Lilian Kasenene, Morogoro
The Secretary-General of Tanzania’s ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), Ambassador Dr. Emmanuel Nchimbi, has called on educated citizens to participate actively in the upcoming elections for local government leaders.
He stressed that a strong voter turnout, particularly among the educated, would demonstrate that their learning is contributing to the nation’s democratic process. If these individuals neglect to vote, he warned, it may reflect a missed opportunity to use their education for the good of society.
Dr. Nchimbi made these remarks in Morogoro during the 24th Mzumbe University Alumni Council meeting, where he was a special guest.
As a 1997 alumnus of Mzumbe, he urged his fellow graduates to set a positive example by voting on November 27 for local government representatives.
The CCM Secretary-General seized the opportunity to encourage all Tanzanians to exercise their right to vote, selecting leaders who genuinely represent and serve their communities’ needs.
He emphasized that local government offices are critical points of contact for citizens seeking essential services and for driving community-level development.
“This is an essential role," Dr. Nchimbi explained. "When a Tanzanian has an issue in their neighborhood, village, or sub-village, local government is the first point of contact. It is not a responsibility to overlook.”
Dr. Nchimbi added that all political parties participating in the election are being assessed based on their track records and contributions.
He urged voters to consider CCM, a party he described as stable, committed, and well-equipped to advance national progress and development.
Reflecting on his own student experience, Dr. Nchimbi shared a story of how he ran for the presidency of the student government at Mzumbe but lost by a margin of just 13 votes.
Despite the narrow defeat, he remained close friends with his opponent, a lesson in resilience and patience. He called on all candidates to accept election results with grace rather than resorting to complaints or blame.
In his message to graduates, Dr. Nchimbi reminded them that employers today seek more than formal qualifications. They look for individuals with versatile skills, capable of handling multiple responsibilities.
He also advised graduates not to view technological advancements, including artificial intelligence (AI), as threats to their careers. Instead, he encouraged them to see these advancements as opportunities to leverage their professional expertise.
In his address, Mzumbe University Vice-Chancellor Professor William Mwegoha announced that the university would make history at its 23rd graduation ceremony on November 24 by awarding 12 PhDs, with President Samia Suluhu Hassan of the United Republic of Tanzania as the guest of honor. This number is double the PhDs awarded in 2023 and quadruple those awarded in 2022 and 2021.
Professor Mwegoha noted Mzumbe’s continued growth and its commitment to expanding access to education through online courses. He highlighted the near gender parity in student enrollment, with male students comprising 50.2% and female students 49.8%.
Retired Controller and Auditor General CPA Ludocick Utoh, President of the Mzumbe University Alumni Council, emphasized the importance of education for national progress rather than individual advancement, in line with the university’s motto.
“Let us prioritize the development of our nation over individual interests,” Utoh remarked.
Several prominent leaders attended the alumni council meeting, including Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism Dr. Pindi Chana, Minister of Minerals Anthony Mavunde, Morogoro Regional Commissioner Adam Malima, and several district commissioners.
