President Rupiah Banda on Saturday led hundreds of mourners in paying their last respects to Second Republican President, Dr. Frederick Chiluba at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka.
President Banda was accompanied by his wife, First Lady Thandiwe, Vice President George Kunda and his wife, Ireen, Chief Justice Ernest Sakala, National Assembly Speaker Amusaa Mwanamwamba and his deputy, Mutale Nalumango.
Members of Parliament, Cabinet ministers and their deputies, Permanent Secretaries and their deputies, diplomats accredited to Zambia, Defence chiefs and senior Government officials also paid their last respects to the late former President.
Dr. Chiluba’s widow Regina and former first lady and Environment and Natural Resources Deputy Minister Vera Tembo including children also paid their respects before members of the general public were allowed to view the body.
Opposition leaders among them Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) president Edith Nawakwi, National Restoration Party (NAREP) president Elias Chipimo Junior, United Liberal Party (ULP) president Sakwiba Sikota were among those who saw the body.
Mourners from all walks of life thronged the Centre to pay their last respects to Dr. Chiluba.
The mourners gathered at the Centre as early as 07-00 hours as they awaited the arrival of Dr. Chiluba’s body.
The Zambia Army Gun Carriage took the body which arrived at the centre at exactly 10-00 hours.
At this moment a solemn atmosphere characterised the Conference Centre as mourners broke in tears as pall bearers carried Dr. Chiluba’s body inside the Centre.
Dr. Chiluba’s body would lie in state at Mulungushi International Conference Center till Sunday before being buried on Monday.
President Banda has since declared Monday, 27th June, 2011, a public holiday.
The President made the declaration in a statement through Secretary to the Cabinet, Dr. Joshua Kanganja.
He announced that paying of last respects by the general public would start on Saturday from 11:30hours to 18:00 hours.
The public would continue paying their last respect on Sunday from 08:00 hours to 18:00 hours.
And several people have described the late Dr. Chiluba as a pioneer of democracy and pillar of the nation who embraced all people.
Former Zambia’s Ambassador to Mozambique George Chulumanda says he worked closely with Dr. Chiluba when he served as Sport, Youth and Child Development Deputy Minister.
Mr. Chulumanda described the late former President as an icon of peace, democracy who also imparted knowledge to most Zambians including youths.
No comments:
Post a Comment