The difference is clear in Menchum Division ahead of the 48th national youth day with impressive gifts to impact the lives of Lake Nyos survivors, youth groups and inmates. In effect, it was a day for inhabitants on February 4, 2014 when the Minister of Youth Affairs and Civic Education, (MINJEC), Bidoung Mkpatt, launched youth day activities in Wum with a message of encouragement and massive gifts for youths. Among the lot were seven grinding mills, 30 wheel barrows, hoes, chicks, bags of feed, cutlasses, rain boats, sewing machines, didactic materials, flat screen TV set, mattresses, medication and foodstuff.
The presence of partner ministries was prominent in Wum with gifts of tons of maize, bags of rice, bean seedlings, watering cans, gloves, bags of fertilizer and sports equipment to show from the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development, Scientific Research and Innovation and Defense. Beneficiaries included survivors of the 1986 killer Lake Nyos spread over seven settlement camps in Menchum and Boyo Divisions, youth associations, secondary schools and inmates of the Wum Principal prison. The crowd puller event at the Wum municipal stadium was a major inspiration for youths, haunted by poverty, unemployment and difficulties in overcoming memories of the Lake Nyos disaster. It was against this backdrop that visiting Minister Bidoung Mkpatt saluted their courage and encouraged initiatives and creativity in the socio-economic integration efforts.
The theme of the 48th youth day is, "Youth, patriotism and the promotion of national integration and Minister Bidoung Mkpatt urged youths of Menchum, the North West and the nation to promote the culture of republican and citizen values, hard work and love for country. In a working session with the youths ahead of the launching event, North West members of the National Youth Council appealed for funding and an enabling environment to help them emerge. They equally requested for the equipment of youth empowerment centres, decentralization and effective regional balance in competitive examinations into professional schools and more support programmes to empower youths.
Minister Bidoung Mkpatt also took time off to warn youths against resignation in the face of hardship and difficulties with revelations that the government holds youths in high esteem, convinced that youths are precious and constitute the hope and future of the nation. He also challenged the new leadership of the National Youth Council to properly represent the aspirations of youths. On hand, the President of the Youth Council, Jean Marc Mbafor said encouragement from the government will move youths from victims to victors. The Minister dropped curtains on the outing with a visit to Lake Nyos in Zhoa Sub Division.
