THE Livingstone City Council has called for concerted efforts to address the problem of a poor reading culture in the country.

Livingstone City Council Public Relations Manager Emmanuel Sikanyika noted that most people in Zambia had a poor reading culture and called for collective efforts from various stakeholders to address the problem.

Mr Sikanyika cited the Livingstone City Council Library, Livingstone Museum and Railway Museum as some of the important places that had vast literature in Zambia’s Tourist Capital but they were rarely visited.

He was speaking in Livingstone on Sunday afternoon when he launched three books written by a group of Zambian writers.

The books, which were launched by Lilato Publishers and Production in partnership with the Livingstone Press Club and Musitunya Literacy Theatre, are ‘Is This Real Love’ by Munyinda Nambula as well as ‘Crashed Hopes Revived’ by Musialike Kufanga Nasilele and ‘Keron’s Poetry Book’ by Keron Lubinda.

“It is sadly said that the best way to hide something in Zambia is by putting it inside a book and that item won’t be noticed.

“It will be difficult to have well-informed and articulate citizens when such people don’t take time to read,” Mr Sikanyika said.

He urged all Livingstone residents and Zambians at large to embrace a good culture of reading to enhance education and development in the country.

Mr Sikanyika further urged young people to avoid engaging in immoral activities and concentrate on their education to assure them of a better future.

“Our young people today are faced with many challenges of teenage pregnancies, early marriages, clubbing, smoking as well as drug and alcohol abuse among others which are negatively affecting their education and other future prospects.

“It is worrying these days to have a lot of child-headed homes which are unable to sustain themselves,” Mr Sikanyika said.

And Mr Munyinda, who started writing books in 2013, urged more young people to write more books to document their progressive ideas.

“Writing has been very cardinal to me over the last few years because I have always wanted to write books that talk about real life issues,” Mr Nambula said.

Musitunya Literacy Club patron Teddy Mulenga urged the media to expose many Zambian writers to encourage more locals to write books.

Dr Mulenga, who is also a writer and a retired medical doctor, noted that most Zambian writers were not promoted in the media.

In their presentation during the launch, the Livingstone Press Club urged writers to uphold media ethics in their writing as irresponsible writing could cause harm to society.

The Club challenged writers to take time to understand various national laws that works against the Freedom of Expression and Freedom of the Media to avoid publishing defamatory and corrupt information.

On top of the agenda at the United Nations General Assembly is movements of refugees and migrants.

And President Edgar Lungu says government has developed the diaspora policy to obtain benefits from Zambians across the globe through the duo citizenship.

The Head of State says Zambia recognizes the challenges that come with refugees but added that there are benefits that come with refugees and other migrants.

President Lungu was speaking when he co-chaired a round table discussion with the President of Slovenia Borut Pahor on addressing drivers of migration, particularly large movements and highlighting the positive contribution of migrants.

The President says there’s need to address drivers of migration such as climate change and instability.

The Drug Enforcement Commission has charged and arrested the Zambia National Farmers Union(ZNFU) President and the Union’s Executive Director.

Union President Dr. Evelyn Nguleka and Executive Director Ndambo Ndambo were arrested following audits from KPMG and EMM Corporates.

And ZNFU President Evelyn Nguleka has tendered in her resignation following the developments.
Dr Nguleka has also stepped down as President of the World Farmers’ Organization (WFO).

ZNFU Spokesman Kinsley Kaswende said Dr Nguleka has stepped down in order to prepare for the upcoming court case regarding allegations of misapplication of funds at ZNFU.

“Constitutionally, ZNFU First Vice President Mr Richard Lisimba will act in Dr Nguleka’s capacity. ZNFU will henceforth be restrained to give further comment on the matters, as they will now be before court,” Mr Kaswende said.

She has thanked the government, the farmers and the agricultural industry in Zambia and outside, for the good working relationship she has had with them and that she now looks forward to the full process of the law to take its course.

Dr Nguleka further wished ZNFU well in its future endeavours.

Both Embassies of Finland and Sweden in Lusaka commissioned separate forensic audits that exposed extensive fraud, embezzlement and theft of over K34 million at the farmers institution.

The donors have since with-held further funding and demanded criminal prosecution of the culprits and demanded a refund as the money was from tax payers in their respective countries.

Deputy Head of the Swedish Embassy David Wilkins disclosed that the second audit by KPMG confirmed the high level misappropriation, fraud and theft of their funding to the institutions.

Instead of funds going to farmers, the resources were diverted to unauthorised expenditure of inflated personal allowances, and contracts designed to be vehicles of fraud and theft.

Lusaka Province Minister Japhen Mwakalombe says President Edgar Lungu’s administration will continue with its pro-poor policies in a bid to alleviate the suffering of the people.

ZANIS reports that Mr. Mwakalombe explained that government is working tirelessly to address social and economic challenges facing Zambians.

“Let me re-assure you of government’s commitment towards bringing about development across the country and Luangwa District as a whole”, he assured.

The Lusaka Provincial Minister was speaking during the Dantho traditional ceremony of the Chikunda speaking people of Chief Mphuka of Luangwa District over the weekend.

Mr. Mwakalombe pointed out that government has successfully upgraded the D 145 road to bituminous standard which will spur economic development in the district.

He further pointed out that government is on course in connecting Luangwa District to the National Power Grid (NPG) via Rufunsa District in order to service the entire district.

“President Lungu will complete all developmental projects that we embarked on five years ago and we will also embark on new ones aimed at bettering the welfare of Zambians,” he said.

Meanwhile, Independent Feira Member of Parliament Stephen Miti has pledged to work closely with government in order to enhance social and economic development of the area.

Earlier, Chief Mphuka of the Chikunda speaking people of Luangwa District in Lusaka Province implored Zambians to support the re-election of President Edgar Lungu and the PF in order to foster unity and development in the country.

Speaking through a representative, Princess Tamara Malunga-Mwansa, Chief Mphuka said his subjects are happy with the commissioning of Luangwa District Hospital whose phase three has since commenced.

The traditional leader commended government for constructing five (5) health posts in the district which have since brought primary health care services closer to the people.

“We are happy with the construction of female and children’s wards, staff houses and a water reticulation system. The hospital will better the livelihood of the people and create more jobs in the health sector”, said Chief Mphuka.

The traditional leader commended Zambians for remaining peaceful stressing that peace is a prerequisite for national development.

And speaking at the same function, Independent Feira Member of Parliament Stephen Miti pledged to work closely with government in enhancing social and economic development to the area.

Mr. Miti further pledged to work with government in creating employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for young people in the district.

Visiting Chief Chapoto from Zimbabwe and his Mozambican counterpart, Chief Mtunda attended the ceremony.

Others traditional leaders that addede the ceremony include Senior Chief Mburuma, Chieftainess Shikabeta, Chieftainess Mpanshya and Chieftainess Chiawa among many other dignitaries.

President Lungu gave the advice when he met Zambian nationals living in America during a “Meet the President Meeting” in New York last evening.

The Head of State assured the Zambians in diaspora that his government will treat all Zambian nationals equally regardless of their base.

President Lungu disclosed that his government has provided for a clause for dual citizenship and urged interested citizens to follow up the matter with the ministry of home affairs.

He however cautioned Zambian nationals living abroad to be disciplined and follow the laws of the host countries.

Mr Lungu also advised Zambians to remain united and reflect on some countries that have failed to maintain peace and see for themselves the anguish citizens of such countries are going through.

“Lets remain as united Zambians, you have seen how other countries have been without unity. For those who want to be here for good, I have made it for you through the provision of a clause in the constitution to enable your dual citizenship,” added President Lungu.

President Lungu also dispelled the issue of tribalism and regionalism as vices only promoted by some politicians during campaigns and that tribalism will end when people become united regardless of where they come from.

He however, explained that tribalism does not exist even among political leaders, in social gatherings such as football matches, drinking places and marriages among others.

The President stressed that there is equally no province that is tribal but only certain individuals.

President Lungu further noted that nobody will ascend to the position of republican president on tribal lines and that people can only ascend to the presidency only when they are embraced by the majority across the country.

Earlier, Permanent Representative of Zambian Mission to the United Nations Mwaba Kasese Bota in her congratulatory message to President Lungu’s re- election noted that democracy is a game of numbers as such president Lungu scored the majority hence retaining the presidency.

Dr Bota said her office has a good working relationship with the over 500 Zambians living in the diaspora who are also keen to work with the PF administration to foster development.

And, Zambians in Diaspora Community Chairperson representative Cynthia Chirwa told President Lungu that Zambians in the diaspora have embraced the One Zambia One Nation motto and want peace, unity and development to flourish in Zambia.

Dr. Chirwa also thanked the president for allowing the dual citizenship clause in the constitution as it will help Zambians living abroad participate fully in the national affairs of the country.