the biggest challenge,”said Hussein

    “Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba at some point handed a dossier to FIFA, exposing corrupt dealings within Football Kenya Federation. Stakeholders are still waiting for a response from the world governing body FIFA.

    The Football Business Summit 2023, hosted by the Football Foundation for Africa, brought together industry experts, stakeholders, and football enthusiasts to discuss the game’s immense potential.

    Hussein is the founder of the Super 8 Football League which recently marked 20th anniversary since its inception.

  • King Mohammed VI visits earthquake victims in hospital, donates blood

    King Mohammed VI visits earthquake victims in hospital, donates blood

    King Mohammed VI of Morocco visited the “Mohammed VI” University Hospital in Marrakech to ascertain the progress and state of health of the wounded victims of the earthquake that occurred on Friday, September 8, causing significant human and material losses in several regions of the Kingdom.

    The King visited the resuscitation and hospitalization departments for earthquake victims, where he was informed of the state of health of the injured and the care they were receiving from the medical teams mobilized in the wake of the devastating disaster.

    2,171 injured people were admitted to various hospitals in the Marrakech-Safi region, including 484 with major injuries and 1,570 with minor injuries.

    248 people are still hospitalized.

    During the visit, the King donated his blood to show full solidarity and compassion for the victims and their grieving families.

    King Mohammed VI’s visit to the “Mohammed VI” University Hospital reflects the Sovereign’s great concern for the victims of the Al-Haouz earthquake and underscores the symbiosis that exists between His Majesty the King and His people in times of hardship and misfortune, enabling the Kingdom of Morocco to manage current crises and look to the future with enthusiasm and determination.

  • Morocco to play Burkina Faso in a charity match to support earthquake victims

    Morocco to play Burkina Faso in a charity match to support earthquake victims

    The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has organised a friendly match on Tuesday night September 12th pitting the Atlas Lions, against Burkina Faso with the proceeds set to be donated to the earthquake victims.

    According to FRMF statement , all the proceeds from the friendly match with majority coming from the Moroccan community living abroad will be channeled to the Special Fund dedicated to receiving voluntary solidarity contributions for managing the consequences of the earthquake.

    A devastating earthquake which struck Morocco last Saturday has led to loss of over 3,000 people with similar number receiving medication in various hospitals across the country.

    The match will be staged at the 38,000 seater  Stade Bollaert-Delelis in Lens, France  from 9: 30pm EAT.

  • Kenya to host 6th International Expo at Sarit Center

    Kenya to host 6th International Expo at Sarit Center

    Kenya is set to host the 6th international export from 21-23 rd September, 2023 at Sarit Expo Center.

    The event is a partnership between AFRIPEAK EXPO and the Kenya Investment Authority – KENINVEST , Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry -KNCCI .

    The three day event will attract investors from across China and Africa.

    This comes as Kenya has announced plans to increase its direct foreign investments from China by 10 percent by December this year from the Current  341 million dollars in investment from the Asian nation .

    speaking during the media briefing, The managing Director of Kenya Investment Authority Ms June Chepkemei said the upcoming Kenya International Industrial Expo slated for the 21st to 23rd of this month at Sarit Center will provides Kenya the opportunity for more collaborations as Kenya seeks to foster a transition toward environmentally conscious industrial practice aligning with the Kenya kwanza plan for ensuring safe climate mitigation process.

    She also assured the investors that Kenya will utilize the business-to-business and business-to-consumer connections at exhibitions in order to fill the gap between the two countries. China is Kenya’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade rising rapidly from 186.37 million US Dollars in 2002 to 5.3 billion US dollars in 2018.

    However , Kenya’s trade deficit recently reached 7 billion US dollars due to the significant investment, trade deals, and developmental assistance it receives from China.

    The expo will among others ,showcase the latest advancements in clean energy, resource efficiency, and sustainable manufacturing processes, setting the stage for a future where industries can thrive without harming the planet.

    Over 30 local companies have been selected to showcase their products to international markets with 12 slots allocated freely.

    So far for the last five years the expo has attracted over 7000 professionals Africa and a turnover of over 500milllion USD has been gained.

    The 6th edition will focus on climate smart industrialization products in efforts to ensure climate safety.

    Entrance to the expo is free to all members of the public.

    Range of Exhibits includes ;Mechanical equipment, Environmental & Chemical, Building materials and hardware, Electric energy, Agricultural machinery, Complete vehicle and auto parts,housewares,Textile and Consumer goods.