President Biya yesterday hailed fellow countrymen for all that has been achieved during the 50 years of reunification.

It was a four-point agenda yesterday at Bongo Square in Buea that marked the celebration epitomising the series of festivities organised to remember the coming together of the two Cameroons 50 years ago after 40 years of German rule. A welcome speech by the mayor of Buea, an address by the Head of State, President Paul Biya, military and civilian march past and handing of gifts to the Presidential couple in appreciation of what they have done so far to consolidate unity in the country.

The ceremony that brought together Cameroonians of all walks of life from the four corners of the nation was a true translation of the joy in the hearts of many as expressed in the messages and ecstasy during march past. Secondly, the massive presence as described by the Head of State in his address was testimony not only of unity in diversity but also of the importance Cameroonians attach to the unity of the country. As one would have imagined, the President’s speech hinged very much on the contributions made towards achieving reunification. “I would like to express our great appreciation to the United Nations and to friendly countries who have worked with us for the independence and reunification of Cameroon”, he said. Special thanks equally went to external partners whose support to Cameroon’s development efforts over the past five years remained constant.

The satisfaction that threaded through the population at Bongo Square could easily be understood from the stand point of the position Buea occupies in the history of Cameroon. As the Head of State acknowledged in his speech, “history has not forgotten that Buea was the headquarters of West Cameroon...that Buea was the capital of Southern Cameroons and that Buea was once the capital of German Cameroon.” The Mayor of Buea, Patrick Ekema Esunge equally saw things from the same angle in his welcome speech stating inter alia that the choice of Buea has in effect transformed the town through the innovation of historic buildings and roads. This however could not stop him from demanding for a new status of the town which remains the only Regional capital in the country without an urban council. Buea remains the only Regional capital which is not the capital of a Division, he said.

The military and civilian march past constituted one of the high points of yesterday’s ceremony in Buea. Animated by the Presidential guard band, the march past witnessed the participation of representatives of almost all the military wings, schools and colleges, university and other higher institutions and political parties represented in parliament. It was a ceremony with a difference in symbol and character. Many were anxious to see how the celebration of an event of this nature could look like. One could see anxiety especially on the faces of many who were not there when it happened. In fact, the greater majority were celebrating what they heard happened.

But as the Head of State underscored, “celebration of 50 years tells of the gratitude of Cameroonians to pay tribute to those who had the courage, determination, audacity and wisdom to take the destiny of the country into their own hands.”

The march past which took over three hours ended with the parading of a banner of gratitude to the Head of State. “Thank you Mr President for this successful celebration”, it read. And to crown it all, the Presidential couple received a number of gifts full of symbols from representatives of traditional authorities of the North West and South West Regions as well as spouses of administrative and forces of law authorities