Lungu extols Africa’s patriots

Thu, 25 May 2017 11:07:44 +0000

By NATION REPORTER

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has called on Zambians to reflect on the selfless determination with which the country’s fore-fathers and mothers fought to liberate Africa from the yoke of colonialism. 

In a speech to mark Africa Freedom Day today, the President said the continent’s forefathers ‘‘across the length and breadth of this vast continent, with a common vision, our fore-fathers and mothers exhibited a great sense of determination and patriotism for self-rule in Africa’’.

‘‘On this day, let us remember both our continental and national heroes and heroines who paid dearly for the liberation of Africa.  With humble and grateful hearts, we say ‘thank you’ to this generation of visionary men and women who committed themselves to this noble cause.

‘‘At national level, special tribute goes to our founding father, Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda, along with his peers, both living and departed, for their determination, conviction and dedication to the liberation struggle,’’ he said.

He added: ‘‘Let us emulate their selfless commitment and tenacity in our pursuit for economic emancipation which is our main focus today.’’

President Lungu said the theme for this year’s Africa Freedom Day, “Harnessing the demographic dividend through investment in the youth’’, was appropriate for Zambia considering that the  population is largely youthful, with 36.7 percent of citizens aged between 15 and 35 years.

‘‘Our transformative journey towards a Smart Zambia, a Zambia that takes advantage of the 21st Century opportunities, mainly lies in our youth.

‘‘In a world that is increasingly becoming more complex, sophisticated and dynamic, our youth, if left alone and unguided, is bound to be lost.  In this regard, it is important to invest in the youth.

‘‘As Government, there is no duty more compelling, important and urgent today than ensuring that sufficient investment is made to uplift the lives of our youth.

‘‘The possibility of unlocking our country’s economic growth potential is high because of our large youthful population.  Therefore, investment in education, health and strategic economic policies, will usher in a generation of technocrats, innovators, entrepreneurs, change agents and leaders.  Our youth need support in order to transform them into drivers of the country’s development agenda,’’ he said.

President Lungu said his Government was committed to giving the youth the necessary head start. ‘‘To harness the demographic dividend, education facilities at secondary, tertiary and vocational education levels are being constructed and upgraded across the country to ensure easier access to quality education.

‘‘Furthermore, Government is investing in the science and technology field to enable our youth compete favourably in this technologically advanced era,’’ he said.

To do this, he said, Government has been providing financial support to vulnerable, but deserving students enrolled at the University of Zambia and the Copperbelt University.  Government has also continued to facilitate for scholarships at foreign universities with the assistance of development partners.

Currently over 15,000 students are being supported under the scheme at both local and foreign universities. The bursaries committee is being transformed into a higher education loans and scholarship board in order to make financing of tertiary education sustainable and accessible to youths in all tertiary education facilities.

To create more opportunities for youths, Government has been implementing the bus drivers and vendors empowerment schemes and youth development centres.  Through the youth bus drivers empowerment scheme, Government has so far procured 25 luxury buses.  Each bus has been given to a group of seven youths on loan basis, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 175.