PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has directed the Higher Education Qualification Authority to recognize the Defense Service Command and Staff College as the Highest Institution for military and academic training for officers in the defense forces in Zambia.
President Lungu says despite the college having been opened by former President Fredrick Chiluba there was no statutory Instrument issued to formalize the process.
He said the College has trained many people who have ended up holding high positions in the military services of various countries in Africa.
The President who expressed happiness that the College has managed to put up additional modern infrastructure says the country no longer spends huge sums of money to train officers abroad following the establishment of the College .
He said this during the Celebrations of the Defense Service Command and Staff College Silver Jubilee in Lusaka yesterday.
President Lungu urged military officers to be nonpartisan as the country goes to the polls in August this year.
He said the officers should remain true to their calling of protecting the country.
And President Lungu presented a certificate of excellence to the institution for providing quality services in the last twenty-five years .
President Lungu was also given an award by the College in honor of his decision to award the College with a certificate of excellence and proficiency in Military training.
Meanwhile, Former Army Commanders General Kingsley Chinkuli and Nobby Simbeye were some of the people who were awarded by the President for their contribution to the establishment of the Defense College.
Speaking earlier College Commandant Brigadier General Benson Musonda thanked government for the support it has given to the training of officers in the Country.
He also thanked the head of state for facilitating resources for the construction of the first military University in Makeni township of Lusaka Province .
And Ministry of Defense Permanent Secretary Felix Phiri thanked President Lungu for allocating resources to build a new staff College .
Dr. Phiri said plans have been in place for the last twelve years, but past government failed to actualize them due to lack of Funds.
He said the construction of facilities such as the Maina Soko military hospital has cheered men and women in Uniform . -ZNBC
