FIRST Republican President Kenneth Kaunda has called on youths not to allow themselves to be used as tools of violence.

Dr Kaunda said time had come for youths to position themselves as front-liners in promoting peace and forge development.

Dr Kaunda said this in Lusaka yesterday during a church service at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross to celebrate youth week.

Dr Kaunda said Zambians and youths in general should embrace the motto, "One Zambia One Nation" which had managed to unite the country's tribes.

"We should abide the by the Commandment which says love your neighbour as you love yourself, and youths should not be used as tools of violence," he said.

He said it was important for the country to continue existing in a peaceful environment that had continued to exist since independence.

Deputy Minister in the office of the Vice-President Davies Mwango during the same occasion called on stakeholders to join hands with the Government to eliminate many challenges young people were facing.

Mr Mwango said Government alone will not manage to tackle adequately the many challenges, which have engulfed the young generation.

He said Government remains committed to job creation for the youth in the nation.

He said this was the reason why Government established some schemes such as the Citizen Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) with a sole purpose of empowering many youths and the general citizens deserving to benefit from the funds.

He told the youth that this was an occasion for them to reflect on the contribution young people have rendered toward the

development of the nation.

The deputy minister praised Dr Kaunda for having fought for the liberalisation of the nation when he started fighting together with others.

He said Dr Kaunda along with other dedicated men and women liberated the country when he was still a youth.

Grace Ministry Pastor Eddy Chanda said it was sad that youths in the nation were being used by politicians.