Bishop recommends Biya/Obasanjo for Nobel Peace Prize

Barely days to the 10th anniversary of the signing of the historic Greentree Accord that peacefully solved the Nigeria-Cameroon border crises at the Bakassi Peninsular, the Bishop of Mamfe, Andrew Nkea, has called for the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to President Paul Biya and former Nigerian Head of State Olusegun Obasanjo.

Talking as special guest during the launch of a conference organised by the Mamfe-Ikom Greentree Friendship Association, on the campus of the Catholic University Mamfe, the Bishop described the delay in recognising the outstanding diplomatic prowess exhibited by the two African statesmen, in the handling of what was clearly an explosive scenario, with soldiers only waiting for “orders to fire” as the “usual disdain which Africa receives at the level of the International Community”

On the dynamics of Nigerian-Cameroon relations 10 years after the Greentree Accord, the Bishop said 15 Rev. Fathers and Rev Sisters from neighbouring Dioceses in Nigeria, now work in the Mamfe Diocese. His Lordship observed that border-to-border relations must be promoted by both Governments with border communities.

Other speakers during the launch did included Catholic University dons, who presented papers on the role of Agriculture, trade and religion in the promotion of Cameroon-Nigeria Relations.

In his exposé, the provost of the School of Tropical Agriculture told the audience, to their surprise and delight, that every produce that grows in the Northwest Region can be made to grow in Mamfe for subsequent exports to markets in Nigeria. Another lecturer, talking on the possibility of fish farming, said catfish has been domesticated in Nigeria and can be replicated by fish farmers in Manyu Division.

The launch of the Greentree 10th anniversary is part of the roll call of activities designed by the Mamfe-Ikom Greentree Friendship Association, to raise awareness on the role of grassroots organisations in the promotion of Cameroon-Nigeria relations.

A Nigeria-Cameroon sports trek starts from Ikom to Mamfe and another conference on Cameroon-Nigeria relations holds at the Pan African Institute for Development, Buea, PAID-WA in the days ahead.