Conferment of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon to Professor Miriam WERE
2020/11/27
On 27th of November, H.E. Mr. HORIE Ryoichi, Ambassador of Japan to Kenya, conferred the decoration of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon to Professor Miriam WERE, on behalf of the Government of Japan, at the Official Residence of the Ambassador. The conferment ceremony was held on a small-scale in line with the COVID-19 guidelines and health protocols of the Kenyan authorities.
The decoration was conferred by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan on 29th of April, the 2nd year of Reiwa (2020) and witnessed by the then Prime Minister of Japan to acknowledge Professor Miriam WERE’s contribution to the development of global health as well as her ardent dedication in bolstering Kenya-Japan bilateral relations in health and human exchange areas. It was the second time that Professor’s achievements have been acknowledged by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan as she was awarded the first Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize in 2008.
During the conferment, Ambassador HORIE conveyed his warm congratulations to Professor WERE and also acknowledged the special double meaning of her receiving the decoration at this moment, that is, her role as a shining example of women leadership which inspires and encourages young women all over the world as well as the recognition of the importance of global health development in dealing with the current pandemic.
Professor WERE, in her remarks, appreciated the recognition from Japan and looked back on her long, meaningful relations with Japan, including her involvement with the Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize, not only as the first Laureate of the prize but also of her recent work as a member of the Advisory Committee of the Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize.
Ambassador Ryoichi HORIE wished Professor WERE continued success and good health.
After the ceremony, Ambassador HORIE and Madam Yuko entertained the guests with several songs in English, Japanese and Swahili and in return Professor Miriam WERE and her family performed traditional songs and dances.
The decoration was conferred by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan on 29th of April, the 2nd year of Reiwa (2020) and witnessed by the then Prime Minister of Japan to acknowledge Professor Miriam WERE’s contribution to the development of global health as well as her ardent dedication in bolstering Kenya-Japan bilateral relations in health and human exchange areas. It was the second time that Professor’s achievements have been acknowledged by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan as she was awarded the first Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize in 2008.
During the conferment, Ambassador HORIE conveyed his warm congratulations to Professor WERE and also acknowledged the special double meaning of her receiving the decoration at this moment, that is, her role as a shining example of women leadership which inspires and encourages young women all over the world as well as the recognition of the importance of global health development in dealing with the current pandemic.
Professor WERE, in her remarks, appreciated the recognition from Japan and looked back on her long, meaningful relations with Japan, including her involvement with the Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize, not only as the first Laureate of the prize but also of her recent work as a member of the Advisory Committee of the Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize.
Ambassador Ryoichi HORIE wished Professor WERE continued success and good health.
After the ceremony, Ambassador HORIE and Madam Yuko entertained the guests with several songs in English, Japanese and Swahili and in return Professor Miriam WERE and her family performed traditional songs and dances.