The International Executive Committee of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) (https://www.AFRIMA.org), in conjunction with the African Union Commission (AUC), released the official list of nominees for the edition of 2022.
Download document 1: https://bit.ly/3UrlFBH Download document 2: https://bit.ly/3BxWapB Download document 3: https://bit.ly/3Lw03Qw Selected from a total of 9,067 entries submitted, the highest number ever recorded by the awards, since its inception: the AFRIMA jury selected a total of 382 nominations in 39 categories, to represent the five regions of Africa, as well as the diaspora.
Let us remember that the jury, made up of a 12-member panel of musical experts, in addition to the AUC, held a 10-day adjudication, in July, to select the best entries of the contest to make up the list.
Importantly, only entries within the validity period of August 20, 2021 to August 5, 2022 were considered for nomination for this year's awards.
Leading the nominations regionally this year is the West African region, with 134 nominations, representing 35 percent; while the East African region follows closely with 69 nominations, representing 18 percent; the southern African region is closely vying with 68 nominations, representing 17.8 percent; while Central Africa attracts its weight with 52 nominations, representing 13.6 percent; while the North African region follows closely behind with 49 nominations, accounting for 12.8 percent.
In addition, the Global music region, which represents the music of non-Africans in the diaspora who are still contributing to the growth of the African region, adds 10 nominations to the list, representing 2.6 percent.
Dominating the list with the most nominations this year is South African maverick Costa Titch, with six nominations for his 2021 smash hit Big Flexa in "Song of the Year"; “Revelation Artist of the Year”; “Best African Collaboration”: “Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Electro”; and “Best Artist, Duo or Group in Use of African Dance/Choreography”.
Curiously, the Congolese teacher, Dadju, ties with six nominations, in addition, in “Best Male of Central Africa”; "The song of the year"; "Album of the year"; "Artist of the Year"; “Best African Act in the Diaspora”; and “Best Soundtrack for a Movie, Series or Documentary”.
Close behind the third-highest nominations is Ivorian rapper Didi B, who picks up five nominations for "Best Male Artist in West Africa"; "The song of the year"; "Album of the year"; “Best African Rapper/Lyricist”; “Best African Hip Hop Artist, Duo or Group”.
Again, tied with five nominations, there is also the Algerian disc jockey and record producer, in “Best Male Artist in North Africa”; "The song of the year"; “Best African DJ”; “Best African Act in the Diaspora”; and “Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Electro”.
Also, in third place among the highest nominations is another Algerian singer, Soolking, with five nominations in "Best Male Artist in North Africa"; "The song of the year"; "Album of the year"; "The best video"; and “Best African Act in the Diaspora”.
Lastly, closing the tie for artists with the third-highest nominations is Egyptian rapper and record producer, Wegz, with five nominations for “Best North African Male Artist”; "The song of the year"; “Producer of the Year”; "Artist of the Year"; and “Best Artist, Duo or Group in Contemporary Africa”.
Other artists with four nominations are the Nigerian mavericks, Burna Boy in “Best Male Artiste in Western Africa”; "The song of the year"; "Album of the year"; and “Artist of the Year”); Fireboy in “Best West African Male Artist”; "The song of the year"; “Producer of the Year”; "Artist of the Year"; and “Best African Collaboration”; Kizz Daniel in “Best West African Male Artist”; "The song of the year"; "Artist of the Year"; “Best African Collaboration”; and “Best African Pop Artist, Duo or Group”; and Tiwa Savage for “Best West African Female Artist”; "Artist of the Year"; “Best African Collaboration”; and “Best Artist, Duo or Group in African RnB/Soul”.
The other African superstars with four nominations are Zakes Bantwini (South Africa) in “Best Male Artist from Southern Africa”; “Best African DJ”; "Artist of the Year"; and “Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Electro”; Marwan Moussa (Egypt) in “Best North African Male Artist”; “Best African Rapper/Lyricist”; “Revelation Artist of the Year”; and “Best African Hip Hop Artist, Duo or Group”; and Nomfundo Moh (South Africa) in “Best Southern African Female Artist”; "Album of the year"; “Revelation Artist of the Year”; and “Best Artist, Duo or Group in African RnB/Soul”.
Interestingly, artists who were recognized in the "Most Promising" category last year, whose current nominations indicate significant growth in their respective artistic work include: Ckay (Nigeria) in "Producer of the Year"; "Artist of the Year"; and “Best African Pop Artist, Duo or Group”; Ruger (Nigeria) in “Best Artiste in African Reggae, Ragga and Dancehall”; El Grande Toto (Morocco) in “Best North African Male Artist”; and “Revelation Artist of the Year”.
Commenting on the list of nominations, AFRIMA jury member representing the Southern African Region, Adam Tiran, said: “The wide variety of music from across the continent that we considered in awarding AFRIMA, for the awards of this year, it's amazing.
It's really heartening to see so many African superstars on the list, as well as other rising stars who have had an amazing year and eventually many new musical discoveries.
The future is bright for the continent!” It is important to note that the public voting portal for the AFRIMA 2022 edition will be available on Sunday, September 25, 2022 at 12:00 pm central time.
African music lovers on the continent and around the world can visit the official website www.AFRIMA.org to vote.
Voting closes at 12:00 (CAT), December 10, 2022, before the main AFRIMA awards ceremony.
“The list of nominees comprises 29 continental award categories and 10 regional award categories published for public voting on www.AFRIMA.org.
The remaining category for the "Legend Award" will be announced at the awards.
In addition, this year we recovered the category “Best Soundtrack in a Movie, Series or Documentary”, due to the availability of quality tickets for this year's edition.
Let's remember that we had to suspend it, last year, due to lack of quality tickets.
“Overall, we are very proud and confident in our work, and we will continue to intensify our efforts to ensure that AFRIMA remains the highest recognition of African music globally in line with its vision”, Head of Culture, Jury Commission of the African Union Angela Martins said.
Meanwhile, the 2022 All Africa Music Awards will now take place from December 8 to 11, 2022.
A special announcement regarding the host country and location of the awards will be made on September 30, 2022.
AFRIMA awards will feature a 4-day party of music, glitz and glamor with the aim of celebrating Africa, recognizing talents and expanding the economic frontiers of culture and the creative industry on the continent.
The event is scheduled to kick off with the welcome evening, followed by the AFRIMA Music Village, host city tour, Africa Music Business Summit and exclusive nominees party, and concluded with the live broadcast of the award ceremony.
awards to more than 84 countries around the world.
African music lovers can participate in events on social media, stream live on the AFRIMA website at www.AFRIMA.org and visit social media platforms (Instagram/Facebook – Afrima.official; Twitter – Aframawards), and you can watch the event coverage by tuning in to your local and cable TV providers.
In partnership with the African Union Commission, AFRIMA is a youth-focused music platform that recognizes and rewards the work and talent of African artists across generations.
AFRIMA primarily stimulates conversations among Africans and also the rest of the world, especially about the potential of the creative arts to foster real human enterprise, as well as contributing significantly to social cohesion as well as sustainable development in Africa.
The Events Program is in line with the AU Agenda 2063, which describes Aspiration 05 as the development of the arts and culture sector, including its cultural and creative industries, to drive the development of the African economy.
Some farmers in the South South have bemoaned their huge loss of agricultural products and farmlands to flooding, resulting in waste of resources, hike in food prices and food insecurity.
They said their woes were becoming an annual occurrence, even as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) warned on Monday that 13 states, including those in the region would experience heavy floods this year.
The farmers in a survey by the News Agency of Nigeria lamented that some of them borrowed money for their agriculture businesses, but had not been able to pay back their loans due to flood menace.
However, experts have, among other suggestions, said that to stem the trend, government should develop flood surviving crops for farmlands prone to flooding.
They urged farmers to always insure their businesses to be able to stand firm in the case of eventualities.
The respondents said this would alleviate the sufferings of the farmers as well as impact positively on food production and prices.
According to Mr Ernest Ovat of Araghara Community in Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River, the community witnessed a huge destruction of farmlands and agricultural produce due to massive flooding in August.
Ovat said that the river in the area overflowed into the community and destroyed not only farmlands but lives and properties.
He said earlier in the year, the people had a similar situation during which flood swept away not just farms but killed a member of the community.
“Obubra being one of the largest producers of cassava in the state lost huge cassava, yam and rice farms owing to the havoc by flood,’’ he said.
The Vice Chairman of the local government area, Mrs Peace Obeten, urged the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to assist the residents who lost their farmlands, produce, houses and loved ones.
Mr Nkor Nathaniel, Director Agricultural Services, Cross River Ministry of Agriculture, said, “Floods may be natural but their impacts on agriculture can be minimised if farmers adhere to meteorological reports.
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He said that the reports might not be accurate but could give good predictions of areas a farmer should avoid each year.
He urged the nation’s agricultural research institutes to assist farmers by developing Genetically Modified Crops (GMOs) that could withstand extreme weather conditions such as drought and flood.
Nathaniel said he was aware of some rice varieties that could withstand flood but not aware of any variety of cassava, yam and other crops developed to do so.
He added that to reduce flooding of farming communities, their should be proper drainage system, stoppage of felling of trees along rivers banks, among others.
In Rivers, Mr Goodwin Akandu, Chairman, Etche Cooperative Farmers Association noted that several farms in parts of Ahoada-East, Ahoada-West, Etche, Ikwerre and LGAs recorded high loss of tuber crops.
According to him, farmers in Umu-agwo and Okoro-agwu farm settlements in Etche area had sad experiences as many cassava farms were destroyed during a flood incident.
Mrs Edith Owolo, another farmer in Ahoada-West area said that a communal farmland measuring three hectares and shared amongst three cassava-farmer cooperative groups, was destroyed by flood this year.
She lamented that each of the group invested over a million Naira on agro-inputs as well as N3 million on labour, but lost everything to flood.
Meanwhile, Mr Godwin Odigie, Head, Department of Agriculture, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Council, Edo, has articulated the negative effects of flooding on farmlands, saying it erodes the nutrients of top soil.
He says that by this, flooding reduces the soil organic nature which results in poor yield.
Odigie said that flood could turn a farmland into erosion and gully sites.
Mr Joseph Akpofabe, Public Relations Officer, Benin Operation Office of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), said that flood bred parasites which caused reduction of feed intake of livestock.
According to him, flooding is a conducive breeding ground for parasites in fish pond and fish pond overflow.
‘’It enhances diseases associated with livestock, affects poultry health and performance negatively as well as reduce egg production and life span of the birds,’’ said.
On his part, Mr Izibeken Otiti, a farmer in Bayelsa, said that besides the direct effect, the submergence of farmlands flooding created complex abiotic stress on crops.
He said the combination of all the physical and chemical alterations caused by flooding could substantially reduce crop growth and yield.
“The intensification of the hydrological cycle due to climate warming is projected to alter the timing, magnitude, and frequency of extreme floods,’’ he said.
In Delta, a mechanised rice farmer and former commissioner, Mr Raymos Guanah said: ‘’Flood-based farming systems are underappreciated and poorly understood by governments and relevant stakeholders.
”To realize the full potential, governance must be improved by familiarising policy makers, extension workers, academics and other water professionals with the potential for and benefits of floods-based farming.
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Another mechanised farmer in Ugbolu, near Asaba, Mr Samuel Dike, said some farmers still did not know the type of crops to plant in their areas, especially when approaching the rainy season.
”Farmer who borrowed money to finance their farms keep recalling the damage caused by flood on their farmlands.
”Some don’t even recover from these damages, and each year, they still repeat the same mistake,” he added.
Dike, however, urged government to ensure sensitisation of farmers on the need to change the varieties of their crops in consideration of their farm sites.
An environmentalist, Ms Theresa Omame, noted that most homes depended solely on subsistence farming, even as agriculture suffered mostly from impact of flooding.
She said that any impact of flooding on their crops, poultry, fisheries and vegetables might cost them their livelihood, income, economy and investment as well as devastate them.
‘’As you know, most farmers are subsistence and depends solely on agriculture and when the flood takes over their farms, they become frail and impoverished.
“The challenge of the farmers is that they do not insure their businesses and the high collateral-based interest rates by banks remains a major factor.
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She noted that government, through NEMA and State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) had tried to mitigate the impact of the natural disaster by providing some kind of succor to the victims.
She, however, said that government should do more and not allow farmers to be out of business in order to ensure food security and economic boost.
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Norsworthy Agro Allied Company Limited and Delta State Government have partnered to develop over 250,000 oil palm trees in order to boost job creation and food security in the country.
The company made this known in a statement posted on its website on Wednesday and obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.
The statement said the Delta Governor, Mr Ifeanyi Okowa and Chief Gabriel Ogbechie, Chairman of Norsworthy Agro Allied Company Limited, recently inspected the palm plantation and refinery together.
Speaking after the inspection, Ogbechie said the palm trees were being cultivated in over 1,400 hectares of land owned by Akwukwu-Igbo, Ugbolu and Ilah communities in Oshimili North Local Council of the state.
Ogbechie said that the company was planning to expand further with the acquisition of additional 600 hectares of land at Ubulu-Uku in Aniocha South Local Government Area.
“This giant stride being undertaken by Norsworthy is largely justified by the fact that palm oil is a key ingredient in the production of several items in the market and these include soap, cosmetics, biscuits, pharmaceuticals, margarine, detergent, lubricants, candles, feed stock and so on.
“If the global palm oil market demand is anything to go by, there is undoubtedly the need for any wise investor like Norsworthy to cash in, on the existing opportunity to put their money where the returns on investment would certainly be in high digits”, he added.
Ogbechie, who is also the Chairman of Rainoil Limited, thanked the government for the support towards the execution of the project.
In his remarks, Okowa called for more investments in agricultural development to curb rising food insufficiency in Nigeria.
He said that oil palm production was one area that wealthy Delta people and Nigerians could invest in to create job opportunities and economic development of the people.
Okowa stated that he believed in the partnership because it would help the immediate community and the environment.
The governor noted that no fewer than 300 workers were engaged on daily basis by the company.
He commended the management and staff of Norsworthy Farms, the Obi of Akuku-Igbo and the people of Illah for their support and cooperation towards the successful take-off of the project.
Okowa added that the construction of the 13.5km Ugbolu-Akwukwu-Igbo road by his administration would enhance quick access to the farm for the economic development of the area.
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The Vice President of Parliament, Rvdo. The Honorable Thomas Tayebwa, has directed the Secretary of Parliament to prevent committees from conducting field activities while Parliament is sitting.
The directive was issued during his address to the House on Tuesday, September 20, 2022.
The vice president said behavior he called "unacceptable" had come to the attention of leadership.
“Attendance at plenary sessions has suffered at the hands of members attending committee activities in the field; I order the Secretary to stop an activity that coincides with the sessions”, he added.
Tayebwa said that there was a lot of work to be done and that business on the House Floor that was falling behind should be prioritized.
Parliament, under normal circumstances, meets from Tuesday to Thursday each week.
There are 29 committees of Parliament.
Nigeria remains an attractive investment destination of West Africa and other parts of the world, Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi has said.
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Bagudu made this known when the Chairman of WACOT Rice Company, Alhaji Faruk Gumel visited the governor at the Government House, Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday.
The governor expressed optimism that Nigerian Rice Farmers could double their production with the application of scientific methods which he described as necessary in the modern time.
He thanked WACOT for supporting farmers with improved rice seeds, and expressed happiness that the company has demonstrated that Nigeria is an investment destination.
Bagudu pointed out that the second rice mill established by WACOT in Argungu was a testimony to this objective which has also facilitated self sufficiency in rice production attained by the country.
“WACOT has really demonstrated that this is real and we can feed our immediate neighbours and other parts of the world especially with rice.
“The farmers are now doubling their capacity and work is in progress.
They have promised to commission the project before May 29, 2023 and from what I saw, it will be real.
“Nigeria is a big market for rice and that efforts of WACOT in the state had boosted financial inclusion,” he said.
He recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari assumed leadership of Nigeria in 2015 when the world economy was in crisis and we don’t have money to import food that we were used to importing.
“Buhari decided that Nigerians will eat what they grow and grow what they eat and he launched Anchor Borrowers Programme in 2015.
“Alhaji Gumel was instrumental to that happy development and WACOT immediately took-off in Kebbi state,” he said.
He recalled the robust partnership between Kebbi State and Lagos State that gave birth to Lake Rice, saying, “it really worked well.
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Responding, Gumel briefed the governor on the purpose of their visit which according to him is on ensuring enhanced agricultural production with possible support from financial institutions.
Gumel who is also the Chairman Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority said the firm was expanding its rice mill and doubling its capacity.
He said that the visit was part of activities to mark WACOT’s partnership with USAID, tagged: “Rice Enhancement and Financial Inclusion Programme.
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The chairman said WACOT will inaugurate the financial inclusion programme towards capturing the non-banking farmers in the state, and also to highlight the progress made and assess the impact of the activities of the company.
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“In the last two years, it has really been difficult to get people to be banked and we are here to change the narrative,” Gumel said.
An official from Lagos State and Director, Rice Value Chain, Mr Balogun Wakilu Olabode commended Bagudu for laying the foundation of agricultural revival in Nigeria especially rice production, saying that the brain-child of the governor, “Lakerice”, is the most popular choice among Lagosians.
An official of WACOT, Mrs Habiba Suleiman presented a progress report of the company.
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The Adamawa government has approved N821 million for construction of township roads and street lighting projects in three local government areas of the state.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Dr Umar Pela made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Yola on Wednesday.
According to him, the approval followed resolutions of the State Executive Council (SEC), to fast track implementation of the Urban Renewal Programme initiated by Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri’s administration.
He said that N329 million of the amount has been provided for the construction of additional one-kilometre Jada – Mbulo road.
He said the contract was awarded to Messrs Triacta Nigeria Limited, as variation on the ongoing construction of 4.8km Jada township road.
“The decision to increased the length of the project was informed by the recent visit of Gov. Fintiri to Jada,” he said.
The Commissioner disclosed that the council also approved N492 million for installation of integrated solar streetlights at Atiku Abubakar Way in Jimeta, Yola South and Mubi township roads in Mubi LGA.
“About N492million would be spent on the projects expected to be completed within three months,” he said.
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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says it is ready to sign a final agreement with Lebanon at the earliest possible to unlock aid for the crisis-hit country.
The managing director of IMF, Kristalina Georgieva, said this during her meeting with Lebanese Prime Ministe, Najib Mikati, on the sidelines of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“We also want to complete the required steps from Lebanon, including the approval of reform projects in the parliament and addressing the exchange rate issue,” she said.
She added that the international interest in Lebanon is still there, but the required steps should be exp
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The Child Protection Section (CPS) of the Mission in the DRC announced on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 in Bunia, Ituri, that it had facilitated the withdrawal of 235 children from armed groups in this province.
These children had been detained in the ranks of the armed groups since January 2021.
The announcement was made at a two-day workshop on the validation of the operational plan for the Demobilization, Disarmament and Reintegration of children.
The plan foresees, among other things, the establishment of listening clubs for children, spaces for children's friends or even transition families that serve as temporary reception centers for demobilized children.
The workshop, which brought together various partners working on the protection of children's rights, state actors, FARDC, PNC and United Nations agencies (UNICEF, UNHCR) and CPS MONUSCO, aimed to involve all these partners in the efforts to hand over the children who are still in the bush so that they can rejoin civilian life and enjoy their right to education.
The NGOs for the defense and protection of children's rights that participated in this workshop urged the government to put more pressure on the leaders of the armed groups favorable to the peace process so that they release the other detained children for their reintegration into civilian life.
Reintegrating children into the community "A child's place is not in an armed group or an army, but in the family or at school," said Jean Muzama, head of MONUSCO's child protection section in Bunia.
“Sometimes it is after the clashes between the army and the militiamen that we recover these children.
In other cases, we collect them from the military prosecutor's office to hand them over to UNICEF, which then handles their reunification.
[with their families].
Our mandate is also to recover children who escape from armed groups by their own means.
Once we collect them, we do screenings, interviews and other verifications, to make sure that they really are children… This work involves discussions with armed groups, with all the risks you can imagine,” he explained.
Children recovered by CPS/MONUSCO are handed over to UNICEF for care, reunification, and reintegration into the community.
According to Jean Muzama, there would still be between 30 and 40% of children within the various armed groups active in Ituri province.
A situation that negatively impacts the communities from which these children are recruited.
Some are forced to join these militias as part of the “war effort” imposed on their parents by armed groups who make them believe they are taking up arms to defend their communities.
Other children simply follow their comrades, for lack of occupation and opportunity for social supervision.
Still others are recruited for economic reasons: the lure of profit.
"The many cattle raids during militia raids, looting and other extortion carried out by the rebels attract children who find a way to feed themselves," says an anonymous source.
A consolidated plan tailored to the needs of DDR children In almost every village in the Djugu, Irumu, Mambasa, Mahagi and Aru territories, youth and children are forced to join armed groups to increase their numbers.
The paradox is that the communities from which these children come become victims of the violence and abuse of their own children used by these same armed groups.
The operational plan for the Demobilization, Disarmament and Reintegration of children (DDR-children) aims to be a tool, better still, a guide adapted to the operational framework of DDR-children that takes into account the capacities and opportunities to respond to the needs of demobilization of children in Ituri.
This is an important tool insofar as it allows the actors to work together on two issues, the first related to the community aspect and the second to stabilization.
It also makes it possible to identify the actors and their capacities in terms, for example, of trained agents who can facilitate the departure of children from armed groups, but also of opportunities in terms of psychosocial care structures for victims of sexual violence.
(including schools, playgrounds, host families, etc.) present in the different areas to receive and care for the children after they have left the armed groups.
Finally, this plan is a consensual guide that accurately traces the cartography of all the actors involved in DDR-children, their role and the reference circuit in each territory and in the city for the care and socioeconomic reintegration of children.
Namely, the children of the armed groups.
MONUSCO, through the Child Protection section, plays an important role in the process of separation and withdrawal of children from armed groups before and during the actual demobilization phase of members of armed groups.
It organizes bilateral discussions, sometimes with the commanders of the armed groups to make them aware of the unconditional release of children who are within their groups, sometimes with community leaders for the reception and acceptance of these children.
In general, MONUSCO is working to ensure that there are no children within the various armed groups by changing their behavior so that they no longer recruit children into their ranks.
Between nightmares and traumas, a ray of hope...
Happy to find freedom and an "almost normal" life at the end of this "hell", these children released from armed groups do not hide the pleasure of having "escaped death".
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Among the many "success stories" of these children released from armed groups (in 2008), is that of Eric (first name used for security reasons).
He was able to go to school until he got a college degree.
Married, father of two children, he is now a staff member of one of the organizations that monitor and support the children of the armed groups in Bunia.
He says he is proud to contribute to the recovery of these children who escaped death...
However, not everyone will have the same luck.
According to testimonies of his supervisors, many have nightmares at night, others show signs of aggression.
Still others are victims of urinary incontinence due to trauma.
It is also an opportunity to take a look at the remarkable work carried out by these social agents and protection actors who, day after day, in the Transit and Orientation Centers (CTO), work together with these children to re-teach them, sometimes, simple gestures of everyday life.
Here, these children spend about three months, before being reunited with their families, of course, after risk assessment in the community with their parents.
Thus, these social agents (psychologists and other social workers) carry out preparatory work upstream to assess protection risks in relation to the presence of armed groups against reprisals from the community itself.
Then there is the awareness stage for the acceptance of these children by the community before their social reintegration for a peaceful return and to avoid the stigmatization that would be a new factor in their return to the armed groups.
U.
S President, Joe Biden is due to address the 77th General Debate of the UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday.
In a break with tradition, Biden’s appearance came on the second day of the high-level annual diplomatic event instead of the first, the delay was due to Biden’s attendance of Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral in London on Monday.
Other high-profile world leaders due to address the 193-member assembly on Wednesday include Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and British Prime Minister Liz Truss.
Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky is also due to give a speech on Wednesday, though he would be speaking by video, after a motion allowing him to address the body remotely due to the war in Ukraine was approved by UN member states.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine had overshadowed this year’s speeches so far as well as topping the agenda of many meetings on the event’s sidelines.
UN Secretary General, António Guterres and Brazilian, President Jair Bolsonaro were among those who gave speeches to the General Assembly on Tuesday.
Over 140 heads of state and government were expected to have attended the week-long event by the time it ended on Monday.
Russian President, Vladimir Putin is not attending, however but had sent Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to represent Moscow instead.
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The Ethiopia Investment Commission (EIC) said the country has attracted 3.31 billion U.
S. dollars in foreign direct investment (FDI) in the 20212022 fiscal year which ended on July 7.
EIC said in a statement that 168 investors took out investment licenses during the 20212022 fiscal year.
It said 100 investors took out manufacturing sector investment licenses, 62 investors took investment licenses in the services sector, and six others got investment licenses in the agricultural sector.
EIC also said Ethiopia earned 202.5 million U.
S. dollars from industrial parks products exports in the 20212022 fiscal year.
The export earnings showed an increase of 24.4 million U.
S. dollars when compared to the 20202021 fiscal year.
In recent years, Ethiopia had embarked on industrial parks’ construction and commissioning activities, as part of a broad economic strategy to make the country a light manufacturing hub in Africa by 2025.
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