Acting President Mutale Nalumango says government has registered its commitment to the youth agenda nationally and continentally, through the formation of the Ministry of Small Scale and Medium Enterprises.

Mrs Nalumango says that youths are usually confronted with an increasingly complex socio-economic and political context which creates a negative impact on their development, hence the need to empower them.

Mrs Nalumango listed extensive poverty, limited access to education and lack of employment opportunities, as among the challenges being faced by the young people in the country, needing government’s resolve.

The Acting President listed some of the factors as one of the reasons Zambian youths arrived at a collective decision to change government through the electoral process in the previous August 2021 general elections.

She was speaking in a speech read for her by Minister of Youth, Sports and Arts Elvis Nkandu, during the 2021 Africa Youth Conference held in commemoration of the African Union Youth Day.

Mrs Nalumango was happy that the African Youth Day has been designated an annual date, to signpost the recognition of the important role of the youths of Africa and look into the challenges, in relation to education, employment and entrepreneurship.

“We are very elated to be present here, especially that the government wishes to be associated with continental and global events and register our commitment to the youth agenda nationally and continentally,” Mrs. Nalumango stated.

She indicated that it was governments’ way of promoting the plights of young people and also fulfilling the African Union action 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Mrs Nalumango called for a more harmonized and united Africa as major synergies and bridges towards a more sustainable development and growth plan for the region.

She said it will safeguard the future and unity of African countries, while rendering them with a common Pan African identity.

Minister of Small Scale and Medium Enterprise Development Elias Mubanga pointed out the role of the education sector, in actualizing developmental activities.

Mr Mubanga explained that certain disciplines offered in higher learning institutions can add great value to the country’s growth, thereby contributing to Africa’s development.

And One United Africa Congressman Bimbo Daramola urged African youths to rise to the occasion and remember the struggle of the African forefathers.

Mr Daramola said that there are more values to be derived from a united Africa than divide.

He noted the reason for his organization to push people to people engagements while clogging young people in the philosophy of a united Africa.

Giving a virtue speech, veteran politician Vernon Mwaanga stressed the need for young ones to learn about the formation of Pan-Africanism in order to rejuvenate the spirit of oneness.

University of Zambia student representative Aaaron Mandoka, thanked government and the stakeholders for creating such a platform for youths to air out their challenges and build solutions.

Teacher unions in North-western province have welcomed the 2022 budget especially that it indicates the recruitment of 30,000 teachers.

Professional Teachers Union of Zambia (PROTUZ) provincial chairperson, Gilly Kakunta says the recruitment of 30,000 teachers in the 2022 budget has never happened in a single year.

Mr Kakunta says the recruitment of 30, 000 is historic which has never happened before even in the 10 years that the Patriotic Front (PF) government.

“This massive recruitment has never happened before even in the 10 years that the Patriotic Front (PF) government ruled”, he said in an interview.

The PROTUZ provincial chairperson said this is fulfilment of the campaign promise by the United Party for National Development (UPND) on recruiting teachers and job creation.

As unions, we are also delighted that 120 secondary schools will be built country wide and expressed hope that North-western will be allocated a good number as it was sidelined previously, he said.

“We hope North-western will be given a number of schools as it was sidelined in the PF government”, Mr Kakunta said.

He added that his union is also happy that there will be an increased grant for public schools.

On Friday, October 29, 2021, Finance Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane presented an over K 172 billion national budget under the theme: ” Growth , jobs and taking development closer to the people”.

Government has dissolved the Board for the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) and the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) Board, respectively.

Minister of Information and Media Chushi Kasanda announced that the dissolution is pursuant to the provisions of section 7 (2) of the IBA Act No. 17 2002 and section 412 of the ZNBC Act, Chapter 54 of the laws of Zambia, as read with Article 270 of the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia.

Mrs. Kasanda has since thanked the out-going board members for having served the country to the best of their abilities, and wished them well in their future endeavors.

This is according to a press statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today.

President Hakainde Hichilema has arrived in Glasgow, Scotland ahead of the World Leaders Summit on climate change which starts today.

President Hichilema is expected to deliver a key note speech on the adverse effects of climate change, including possible solutions towards addressing the effects, as well as how Zambia is affected by the same.

The President will also hold bilateral and multilateral meetings beneficial to Zambia, on the sidelines of the summit.

This is according to a press statement that Press Secretary at the Zambian Mission in the United Kingdom, Abigail Chaponda, made available to ZANIS in Lusaka.

The Head of State, who arrived last night, is accompanied to Scotland by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Stanley Kakubo, and Minister of Green Economy and Environment Collins Nzovu.

And President Hichilema has reaffirmed government’s resolve to place the interest of the Zambian citizenry at heart within the mandate given to him.

“Fellow citizens, we have safely arrived in Glasgow, Scotland ahead of the World Leaders Summit on climate change (COP26). We will do everything possible and within the mandate you gave us to deliver the desired change and represent you adequately. Thank you for your prayers and may God Bless you all.” The President.

Businessman Goodward Mulubwa was on Saturday night shot at by unknown assailants in an apparent assassination attempt at his home.

Mr. Mulubwa, a close associate of former President Edgar Lungu was attacked at his Kabulonga home around 23 Hours and shot 17 times.

He is in hospital nursing the wounds.

Police Spokesman Rae Hamoonga confirmed the shooting adding that the attacker got away with K50,000 and US$ 300 dollars.

“Police in Lusaka are investigating a report of Aggravated Robbery in which a 58-year-old man of house number 61 Twin Palm Road, Kabulonga was attacked by armed criminals,” Mr Hamoonga said.

Mr. Hamoonga says Mr. Mulubwa 58, reported that five criminals armed with an AK 47 rifle and two pistols attacked him and robbed him of K50,000 and 300 US Dollars. .

“Apart from that the victim sustained 10 Gunshot wounds on the left shoulder, a cut on the right forefinger, two cuts on the back of the head, seven gunshot wounds on the left side of the face and five gunshot wounds on the right arm”.

The Human Rights Commission (HRC) has continued advocating for the abolition of the death penalty in Zambia.

HRC Principle Planning and Collaboration Officer, Lisbon Chaamwe says the death penalty is a violation of the right to life.

Mr Chaamwe said the Commission is advocating for Zambia to sign the protocol on the abolition of the death penalty because it is unhuman and violation of the fundamental right to life.

ZANIS reports that Mr Chaamwe was speaking during a consultative meeting with state and non-state actors on the abolition of death penalty in Kasama, Northern Province.

He said capital offences can have other forms of punishment meted on the offenders such as life imprisonment.

Mr Chaamwe said no President has signed the execution warrant since 1997 hence the death penalty should just be abolished.

He stated that it is purely inhuman and degrading for anyone to be sentenced to death penalty.

Mr. Chaamwe disclosed that 107 countries globally have completely abolished the death penalty.

He said the state has an obligation to respect the right to life as enshrined in the constitution of Zambia by refraining from violating human rights.

And Northern Province Human Rights Investigations Officer, Dennis Chulu said research shows that death penalty has not led to reduction of criminal offences.

Mr Chulu said death penalty only amounts to torture, cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment of a human being.

He added that the death penalty contradicts the convention against torture and other cruel inhumane treatment established by international treaties which Zambia is party to.

The government has called for a positive work attitude among civic leaders to help Local Authorities improve service delivery to the people on behalf of the Central Government.

Local Government and Rural Development Minister, Gary Nkombo says he expects all Civic leaders to be professional in executing their duties, and refrain from creating a hostile work environment to other Council officers.

Mr. Nkombo says his Ministry will not entertain any Civic leader who will undermine professional advice offered by technocrats in their areas of operation.

Responding to questions during an orientation workshop for Councilors and Council officers in Kitwe recently, Mr. Nkombo said he expects harmony between Civic leaders and Council officers to warrant smooth service delivery to communities.

The Minister stated that a Local Authority is an Institution where Civic leaders and other appointed officials should work together and maintain cordial relations at all times.

He said the Ministry will keep track of the performance of all Local Authorities through regular monitoring and evaluation activities.

The orientation workshop was aimed at equipping the Civic leaders and Council officers with knowledge and skills, and bring the required mind transformation to enable them work with confidence to provide quality services to communities.

This is contained in a statement issued to ZNBC by Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Public Relations Officer Chila Namaiko.