A combined team of security officers has completed training in anti-poaching conducted by the British army.

A total of 60 officers from the Zambia Army, Zambia Air Force, Zambia National Service, Zambia Police, Office of the President and wildlife police underwent the three-week training at Chunga Wildlife Training School in the Kafue National Park.

It is the second of such training done by the British army, with 120 officers trained so far.

Ministry of Tourism and Arts permanent secretary Dr. Auxilia Ponga said the training of the elite task force will enhance the protection of wildlife from “the ever growing and sophisticated syndicates across the country.”

She said protection of wildlife should not be left to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) alone.

“This is not a job to be left to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife alone. Hence the selection and formulation of an elite task force that will be able to back-stop and supplement the efforts of the department,” she said.
And British High Commission Development Director, Steve Beel said Zambia becomes the second country after Malawi to benefit from the British Arm training in Central Africa.

He said the British Government stands ready to help the Zambian Government in combating wildlife crime that has been detrimental to the growth of tourism.

Meanwhile, anti-poaching task force national coordinator, Colonel William Kakoma said now that the British army has done its part there is need for more training for the local group to enhance skills in field tracking and other anti-poaching skills.

He said the team will need more financial support for it to operate effectively such as transport and camping gear.

This is contained in a statement issued by Public Relations Officer in the Ministry of Tourism and Arts, Sakabilo Kalembwe.

President Edgar Lungu has urged the people of Luapula province to keep healthy and fit. President Lungu encouraged the people to regularly exercise and maintain good body physique.

He stressed that it is in the interest of everyone ordinary Zambian to be physically fit. President Lungu urged the people to emulate him by regularly exercising. The President revealed that he is 64 years old but regularly exercises.

“What I want to tell you is that please keep fit and healthy it’s in your interest. Am 64 years old now never says die, Zambia belongs to everyone lets believe in ones self. Let’s continue cooperating and working together,” President Lungu said.

The Head of State said this when He addressed participants who took part in this year Bangweulu marathon challenge 2020.

Meanwhile President Lungu has called on the people of Luapula province to continue working and cooperating with the government.

And speaking earlier, Luapula province Minister Nickson Chilangwa thanked President Lungu for gracing this year’s event. Mr Chilangwa informed the President that the people of Luapula are happy with his participation in this year summer marathon.

“Your excellence we are very grateful that graced this event. There are athletes here who have come from very far and u will be failing in duties if don’t invite You to say something to our athletes.”

Among the sporting categories that were lined for this year’s Samfya summer festival included 72 kilometres cycling race, half Ten kilometres marathon and full 21 kilometres marathon, Five kilometres walking race, and 100 meters boat padding on Lake Bangweulu.

President Lungu participated in the 10 kilometres Bangweulu challenge where He was joined by senior government officials and local residents of Samfya.

President Lungu’s participation mesmerised the people of Samfya who were astonished with his physical fitness during the exercise. Peter Musonda a resident of Samfya expressed happiness with the manner the President was exercising.

Mr Musonda was shocked with the physical fitness of the Head of State.

“Am so shocked and surprised that the President was so fit and could run more than 10 kilometres.”

Minister of Fisheries and Livestock Nkandu Luo has challenged girls in school to take up science and technology subjects in order to exhibit their potential in the area.

Professor Luo indicated that there has always been a stereotype of boys being better than girls in sciences but that it can only be stopped if girls too showed their capabilities.

Speaking at the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) for girls Conference in Lusaka, Professor Luo told the girls to take up challenging subjects in order to expose their levels of intelligence.

The Minister reiterated governments aim to introduce STEM schools was that it would be a place to produce young engineers, doctors, mathematicians, technologists and scientists among other professions regardless of gender.

She therefore urged girls to take advantage of the opportunity as they are capable of making it in science.

“I can tell you that when I was growing up, in my class if you ask how many people wanted to be doctors you would probably only see one hand from a girl. This is because the stereotyping was that science was a very difficult subject, hence was only for boys. Some of us had to break those chains by proving that girls are intelligent and can also take up sciences,” Professor Luo stated.

She urged the girls to be inspired by the many women in the country who have changed the narrative of science in the country saying that it was possible for them to make it too.

Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Dora Siliya disclosed the essence of having a meeting with girls from schools in all the ten provinces was to pass the message that girls too have the capacity to do great things in society.

Ms. Siliya noted that education is the only pathway to equalising the potential of both girls and boys in society.

The Minister indicated that girls have the capacity to think and compete at every level in life thereby accomplishing what is deemed impossible.

“Education makes it possible for one to live the way you want to. From this meeting, you will be able to make decisions for yourselves in life but it should include education because it provides you with skills,” Ms. Siliya stated.

She also warned the girls that even as they acquaint themselves with technology, they should be weary of cyber bullying which has continued to increase on social media.

Ms. Siliya observed that girls too joined in bullying fellow girls on social media hence defeating the norm of being a sister’s keeper.

She was expecting the girls to learn about the importance of science and have an open mind to discover their capabilities, saying that girls in science was the future.

My home Town African Legacy Fund Chief Executive Office Toni Luck stressed the importance of being persistent with one’s goals.

Dr. Luck explained that when girls are focused on what they want to achieve in life, no border will limit their potential to success.

She urged the girls to learn and understand the evolving technology and science, and that they should not abuse it.

“Remember that you are on your way to forever, always get up when you make mistakes. Be pursuant of your goals but know that the road is not always smooth,” Dr. Luck mentored the girls.

She further stressed the need for spiritual attachment at a personal level in order to seek guidance from the word of God as girls pursue their dreams in life.

During the Conference, the girls had a chance to interact with United States female Astronaut and Engineer, Nicole Stot who inspired them that science and engineering were attainable careers for girls.

Responding to questions from the girls, Ms. Stot noted that girls were special beings because they are able to take up challenging jobs as well as take care of a home.

The STEM for Girls Conference was a one day meeting which was organized by the Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Dora Siliya, a continuation from the World Communication Forum and Women Influence Community Forum that began on Tuesday, November 24th, 2020.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs calls upon all Church Mother Bodies and Religious Organizations in the country to encourage their members to register as voters in the ongoing voter’s registration exercise country wide.

In a statement issued to ZANIS by Minister of Guidance and Religious Affairs Godfridah Sumaili said he ministry’s mandate is charged with the responsibility of guiding the nation on various national issues.

Reverend Sumaili stated that people need to register at any registration center in order for them to participate in the forthcoming 2021 tripartite general elections at any polling station across the ten provinces of the country.

She noted that her call is in line with the National values and principles on democracy and constitutionalism.

She urged everyone to embrace the value of patriotism and take part in the voter registration the country is undertaking.

Reverend Sumaili indicated that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has opened a number of registration centers that are mobile operating from 06:00 hours to 18:00 hours.

“The Ministry is however happy to note that ECZ has further added 116 registration centers located at Civic Centers across the country operating 24 hours to enable eligible voters to register at any time and day,” added the Minister.

Online voter Pre-registration Commenced on 21st September 2020 and it will end on 20th November 2020.

The Zambia Institute of Architects has appealed to the public to engage registered and qualified professional architectures in the construction of buildings at design and inspection stages.

Zambia Institute of Architects President, Bwalya Masabo noted that it is unfortunate that none of their members was involved in the construction of the building that collapsed last week in Libala.

ZANIS reports that Mr Masabo speaking in an interview noted that his Association with other regulatory bodies involved in the construction will collaborate to ascertain the cause of the accident and give recommendations on the way forward.

And Robin M’soni, a lawyer representing the owner of the building noted that after the accident happened last week, a lot of concerns were raised and various regulatory bodies have been on the site to ascertain the cause of the collapse of the building.

Mr. M’son disclosed that so far, the Lusaka City Council have issued an enforcement notice to direct that the entire structure be demolished.