President Hakainde Hichilema has launched the African Union Champion’s Report on Ending Child Marriage in Africa and the Spotlight Initiative African Regional Programme.

Speaking at the launch in Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia today, President Hichilema, who is also African Union Champion on Ending Child Marriage, said the launch was a call to action towards addressing the menace of child marriage.

The media reports that the President said it is important for the global community to rise and protect the future of the girl children, without neglecting boys in the process.

“We need to internalise these issues and find effective measures that will make a positive impact in our lives,” he said.

President Hichilema further urged all stakeholders around the world to immediately act and find solutions to the problem of child marriage.

He noted that key causes of child marriage, such as poverty and certain traditions, must be identified and attended to, if the challenge is to be addressed effectively.

Mr Hichilema added that child marriage was a severe violation of human rights hence the need to join hands in ending it.

He reiterated the need to enhance social protection and ameliorate livelihoods in various countries, noting that this is one way of ending child marriages.

The Head of State also called for the review certain laws that inhibit the effective fight against child marriage.

Earlier, the representative of the European Union Delegation to the African Union, Javier Perez, pledged the EU’s commitment to work with African countries to tackle the menace of child marriage.

Mr Perez called for the promotion of gender equality which he said is a noble and legitimate way of addressing child marriages.

He further noted that encouraging gender equality is a multilateral action.

Meanwhile, African Union Commissioner in the Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Amma Twum-Amoah stated that the African Union Commission fully supports Zambia’s efforts and successes in addressing challenges of child marriage.

Ambassador Twum-Amoah said speeding up efforts to end child marriage is more critical now than before.

The Spotlight Initiative African Regional Programme 2.0, is a flagship, multi-year regional programme designed to accelerate progress toward ending all forms of violence against women.

Preparations for this year’s Nc’wala Traditional Ceremony have intensified as the Ngoni people gear up for the annual event in Eastern Province.

Some members of the organising committee have already travelled to Lusaka to attend the N’cwala Gala Dinner, while others to Nakonde ahead of the commemoration of King Zwangendaba, scheduled for February 18, 2026.

A check at Mtenguleni by the media  found heightened preparatory activities, with traders setting up makeshift stalls in readiness for business during the ceremony.

Some members of the Nc’wala organising committee were also seen painting and preparing the Mtenguleni main arena.

 N’cwala Ceremony Organising Committee Secretary, Adamson Sakala, confirmed that preparations are progressing well.

Mr Sakala disclosed that four Impis from each chiefdom are expected to travel to Nakonde to accompany Paramount Chief Mpezeni for the memorial service of King Zwangendaba.

Eastern Province Permanent Secretary, Paul Thole, was among officials who inspected the preparations at the main arena today.

Mr Thole said electricity will be installed at the arena four days before the main event adding that water supply and taps will also be set up at the venue.

He further stated that road maintenance and rehabilitation works have been completed in most parts, with remaining works expected to be finalised before the ceremony.

And Chief Maguya has expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far but has urged villages responsible for supplying cattle to ensure the animals are delivered ahead of the main ceremony to guarantee adequate food supplies.

District Commissioners from Chipata, Kasenengwa, Chipangali and Petauke, along with other government officials, were also in attendance, bringing the total number of government representatives present to 55.

Meanwhile, 211 members attended the preparatory meeting held in Laweni area in Kasenengwa district.

Earlier, the impis, including women who perform the traditional Lishombe dance rehearsed alongside Ngoni warriors in readiness for the ceremony, which will run from February 18 to 28, 2026.

More than 20 preparatory meetings have been held from October 2025 to date in anticipation of the annual Nc’wala Ceremony, one of Zambia’s major traditional events on the national cultural calendar.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) says properties belonging to jailed former Kabushi lawmaker Bowman Lusambo in Chamba Valley remain forfeited to the State, dismissing social media claims that the assets have been returned to him.

According to the Commission, none of Lusambo’s properties, including his Chamba Valley residence, have been restored. The ACC explained that the forfeiture followed his conviction by the Economic and Financial Crimes Court on two counts of possessing property suspected to be proceeds of crime.

In September 2025, Lusambo was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment with hard labour. Three months later, in December 2025, the court ordered that all his Chamba Valley properties be forfeited to the State.

The ACC said that while the criminal case was ongoing, it had also initiated a separate civil Non-Conviction-Based forfeiture case in the High Court as a precautionary measure in case the criminal proceedings were delayed.

However, once the conviction was secured and the court formally ordered the forfeiture of the properties, the civil matter was discontinued because it was no longer necessary, not because Lusambo regained the assets.

ACC Acting Spokesperson Chilufya Chisanga said the public should be assured that there has been no reversal of the forfeiture order and that the properties remain under State control.

The Ministry of Education has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SPLASH International Zambia aimed at improving water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services in selected schools across the country.

The partnership is expected to benefit more than 700,000 learners in Lusaka, the Copperbelt and Eastern Province through the rehabilitation and construction of modern water and sanitation facilities.

Speaking during the signing ceremony in Lusaka yesterday, SPLASH International Founder and President Eric Stowe described Zambia as one of the most progressive governments his organisation has partnered with globally.

“We have worked all over the world and in this current phase of our work, we have tried to isolate which country has the most progressive, sophisticated, responsive and responsible government that we want to partner with, and Zambia is at the top of the list,” Mr Stowe said.

Mr Stowe noted that SPLASH has served over 1.5 million children across eight countries and considers schools central to national transformation.

“Schools are the springboard to transformative change. As goes education, so goes the country,” he said.

He added that the organisation’s priority is to ensure access to clean drinking water, handwashing facilities with soap, dignified sanitation infrastructure and menstrual health services to support girls and improve school attendance.

And Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary Kelvin Mambwe said the MoU represents more than a formal agreement, describing it as a reaffirmation of Government’s commitment to quality education.

“This event represents far more than the formalisation of an MoU. It signifies a shared commitment, a strengthened partnership and a collective responsibility to safeguard the wellbeing and future of Zambia’s children,” Dr. Mambwe said.

Dr. Mambwe stated that Government remains committed to ensuring that learners study in safe, healthy and dignified environments.

“His Excellency, President Hakainde Hichilema, has consistently emphasized that no child should attend school without access to clean water and safe sanitation facilities,” he said.

He explained that Government has prioritised the improvement of WASH infrastructure in schools through the transformation of pit latrines into modern facilities and the expansion of reliable water sources through borehole construction.

“To be precise, over 700,000 learners will benefit at the end of this project,” Dr. Mambwe disclosed.

The Permanent Secretary further stressed the importance of sustainability and community ownership.

“As we celebrate this milestone, we must ensure sustainability through strong management systems and community participation. These facilities must be maintained for the benefit of present and future generations,” he said.

The partnership is expected to significantly improve learning conditions, protect learner health and enhance school attendance, particularly among girls.

Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Sylvia Masebo says Zambia is keen to learn from India’s land management.

The media reports that Ms Masebo pointed out that Zambia is impressed with how India has managed land despite having a high population.

She said Zambia has a lot to learn from India how that country has effectively managed the use of land administration.

The Minister said this when Indian High Commissioner to Zambia Alok Ranjan Jha paid a courtesy call on her at the office.

Ms Masebo stressed that Zambia wants to learn from India’s digital Land records modernisation.

She said Zambia’s digitalisation and integration programme is still in its infancy.

“I think we can learn a lot from you on how you are managing the land in your country,” said Ms Masebo.

She called for deepening cooperation with India in the area of land administration and management.

Ms Masebo said the Ministry of Lands is looking forward to signing an MOU with Indian in the area of land management.

Ms Masebo noted that such an MOU will greatly benefit the country on land management.

Ms Masebo earlier informed the Indian High Commissioner that her Ministry is in the process of amending the Land Act of 1995.

She explained that the amending of the Land Act is meant to realign it with the new constitution which was amended a few years ago.

Ms Masebo further disclosed that the ministry is in a process of consulting stakeholders on the amending of the Land Act.

Meanwhile, Ms Masebo has wooed investors from India to consider investing in the agriculture sector.

She said Zambia has readily available land for investing in agriculture.

And Indian High Commissioner, Alok Ranjan Jha said his country is happy to share with Zambia how it has effectively managed land administration.

Mr Jha pointed out that the strong enforcement of regulations governing land use is what has contributed to order in the administration of land in India.

He said India seems to handle the management of land well because of strong regulation enforcement.

President Hakainde Hichilema has called on the media to remain objective and refrain from partisan reporting as the country prepares for the next general elections.

President Hichilema urged broadcasters to use their platforms to promote peace, unity and national development instead of advancing division.

In a speech read for him by Information and Media Minister Cornelius Mweetwa during the World Radio Day commemorations in Choma district, President Hichilema reiterated his commitment to promoting a free press that fosters national development.

“Media freedom must go hand in hand with responsibility, especially as we approach the 2026 general elections. I urge all broadcasters to remain objective and avoid partisan reporting that may divide our people,” President Hichilema said.

He said Radio remains one of the most important tools for information dissemination and national dialogue, particularly in rural communities where it is the most accessible medium.

He also called for clear editorial policies on Artificial Intelligence use in newsrooms.

“If properly used, AI can improve newsroom efficiency, but there must be strong editorial oversight and verification of all AI-assisted content before dissemination,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Independent Broadcasting Authority Director General, Webster Malido has revealed that the authority is currently reviewing existing policy frameworks on the use of Artificial Intelligence to enable radio stations and other media institutions enhance professionalism in the face of emerging technologies.

“Misinformation and disinformation in the wake of AI remain a serious concern. Therefore with the new frameworks being developed we will ensure radio stations comply with broadcasting standards that will promote ethical reporting of information,” he explained.

And UNESCO Representative, Moira Nguni urged ethical use of emerging technologies.

“Artificial Intelligence can open new horizons for content production, but radio stations must develop ethical frameworks grounded in transparency, data protection and safeguards against misinformation,” Ms Nguni said.

And Media Institute of Southern Africa Zambia Chairperson, Lorraine Chisanga called for deliberate policy direction.

“Media houses should develop comprehensive AI policies to guide newsroom operations and safeguard credibility, as public trust remains the cornerstone of journalism,” Ms Chisanga said.

Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) has cautioned all road users to stay alert and be aware of their surroundings amidst changing weather patterns in the next few days.

RTSA Head of Public Relations, Chilufya Mwelwa, says the Fog is expected to affect driving and pedestrians’ movement, which calls for the need to be alert and drive at a reduced speed with fog lights turned on.

The media reports that Ms Mwelwa has urged pedestrians to exercise caution when crossing the road and to be very visible to motorists and other road users in order to avoid being a danger to oneself and other road users.

“Be very cautious as you walk across the road, where your eyesight is not good, do not drive or do not move until the fog clears, as you can be a danger to yourself and other road users,” she warned.

Meanwhile, Acting Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Rodney Sikumba, says the rainfall activity is expected to continue over the next seven days, with varying distribution and intensity depending on the cyclone Gezani track.

Mr Sikumba added that the cyclone is expected to sustain the inflow of warm and unstable moisture into the region as it continues its westward movement, with potential damage anticipated to infrastructure such as roads and bridges.

He has since called on relevant ministries and agencies to enhance coordination of preparedness and response actions and continuously obtain official weather updates and advisories from the Zambia Meteorological Department.

Mr Sikumba said his Ministry, through the Zambia Meteorological Department, will continue to closely monitor the trajectory and intensity of tropical cyclones and provide timely and regular updates to the nation.

He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives, livelihoods and national infrastructure during the stated period.