By SYLVESTER MWALE and JULIUS PHIRI –
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has been conferred with a status of the freeman of the municipality of Chipata in recognition of his contribution and personal sacrifice to the cause of humanity.
Mr Lungu was bestowed with the status by Chipata Municipal Council yesterday after the council meeting earlier in the day resolved that the Head of State be honoured for maintaining peace and stability in the country.

• President Edgar Lungu joins the young Ngoni warrior in performing a traditional dance in Chipata yesterday. Mr Lungu will today grace this year’s Nc’wala traditional ceremony. Picture by Eddie Mwanaleza

The local authority said President Lungu had been noble and tireless in ensuring that the country continued to be peaceful and stable.
“The council at its meeting held on 27th February, 2015 resolved that His Excellency be admitted to and conferred with the status of the freeman of the Municipality of Chipata,” said Chipata Town Clerk Davies Musenge when he announced the honour.
President Lungu becomes the third person to get the highest honour from the local authority after first Republican president Kenneth and South African leader Jacob Zuma were also bestowed with the status in 1994 and 2009, respectively.
In his acceptance speech, President Lungu said he was “deeply honoured to have been considered” for the honour but was equally cautious of the privileges that came with it.
“As I accept this honour, I am mindful of the rights and privileges that go with this conferment,” he said.
“I want therefore to assure the people of Chipata through your worship that I will preserve the dignity that goes with this freedom in all my dealings in the years to come.”
Mr Lungu assured that he would do everything possible to uphold the confidence and trust that had been bestowed on him.
The President, who commended the Chipata Municipal Council for its innovation in revenue generation, said his Government would not interfere in the operations of local authorities.
President Lungu arrived at Chipata Airport around 11:10 hours where he was welcomed by scores of residents before he addressed them.
He said he would not to succumb to unjustified criticism as he was now executing national duties.
President Lungu said he had been called all sorts of names in his first 30 days as Republican President but he would rather concentrate on doing the programmes for the benefit of Zambians.
“I will not answer to the criticism from these people who are calling me names but I will just be listening,” he said.
The President is in Chipata to grace Nc’wala ceremony of the Ngoni people today at Mtenguleni.
He reiterated that he would continue embracing all Zambians under the slogan of ‘One Zambia, One nation.’
President Lungu said some political leaders were currently failing to embrace the slogan thereby tormenting other tribes.
President Lungu commended the people of Eastern Province for giving him a vote in the presidential election, saying he was indebted to them.