Walter Wilson Nana
Buea, Cameroon
The Civilian Match Pass Commission for the celebrations to mark 50 years of the Reunification of Cameroon, slated for the municipality of Buea, is on its feet and working. Committee head, Ismael Bidoung Mpkatt, Minister of Youths and Civic Education was in Buea recently to supervise rehearsals of the civilian match pass that is expected to bring together close to five thousand persons.
Joined by the Minister of Basic Education, Yousoufa Hadija and Regional administrative officials of the Southwest, Bidoung Mpkatt observed the match pass rehearsals at the Buea
Bidoung Mpkatt(3rd from left), followed by Yousoufa Hadija, Minister of Basic Education, supervising civilian match pass rehearsals in Buea in the company of SWR authorities
Mbongo Square. The thousand of participants included pupils from primary schools, students of secondary schools, some men and women who are 50 years of age, students from teacher training colleges, professional and vocational institutions, the University of Buea, University of Douala, Université de la Côte in Douala and members of the three wings of the ruling CPDM party.
At the close of the two-hour rehearsal exercise, Bidoung Mpkatt enjoined the coaches for the civilian match pass to continue with the impressive work done
A primary school at the forefront of the civilian match pass rehearsals
so far, while fine-tuning their work in subsequent exercises as they continue to wait for the date of the Reunification celebrations to be announced by the President of the Republic.
According to the Youths and Civic Education Minister, the civilian match pass is a difficult exercise to do but he is convinced the work done so far must be perfected soonest. “The coaches must at all times ensure that the pupils, in particular are in order and no
A coach, following the rehearsals closely
unnecessary gaps created during matching. The country’s flags and the banners must be well handled and placed accordingly. Everybody must be synchronised and the rhythm same. We will have only an hour to do the civilian match pass on the day of the reunification,” advised. He will add that if the matching exercise is coming out beautiful already, during the rehearsals, then it should be the best in front of President Biya and his guests when they come for the celebrations.
The Minister of Youth Affairs & Civic Education tells the coaches his expectations
He invited the people of Buea to give in their all and show the world how dynamic they are like the rest of Cameroon.
Bidoung Mpkatt said the reports coming from the other activities and members of his commission show that they are on a good footing and look forward to the celebrations in colour and style.
However, other divergent views cropped up from some individuals during a working session at the Buea Council chamber. A Buea denizen told the Minister that he should relay the message from the people of the Southwest Region and Buea in particular to the Head of State, President Biya that he (President Biya) should not come for the Reunification celebrations in Buea if all the projects earmarked are not completed and properly done.
Secretary General in the office of the Southwest Governor, Clement Fon Ndikum will differ with some of the views raised; saying the President of the Republic cannot be prevented from coming to Buea if all the projects for Reunification are not done with. “The basic projects earmarked are near completion. Those that will not be completed before the coming of the President, will continue after his visit. The development of Buea will not end after the Presidential visit,” he mentioned.
Despite criticisms from the press and observations from some members of the public that the projects to be done for the Reunification celebrations are rather on a snail-pace or poorly done, Southwest Governor, Bernard Okalia Bilai thinks different; “Buea and its people are ready for the Reunification celebrations. The earmarked projects are on course and final touches are being made. We are ready to welcome the President of the Republic, Mr. Paul Biya,” he told journalists.
