President Hichilema meets religious leaders, speaks on nation building, others

President Hakainde Hichilema has requested religious leaders to pray for the nation’s prosperity in all areas, including food security, as it is a matter of national security.

Hichilema noted with concern that the rain had not arrived at a crucial moment when crops, maize in particular, required the moisture the most.

The President said this during the Church-State Dialogue Prayer Breakfast held at Lusaka’s Pamodzi Hotel on Thursday.

He noted that as a result of climate change, agriculture and production of enough food for the nation had become more important than ever and that government could not act alone.

“Government is dedicated to collaborating with religious leaders in addressing the obstacles the country has continued to encounter which ought to be to overcome,” Hichilema assured.

The President stressed that unity of the country was essential, not optional and was the very minimum condition in both good and terrible times.

He requested that people with power make good use of their influence adding that pronouncing “One Zambia, One Nation” was necessary for unity.

“Let us use God-given leadership and opportunity to spread the unity message throughout Zambia’s ten provinces,” Hichilema declared.

He stated that as seen on the international, Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the United Nations (UN) platforms, government was dedicated to following in the footsteps of Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, the first Republican President.

The Head of State stated that this would strengthen democracy and promote unity in diversity.

On cholera, the President said despite losing almost 600 citizens to the epidemic, government was appreciative of the support it continued to receive from the church, the international community and other segments of society in the fight against cholera.

“Although the country should be generating vaccines, government applauds the World Health Organization (WHO) for developing the cholera vaccine,” Hichilema said.

The President requested the church to keep preaching about how important it was for citizens to change their mindsets in as far as hygiene was concerned.

He assured that government would re-align its budget and push more resources into ensuring that the citizens do not go hungry.

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