D-G Security Services arrested in Botswaana - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The former Director-General of the Directorate of intelligence and Security Services (DISS) in Botswana, Mr. Isaac Kgosi’s dealings have been placed under a microscope in an ongoing comprehensive lifestyle audit conducted by the Botswana Unified Revenue Services (BURS), reports ITREALMS.

Eye witness accounts have detailed how the BURS team driving GP number plate vehicles swooned on a number of farms linked to commercial farmers who have been dealing with the former DISS boss.

The BURS investigation unearthed supporting information for the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) investigation into Kgosi’s alleged corrupt relationship with AfricIntel boss Richard Miles.

The BURS raid turned up information that Richard Miles gave Kgosi close to 150 prime breed herds of cattle under questionable circumstances. The information is expected to build on earlier investigations by the DCEC that sometime in 2010, the DIS is alleged to have fraudulently awarded AfricIntel a tender worth P100 million to train its intelligence and security personnel.

In turn, AfricIntel subcontracted another British company, Bowman Risk Management to do the training. AfricIntel only provided the premises (for training) and transportation. The total bill by Bowman (the subcontracted company) was just over P1.5 million. Surprisingly, AfricIntel slapped the government with an invoice of P100 million.

Investigations revealed that Bowman’s director, Peter Phelan had submitted all the company’s invoices to the main contractor, AfricIntel, which then inflated the costs by close to P98.5 million.

A dispute subsequently arose between Phelan and AfricIntel because the Bowman’s boss demanded that his share be increased in light of the inflated invoice presented to government. Sunday Standard has established that Phelan has agreed to testify against AfricIntel and Isaac Kgosi.

Nenye Dom with additional Sunday Standard/Editor

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Pix: Isaac Ksogi

Botswana 2018: African Union Commission supports APRA

ITREALMS:

The African Union Commission, (AUC) has given support to the 30^th edition of African Public Relations Association conference tagged, APRA Botswana 2018, reports ITRealms.

The Deputy Chairperson, Kwesi Quartey, ITRealms gathered, made this known after accepting APRA’s invitation to be Special Guest of Honour at the conference scheduled to take place May 9-11, 2018 in Gaborone, Botswana.

Quartey who will also be delivering the key note address at the opening ceremony May 9, 2018, expressed delight to have accepted the invitation and has shown interest in ensuring the success of the conference.

Affirming this, the Secretary General, APRA, Jane Gitau told ITRealms in a press statement available to our newsroom that Quartey’s gesture brings to fore the AUC’s commitment in joining hands with APRA to ‘Re-PResent Africa’ which coincidentally is the theme of this year’s conference.

According to Gitau, AUC’s endorsement comes alongside several others from the International Public Relations Association (IPRA), International Communications Consultancy Organization (ICCO), Global Alliance, Public Relations Networks and National Associations across Africa.

“Notably, APRA Botswana 2018 will also feature the second edition of the SABRE Awards Africa for Excellence showcasing the best in public relations work from across the continent. This is organized in partnership with the renowned Holmes Report,” she said.

In addition, she said, the 30^th edition will have in attendance an enviable array of speakers and facilitators from both within and outside Africa, playing host to professionals from various sectors of the communications industry including public relations, marketing, advertising, branding and the media

Gitau also said that APRA Botswana 2018 will focus on issues around fake news, ethics and story-telling as a tool for public relations thereby Re-PResenting Africa to the world.

On his part, the President of APRA, Mr Yomi Badejo-Okusanya was quoted as saying that, delegates will not only listen and learn from these renowned speakers, they will also have the opportunity to experience the beautiful nature of Botswana’s rich culture and tradition, little wonder APRA Botswana 2018 is dubbed, The Safari Conference.

APRA is the umbrella body for the practice of public relations in Africa. It is a non-governmental, non-profit organization established to foster unity via interaction and exchange of ideas among public relations practitioners in Africa as a whole, and through communication, promote social, political and economic integration on the continent.

Nonye Dom/GEE

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Pix: l-r Deputy Chairperson, Kwesi Quartey and APRA President, Mr Yomi Badejo-Okusanya

IPA heads to Botswana with ‘Made in Africa’ spirit 2016

ITRealms:

The African Innovation Foundation (AIF) is collaborating with the Government of Botswana (GoB) to host the 2016 ‘Made in Africa’ spirit in Gaborone, Botswana, reports ITRealms.

The Government of Botswana, ITRealms gathered is represented by the Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology and the Botswana Innovation Hub (BIH) that the next Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA) event to be held in Gaborone, Botswana in June 2016. 

ITRealms reports that the decision to host IPA in Botswana received the highest endorsement from President Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama of Botswana.

IPA is a landmark programme of the AIF, whose purpose is to increase the prosperity of Africans by catalyzing the innovation spirit in Africa. IPA celebrates its 5 year milestone in helping to shape the innovation landscape in Africa.

IPA claims till date to have attracted over 6,000 innovators from 50 African countries, making it a truly Pan-African initiative. 

This year’s event with its “Made in Africa” theme promises to be ground-breaking, extending beyond the Awards ceremony. AIF is offering several avenues of opportunity for local, national, regional and international growth and exposure to Africa’s next cadre of innovators. The event will provide an unprecedented platform for African innovators and innovation enablers to network, share knowledge, explore business opportunities and boost collaboration.

Botswana’s selection as host country for IPA 2016 is seen in its commitment towards building its national innovation ecosystem. This is demonstrated by the GoB’s catalytic role in capitalizing on and supporting the knowledge economy through the development of a 57-acre Science Park, dubbed the Botswana Innovation Hub (BIH). 

The Icon Building in the BIH Park will be launched in September 2016, as Botswana celebrates yet another milestone - 50 years of Independence. “Hosting IPA 2016 and celebrating African ingenuity in Gaborone will afford Botswana an opportunity to showcase its commitment to putting innovation at the center of its development strategy,” says the Botswana Minister of Infrastructure, Science and Technology, Honorable Nonofo Molefhi. 

“We are greatly honored to have been selected to host IPA 2016 and look forward to showcasing the positive strides Botswana and indeed Africa is making in the innovation landscape,” he said.

IPA is today recognized as Africa’s leading innovation initiative based on its track record since its inaugural launch with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the endorsement by Ministers attending the Africa Union (AU)/ECA conference in 2012. 

IPA recognizes, rewards and mobilizes for African innovators through promoting home-grown, market-driven solutions addressing intractable challenges in agriculture, health and well-being, manufacturing and service industry, ICTs and environment, energy and water. 

IPA has been successfully celebrated in African major capitals representing African regions: Addis Ababa (2011), Cape Town (2013), Abuja (2014), and more recently in Skhirat, Morocco (2015).

Nenye Dom/GEE

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