The government will consistently address the persistent human resource challenges that slow down the realisation of Universal Health Coverage, President William Ruto has said.

The President said the government will continually engage stakeholders in the health sector, including health workers’ unions, to promote industrial harmony and long-lasting solutions to the challenges.

He spoke at a meeting with the leadership of the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union led by Secretary-General Davji Atellah at State House, Nairobi.

On its part, the union committed to champion and support the universal healthcare agenda and the rolling out of social health insurance to all Kenyans.

Others present at the meeting were Health of Public Service Felix Koskei, Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha and Principal Secretary in the State Department of Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of President of the Republic of Kenya.

I am gravely concerned by the eruption of clashes in Al Fasher despite repeated calls to parties to the conflict to refrain from attacking the city.

I reiterate – the violence threatens the lives of over 800,000 civilians who reside in Al Fasher.

I am equally disturbed by reports of the use of heavy weaponry and attacks in highly populated areas in the city center and the outskirts of Al Fasher, resulting in multiple casualties.

Wounded civilians are being rushed to Al Fasher Hospital. Civilians trying to flee are trapped in fierce fighting.

Already months of escalating violence around the city has hampered the sustained flow of aid and basic commodities, pushing people to the brink of famine. The capacity of health facilities is severely depleted.

It is heartbreaking to see this nightmare unfolding – conflict continuing to spread engulfing large parts of the country.

And again, civilians – men, women, and children, paying the highest prices – their lives.

This must stop.

My plea to all parties engaged in the fighting is to uphold their international law obligations to protect civilians, and stop the fighting.

The world is watching as this tragedy unfolds.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA).

The final round of the 2024 Rugby Africa Women’s Cup organized by Rugby Africa (www.RugbyAfrique.com), the continental governing body of Rugby across Africa will be streamed live for the first time on RugbyPass TV (www.RugbyPass.com), official free streaming service of World Rugby, at 13:00 (East Africa Time) local time in Antananarivo, Madagascar on Sunday, May 12.

Defending champions, South Africa will compete against host nation Madagascar, to secure pathway for the 2025 Women’s World Cup in England. Runner-up will qualify for the WX3 tournament in Dubai scheduled for October 2024.

Launched in 2023, the official global streaming platform of World Rugby (www.World.Rugby), Rugby Pass TV, aims to grow the global game by making rugby more accessible to fans worldwide for free. The live streaming of the Rugby Africa Women’s tournament on Rugby Pass TV highlights the growing interest in women’s rugby across the African continent. This occasion provides an opportunity for fans to support their teams and experience the thrill of the game. The match will also be live streamed on Super Sport YouTube Page, Rugby Africa Facebook and YouTube Page. In addition to live stream, the final round will be broadcasted on SuperSport.

The Rugby Africa Women’s Tournament is a continental rugby union competition organized by Rugby Africa. Participating countries in the three round tournaments include Cameroon, Kenya, Madagascar and South Africa. All three rounds of the women’s tournament are actively taking at the Stadis Makis in Antananrivo, Madagascar, following commencement on May 4. It is the second time Madagascar is hosting the Rugby Africa Women’s tournament, having done so successfully in 2023.

The final round of the Rugby Africa’ Women’s Cup will be kicking of at 13:00 (East Africa Time), with Kenya’ Lionesses competing against Cameroon. Followed by the deciding match South Africa’s Springboks and Madagascar at 15:00 (East Africa Time). 

To Access Live Stream:

RugbyPass TV: https://apo-opa.co/3USxcMu
SuperSport: https://apo-opa.co/3wkaZ0E
Rugby Africa YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/3WD8NvD
Rugby Africa Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4dAAXgY

To View Broadcast:
SuperSport Linear: Channel 244

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Rugby Africa.

Media contact:
Nicole Vervelde
Communications Advisor to the President of Rugby Africa
rugby@apo-opa.com

About Rugby Africa:
Rugby Africa (www.RugbyAfrique.com) is the governing body of rugby in Africa and one of the regional associations under World Rugby. It unites all African countries that play rugby union, rugby sevens, and women’s rugby. Rugby Africa organizes various competitions, including the qualifying tournaments for the Rugby World Cup and the Africa Sevens, a qualifying competition for the Olympic Games. With 39 member unions, Rugby Africa is dedicated to promoting and developing rugby across the continent. World Rugby highlighted Ghana, Nigeria and Zambia as three of the six emerging nations experiencing strong growth in rugby.

Many African countries are harnessing gas and other cleaner and greener energies to drive their industrialisation journey. African countries including Ghana and Nigeria are investing in gas infrastructure and promoting its utilisation, and by extension are addressing energy poverty and environmental challenges.

The Honourable Minister of Energy for Ghana, H.E. Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, who recently confirmed his participation in the NOG Energy Week, taking place from 30 June to 4 July at the ICC, Abuja, amplified the need for competitive financing to propel natural gas projects.  

Nigeria, boasting gas reserves of over 200TCF, recently announced plans to execute a gas strategy that will trigger the nations industrialisation and economic growth. NNPC Limited’s Executive Vice President for Upstream, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, shared the organisation’s plans to deepen domestic gas utilisation for power generation in a bid to support the manufacturing sector. 

To transform the energy sector in West Africa, leveraging natural gas to drive economic growth and development is key. Gas for industrialisation contributes to increasing energy transition progress across the region. From revitalising key industries to fostering innovation, the strategic focus on gas underscores a commitment to propel West Africa towards a future built on energy security and economic resilience. Through the Decade of Gas Initiative by the Nigerian government, industry leaders have continually conveyed a collaborative approach aimed at unlocking the country’s energy resources.

To drive progress in Sub-Saharan Africa’s energy market, energy stakeholders, government officials, regulators, and key industry players are convening at NOG Energy Week 2024 to deliberate on policies aimed at meeting West Africa’s energy demand. The event, themed “Showcasing Opportunities. Driving Investment. Meeting Energy Demand.”, is scheduled to take place from 30 June – 4 July at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja. 

Speaking on what stakeholders should expect at NOG Energy Week 2024 (www.NOGEenergyweek.com), the Country Director – Nigeria&Portfolio Director – Africa for dmg events, Wemimo Oyelana, said,

“Our commitment for almost 25 years has been to provide a platform where industry leaders can have frank conversations that proffer solutions to the different challenges the industry is facing. NOG Energy Week has contributed significantly to key policy development&implementation over the years. We look forward to having industry stakeholders discuss pertinent issues including; Attracting International and Regional Funding Into Nigeria’s Energy Sector, Optimising the Significance of Natural Gas as the Fuel Of Choice, and Driving Industrialisation as a Catalyst for Economic Growth. 

Expected government officials and industry leaders at NOG Energy Week 2024 are; H.E. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), H.E. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Minister of Energy, Ghana, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, Commission Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engr. Farouk Ahmed, Authority Chief Executive, Nigerian Midstream&Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mele Kolo Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer,  NNPC Limited, Elohor Aiboni, Managing Director, Shell Nigeria’s Exploration and Production Company Limited, Dr. Philip Mshelbila, Managing Director&Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria LNG, Eberechukwu Oji, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, ND Western, Dr Ernest Azudialu – Obiejesi OFR, Chairman, Nestoil Limited, Adewale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive, Oando PLC, Julius Rone OFR, Group Managing Director, UTM FLNG Limited, Daere Akobo. F.IoD, F.IMC, CMC, Group Chief Executive Officer, PANA Holdings, among others.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of NOG Energy Week.

About NOG Energy Week:
NOG Energy Week 2024 is produced by dmg Nigeria events, a subsidiary of dmg Events with over 80 Conferences and Exhibitions across the world such as Adipec, and Gastech. The 23rd edition of the event will unite leaders, policymakers, regulators, and professionals from across the globe in the oil, gas and energy industry to address energy transition and transformation, as well as emerging business opportunities within the country.

Alongside the Strategic Conference, NOG Energy Week 2024 will also host an international Exhibition, leadership roundtables, a plethora of networking events, and an award ceremony to recognise exceptional achievements and contributions within Nigeria’s energy industry.

For further information about NOG Energy Week 2024, please visit www.NOGEenergyweek.com.