Independence Day Celebs in Buea

Nigerian gov’t forever grateful to Cameroon
By Sarah Nkongho Ojong in Buea
For the very first time the ceremonies to mark the independence of Nigeria on 1 October were hosted in Buea, capital of the South west region. The event at a sumptuous Buea-based hotel was presided over by the Nigerian High Commissioner to Cameroon, Her Excellency Hadiza Mustapha. It witnessed the presence among others of the Consul-General of the Northwest and Southwest regions with residence in Buea, H.E Dan Nwari Nwazim, the Consul-General of Littoral and West regions, H.E Alhaji Hassan Bello and an enthusiastic crowd of Nigerian citizens from all over the South west region and beyond clad in attires bearing the green-white-green colours of the Nigerian flag. The Governor of the South West region was represented by the Secretary General, Fon Ndikum Clement.
    The high points in the celebrations included the chanting of the Nigerian Anthem, prayers and a sumptuous cocktail.

Speaking on the occasion, the Nigerian High commissioner expressed profound gratitude to the government of Cameroon under the leadership of President Paul Biya, for the hospitality that his government has continued to extend to Nigerians in Cameroon.
    “Cameroon has shown in every way and in many ways that she is a dependable ally and a true governing country,” the High Commissioner said.
    Citing the over 260,000 fleeing Nigerian and CAR refugees in the Far north and east regions of Cameroon, Commissioner Mustapha applauded the efforts deployed by the Cameroon government to receive and rehabilitate the Nigerian refugees, saying that the Nigerian government is very grateful to Cameroon for the wonderful gesture.
    H.E Mustapha also mentioned the combined efforts of both Cameroon and Nigeria to eradicate the menacing activities of the terrorist group Boko Haram, especially the activities perpetrated by the group on school children and women.
‘’Nigeria will continue to collaborate with Cameroon in all forms to ensure security at their shared borders in the interest of the good socio- economic relations that exist between the two countries, ‘’ she added.
    About the deadly Ebola virus that has taken root in some West African countries and gradually spreading to other parts of Africa and the world, H.E Hadiza assured the public that health officials in Nigeria were able to contain and arrest the spread of the dreaded viral disease and this has prompted the World Health Organization to declare Nigeria Ebola-free. But she also used the occasion to call for renewed vigilance because according to her the deadly virus is still hovering around.     
    In a bid to strengthen ties between Nigeria and Cameroon the High Commissioner announced the launching of an annual charity project to provide assistance to school children, market women and displaced Nigerians in Far North Cameroon. She announced the imminent construction of 2 primary schools in Meiganga in the Adamawa region and said the gesture will extend to other areas of the country notably the Bakassi area.
    It should be noted that Nigeria counts over 4 million of its citizens in Cameroon, with the bulk of them living in the south west region.