From PEPETUAL SICHIKWENKWE  –

in New York
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has assured Zambians living in New York that his Government is ready to pave way for dual citizenship for them to participate in the affairs of the country.
The President said his Government was keen to look into the affairs of Zambians living in the US so that they could have a stake in the affairs of the nation.
He was speaking on Friday during a presidential fundraising dinner organised by PF supporters based in New York.
Mr Lungu said Zambians should be inspired by countries such as the United States that had made a difference because they acted with courage and resolve.
He said nothing would stop Zambia from becoming an economic powerhouse of the region if all Zambians pulled in the same direction as one people.
Referring to America, Mr Lungu said, “This is a land of the brave who were ready to sacrifice for the greater good of their country. As you live in this country, I ask you to think of the great words by US former president John F Kennedy who said …”ask not what your country will do
for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
He said while Zambia had pressing challenges, it would be proper for its citizens in the Diaspora  to look into ways of extending  development programmes and projects in the country.
The President also invited Zambians based in the US to join with the rest of the citizens to pray and fast for the country on October 18, 2015.
Mr Lungu further congratulated the United Party for National Development (UPND) for winning the Solwezi West parliamentary by-election.
Mr Lungu said the ruling PF did not lose anything in the just-ended by-elections as both PF and UPND were ‘fishing from the MMD pond’.
At the function, master of ceremonies MacDonald Longwe auctioned President Lungu’s hat for US$10,000 dollars and Chinese investor James Wang, the chairperson of the Board for America International Group Company Limited was the highest bidder and got it.
Earlier, PF deputy secretary general Mumbi Phiri said the Meet the President Fundraising Dinner took place at an important time when the party was positioning itself for the 2016 general elections.
Ms Phiri said PF would generate its own resources for party mobilisation and operations.
Some Zambian musicians who flew to New York, courtesy of Mathews Ngulube, a PF supporter, spiced up the event were Kings Malembe Malembe, Macky II, Mampi and  JK.
Several Cabinet ministers attended the dinner.