Metro

UNICEF pledges to address challenges affecting Zambian children

Published

3 weeks ago

November 19, 2023

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has assured the Zambian government of its support towards addressing challenges affecting children in the country.

The assurance, which was given on Saturday by UNICEF Zambia Country Representative, Penelope Campbell, emphasised the need to create platforms for children to “air their views on various issues affecting them.”

While speaking during the National Commemoration of the 2023 World Children’s Day in Lusaka under the theme ‘Renewing our promises for children’s rights,” Campbell said giving children the platform to express themselves would build an excellent crop of future leaders.

“Elevating their voices is essential to helping them overcome barriers that they face daily as they develop intellectually, relationally, emotionally, and in so many ways that are key in for building the next generation of Zambia’s leaders.”

Community Development and Social Services Minister, Doreen Mwamba, who also spoke at the event, said the government was committed to promoting and upholding children’s rights in Zambia.

The minister noted that government’s determination was evidenced by various interventions put in place, such as the enactment of the Children’s Code Act No. 12 of 2022, introduction of free education policy, implementation of the re-entry policy, and the development of the Child Participation and Safeguarding Frameworks, among others.

“Together we can develop our children into responsible citizens and create a better future for our children,” Mwamba said, while urging all stakeholders to work together in ensuring that children were given the opportunity to grow and reach their full potential.

Related Topics:Children's Right Featured UNICEF Zambia

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Metro

Zambian govt rejects ‘light’ sentence of PF chieftain, Kambwili, appeals for two-year term

Published

9 hours ago

December 8, 2023

Akanimoh Etim

The Zambian Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Gilbert Phiri, has rejected what he described as the light prison sentence of five months given to a stalwart of the Patriotic Front (PF), Chishimba Kambwili.

Kambwili, a former Foreign Affairs Minister, was last week convicted by a Kasama Resident Magistrate, Samson Mumba, after he was found guilty of hate speech against the Tonga people of Southern Province, and committed to the Milima Prison in Kasama District.

While delivering the judgement, Mumba said Kambwili was guilty of the offence of expressing hatred and ridicule for persons because of tribe and place of origin.

The former Minister of Information and Publicity was said to have issued anti-Tonga tribal remarks during the 2021 elections when he featured on a live radio programme.

He was later suspended for a month by the Electoral Commission of Zambia ( ECZ) over the said remarks.

But Phiri has rejected the five months jail term and is insisting that the offence should have carried a maximum of two years sentence.

The DPP, which filed an appeal at the Lusaka High Court, raised two grounds in the notice, arguing that Mumba had “erred in law when he sentenced the convict to a term of five months imprisonment with hard labour for the offence of hate speech which carries maximum sentence of two years.”

Phiri also argued that the trial “erred in law when it misapplied the principals of sentencing in relation to the gravity and nature of the offence committed.”

Metro

Tinubu talks tough, vows punishment for anyone culpable in deadly bombing of civilians

Published

11 hours ago

December 8, 2023

Akanimoh Etim

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria has vowed that any individual found culpable in the bombing of Tudun Biri village in Kaduna State, North-West Nigeria, where over 120 civilians were killed last Sunday, will not go unpunished.

Tinubu, who made the vow on Thursday, also assured that all the injured victims would be well taken care of by the government under the Folako Initiative which would commence later this month, while the affected communities would be rebuilt under the new intiative.

Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, embarked on a visit alongside a high-powered government delegation to wounded victims at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna. He explained that the government would do everything possible to ensure that such an unfortunate incident dod not occur again.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sent us to commensurate with the people of Kaduna over the tragic incident,” Shettima said.

“The calibre of people that are here with me is a testimony on how deeply touched the president was by the incident.

“The President was deeply touched by what happened. We will like to assure the people and government of Kaduna State that the government will take measures to protect and preserve the interest of our nation.

“The victims will be well taken care of under the Fulako Initiative which will commence by this month and this community will be the first to be rebuilt in north west zone.

“All measures will be taken to ensure that future occurrence is averted. Government will get to the root of the issue and anyone found culpable will be punished accordingly,” Shettima added.