HH hands over donated boreholes to NIPA, Evelyn Hone, as he heads to Ethiopia

16th February 2024

Local

President Hakainde Hichilema making his remarks during a meeting with permanent secretaries and other controlling officers on the measures to improve programme implementation in the public service at Mulungushi International Conference center in Lusaka on the 18/01/2024-Picture by Chongo Sampa

Local

President Hakainde Hichilema making his remarks during a meeting with permanent secretaries and other controlling officers on the measures to improve programme implementation in the public service at Mulungushi International Conference center in Lusaka on the 18/01/2024-Picture by Chongo Sampa

PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has handed over two donated boreholes to Evelyn Hone College and National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA).

And Evelyn Hone College, student representative appealed to the President to donate a Lecture theatre and an ambulance to the institution.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that the President will be travelling to Ethiopia to participate in the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union scheduled for February 17 and 18, 2024.

Addressing students yesterday, President Hichilema encouraged them to focus on education.

“Just to encourage you that many of us went through the problems you are going through and it’s doable. Let me focus on that for a moment. My fellow citizens and young people, there is a time for everything, now it is time to acquire skills. For you, this is a time to focus on education. We have confidence that when you graduate, you would have been cooked here, you would have been manufactured properly and you can go in the world and do your masters, you will be okay. In our time, Zambian graduates at UNZA, for colleagues who came here; Zambian graduates whether confirmed at Hone or at UNZA, we were competitive and we were not second to anyone, I know you will be competitive yourselves. Please, look after these facilities, keep them properly don’t vandalise so that when someone comes after you, they will also use this water,” he said.

The Head of State urged the student leaders to guide the young learners.

“We were here not long ago, and a number of issues were presented to us that we needed to attend to in this college and indeed your neighbour, NIPA. We said we will start with water. With the Cholera situation we have in Lusaka, water becomes important. But you also know, your neighbour [NIPA], if they didn’t have a similar facility, they may create problems for you here, so, you will hear from here, we are going to NIPA and commissioning a similar facility like this one because we needed to deal with this area in this locality. That’s the small contribution that we are making,” said President Hichilema.

“Let me end by saying to my student leaders, lead these young people well. Let them complete their programme within time. The old days of rioting in the streets, lengthening the learning period, closure, opening are gone. We want you to stay and complete your programme within time so that you can enter the industry and be one of those that are contributing to the economic growth. So, help these young people. Guide them properly. I know the lecturers and management will guide them.”

And Evelyn Hone College student representative appealed to the President to donate a Lecture theatre and an ambulance to the institution.

“We cannot overlook the immense impact of the borehole that you have graciously donated, your Excellency. We appeal that in the same manner that you have donated a borehole, you can go an extra mile by donating a Lecture Theatre to improve our learning environment. We need accommodation, we also have limited sports facilities, only a football pitch is available. Sir, you can also donate an Ambulance because we sometimes encounter health challenges that require urgent medical attention,” the student said.

Meanwhile, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Mulambo Haimbe said while in Ethiopia, President Hichilema would attend several meetings including the Heads of State and Government Dialogue on Establishing African Union Financial Institutions.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation wishes to inform the nation that Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia will participate in the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union scheduled for 17th to 18th February, 2024, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Assembly is the highest decision-making body of the African Union and President Hichilema’s involvement is important. While in Ethiopia, President Hichilema will attend several meetings including the Heads of State and Government Dialogue on Establishing African Union Financial Institutions, and the meeting of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on climate change. President Hichilema is also expected to hold strategic bilateral meetings on matters of mutual interest, for the benefit of the Zambian people,” he stated.

“The Assembly will be convened under the theme: Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive, Lifelong, Quality, and Relevant Learning in Africa. The issues on the agenda include the African Union Institutional Reforms, peace and security, and the African Union’s participation in the G20. The Assembly will also deliberate on reports of the Committee of 10 Heads of State and Government on the reform of the United Nations Security Council, and the Forum of Heads of State and Government participating in the African Peer Review Mechanism”.

Haimbe said the President was expected to return to Zambia immediately after his engagements.