•President Lungu (second left), First Lady Esther (centre) with Busokololo choir director Kombe Mpundu (second right) and Bread of Life Church International overseer Joe Imakando (right) after the Busokololo choir scooped the  ZNBC One Voice Grand Finale singing Competition at Bread of Life Church, Blessings Centre yesterday -Picture by THOMAS  NSAMA

By JAMES KUNDA –
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has described as baseless claims by some individuals that he has hijacked the Church and is using the institution as a campaign platform ahead of the August 11 general elections.
The Head of State said to the contrary, he was a firm believer in the virtues of Christianity and would continue attending Church services even when he leaves the office of Republican President.
“I hear them saying Lungu has hijacked the Church but even after 2021, I will continue coming to Church because I am part of the body of Christ,” Mr Lungu said.
President Lungu said this in Lusaka yesterday during the grand finale of the One Voice choral music competition which was contested by 23 gospel choirs based in the capital city.
The President was accompanied to the event held at the Bread of Life Church International’s Blessing Centre building in Emmasdale by First Lady Esther, State House staff, Government and Patriotic Front (PF) officials.
Clerics and people from all walks of life witnessed the event, which was broadcast live on national television.
Mr Lungu said the peace message from the Church through song and dance coincided with his personal affirmation as the country heads for elections.
“My being here with the First Lady is by design because even without invitation, we planned to attend this event under disguise.
“It is, therefore, my wish that the programme can grow even bigger so that many of our talented young people can get an opportunity to be involved,” he said.
The Head of State has since directed the Ministry of Tourism and Arts to ensure that the programme is fully supported as it has the potential to contribute positively to national development through job creation and the promotion of peace and unity.
Bread of Life Church International overseer Joe Imakando said the Church was praying for President Lungu for God to enable him to continue executing his exemplary leadership.
Zambia Community Choirs chairperson Enoch Chiwati said the One Voice choral music competition, which was designed to build capacity among local singing groups, was in the process of being rolled out countrywide.
Meanwhile, three choirs, namely, Saint Jones, Saint Margaret and Saint Busokololo, all of them from the United Church of Zambia (UCZ), contested the grand finale with the winner decided via public vote.
Saint Busokololo of Chawama UCZ emerged victorious with 71,047 votes and a cash prize of K20,000 followed by Saint Margarets of Kaunda Square which came out second with 49,297 votes and a cash prize of K10,000.
Saint Jones of Mtendere UCZ came out third with 38,450 votes bagging K5,000.
President Lungu presented the awards to the three choirs, whose performances  excited him and the First Lady as the event was rounded off by one song in a combined performance of all the three choirs.