By MILDRED KATONGO –
FORMER presidential advisor for economic affairs to fifth Republican president Rupiah Banda, Francis Chigunta has died.
Professor Chigunta died on his way to the hospital last night.
He was development studies lecturer and researcher at University of Zambia (UNZA) and at the University of Lusaka (UNILUS) at the time of his death.
Former Press aide to president Banda, Dickson Jere said on his facebook page that he was saddened by the untimely death of Prof Chigunta whom he worked with at State House.
Mr Jere said he was devastated to learn of Prof Chigunta’s death who was an intellectual and academician and contributed greatly to the development of the country.
“When I woke up this morning, I found several missed calls. The midnight calls were from Prof Francis Chigunta, a longtime friend and former workmate at State House.
When I called back, his wife answered and said Prof Chigunta was no more. He passed on while being taken to the hospital,” he said.
And Australia-based Zambian Academician Nalukui Nawa said Zambia had lost one of its finest minds, a leading development policy specialist, a fine thinker, a brilliant academic, eloquent speaker, a genius and a fountain of classic development.
Dr Nawa said the department of Development Studies at UNZA was lost for words and urged Zambians to keep his family in prayers.
