By JOHN KOMBE
CHONGWE Member of Parliament, Japhen Mwakalombe has challenged youths to engage in productive activities that would improve their lives.
Mr Mwakalombe has implored youths in the district to form cooperatives in order for them to benefit from youth empowerment schemes which have been made available by government.
He said this yesterday when he addressed artists during a Presidential Youth Empowerment Fund Scheme meeting for artist in Chongwe themed “Understanding the value of art and culture – Art and Humanity”.
Mr Mwakalombe said forming cooperatives would enable youths in the area to combine and share business ideas which will help them to uplift their livelihood
The one day symposium was attended by Artists based in Chongwe, youth cooperatives and other youths from Chongwe who displayed different artistic works such as curving and paintings.
The Lawmaker also donated three welding machines to three youth cooperatives each worth K30, 000. 00.
He observed that youths were the leaders of today and as such must make every effort to be productive.
He stressed that government was resolved to ensure that the youths were empowered. He said that this was why government had released substantial sums of money for youth empowerment programs. He therefore challenged the youths to form cooperatives in order for them to access the available funds.
And deputy director in the ministry of youth and sport, Cade Chikobe stressed that the youth empowerment programs were not discriminatory.
He said that every youth was eligible to apply for any available empowerment program regardless of political affiliation.
Mr Chikobe encouraged young people to work closely with the ministry to access the fund.
And National Arts Council (NAC) chairperson Patrick Samwimbila commended government under the leadership of President Edgar Lungu for empowering artist in the country with a K30 million revolving fund.
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