NW and SW regions:

Nigerians told to shun secessionist activities

By a correspondent in Bamenda

H. E. Ambassador Mallam Arzika (R) Nigerian Consul General to the SW & NW of Cameroon welcomed by the Nigerian Community in Mamfe

Nigerian residents in the Southwest and Northwest Regions of Cameroon have been told to avoid associating themselves with secessionist movements in Cameroon and Nigeria. The Nigerian Consul General to the Southwest and Northwest Regions of Cameroon, Ambassador Mallam Muhamed Arzika told the Nigerian community in Bamenda recently as he met with them in his maiden outing.

                According to the Nigerian Diplomat, the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Cameroon are one and must be united. He entreated all Nigerians in his area of jurisdiction; the Northwest and the Southwest Regions of Cameroon to extend a hand of fellowship and harmony to each other, indicating that Cameroon and Nigeria are fighting security challenges, so they should remain peaceful all the time and work with the leaderships of the aforementioned regions and Cameroon in general.

                In his maiden stop-overs in Kumba, Mamfe, Kumbo, Nkambe and Bamenda, the Nigerian Diplomat invited all the Nigerians to come and register with the Consulate in Buea so that the Nigerian government will always stand by them.

                He expressed disgust with some of the Nigerian citizens who are in some prisons in the Southwest and Northwest Regions of Cameroon, challenging them to ask themselves why they are in prison. He blamed some of them for being ignorant of the laws governing their stay in Cameroon, while enjoining them to prepare and concert with their respective families back home before they embark on a journey out of Nigeria.

                Ambassador Arzika said the Nigerian government is ready to help citizens abroad and back home in the areas of agriculture and technology, so they should desist from the unnecessary quest for big money and cheap money without suffering. To him, they should be organized and avoid taking risks that will lead them to death.

                He took a commitment to work with the Superintendent of Prisons in Kumba, Mamfe and Bamenda and the Attorney Generals of the Southwest and Northwest Regions of Cameroon to facilitate the release of Nigerian prisoners with minor crimes and those with little fines to pay, while reiterating the need for them to get out of trouble.

                Other speakers at the various stops, which included the President of the Nigerian Union in Bamenda, Samuel Ebere, said despite the little misunderstandings here and there, the Nigerian communities in Kumba, Mamfe and Bamenda are preaching peace to themselves and their host country; Cameroon.

                The tricky issue of the residence permit and the mode of payment also came up forcefully, but the Consul General, promised to look into them, in collaboration with the Immigration authorities in the Southwest and Northwest Regions. To the Nigerian prisoners, the Consul General came along with huge consignment of food stuff, medicines and toiletries, adding that he will be back to ensure that their welfare is in good state.

                The Nigerian Consul General for the Southwest and the Northwest Regions of Cameroon concluded his outing in Bamenda with a courtesy call at the Governor of the Northwest Region, Adolf LeleL’Afrique, with whom they discussed the wellbeing of Nigerians in that part of Cameroon and the need to reinforce Cameroon – Nigeria bilateral relationship in all spheres.