Courtesy Visit To New PM:

SW Community Storms Dion Ngute’sOdza Residence

-Sons and Daughters of the SW region resident in Yaounde Saturday converged on the Odza residence of newly appointed Prime Minister, Chief Dr. Dion Ngute, to congratulate, encourage and honour him, as well as to assure him of their unalloyed and unflinching support following his merited appointment to the coveted post of PM, Head of Gov’t of Cameroon

By Ojong Steven Ayukogem in Yaounde

The courtyard and precinct of the  Odz, Yaounde residence of the new Prime Minister, H. E. Chief Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute, were not enough to contain the huge crowds of SW elite and Chiefs resident in Yaounde, who thronged at the residence on Saturday evening. The Sw community in Yaunde had come to pay a courtesy visit to the PM, who is their son, brother, father and chief.

                The activities during the long evening that started from 4 pm and extended until after midnight, were telling of the joy in the hearts of the PM’s august guests. They danced, sang and feasted, in a veritable showcase of the traditions and customs of the people of the five divisions that make up the SW region, notably Fako, KupeMuanenguba, Manyu, Meme and Ndian.

                Speaking on the occasion, senior statesman, the Rt. Hon. Peter MafanyMusonge, who is former PM and current Grand Chancellor of the National Orders of Cameroon and the President of the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multi-Culturalism, noted the “profound joy” of the people of the SW region, following the appointment by President Paul Biya, of Chief Dr. Dion Ngute as the Prime Minister, Head of Gov’t of Cameroon.

                Musonge, who is also the head of the CPDM Central Committee’s Permanent Delegation to the SW region, told the host, HRH Dr. Dion Ngute, that, his brothers and sisters of the SW had come not only to congratulate him but also to encourage and honour him for the big achievement he has gained for the region through his brilliant appointment.

                “We, your brothers and sisters, are here today to express our very warm congratulations to you on this extra-ordinary mark of confidence bestowed on you by the Head of State, H. E. Paul Biya…….We are here to encourage you, as you take on this demanding, yet, exciting challenge in your political career. Above all, we came to honour you, as one of our eminent traditional rulers who has been anointed to work closest to our “NaliomoNfonMbwog”, and to assure you of the big support-base you can count on in Yaounde.”

                Describing Chief Dion Ngute as a “Nyanga Man” with a warm and friendly disposition, MolaMusonge said before choosing him for the coveted job of PM, President Biya had found in him “the most worthy and trusted person with the right credentials and sterling qualities for the post.” 

                He extolled the new PM’s consensus nature, and especially his avoidance of controversy, his listening ear, his perfect bilingualism, apart from his being a fine diplomat and a refined technocrat.

                “We have no doubt you are equal to the task,” Musonge said, at once reminding the new PM of the high expectations of Cameroonians notably for him to help the President to restore peace in the troubled regions of the SW and NW.

                To the people of the SW region, Musonge reminded them that Chief Dr. Dion Ngute is the third personality to be appointed PM from the region since President Biya took over office in 1982. Noting that no other region has had as many PMs, Musonge exhorted his SW kith and kin not to take the President’s kindness for granted. He enjoined them to redouble their faith and trust in President Biya and the institutions he incarnates.

                In his response to Musonge’s “kind words”, the PM thanked his brothers and sisters of the SW for the mark of support and especially for their well wishes.                                       The PM used the occasion to thank President Biya for making the event possible by appointing him PM.

                He enjoined his brothers and sisters to remain glued to the ideals of President Biya, noting that his appointment is proof that when one works hard and remains faithful to President Biya, anything can happen to him.

                Chief Dion Ngute said that the presence of former PM and elder statesman, Peter MafanyMusonge, by his side, will make his work easy, considering the former’s experience and the success he achieved a one time PM of Cameroon.

                PM Dion Ngute used the occasion to advocate a strong SW Elite Association and Chiefs Conference. He noted that if these two institutions –SWELA and SWECC can be strong then there is no doubt that the SW will be even stronger, socio-economically and otherwise.

                The PM called on South Westerners to speak with one voice if they must be impenetrable. He urged them to like one man denounce the conflict in the two English speaking regions and to call on their siblings in the bushes to drop their arms and return home to normal life.

                He assured that his doors shall remain open to whoever needs him.

                Feasting and dancing continued until shortly after midnight.

                The visit by the SW community in Y’de to the PM, was preceded by visits days earlier, by indigenes of the different divisions that make up the SW region.