Zambian President, Mr. Michael SataZambia celebrated its 50th Independence Anniversary today in Lusaka, the country’s federal capital without the ailing President, Mr. Michael Sata. The President has been bed-ridden overseas on a medical treatment which details were not immediately made available.
The ceremony which was attended by Presidents and heads of government from across the world was presided over by the country’s acting President, Mr. Edgar Loungu.
The first President of the Independent Zambia, Kenneth Kaunda was also in attendance, and together with leaders from other countries, laid wreaths at the Freedom Statue.
President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria was represented by Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo. Sambo was accompanied by members of the federal government delegation, including Supervising Minister of Information, Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed, Senator Ahmed Makarfi and Hon. Ishaka Mohammed.
Namadi Sambo observed the cordial relations existing between Nigeria and Zambia, saying that he was happy with mutual investments undertaken by citizens of the two countries.
“President Goodluck Jonathan would have liked to be here with our brothers and sisters in Zambia to congratulate them.
“I am highly pleased to know we are cooperating with Zambia in various socio-economic aspects.
There are some Zambian companies that are operating in Nigeria in the communication sector and also, we have the Dangote Group and some Nigerian banks in Zambia.
“This is the right direction to cooperate in the various socio-economic activities between the two great African countries.”
Zambia’s Independence flag was hoisted on the midnight of 23rd of October 1964 with Dr. Kenneth Kaunda assuming the position of the founding President.
The southern African country shares cordial relations with Nigeria, coordinated under a Nigerian-Zambian Joint Commission which the Supervising Minister of Information, Mohammed, said would soon be re-energized to enhance economics activities between the two countries.
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