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The Guest of Honour, Ms. Mizinga Melu
Bishop Joshua Banda, Senior Pastor Northmead Assembly for God
The Managing Directors of the various companies represented this morning
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen

1. I want to thank all the people who have come to support me and my family over the launch of the book, ‘Achievement Values for Young Adults’.Special word of appreciation for the support from members of Northmead Assembly of God church
2. I want to thank the sponsors who have supported this work: Dana Group of Companies, Muvi TV, Zambian Breweries Plc, BUK Truck Parts as well as the bookshops such as Book world, Planet Bookstore and Readers & Leaders.
3. I appreciate the support I have received from SABMiller Plc, especially for providing support in writing the appendix on alcohol consumption and underage drinking.
4. I also recognize the valuable insights I obtained from my previous employers Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation and Zambia State Insurance Corporation. These two companies are extensively referred to throughout the book.
5. I also recognize the role played by various individuals in putting the book together. Dr Nickson Banda has given incredible guidance in both books I have authored. My colleague Carol White summarized each Chapter for ease of read. Ruth Kayira headed the research team and also worked on the Index. Alinani Mugala and Chilufya Mulunda coordinated all logistics. Masuzyo Mtawali worked on the design and typesetting and Kennedy Nkandu Nkandu drafted illustrations to some chapters. The list is long to acknowledge the various chapter editors professionals, most of them gathered here. I requested a few young achievers to tell their own stories and these have been included in the early sections of the book. Allow me to specifically acknowledge the role played by my wife, Eneless, who tackled Chapter 10 on marriage. I have been married 20 years without knowing my partner is a fully gifted editor! There are also young university students who formed the core-research team who need recognition. I also thank Bishop Joshua Banda for writing a highly resourceful Foreword. I thank you all.
6. What is the motivation for writing the book ‘Achievement Values for Young Adults?’ First, I am personally desirous of producing a generation of achievers in all areas of life. Second, I am responding to the needs of our society. I will elaborate:
7. In September last year, a single mother and government dignitary, under intense desperation, requested me to mentor her teenage sons.  Within the same week, another mother made a passionate plea to mentor her 28 year old son; a graduate who could not earn a living. It was not by coincidence these parents approached me for help. Many a Zambian parent is disillusioned about the social and mental condition of their children. Many others do not even have an idea about how to position their children in this competitive economy where jobs are difficult to find. Teenagers in particular are abusing alcohol and hundreds of thousands others totally disoriented about life after school.
8. My promise to all these individuals, requiring my support, was that I would design a personal development manual. By writing this book, I am seeking to offer economic, cultural, social and spiritual solutions confronting many a young adult.
9. It takes time and resources to write a book whose market you are not sure of. However, I shared with my family that we had a duty to respond to the needs of our nation. We borrowed a lot of money just to process and print this book. We are prepared to lose it all so long it productively orients young people about succeeding in this country and beyond. I have had to pray a lot when writing each chapter. It is for this reason I decided to launch it in the church, for within these walls lie solutions that society is looking for.
10. This book does not reflect what I have achieved in life. On the contrary, it mirrors what I failed to achieve. By computing my past failings and weaknesses, I discovered that succeeding in life requires mentorship. Except for what my parents, the church and the school system gave me, I have literally approached life issues blindfolded. As a result, I have not utilised my full potential, though I still possess an opportunity to do so.
11. I wrote this book as a Zambian parent. I want Zambian parents to consider themselves as co-authors because whatever is projected is a representation of the many aspirations for our children.   One line in the book underscores our desire as parents. It says: ‘We can always become whatever we never became, through our children.’
12. By sharing this desire through the book, we can certainly inspire hope for those coming after us. Zambians must take centre stage in the affairs of the global economy. We should incubate and manufacture achievers who should be Secretary Generals of the United Nations, Managing Directors of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund and Secretary Generals of the African Union. Achievement does not come by accident. It is planned for.
13. In Conclusion, brothers and sisters
14. Zambia is a beautiful country. We can make it better if we all focus on the larger picture; which is sacrificing for one another until we are all well off. We do not have financial wealth to share to everyone. However, we can share values for a good life. The Bible states in Proverbs 4.7 ‘Wisdom is supreme, therefore get wisdom. Though it cost you all you have, get understanding.’
15. I wish to thank you all for supporting the launch of this book, Achievement Values for Young Adults. May the Almighty God bless us all.