By Kondanani Chilimunthaka

Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Luanar) on Thursday installed president Dr. Lazarus Chakwera as its chancellor at a ceremony which was held in Lilongwe auditorium of the Bingu International Convention Center(BICC) in the City of Lilongwe.

President Chakwera who has been in the limelight for saying that he would like to strip-off some presidential powers including that of chancellorship of universities has found himself in the position following the constitution of the land as currently there is no amendment to the law. But taking the acceptance speech, the president was quick to say the acceptance is not  in contradiction with his own sentiments against the tradition but only that he abides to the rule of law which includes the the Luanar act 9 of 2011. He further said that he believes the responsible ministry is working on repealing the act for its amendment.

President Chakwera then challenged the graduating students to be innovative and citizens who can anticipate of the future and provide solutions presently.

President Lazarus Chakwera added that he is pleased that the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources has reviewed its curriculum to ensure that all its programs have elements of entrepreneurship build in, which equips students with skill in innovation and problem solving. President Chakwera also said he is happy that some projects of the university are aiming at equipping the youths with skills for self employment which is in line with his agenda of creating 1 million jobs.

After being installed as Luanar chancellor and the acceptance, President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera went ahead to preside over the awards presentation to the graduates. This year Luanar has graduated 1,090 students with certificates, diplomas and degrees.

By Chalo Mvula

Minister of Civic Education and National Unity, Timothy Mtambo,  on Wednesday laid a wreath at Late Chakufwa Chihana’s grave at Katoto in Mzuzu . The minister also held an interface with  famillies of the  July 20 victims as in what has been described as a national healing initiative aimed at moving the country forward  by healing the wounds of the past.

Mtambo , who was accompanied by Presidential Advisor On National Unity Rev Maurice Munthali said The Tonse alliance government want to make it a priority to respect our National heroes and those who fought for the freedoms of our country. He emphasized that , its a lesson to the nation that  respecting the heroes encourages the young and the living to work hard so that them too could be recognized in future.  

“Chakufwa Chihana remains our hero , a fearless and patriotic son of Malawi. Its sad that his resting place is not befitting the hero that he is , that’s why I will make sure that government looks at creating a proper heroes acre and also offer a befitting burial for this true son of Malawi” argued Mtambo

Chakufwa Chihana died on 12^th June 2006. A human rights activist, pro democracy advocate, trade unionist and later a politician rising to the post of Malawi second Vice President,he is often described as the father of Multiparty democracy after leading the fight against the one party regime.

One social media commentator  Grant Chavula  commended Hon Mtambo for laying wreath at Chihana grave  describing the gesture as  historic and worthy emulating  “Nothing wrong for Hon Mtambo to lay a wreath at the grave of  Late Honourable Second Vice President Tom Chafukwa Chihana, a mañ who laid foundation for our Second Republic to adopt Multi Party politics. Unless someone is myopic and a toddler in our local politics will view this as a waste of resources forgetting what that man laying in grave contributed to this country to be emancipated from a bondage of totalitarian regime for more than 33 years.” he commented.

Later on the Minister had an interface with Families of the victims of July 20, 2011  demos at Mzuzu City Council Offices.  20 people  were massacred by DPP regime  when they were protesting against  increasing arrogance and intolerance and dictatorial tendecies by the then President Bingu Wa Mutharika.In his address to the families , the minister reiterated that July 20 victims were heroes and not thieves as some people had described them . He said the families had cried and been vilified  for so long, however, now we have a government that is here to help them heal.

“These people are crying , they have been going through pain and the government has to listen to them in order to start the process of healing “  said Mtambo . He went on to say one of the  new government core objective of is national healing. As such , the government is ready to engage and listen to those that have grievances in order to facilitate the healing process.  “The nation cannot move forward and the country can not be , united if its people have got wounds- that’s why my ministry and the government is working hard to bring this healing now “ added Mtambo.

Other notable guests on both events were  Mayor for Mzuzu City Kondwani Brian Nyasulu, Livingstonia synod pastors and CSO leaders.

Businessman Zameer Karim is facing a charge of intent to defraud Ecobank over K850 million, which is connected to Police food rations scandal of 2015, local media reported Tuesday.He has been in Police custody since last Thursday before being granted court bail on Monday after being formally charged.

He along side Victoria Chanza, an employee of the bank pleaded not guilty to three counts of fraud, forgery and altering a false document when they appeared before principal resident magistrate Viva Nyimba in Lilongwe.

In the latest case, Karim is accused of presenting a notice of assignment of proceeds to the bank purporting to have been signed by Malawi Police Service director of finance and his deputy.Chanza was granted police bail on Saturday following her arrest on Friday .

Granting the bail, the court ordered the suspects to pay bail bond of K500,000 cash, one surety at K1 million non-cash, surrender travel documents and to be appearing at Chichiri Police in Blantyre every fortnight.