Religious leaders from various African countries, who are attending ‘Africa Arise and Shine 2010’ conference at Zion Temple, have commended Rwanda’s governance and development strides.

Over 230 religious leaders are attending the conference which focuses on how Africa can move forward in the right direction. It’s theme is "Arise, Move Forward and Change Your Thinking.”

Addressing a gathering of 3000 people, yesterday, Rev. Philip Anijesu, the Director of Nigeria’s Institute for National Transformation, cited Rwanda as a true example of how a nation can rise from ashes to register inspiring progress..
"Stick with your current programmes, it’s beyond imagination of how fast this country is developing, it offers a lot of lessons to other African countries,” he said.

He singled out good governance and pro-people development programmes as some of the areas where Rwanda is doing well.

Apostle Dr. Paul Gitwaza, the Senior Pastor of Zion Temple, said that it is important for Africans to embrace a new thinking that their continent can thrive and succeed just like others.

"Many people look at Africa as a poor place plagued by poverty, begging, illiteracy, poor infrastructure. All this can easily change if the people of Africa really stood up to the challenge and do the right thing,” said Gitwaza, whose church is the organizer of the conference.

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