Lusaka Province Agriculture Coordinator Pascal Chipasha says despite fall armyworms invading over 26,000 hectares of agriculture fields in Lusaka, the Province is recording a good crop performance.

Mr. Chipashsa explained that the infestations of fall armyworms is a common occurrence and that farmers are now able to fight the pests.

The Provincial Agriculture Coordinator said in an interview with ZANIS that 26,258 hectares of crop fields have been invaded by the worms and that 43,908 farmers have been affected.

Mr Chipasha observed that the pests have not caused much damage because the province is currently recording increased rains which has also reduced the infestation of the crop fields.

He stated that officers are currently distributing chemicals that were released by the government and that all the seven districts of the Province have been affected.

Mr Chipasha noted that Chongwe recorded the highest infestation of 6,741 hectares while Chilanga reported 6,228 hectares that were infested by armyworms.

He stated that 4,742 and 3,805 hectares were affected in Chirundu and Lusaka districts respectively.

“3,056 crop fields were affected in Rufunsa while 951 hectares were affected in Kafue district. Luangwa district reported the lowest pest infestation where 735 hectares were affected. He said.

Renowned Zambian Jesuit priest of Irish origin, Fr. Michael Kelly(92) has died.

This was announced by Fr Leonard Chiti who is the First Provincial for the Jesuits of the Province comprising Zambia, Malawi, Eswatini, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

“It is with great sadness and grief of the loss of our companion, Fr Michael J Kelly SJ,” he wrote.

“Eternal Rest grant unto Michael and may perpetual light shine upon him.”

Professor Father Michael J Kelly SJ. was born in Tullamore, Co. Offaly, Ireland, in 1929.

He studied at University College Dublin and was awarded a B.A. in Maths and Mathematical Physics in 1952, both with first class honours.

He went on to receive a licentiate in philosophy in 1955.

He moved to Zambia where he has lived and worked for over 50 years, becoming a Zambian citizen.

He worked for many years as headmaster of Canisius Secondary School, one of the earliest centres of learning in Zambia.

The school is located at Chikuni Mission about 10 Km East of Chisekesi town in Monze.

Father Michael completed his PhD studies in the area of child and educational psychology in 1974 and subsequently became a senior lecturer and Dean of the School of Education in the University of Zambia (UNZA), in 1975.

He served as pro-vice chancellor and deputy vice chancellor and became professor in 1989.

The pioneering work of the Irish Jesuit, as an educator and a campaigner for HIV/AIDS in his adopted home of Zambia.

He is also a renowned speaker and advocate on HIV and AIDS, and has worked tirelessly to educate and promote safe behaviour among youth and those most at risk in Zambia, throughout sub-Saharan Africa, and much further afield.

He was also active in other policy areas, such as strategies for HIV prevention, and human rights.

A prolific researcher and writer, Father Michael has authored 15 books, and many original research articles.

Throughout his long and distinguished career, Father Michael has worked as a consultant to organisations such as the World Bank, UNESCO, UNICEF, the FAO, UNAIDS, Oxfam, Irish Aid, and many more.

Over the next 60 years, he held a series of appointments across the country, which resulted in his nomination as Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Zambia in 1980 and a promotion to Professor of Education in 1989.

He worked tirelessly to get rid of the stigma of HIV/AIDS through education and advocacy work across Zambia and further afield.

Fr Kelly has been the recipient of many awards, in Ireland and abroad for his aid work.

In recognition of his contribution to education in Zambia and worldwide HIV advocacy, the Association of Commonwealth Universities presented him with the Symons Award in September 2003.

He has received several honorary degrees including Doctor of Science (2004), from the University of the West Indies, Doctor of Laws from NUI (2006) and an honorory doctorate from the Royal College of Surgeons (2012).

He received the Presidential Distinguished Service Award from President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Úachtaráin in November 2012, which honours the Irish diaspora in recognition of its sustained and distinguished service abroad.

Former South African President Jacob Zumba last weekend visited Zambia in an unannounced visit.

He arrived late Saturday and held an hour long meeting with President Lungu on Sunday at State House.

State House sources confirmed that Mr Zuma met with President Lungu but the nature of the visit has been kept secret.

“We know President Zuma was here on a secret mission. We are yet to be furnished with details of his visit,” one source said.

Other sources revealed that Mr Zuma praised President Lungu’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The sources said former South African leader said President Lungu has done a much better job compared to President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa.

“He told the President that he has done very well so far compared to his friend in South Africa who has been locking down the country with no success. President Zuma said your friend has brought tankers and a full military to the cities but cases are still going up,” the source said.

The South African liberation struggle icon later took time to meet the Mvunga family at Bank of Zambia Governor Christopher Mvunga’s farm estate near Chongwe

The Permanent Mission of Zambia to the United Nations in Geneva, represented by Ambassador Martha Mwitumwa has concluded its term as chairperson for the Group of 77 and China, Geneva Chapter for the year 2020.

The Permanent Mission of Zambia has since handed over the chairmanship to the Permanent Mission of Afghanistan who served as the Vice-Chairperson of the Group during Zambia’s tenure.

Speaking during the Handover Ceremony held in Geneva on 14th January 2021, Outgoing Chairperson Ambassador Mwitumwa thanked the Group for the great honour accorded to her to represent the interests of the Group particularly through the turbulent and unprecedented times of the Covid-19 pandemic.

She said the group was strong, commitment and supportive during the challenging period and was happy with the many achievements attained.

The Envoy said the achievements made included the establishment of the Standing dialogue on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on developing countries.

Ambassador Mwitumwa indicated that the successful completion of the Group’s Position Paper in preparation for the Fifteenth session of the UNCTAD quadrennial conference to be held in 2021 was important.

She explained that the Group also achieved the historical adoption of the terms of reference for the Working Party on Programme and Budget under UNCTAD.

The Ambassador expressed gratitude to the regional delegation coordinators as well as the friends of the chair for providing invaluable support, input and experience to the Group.

“I would like to thank the Secretary General of UNCTAD, Dr Mukhisa Kituyi and his deputy Madam Isabel Durant, the full senior management team, the Secretary of the Trade and Development Board and the Group Liaison Section for their unwavering support during her tenure,” she thanked.

Ambassador Mwitumwa appreciated the work of her officers at the Permanent Mission of Zambia in coordinating all the activities for the Group.

The Handing over Ceremony was attended by the Secretary-General of United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Dr Mukhisa Kituyi and the Geneva-based Ambassadors of the Member States of the Group of 77 and China.

The G77 and China is the largest intergovernmental organization of developing countries in the United Nations, which provides a means for the countries of the South to articulate and promote their collective economic interests and enhance their joint negotiating capacity on all major international economic issues within the United Nations system.

It also promotes South-South cooperation for development and consists of 135 Member States.

This is according to statement issued to the media by The Permanent Mission of the Republic of Zambia to the United Nations in Geneva and Approved by Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Save Lives Foundation President Younus Essa has welcomed President Edgar Lungu’s directive to extend the date of reopening of schools due to the rising COVID-19 cases.

Mr Essa says the move by the head of state deserves support and commendation looking at the risk that would have come with going ahead with the opening of schools amidst the second wave of the pandemic.

He told Smart Eagles in interview that President Lungu has acted in the interest of majority stakeholders who feel opening of schools at this time is not appropriate.

“Let us all rally behind President Lungu and support all the interventions that have been put in place” Mr Essa says.

And Mr Essa has called on all Zambians to treat the pandemic as serious and not as a hoax in order to reduce the number of new infections as well deaths.

“Numbers of new infections are now in thousands and this is a source of worry to all of us and should compel us to heighten social distancing and mandatory wearing of masks” Mr Essa said.

He says all the campaigns against the pandemic should be done holistically in order for the fight to be won.