{"id":62429,"date":"2024-01-06T16:29:28","date_gmt":"2024-01-06T16:29:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/rwanda-needs-more-heroes-especially-youth-officials"},"modified":"2024-01-06T16:46:24","modified_gmt":"2024-01-06T16:46:24","slug":"rwanda-needs-more-heroes-especially-youth-officials","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/policy\/rwanda-needs-more-heroes-especially-youth-officials","title":{"rendered":"Rwanda needs more heroes, especially youth \u2013 officials"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>Rwanda needs more heroes for the country\u2019s brighter future to be secured, and the youth is a major force to that end, officials said on January 5.<\/p>\n

They made the observations during a press conference held ahead of National Heroes\u2019 Day.<\/p>\n

The Day will be celebrated for the 30th anniversary on February 1, under the theme \u201cHeroism among Rwandans, our Dignity.\u201d It is the day on which Rwandans reflect on, and eulogise national heroes for their outstanding and important achievements.<\/p>\n

The Executive Secretary of the Chancellery for Heroes, National Orders and Decorations of Honour (CHENO), Deo Nkusi, said, \u201cwe consider it very important because 30 years in people\u2019s lives are very significant.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBased on this theme, we encourage all Rwandans to continue striving for self-reliance, dignity, and find solutions among them, upholding and safeguarding the achievements made, and choose what is appropriate for us as Rwandans,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Nkusi pointed out that heroism is a major value in Rwandans\u2019 culture.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat we want most is that Rwandans be heroes, meaning that they should fulfill heroic values. But, most especially, we want the Rwandan youth to be heroes,\u201d he said, pointing out that they should embrace values including patriotism, unity (social cohesion), hard work, and integrity.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is heroism that built this country, protected it, and delivered it from the troubles it went through. And those people who became heroes and protected this country, were in most cases, youth. If you lack the youth, the country\u2019s future will not be secured,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

A press conference ahead of National Heroes\u2019 Day took place on Friday January 5. The Day will be celebrated for the 30th anniversary on February 1, under the theme \u201cHeroism among Rwandans, our Dignity.\u201d<\/p>\n

He underscored the need to put the greatest effort possible into ensuring that the youth learn from the heroic deeds of their predecessors for the benefit of the country.<\/p>\n

Solange Tetero, the Director General of Youth Empowerment at the Ministry of Youth and Arts, said that they want the youth to better understand heroism and its importance in the country\u2019s development.<\/p>\n

Solange Tetero, the Director General of Youth Empowerment at the Ministry of Youth and Arts,speaks at the press conference.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe youth should understand that there is a need for more heroes, and that they should come from the youth; through different achievements they realise for the country in building and safeguarding it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Planned activities<\/p>\n

There are activities planned in a heroism month in line with preparations for National Heroes\u2019 Day and its celebration.<\/p>\n

The month was launched on January 5 and will be concluded on January 31.<\/p>\n

Nkusi said activities planned include talks to be delivered through different media outlets, in schools (primary, secondary, and universities), and in public and private institutions.<\/p>\n

Also, there will be Ubutwari Tournament which he said will feature different sports including football, basketball, volleyball, sitting volleyball, handball, and cycling.<\/p>\n

There will also be a concert to extol national heroes, which will be held on January 31.<\/p>\n

Again, there will be a ceremony to honour national heroes, on February 1, at the National Heroes’ Mausoleum in Remera, Kigali.<\/p>\n

Across the country, at village level, it is expected that on February 1, there will be talks about heroism, recognising people with outstanding deeds, and supporting the vulnerable, among others.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, CHENO indicated that through the partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Rwanda\u2019s embassies in different countries, Rwandan communities abroad will also celebrate National heroes\u2019 Day.<\/p>\n

There are three categories in which Rwandan heroes are classified \u2013 Imanzi, Imena, and Ingenzi.<\/p>\n

Among Imanzi (the top category that a person cannot join when they are still alive), there is an Unknown Soldier (representing all the unidentified members of the armed struggle who paid the ultimate price in the effort to liberate Rwanda from a dictatorial, divisive regime), and Maj. Gen. Fred Gisa Rwigema.<\/p>\n

For Imena, there is King Mutara III Rudahigwa, Michel Rwagasana, Agathe Uwilingiyimana, Fe\u0301licite\u0301 Niyitegeka, and Nyange Students.<\/p>\n

No person has been named to the Ingenzi category thus far.<\/p>\n\r\n