Category: APO-OPA

LONDON, United-Kingdom, September 3, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — James Duddridge visits Abuja today to discuss regional coordination in the fight against terrorist group Boko Haram

Speaking this morning before the Ministerial meeting on security in Nigeria, the Minister for Africa said:

“I welcome the Government of Nigeria’s decision to host this important meeting on security in Nigeria. It is vital we continue the momentum generated at the 12 June Ministerial meeting in London.

“I look forward to speaking to regional and international partners on the progress made in implementing the decisions we made in London, including on regional intelligence sharing and regional coordinated border patrols. Boko Haram is a growing threat to peace and stability in the region, and regional coordination between Nigeria and its neighbours remains crucial to defeating the extremists and locating the missing Chibok girls.

“In London, the UK announced a substantial package of military, security and development assistance. I will be updating partners on the significant progress made on implementation of this package, whilst underlining that respect for human rights and safeguarding the civilian population remain the key pillars of our support.

“Most importantly, with our French, US and other international partners, we will today again reiterate our common stance that we cannot, and will not, tolerate Boko Haram’s brutal and inhumane crimes.”

GENEVA, Switzerland, September 3, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — As the threat of food shortages and hunger loom over families in many areas in Kenya, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is appealing for 8.5 million Swiss francs (9.25 million US dollars) to support Kenya Red Cross Society in providing immediate assistance to meet the critical needs of affected communities, and to take the necessary actions to mitigate the situation before it becomes catastrophic.

The poor rainfall between March and May – supposed to be the wettest months of the year – has affected the production of food and livestock for many households. The situation has also been worsened by increasing food prices, driven by the increase in fuel costs and general inflation, which continue to erode the purchasing power of individuals and families.

Abbas Gullet, Secretary General of the Kenya Red Cross Society, said: “The Red Cross is in a position now to make a difference – as long as funds are available. As we learned in 2011, without the immediate action to address Kenya’s humanitarian needs and to respond to the warning signs of a crisis in already vulnerable communities, it will lead to tragedy, and we are already very late.”

The Kenya Red Cross will focus its response operations in six priority counties with funds from the appeal.

After the devastating 2011 drought in East Africa, the governments in the region had agreed to take a different approach to put a halt on drought related emergencies, by focusing and investing more in early actions and risk management to prevent these emergencies from becoming large-scale crises.

Three years later, the investments and gains that have been made towards this effort could very well be overturned if action is not taken now to address thee current food crisis in Kenya. If the situation becomes more severe, there is significant risk that people who are still in need might not be reached with assistance, and those who have already been engaged and supported, might fall back into a state of crisis.

The Red Cross’ intervention will focus on improving access to safe water – for both human consumption and for livestock – essential health and nutrition services, school feeding programmes, support to livelihood activities such as distribution of seeds in marginal agricultural areas, and the procurement of replanting kits for farmers in previously implemented integrated food security and livelihood projects. Livelihood efforts such as these will help to maximize the opportunity for early planting in the next rainy season.

Since the 2011 drought, the Kenya Red Cross Society and IFRC have been working together closely to steer forward the ‘working differently’ agenda by driving both operational research and advocacy at national and regional levels to invest in early actions.

“The IFRC, Kenya Red Cross Society and its partners are committed to focusing on early actions and to managing risks through a long-term strengthening community resilience strategy. Responding to a disaster once it occurs is no longer good enough,” said Elhadj As Sy, Secretary General of the IFRC, during his visit to East Africa to discuss the food security crisis in the region. “Early action means ‘different’ and not just ‘earlier’. Risks and threats don’t always have to become disasters, there are ways to prevent and mitigate issues so that they don’t become catastrophic.”

Governments, regional and international actors must work together to ensure that the next drought does not turn into another humanitarian crisis. It is now time for all involved to demonstrate concrete action, and it is critical for the Red Cross to gather the support it requires to respond to the needs on the ground and scale up its activities now.

ACCRA, Ghana, September 3, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — SkyVision Global Networks Ltd. (http://www.skyvision.net), a leadingglobal communications provider, today announced the recent donation of its satellite connectivity solutions to further support students at Ghana’s Crossover International Academy. SkyVision’s donation included upgrading the academy’s communications equipment with the support of VT iDirect, and providing Internet connectivity for an additional year, enabling students to access online educational programs and related e-learning tools.

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/skyvision.jpg

Photo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/140903-1.jpg

In 2013, the first phase of this charitable project was initiated jointly by SkyVision and iDirect, a world leader in satellite-based IP communications technology. SkyVision’sSkyDirect VSAT service based on iDirect’s platform was installed and deployed throughout the academy, delivering reliable Internet access to all students.

Located in the remote village of Tongor-Attokrokpo, Ghana, all of Crossover’s students are orphans, supported by charitable donations from around the globe. SkyVision’s extension project will provide quality satellite communications throughout the school, considered by the faculty, as a ‘lifeline’ for continued learning. Internet provides the students with access to streaming video, social media, and email, and offers online programs such as the Khan Academy for mathematics, and PRO for reading and comprehension. The extended Internet service will enable over 250 students to enjoy the benefits of global connectivity, enjoying online programming in the classroom and the opportunity to communicate with the outside world, far removed from their remote villages.

“Without SkyVision stepping up and once again, donating a second year of Internet service, we would have been forced to shut down our e-learning programs, comments James Conti, Co-Founder and CEO, Wings for Crossover. “Seeing the joy in the students’ faces every morning reminds us how much they appreciate this truly generous gift.”

Chad Cooper, Co-Founder, Wings for Crossover, adds, “SkyVision has enabled our students to be educated and to rise above their often difficult circumstances. As a result of SkyVision’s generosity, these children will have the chance to break the cycle of poverty through education, make better lives for themselves, and for the generations to follow.”

“We are both proud and honored to support Crossover and the many students in need of education. It has been a pleasure to follow and be part of this important and life-changing project”, stated Tzvika Zaiffer, Director of Product Management & Marketing.

Ori Watermann, SkyVision CEO, comments, “We are committed to giving back to the global communities in which we work and education is a fundamental stepping stone towards these children’s growth and success. This project is proof of the significance and importance of satellite communications in education. SkyVision is proud to support the future in this developing nation, starting with its children, it’s most vital resource.”

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of SkyVision Global Networks Ltd.

For more information, contact:

Iris Tovim

Marketing Communications Director

SkyVision Global Networks

+44 20 8387 1750

irist@skyvision.net

About Crossover International Academy

Crossover International Academy was founded by David Yayravi. It is a school dedicated to helping children who are former slaves from the nearby fishing industry or children who have otherwise been orphaned. Crossover serves as a home, a school, and a family for children in the Lake Volta region of Ghana. Over the last couple of years, Crossover has established itself as the leading educational institutional in the region. Wings for Crossover, a nonprofit organization, was founded in 2013 by Jim Conti and Chad Cooper, to assist the Academy with much-needed services and support. Since its founding, the organization has grown and it has successfully begun to meet the stated objectives. For more information, visit the website at: www.wingsforcrossover.org.

About SkyVision

SkyVision is (http://www.skyvision.net) a global communications service provider, offering comprehensive, integrated solutions to meet all corporate, government and telco market requirements. With an emphasis on its customers’ local or regional requirements, SkyVision offers superior network connectivity solutions. Known for its innovative approach, the company offers an extensive suite of both customized solutions and industry-standard services for end-to-end IP connectivity (http://www.skyvision.net/enterprise-solutions), managed from its international gateways and selected local hubs. SkyVision’s global-reaching network connects its customers to the Internet backbone with more than ten satellite platforms and a network of high-capacity fiber optic cables, via its gateways in Africa, Europe, North America and the Middle East as well as multiple points of presence (POPs) in Africa. SkyVision currently commands a satellite and fiber network IP connectivity (http://www.skyvision.net/service/fiber-solutions) spanning 100 countries. The company’s C-Band and Ku-Band VSAT network solutions (http://www.skyvision.net/services/lobby2/Internet%20Connectivity) draw on SkyVision’s extensive space segment inventory from leading satellite providers and its capacity is carefully tailored to customers’ individual needs for optimal cost-effectiveness. Visit http://www.skyvision.net.

DAKAR, Senegal, September 3, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — APO (African Press Organization) (http://www.apo-opa.com), the only press release newswire in Africa and the global leader in media relations relating to Africa, today released a calendar of non-working days in Africa (http://www.apo-opa.com/calendar.php) to assist professionals with pan-African responsibility in scheduling their activities.

APO logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/apo-african-press-organization-small.png

Photo : http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=782 (Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, Founder and CEO of APO (African Press Organization)

There were over 57 days of holidays in Africa during July 2014 mainly due to public holidays in different countries.

To save time and unnecessary headaches, checking the list of holidays in Africa becomes a must for any professional working across the continent or even within different regions.

“As a company providing services on a pan-African scale, we understand how non-working days can affect successful activities and objectives in Africa. Many working professionals and organizations operating in several African countries will benefit from this free tool as much as we do,” said Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, APO founder and CEO.

The calendar of non-working days in Africa is available here: http://www.apo-opa.com/calendar.php

Contact:

Aïssatou Diallo

bdm@apo-opa.org

+41 22 534 96 97

About APO

APO (African Press Organization) (http://www.apo-opa.com) is the sole press release newswire in Africa and is a global leader in media relations relating to Africa.

With offices in Senegal, Switzerland, Dubai, Hong Kong, India, and Seychelles, APO owns a media database of over 100,000 contacts and is the main online community for Africa-related news.

It offers a complete range of services, including press release distribution and monitoring, online press conferences, interactive webcasts, media interactions, strategic advice, public diplomacy, government relations and events promotion. To find out more, please visit http://www.apo-opa.com.

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/apo_source

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GENEVA, Switzerland, September 3, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — WHO Virtual Press Conference following a consultation of international experts on potential Ebola therapies and vaccines

WHAT: Consultation on potential Ebola therapies and vaccines

On 4-5 September, the World Health Organization (WHO) will bring together key experts to discuss experimental therapies and vaccines with potential to treat or prevent Ebola virus disease.

Participants at the Geneva meeting will include technical experts from companies and organizations developing Ebola interventions and policymakers from Ebola-affected countries, ethicists, clinicians, researchers, regulators, and patient representatives.

A range of interventions, which include blood products, immune therapies, drugs and vaccines, are under different stages of development. None have yet been licensed for clinical use.

The purpose of this meeting is to:

• Review and evaluate the current state of development of interventions for Ebola virus disease (therapies and vaccines)

• Agree the overall objectives for a plan for evaluation and use of potential interventions,

• Identify and identify the most important actions that need to be taken

• Establish what support is required

In early August, an expert panel convened by WHO concluded that, in the particular circumstances of the current outbreak, and provided certain conditions are met, it is ethical to offer unproven interventions as potential treatments or for prevention of infection.

Information about the meeting, including the agenda, can be found at:

http://who.int/mediacentre/events/meetings/2014/ebola-interventions/en/

WHEN: The conclusions of the consultation will be announced during a Virtual Press Conference on Friday, 5 September, at 18:00 CEST.

WHERE: Journalists outside Geneva may dial in. Geneva-based journalists are invited to participate in person in the WHO Library Room, WHO Headquarters

Speaker: Dr Marie Paule Kieny, Assistant Director- General, WHO

Others ( TBC)

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, September 3, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — In cooperation with the African Union Commission, Entico Corporation are pleased to announce the Africa Climate Resilient Infrastructure Summit (http://www.enticoevents.com/…

JOHANNESBURG, South-Africa, September 3, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ —

• Ongoing collaboration between Philips and UJ provides medical students direct access to real life situations and technical know-how behind medical equipment in a contained setting

• Philips continues to combine the introduction of new innovations with dedicated focus on clinical education and training as part of its fifth consecutive Cairo to Cape Town roadshow

Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) (http://www.philips.com) in collaboration with the University of Johannesburg (“UJ”) (http://www.uj.ac.za) inaugurated a state-of-the-art medical training simulation lab on the University premises during the Johannesburg stopover of Philips’ fifth consecutive pan-African Cairo to Cape Town roadshow (http://www.philips.com/africaroadshow). This pioneering project will contribute to the hands-on training of medical students in South Africa by providing accurate simulations in imitated medical emergency settings.

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/philips-1.jpg

Photo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/140903p.jpg

The Simulation Lab project is part of Philips’ ambition to improve the quality of healthcare in South Africa through meaningful solutions, innovations and partnerships. Recognizing that lack of availability of trained and skilled healthcare professionals is an increasing challenge across Africa, Philips has been putting a lot of emphasis on education and training. Philips has equipped the Simulation Lab at UJ with medical equipment and diagnostic devices intended to facilitate the exposure of emergency care students and academic staff to current medical technologies and adequately prepare them to operate under a pressurised and intense work environment.

“It is important that students have a fully incorporated curriculum with simulation as a key component of teaching and assessment. Up until recently, staff and students made use of classrooms that were not purposefully designed for simulation-based learning. We started to explore ideas around creating an integrated, multi-disciplinary laboratory that would focus on teaching and assessment of clinical skills in a simulation environment. As a company focused on innovations in the healthcare sector, Philips has proved to be the ideal partner to bring this Simulation Laboratory concept to life,” says Dr Craig Lambert (http://bit.ly/W9LJm7), Head of the Department of Emergency Medical Care, at University of Johannesburg.

The South African Department of Higher Education and Training (http://www.dhet.gov.za) has also played a key role in this project by awarding a clinical training grant to assist UJ in improving the clinical competencies of health professional graduates, and getting the Simulation Lab up and running.

The Simulation Lab is divided into four wards: an ambulance simulation room, an emergency department representing casualty simulation, a general ward and an intensive care unit (ICU). University departments of Emergency Medical Care, Biomedical Technology, Nursing and Radiology will benefit from the training at the new Simulation Lab.

Appropriate implementation training (on a “train the trainer” basis) will be provided by Philips, as this training is central to the success and sustainability of the Simulation Lab. Philips will also provide training to the academic employees and clinicians on the correct and most effective use of all the new technologies and products which they have installed in the simulation laboratories.

Peter van de Ven, Vice President, Philips Healthcare Africa, says, “Through our ongoing partnership with one of the most respected universities in South Africa (UJ), Philips is contributing much needed resources to ensure that there is a highly trained and qualified healthcare workforce for the public to rely on. We are helping to transform healthcare in South Africa by enhancing the individual performance of the next generation of healthcare professionals, which will ultimately benefit the patients in the form of good, reliable care”.

The partnership (http://bit.ly/1qat3Pz) between Philips and UJ (established during Philips’ Cape Town to Cairo roadshow in 2013) will run over a three-year period and will support research opportunities related to new technologies in the emergency care environment. These learnings will contribute to Philips’ investments in healthcare research and development.

Professor Andre Swart (http://bit.ly/1uyixBf), Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Johannesburg concludes, “Philips is a company known for its commitment to enhancing healthcare across Africa and uplifting healthcare in the educational space. The partnership between Philips and UJ is a mutually beneficial opportunity; for UJ to expose our students to new technologies and for Philips to introduce their latest innovations into the African healthcare environment. We look forward to a long and sustainable partnership dedicated to training a solid and reliable medical workforce for South Africa to depend on.”

Penultimate stop on the fifth pan-African Cairo to Cape Town roadshow

Johannesburg is the penultimate stop on Philips’ annual flagship Cairo to Cape Town roadshow (from 14 April to 4 September 2014) which focuses on key challenges facing Africa today – the need for energy-efficient lighting and the revitalization of African healthcare infrastructure. In contribution to the Post-2015 Development Agenda (http://bit.ly/1eur7uT), Philips calls for improving universal access to healthcare and reducing the double-disease burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as additions to the current Millennium Development Goals.

The Roadshow has made its way across seven countries and ten cities in Africa; and will conclude in Cape Town on 4th September 2014.

For more information please follow the Cairo to Cape Town roadshow on: http://www.philips.com/africaroadshow

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Royal Philips.

For further information, please contact:

Radhika Choksey

Philips Group Communications – Africa

Tel: +31 62525 9000

E-mail: radhika.choksey@philips.com

About Royal Philips

Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) (http://www.philips.com) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through meaningful innovation in the areas of Healthcare, Consumer Lifestyle and Lighting. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips posted 2013 sales of EUR 23.3 billion and employs approximately 112,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. The company is a leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as male shaving and grooming and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at http://www.philips.com/newscenter.

Philips Products installed at the Simulation Lab at UJ

Ambulance Simulation Rooms (2 rooms)

• Pre hospital ECS Philips HeartStart MRX Defibrillator

• Philips IntelliVue X2 Transport Monitor

• Mobile Philips Respironics Trilogy 02/202 Ventilator

• Philips Visiq Ultrasound device.

Emergency Simulation (4 beds)

• Philips Heartstart XL+Defibrillator

• Philips IntelliVue MX450 Patient Monitor

• Philips IntelliVue MX500 Patient Monitor

• Philips IntellVueX2 Transport Monitor

• Philips IntelVue Central Station

• Philips Practix 360

General Ward (3 beds)

• Philips Heart Fr3AED

• Philips Respironics Whisperflow CPAP

• Philips InterlliVue MP5SC

• Philips InterlliVue Guardian Solution

• Philips, Philips Avalon FM 20 Fetal Monitor

• Philips Efficia Warmer 510

• Philips Neopap CPAP Device

• Philips Clearview 350 Ultrasound device

• Philips Cabless Sp02, NIBP

ICU (1 bed)

• Philips Heartstart XI+Defbrillator

• Philips Respironics V680 Kona Vent

• Philips IntelliVue MX 800 Patient Monitor

• Philips IntelliVue X2 Transport Monitor

• Philips PageWriter TC30 ECG

CAPE-TOWN, South-Africa, September 3, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — As Africa’s demand for power generation continues to outstrip supply, the question of how to finance the future of Africa’s power sector looms large. Prospective investors must fully understand the latest developments in Africa’s finance sector in order to launch successful projects and build long term relationships with local government.

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/energynet1.png

Photo 1: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1335 (Karen Breytenbach, Head: IPP Office)

Photo 2: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1336

Private equity investments into Africa were up by 136% in 2013 (with a huge chunk of that going to power and infrastructure projects). Pension funds and sovereign wealth funds are also increasingly looking into long term power projects to fund, with lenders working hard to develop debt financing models to keep up with Africa’s power market.

The 8th Annual Powering Africa: Finance Options Meeting (http://www.poweringafrica-finance.com) will return to Cape Town from 30-31st October. This pan-African executive briefing will welcome CEOs and senior-level directors to get to the heart of the issues and opportunities surrounding the financing of power projects in Africa, allowing for a limited number of participants to engage with key decision-makers through a series of open, uninhibited discussions taking place under Chatham House Rule.

The programme will focus on a series of open discussions chaired by regional experts focusing on key trends including the development of IPP programmes, financial frameworks and regulatory environments.

Confirmed speakers will include Karen Breytenbach, Head: IPP Office, National Treasury, South Africa, Moremi Marwa, Chief Executive Officer, Dar Es Salaam Stock Exchange, Peter Ballinger, Director, U.S.-Africa Clean Energy Development and Finance Centre, Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), and Waziri Bintube, Chief Financial Officer, Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc, who will present regional perspectives and case studies to open the floor for discussion.

Other confirmed speakers include:

• Kamran Khan, Vice President of Compact Operations, Millennium Challenge Corporation

• Professor Anton Eberhard, Management of Infrastructure Reform & Regulation, Graduate School of Business, University of Cape Town

• Brigette Baillie, Partner, Webber Wentzel

• Martin Kavanagh, Partner, Energy and Infrastructure Finance, Herbert Smith Freehills

• Sakkie Leimecke, Head: Energy, Nedbank Capital

• Keith Martin, Initiavie for Risk Mitigation in Africa, African Development Bank

• Alastair Campbell, Managing Director, Vantage GreenX

• Tshepo Mahloele, Chief Executive Officer, Harith General Partners*

• Zubair Suliman, Senior Investment Manager, DEG- Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH

• Eric Olo, Head Corporate Finance and Business Strategy, North South Power

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of EnergyNet Ltd.

For more information about Powering Africa: Finance Options:

Meeting dates: 30-31st October 2014

Venue: Vineyard Hotel & Spa, Cape Town

Contact: Amy Offord – Senior Marketing Executive

Tel: +44 (0)20 7384 8068

Email: pa-fo@energynet.co.uk

Visit: http://www.poweringafrica-finance.com

Please note that this meeting is designed for CEOs and senior-level executives from the energy and finance sectors. Places are limited to two delegates per organisation preserve the integrity of the dialogue.

*Invited but unconfirmed

NEW YORK, September 3, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the death of four Chadian peacekeepers follow…

GENEVA, Switzerland, September 3, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — HIGH-LEVEL UNITED NATIONS DELEGATION TO UPDATE ON EBOLA OUTBREAK

WHAT:
The UN’s senior leadership on Ebola will give the latest update on the situation in the Democratic Rep…