A canoe race at Akwa and unity march past at Isangele stole the show during the kicker Saturday.
Activities leading up to the 40th birthday of Cameroon’s unitary State on May 20, 2012 have taken off in a ground style with commitments to redouble efforts not only to consolidate the unity but to foster it as well. The entire population of the Bakassi peninsular in Ndian Division and by extension, the South West Region re-echoed their stand on national unity last Saturday May 12 at Akwa and Isangele, border localities with neigbouring Nigeria during the solemn launch of May 20 activities there by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Civic Education, Bidoung Mkpwatt.
The event took place in two phases: a canoe race at Akwa and a solidarity march past at the ceremonial ground at Isangele. Be it at Akwa or Isangele, the language was one. Cameroon is one and indivisible and all hands must be put on deck to foster the unity and speed up development. Four canoe teams thrilled the mammoth crowd present with a spectacular canoe race. Although brief, the teams from Kombo Abedimo 1 and 2, Isangele and Idabato showcased their mastery of the water-they being people of the maritime area. Idabato and Kombo Abedimo came first and second respectively, bagging home trophies and cash prices. In solidarity, the losers were given consolatory prizes and they all embraced one another in the spirit of unity that the event sought to foster.
Bakassi, Mark of Unity
In song, speech and dance, different speakers rejoiced that government had taken the decision to launch the festivities in the peninsular to show how united Cameroonians are irrespective of where they are. Like the Mayor of Akwa, Aboko Patrick Anki, his counterpart of Isangele, Caroline Offiom expressed gratitude to the Head of State, whom they unanimously described as the architect of unity and peace in the country, for choosing the historic locality of Bakassi for the event. Revisiting August 14, 2006 when the peninsular was officially handed over to Cameroon, the Mayors said since then the area has developed quite much, although a lot, still needs to be done. “We sincerely pay our gratitude to the Head of State and government, for development projects embarked in the locality as well as security network put in place which have greatly changed the lives of the population,” they said. Like the Mayors, other indigenes of the area prayed for potable water and electricity, material and financial assistance so that the population and youths in particular can embrace agriculture and fishing, opening of some professional schools to attract more Cameroonians to the peninsular, the permanent maintenance, if not the tarring of the Mundemba-Isangele-Akwa road, among others.
Brighter Prospects
Dr Bidoung Mkpwatt, said launching the activities of May 20 at Bakassi, especially coming on the heels of a new mandate of the Head of State on the banner, “Greater Accomplishment” was testimony of President Paul Biya’s resolve to make national unity and socio-economic development a national course. He called on all to rally behind the Head of State for a more united, peaceful and developed Cameroon.
The Minister of Forestry and Wildlife, Ngole Philip Ngwese, his counterpart of Livestork, Fisheries and Animal Industries, Dr. Taiga likewise the Minister Delegate in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ananga Messina as well as the Minister Delegate in the Ministry of External Relations in charge of the Commonwealth, Dion Ngute, all unveiled what each of the ministries is doing to make life better for the people of the peninsular. Farm and fishing tools as well as other didactic material were handed to common initiative groups in the locality. Darak in the Far North Region takes the relay this Monday May 14.
