Limbe FESTAC 2015 ends

By Ajongakou Santos in Limbe

 Fako SDO, L’be Gov. Del. and Sonara GM after FESTAC closing

The 2ndedition of the Limbe Festival of Arts and Culture christened Limbe FESTAC 2015, has ended with organizers satisfied with the overall output of participants and promising to improve on the general organization in subsequent editions. Organized at the behest of the Limbe City Council and some stakeholder companies in the town’s development notably the CDC, SONARA, and some key financial institutions, this jiffy edition was placed under the distinguished patronage of the Minister of Arts and Culture, Ama Tutu Muna.
    Guided by the theme ''Cultural Diversity and Integration'', the FESTAC opened on Saturday, April 4 and ended on 11 April 2015 at the Limbe Centenary Field.
    It brought together sundry Cameroonians from the 10 Regions of the country and representatives from some friendly neighbouring countries notably Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana.
    In his welcome message at the opening of the FESTAC, the Government Delegate to the Limbe City Council, Motanga Andrew who was also the head of the Organizing Committee for the event, thanked participants and guests for accepting to come and be part of this year’s  history making event. He called on them to put all hands on deck so as to ensure that the event is crowned by success and becomes an annual event to promote the rich arts and culture of Cameroon.

    Day-one of the 8-day event started with a visit paid to the Cultural village by the Governor and his entourage to have an appraisal of the various products exhibited. The cultural events opened with cultural displays by the indigenous Bakweris tribe from Bimbia,Wovia and Botaland. Participants from the Grand North, Littoral, West, NorthWest, South West and neighboring nations like Nigeria,Togo and Ghana took the queue. Daily musical concerts also spiced the events.
    Other activities included visits to tourist sites such as the Bimbia Slave Trade village and other attractions. There was also the NjallaQuan International Marathon that was run from Idenau to Limbe, a canoe race, tug-of-war and Traditional Wrestling.
    This 2ndedition of the Limbe FESTAC ended on Saturday April 11, 2015 with sundry prizes awarded to key participants. In the marathon that ended the cultural event, Nwaya Yvonne and Ngalim Lizzette stole the show in the female category while, Mbacha Eric, Jude Leka and Fonyuy Justin carried the day with 500.000, 1 million and 1.5 million respectively. In the same vein, Miss FESTAC 2015-Galim Anne William won with 500.000 Francs CFA. Other partners, notably, BICEC, the Limbe Regional Hospital, the Nigerian Consulate for the North West and South West regions were all appreciated for their assistance in making the     event a dream come true.
    While closing this year’s FESTAC, Mr. Zang III- S.D.O FOR Fako and representative of the minister of arts and culture- thanked the sundry participants who had made FESTAC 2015 a reality. He also added that the development of the town of Limbe is dependent on both the private and public bodies and institutions of the Country and region, not only the Limbe City Council.
    The closing ceremony was attended by traditional authorities, Mayors, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Buea, the General Managers of CDC and SONARA, traditional dance groups and French Visitors.