President Edgar Lungu says those who think he does not deserve an honorary doctorate from the University of Zambia are just playing politics and he will not respond to them.

And President Lungu says he does not wish to be called “Dr Lungu” because he is just simple “Edgar”.

He was responding to public outcry over UNZA’s intentions to honor him for “upholding the rule of law, appointing a female vice-president”, among other reasons, when he arrived at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport, Saturday.

“Firstly, I am not a Doctor. I do not have a doctorate and I do not wish to be called Dr Edgar Lungu. There is so much talk about the doctorate to be conferred on me by the University of Zambia which I am greatly humbled with. But, let me tell you that in class I was one of the best students and if I really wanted to venture into the academia, the academic world, I would have been a professor by now. But I chose to pursue the political life and practice of the law,” President Lungu said.

“So those who think I do not deserve to be honored by the University of Zambia, that is politics and I will not respond to that. And even if I am conferred and recognized as such by the institution, I wouldn’t really want to be called Dr Lungu, I still want to remain simple Edgar.”

President Lungu said he was not one of those who pursued academic titles to appear more knowledgable.

“There are people who strive to become doctors and professors because they want to serve and there people that want to become doctors and professors because they want to bask in the glory of being perceived knowledgeable and I am not one of those. Whether you call me Doctor or not, what I have – I already have, what I was acquiring I have acquired already. I got my first degree from the University of Zambia, I have done a few post diplomas and courses so I am not worried about being called Doctor,” said President Lungu.

“What matters to me is what I have in my heart so don’t worry about doctorates, professorships, that doesn’t matter to me. What matters is ‘am I being of service to the people of Zambia?”