Socio-economic engagement and moral rearmament are the focus of training modules.

The North West Region will feature some 1,450 volunteers and conscripts for National Civic Service training in 2015. The Regional Selection Committee recently emerged with the list after a screening exercise. The Permanent Secretary in the North West Governor’s office, Monono Woloa, was in the chair when the committee demonstrated transparency and rigour in the selection exercise.

Qualification modalities stressed concern for gender, proof of ownership or possession of land space, good health, etc.  It was also about balance with each of the 34 sub-divisions of the region producing recognised working groups of five persons. The selection team featured experts from related ministerial departments and members of the civil society. The Regional Coordinator of the National Agency for Participation in Development, Jick Barnabas and a team from the Yaounde head office led by Nanjo Josephine Nahnyonga Dzengtchep, were around to oversee and facilitate the exercise.

Nanjoh Josephine told Cameroon Tribune that the difference this time around was the involvement of recognised active groups against individuals to facilitate follow-up on the field. Once endorsed by Yaounde, the selected conscripts and volunteers will be trained on economic empowerment. It is all about some 600 conscripts selected from among many that applied. They will be trained on topics such as moral rearmament, patriotism and civic education, while the 850 volunteers will be trained in socio-economic aspects.

Jick Barnabas explained that the training modules also feature civic protection, First Aid, civic education, social entrepreneurship and field work, especially in the areas of agriculture and livestock production for volunteers. The training for conscripts will stretch over some 40 days while volunteers will train for six months. It is all about giving meaning to President Paul Biya’s vision and commitment to make youths the cornerstone of nation building.

Retained conscripts were selected from the 17-21 age range while volunteers are those over 15 years. Resource persons for the training, which began on July 1, 2015, include the clergy, military and Red Cross officers, Fire Fighters, successful entrepreneurs, experts in education, etc.