Defence Officials Share Common Meal

Defence Minister, Edgar Alain Mebe Ngo'o presided over the ceremony at the Military Headquarters in Yaounde on Monday.Officials of various corps of Cameroon's Armed Forces gathered for a common meal at the Military Headquarters in Yaounde yesterday, May 20, 2013 after participating in the colourful military parade presided over by the Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Paul Biya, at the May 20 Avenue.

Chairing the common meal, the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence, Edgar Alain Mebe Ngo'o passed on the congratulations of the Head of State to all ranks of the Armed Forces for the success recorded during the 41st National Day military parade. A special message of appreciation went to troops of the special detachment from the Federal Republic of Nigeria who were guests of honour at the common meal. "We promise that the excellent existing relations between both countries will be consolidated," he stated. Minister Mebe Ngo'o also extended his special welcome to representatives of some international firms that are supplying combat and engineering equipment to the Defence Forces.

As the common meal was enjoyed, the military orchestra blasted off the popular "Lady" song by the venerable Nigerian artiste, the late Fela Ransome-Kuti. The Nigerian guests were emotionally touched and visibly divided between singing along with the lead singer, Warrant Officer Ekwe Valdez, and enjoying mouthfuls of the meal served.