50th Anniversary of Reunification: Groundbreaking Celebrations in Nkambe

By Haruna Mohammadou

Ngone Ndodemesape Bernard

Ngone Ndodemesape Bernard, the Senior Divisional Officer for Donga Mantung Division was the presiding officer. The celebration started with a live projection of President Biya’s speech and was immediately followed by march-past led by the military. Over 20 primary schools and 12 colleges as well as professional institutions participated. Some political parties also participated in the march-past as well as those who were born in 1961 when the Plebiscite took place. In songs and slogans, the pupils and students poured praises on President Paul Biya. However, the only pathetic thing was that no slogan, song and or no picture the heroes like JT Ndzi, Fon Michael, others was exhibited for the youth to know the heroes who fought for independence and reunification. Echoes from Nwa, Ako, Misaje and Ndu also indicated that the ceremony was hitch-free. Talking to journalists at the end of the ceremony, the SDO for Donga Mantung expressed gratitude to the population, traditional rulers, religious groups and clergies for their massive turn out. According to Ngone Ndodemesape Bernard, the massive turn out was a clear testimony of the fact that everyone is in support of a one and indivisible Cameroon. Harping on the importance of national integration, the SDO summed up that “unity is strength”.

On his part the former mayor of Nkambe, Mangoh Jones Tanko who doubles as a historian told this reporter that history is all about facts. According to Mangoh Jones Tanko, the reunification speech by the head of state did not talk much about the history of La Republique nor the Southern Cameroons. “I was also waiting for President Biya to address the Anglophone problem but he did not”. He said he is hoping that after this celebration President Biya will see into it that Anglophones are appointed to head ministries like Defence, Agriculture, Education, Finance etc which for the past 53 years no Anglophone has been appointed to any.  

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