COPPERBELT University students this morning received a rare treat when His Excellency, Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia not only donated a bus to them but also rode with 20 of them on the bus to Woodlands Shopping Centre.
Recently, the President promised to source a bus for the students after hearing their cry when he visited the university in Kitwe.
And within weeks, the President has fulfilled that promise by donating a Higer Bus to the students.
At a handover ceremony at State House today, the President quoted Mathew Chapter 7, Verse 7, “Ask and it shall be given to you; Seek and you will find,” and handed the bus documents and keys to the Copperbelt University Student’s Union (COBUSU) President Lawrence Kasonde.
And the Dean of Students Ms Stylish Magida expressed gratitude to the President saying he has shown great love to “the students who are his children.”
She said the gesture shows the importance he attaches to education and encouraged the President to continue with the same spirit.
The Dean also remembered the President’s commiserations with the CBU students when they ‘lost’ ‘Mafishi’ (a pond fish that students believed brought them good luck).
And the COBUSU president thanked the President for his benevolence.
Mr Kasonde said a few days ago, the President helped student Chama Musonda with medical fees. Ms Musonda is suffering from cancer of the lungs.
Mr Kasonde added that only yesterday, the President yet again officiated at the commissioning of University of Zambia lecture theatres.
“This, Your Excellency, shows that you care for us,” he said.
The student leader said students had encountered transport challenges and the bus will alleviate their suffering.
Mr Kasonde said President Lungu had shown he cared for his people with Government’s decision to take over Mopani Mines in Kitwe and Mufulira.
“Let no one tell us that we cannot run the mines. Your Excellency these mines are for us young people for now and the future and you made the right call by repossessing them,” he said.
Earlier, the students were excited when the President got on the bus and rode with them from State House on Independence Avenue to Woodlands Shopping Centre and back.
The students chanted praises and sung songs for the President.
“This is great, driving on the same bus with the President,” one student quipped.
Mr Kasonde sat next to the President on the front seat.
Also on the bus were Acting Higher Education Minister Dennis Wanchinga, Presidential Affairs Minister Freedom Sikazwe, Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo, and Higher Education Permanent Secretary, Kayula Siame.
Secretary to the Cabinet Dr Simon Miti and Special Assistant to the President for Politics Dr Chris Zimba also attended the ceremony.
This is according to a press release issued by the Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations, Mr. Issac Chipampe.