GOVERNMENT has described the late Copperbelt University (CBU) acting director at the Dag Hammarskjöeld Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies Emmanuel Chunda as a hero.

Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Effrone Lungu said Mr Chunda worked tirelessly to establish the Dag Hammarskjoeld Institute for peace and conflict studies.

Dr Lungu said at the funeral in Kitwe yesterday that the country had lost a professional who was passionate and selfless in everything he did.

"Zambia has lost a son, an academician, a human resource, a passionate person and a hero who lived a full life as he was good at everything he did," he said.

CBU vice-chancellor Naison Ngoma said Mr Chunda was a great man who accumulated knowledge, wisdom and was ready to share with everyone.

Mr Chunda, who once served as CBU dean of students before moving to the Dag Hammarskjoeld Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies, died on Monday after collapsing at his home.

He is survived by a wife, six children and 10 grandchildren. He was 64.