After seeing the Head of State off to Abuja last Friday, May 14, the population again came out in their numbers to welcome him back a day after.

The premises of the Presidential lounge at the Yaounde Nsimalen International Airport played host to two successive ceremonies symbol of attachment to state institutions. The population came out in their numbers accompanied by dance groups, notably from the Mfound as well as Mefou and Afamba Divisions to see the Head of State, President Paul Biya off to Abuja where he participated in the second Regional Summit on Security in Nigeria and neighbouring countries. In the same manner, the same population reappeared at the same venue to welcome him back in dance and song.

In effect, it was a double ceremony which witnessed the participation of the same people. President of the Senate, the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Prime Minister, Head of Government, the Minister Secretary General at the Presidency of the Republic, the Director of Civil Cabinet and his assistant, the Secretary General of the Cameroon Peoples Democratic Movement (CPDM) and other top officials answered present twice at the airport.

The Boeing 767 transporting the Head of State touched down at exactly 11:45 AM on its way back from Abuja. At the foot of the plane to welcome the President were: The President of the Senate, Senator Marcel Niat Njifenji, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Rt. Hon Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Philemon Yang, Minister Secretary General at the Presidency, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, and the Charge d’Affairs at the Nigerian High Commission.

While at the Presidential Lounge, President Biya granted a lengthy collective audience to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Prime Minister, Head of Government before receiving the Minister Secretary General at the Presidency and the Charge d’Affairs at the Nigerian High Commission. In all, it took well over 45 minutes for President Biya to descend from the plane, shake hands with his collaborators, grant audiences and salute the jubilant population before retiring to the State House.