Friday, March 29, 2024

President Lungu launches the construction of the National Defence University

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President Edgar Lungu yesterday launched the construction of the new Defence Services Command and Staff College as well as the National Defence University in Makeni, Lusaka.

The two institutions will be located at the same site.

The launch of the construction of the two higher learning institutions for defence personnel has coincided with the silver jubilee celebrations to mark 25 years of existence of the Defence Services Command and Staff College.

President Lungu proceeded to the launch shortly after gracing a ceremony to mark the silver jubilee where he awarded the college a certificate of recognition for attaining the milestone.

President Lungu was also the recipient of a college souvenir at the ceremony which also saw the honouring of former service chiefs namely General Kingsley Chinkuli, and General Peter Zuze among others, who were both instrumental in coming up with the concept of establishing a Command and Staff College as far back as 1976.

Mr Lungu who arrived via the presidential chopper at the construction site in Makeni shortly after the ceremony disclosed that the two institutions will be complete in two years’ times.

Speaking during a luncheon to mark the occasion, the president expressed confidence that he will be available to commission the institutions once construction works are complete.

He wished the defense services the best of luck as they work towards completing the project in two years’ time.

“In two years’ time, he (Defence Services Command and Staff College Commandant Brigadier General Benson Musonda) has promised me that we will commission this National Defence University. I will be pleased to be here with all of you,” Mr Lungu said.

President Edgar Lungu unveils the plague during official launch of the new staff college and National Defence University in Lusaka.
President Edgar Lungu unveils the plague during official launch
of the new staff college and National Defence University in Lusaka.

Earlier, President Edgar Lungu has appealed to the defence services to remain impartial as the country heads to the August 12 General election.

President Lungu said that the defence services should instead be preoccupied with sustaining peace and security in the run up to the polls.

Speaking at the Silver Jubilee celebration of the existence of the Defence Services Command and Staff College in Lusaka today, President Lungu said the defence services should not compromise in any way.

He warned that any compromise on the part of the military personnel would endanger the nation.

“The general election will be held on 12 August, 2021, I therefore wish to caution all of you to remain nonpartisan,” he said.

President Edgar Lungu inspects the quarter guard during the silver jubilee celebration and official launch of the new staff college and National Defence University in Lusaka.
President Edgar Lungu inspects the quarter guard during the
silver jubilee celebration and official launch of the new staff
college and National Defence University in Lusaka.

And President Lungu has directed the Ministry of Higher Education to make the Defence Services Command and Staff College the highest military learning institution in the country.

Mr Lungu lamented that there has been no existing statutory instrument recognizing it as the highest military institute for the Zambia defence services.

He said training the defence personnel locally has been a cost saving measure for government.

Mr Lungu said in the past government would spend colossal amounts of money training defence personnel abroad.

“I wish to acknowledge the economic benefits which have arisen to us for having a staff college in our nation,” he said.

Meanwhile the head of state applauded the college for being a credible institution of high caliber.

Mr Lungu said it is commendable that even students from abroad such as Sri Lanka have enrolled at the college because of the reputation the institution has exhibited.

He also acknowledged that high profile military officers present and former have passed through the tutelage of the college.

President Edgar Lungu gives a recognition award to Zambia National Service Commandant ,Lt. General,Nathhan Mulenga during the silver jubilee celebration and official launch of the new staff college and National Defence University in Lusaka.
President Edgar Lungu gives a recognition award to Zambia
National Service Commandant ,Lt. General,Nathhan Mulenga during the
silver jubilee celebration and official launch of the new staff
college and National Defence University in Lusaka.

And President Lungu further disclosed that once the new commandant and staff college alongside National Defence University in Makeni is complete, it will contribute immensely to the knowledge of the defence staff.

“Despite the challenges that the services are faced with like inadequate resources and competing needs the service chiefs rose above these challenges and went ahead to initiate this project, this is commendable,” he said.

Speaking at the same occasion Ministry of Defence Permanent Secretary Felix Phiri praised government for making plans to construct an ultra-modern staff college a reality.

“We are grateful as a Ministry that your able administration has taken up the challenge to implement the construction of the staff college to be co-located with the National Defence University,” Dr Phiri said.

President Edgar Lungu receives a recognition award from College Commandant, Brig. General ,Benson Musonda during the silver jubilee celebration and official launch of the new staff college and National Defence University in Lusaka.
President Edgar Lungu receives a recognition award from College
Commandant, Brig. General ,Benson Musonda during the silver jubilee
celebration and official launch of the new staff college and National
Defence University in Lusaka.

And Defence Services Command and Staff College Commandant Brigadier General Benson Musonda applauded government for the constant support to the institution.

Meanwhile the institution awarded President Lungu a college souvenir while the President also gave the college a certificate of recognition for attaining 25 years of existence.

Others who were honoured at the ceremony are General Kingsley Chinkuli, General Nobby Simbeye and General Peter Zuze.

25 COMMENTS

  1. Ati he will be here in 2 years to commission the completed building. HH have you head? You won’t be there ewe hh, you will quaranteeing in your house. No State House

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  2. The National Defence University will be commissioned by a new president. Lungu will be a private citizen.

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  3. “Mr Lungu said in the past government would spend colossal amounts of money training defence personnel abroad.”

    This man is a joker who needs rest there is nothing he can offer going forward…his govt has spent billions of dollars of Chinese loans build Defence infrastructure and he is here ignorantly talking about previous govt spending colossal sums of money…the past govt was not as reckless as yours it was prudent.

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  4. “Mr Lungu said in the past government would spend colossal amounts of money training defence personnel abroad.”

    This man is a joker who needs rest there is nothing he can offer going forward…his govt has spent billions of dollars of Chin ese loans build Defence infrastructure and he is here ignorantly talking about previous govt spending colossal sums of money…the past govt was not as reckless as yours it was prudent.

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  5. Thank you LT for moderating this evil tribal upnd motherfaka tarino.

    This is great development. Zambia is really developing at a very fast pace. My president takes education and safety seriously. Thank you very much

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  6. Meanwhile, Rwanda has built the first-ever gold refinery to process gold from all over Africa to help stop raw minerals from leaving the continent. No doubt investment in educational/training institutions for defence forces is vital, but let’s not just stop there because the real potential for economic growth and national sovereignity lies within the creation of local industries.

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  7. WHY ISN’T LT POSTING ABOUT HOW HH WAS STOPPED FROM ATTANDING A CHURCH SERVICE IN CHINGOLA
    SHOTS AND TEAR GAS FIRED FOR WHAT ???????????
    PF STOP YOUR UNRULY POLICE WHO HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT CROWD CONTROL

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  8. Lusaka times is KZ’s mouthpiece.,,,they keep blocking my messages! Soon we shall hack it and teach it a lesson!

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  9. Nine Chale – What are you trying to say…who are you afraid of? Always on the fence even when there is no need to be…

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  10. Both Chiluba and Mwanawasa believed IMF, World bank and South Africa mining power house were a key to Zambian development. They were wrong. They were so absorbed with IMF and others that they could not see the importance of expanding and modernising Ndola Gold refinery. A dream Kigame of Ruanda has brought to reality . Both Chiluba and Mwanawasa saw Kafironda Explosives plant being brought down and replaced by huge explosives magazines to store explosives from South Africa. To day, Zambia a largest consumer of explosives has no explosives factory. ECL has demonstrated that he is in a class of Ruanda and Ghana current leaders. I see hope in ECL. We will no longer sell KCM at a song.

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  11. Chi mercury, if you think you have grown some balls, then go ahead and hack LT. LT have a very robust online security team. Within minutes you will be traced and legal action will be started against you. LT moderates tribal hateful comments. If you want your posts to show here then desist from your upnd tribal hateful comments against the pf government

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  12. ‘Applauded government for the constant support to the institution.’ Do these people know what government is? They think of government as a person called Edgar Chagwa Lungu. The army, police etc are all part of government. What he is saying is the same as an arm thanking the leg for its ‘support.’ What does that mean?

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  13. Well just proves my point? Are you the editor of LT. Have never seen or read a more hurtful or tribal comment than KZ posts! America has not brought anyone to book yet!!! You must be at the frontiers of cyberwars!

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  14. How do you claim that Zambia is developing fast when it is failing to meet basic obligations such as salaries for civil servants who have fallen behind for almost three months?

    Even, during Kaunda when things were so bad civil servants were paid on time.

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  15. @1 Twende, WHY NOT? NINANI UKAMUTAMFYA. LEKENI APWISHE TERM YAKWE YA LAST FIVE YEARS. TULEFWAYA TUBOMBE NANKWE ECL AGAIN. NATANTIKA SANA INFRASTRUCTURE. TULEFWAYA ATWALILILE.

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  16. Father in heaven, forgive these Satanists on LT such as Kaizer Zulu who have got no respect for humanity but speak nonsense in continuously. Change their destination from hell to hell for u died for them on the cross of Calvary.

  17. The number 1 is synonymous to change. In the year 1, Jesus was born. Then 1 of his disciples betrayed him. On the 3rd day he rose. Thats three numbers in this case (202) then add a 1 = 2021. What am I saying. In 1991, there was change. In 2001 there was change. In 2011 there was in change. All things being equal in 2021 there will be change. And the next change will be in 2031. No strings attached.

  18. What a waste of money. How many vaccine shots could have been bought for that? No, we’re waiting on handouts from China! That’s why your nickname is Edgar China Lungu! Come on KZ, report me to OP, I’m ready for you guys! Kikikiki

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