The Zambian Open University Student Union (ZAOUSU) meeting in Kitwe on Friday, 6 June, 2018, has established a student revolving fund that will support, by way of small interest free loans, fellow students who are vulnerable and need temporal relief to enable them take examinations by settling balances in tuition fees.

The Union members have collectively pledged an initial contribution of K13,000.00 towards actualization of the fund and resolved to encourage former and existing students to join the campaign to raise funds by contributing as low as K20 to support vulnerable students and students at the risk of not taking examinations for failure to pay the required 100 percent in school fees.

The Union noted that while Government has a responsibility of educating its citizens, students and Unions cannot sit and do nothing but provide leadership through making a contribution towards this responsibility.

As a Union, we believe time has come for students and Unions in our Universities to begin supporting each other and complement government efforts of educating the nation

The Union resolved to engage in fundraising and income generation activities whose proceeds shall go towards the Student Revolving Fund and has since called on well-wishers from within the country and abroad to provide assistance towards the Revolving Fund.

The Union has since constituted a 5-member Committee led by the Union Vice President, Maxwell Chisase, three Union members and one Member of Staff to be nominated by the University to develop the criteria for identifying students who need the support and all operational needs.

The Student Union of ZAOU was recently elected and has been on a working visit to Solwezi, Kabwe and Kitwe Regional Centers to interact with students, share concerns and find solutions to some of the problems facing the University and the Student populace. The Union intends to meet the Board of Directors, Management and the University Senate to discuss some of the problems in the regional centers and offer solutions.

Dr Kangwa served as Dr Chiluba’s personal doctor until the death pf the second Republican President.

Minister of Health Dr Chitalu Chilufya and Justice Minister Hon. Given Lubinda led thousands of mourners in remembering Dr Kangwa who also served as a Doctor at the University Teaching hospital.

The Zambia Medical Association organised a professional burial service for the deceased Medical Doctor.

Zamtel on Friday unveiled a K100, 000 sponsorship package for next weekend’s Choova Cycling Race Competition which will be held in Chipata.

Zamtel Chief Executive Officer Sydney Mupeta handed over the cheque to Youth, Sport and Child Development Minister Moses Mawere at his office.

Mr Mupeta reiterated the company’s firm commitment to investing in initiatives that promote the wellbeing of the people.

“As we may all know, the eastern region is a bicycle cycling region of Zambia and bicycles are the common mode of transportation and it is pleasing to note that the people of eastern province have consequentially adopted this as an annual sport and entertainment activity,” Mr Mupeta said.

He added, “For us at Zamtel, the Eastern province remains a key market and we would like to use this activity to interact with our valued customers. We are also proud to announce that Zamtel has continued to invest in network expansion in the eastern province.”

Mr Mupeta stated that the Zamtel network coverage in Eastern Province has continued to expand with sites standing at 62 from the initial 44 as network targets to achieve 113 sites in the province and ensure blanket coverage for the region.

And in receiving the cheque, Mr. Mawere commended Zamtel for partnering with the Zambian Government in promoting sports development which he said in line with government’s policy of private public partnerships in sports development.

The Choova Cycling Race is a 50KM round trip distance bicycle competition which attracts thousands of participants and is held in Chipata.

The Cashew Trees which were affected by pests and fungal diseases in Western Province are said to be improving after the first -round of the spraying exercise.

The development has cheered the Cashew Infrastructure Development Project (CIDP) Technical Advisor Peter Masawa.

Prof. Masawa told ZANIS after conducting an on the spot check of some of the trees along the Senenga/Kalabo road today that there is great improvement on some of the trees after the spraying exercise.

Prof. Masawa expressed optimism that the cashew trees will produce the nuts again after many years of fungal infection which had affected their productivity.

The CIDP Technical advisor said President Edgar Lungu is very passionate about the cashew industry in Western Province and wants it to succeed.

Prof. Masawa said the recovery rate of the plants is encouraging adding that, in 30 days’ time most of the trees will start having the nuts.

And Zambia Research Institute (ZARI) Assistant Technical Researcher Robinson Mwila said the use of motorized blowers for spraying has enhanced the efficiency of the spraying of the trees.

Mr. Mwila has assured the farmers that Government is committed to ensuring that all their trees both newly planted and old ones are fully sprayed against pests and fungal diseases.

He disclosed that the spraying exercise which is being undertaken by ZARI will be done in three phases in order to boost their protection against diseases.

And a local farmer Getrude Lishekelo has paid tribute to President Edgar Lungu for supporting cashew farmers in the area.

Mrs. Lishekelo said for a long time, most of the farmers did not know what to do with cashew trees which were planted and were not able to produce.

She expressed hope that her income level will improve once her cashew trees are able to produce

The Local Government Association of Zambia (LGAZ) has praised President Edgar Lungu for laying down a solid foundation for a clean Zambia through the declaration of the Keep Zambia Clean Campaign.

Speaking during the LGAZ Executive Committee meeting held in Kasama yesterday, Association President Christopher Kang’ombe said the campaign is an important exercise which requires everyone’s active commitment and participation.

Mr. Kang’ombe told the meeting which included Chief Officers and Mayors from all parts of the country that he is hopeful that the programme will be successfully implemented by the Ministry of Local Government.

He called for closer collaboration with various stakeholders for the programme to succeed.

And Mr. Kang’ombe has also commended government for launching the National Land Titling Centre, stating that this will help in the securing of properties.

He said the Centre will provide a number of benefits to the people such as facilitating certainty and surety of land.

Mr. Kang’ombe appealed to councils across the country to support their respective communities in accessing services of the Titling Centre, noting that there is also need for decentralizing works of the center so that people in the districts can benefit.

During the same function, Kasama Mayor Fredrick Chisanga called on Mayors, Town Clerks and Council Secretaries to support the fourth coming Northern Province Centenary commemoration scheduled for November, this year.

Mr. Chisanga further stated that the Province will also hosts the first ever Tourism and Investment Expo.

He said the Province is endowed with immense tourism potential which when fully exploited can contribute immensely in developing the nation.

Government has pledged to continue working closely with the church in improving the welfare of inmates across the country.

Kasama District Commissioner (DC) Kelly Kashiwa said inmates need spiritual and material support to enable them to fully reform into responsible citizens.

Mr. Kashiwa said this in Kasama today during the commemoration of the International Day of Prayer and Action for inmates held at Kasama Boys Secondary School hall.

He has since challenged inmates to take advantage of various skills empowerment programmes taking in correctional facilities to acquire a trade to use after living prison.

The DC further stated that offering life skills to inmates has proved to be a success in the reformation process.

And Zambia Correctional Service Northern Province Commanding Officer Sekele Nyambe expressed happiness with the positive change of attitude among inmates in the region.

In a speech read on his behalf by his deputy, Reverend Happy Chileshe, Mr. Nyambe said the transformation of inmates is attributed to thorough training of Correctional Officers in areas such as psycho-social counseling and human rights, which has enabled them to promptly attend to the welfare of inmates while in custody.

He further disclosed that Correctional facilities in Northern Province are doing fine in agriculture production resulting in the sufficient availability of food rations for inmates.

Mr. Nyambe however, appealed to various stakeholders to continue providing support to correctional facilities in order for the inmates to fully reform into productive citizens.

Meanwhile, the inmates from Milima Correctional Facility in Kasama, who spoke through their representative Peter Chipasha, thanked government for equipping them various life skills such as carpentry, bricklaying and tailoring among others.

The inmates have since pledged to use their acquired skills to become better citizens and sustain their livelihood after leaving the correctional facility.

The commemoration of International Prayer Day and Action was held under the theme, ‘empowering of inmates is an investment in national development and public safety from a prisoner to a governor’.