This was during a ceremony wherein artistes and arts creators were compensated on Saturday February 28 in Yaounde.
First Lady, Chantal Biya’s presence at the Yaounde Conference Centre late into the night of Saturday, February 28, 2015 was one of a kind. Her being there for the 10th edition of Canal D’or or Canal 2’or Award Ceremony was not only an honour for artistes in Cameroon and Africa in general, but also for those who love the culture of Cameroon and who also do everything in their power to preserve and promote it.
The event, which was an occasion for the private-owned television channel, Canal2 International, to compensate artists who have made a difference in the field of culture and music over the past two years, blossomed with the presence of the First Lady of Cameroon who is also UNESCO’s Goodwill Ambassador for Education and Social Inclusion.
The president of the organising committee of Canal D’or, Mrs Colette Chatue, handed the award of the “Best Sponsor” to Mrs Chantal Biya which not only acknowledged her financial commitment in supporting artists and other cultural events in the country, but also her humanitarian activities that can no longer be overemphasised in Cameroon and the world at large.
Through the voice of the Technical Adviser at the Civil Cabinet of the Presidency of the Republic, Oswald Baboke, the First Lady expressed gratitude for the recognition while dedicating her trophy to all artistes in Cameroon and beyond and also to all those who love the culture of Cameroon. Shouts of joy and applause accompanied the First Lady as she brandished her award to the audience. Present were several members of government and the Minister, Director of Civil Cabinet at the Presidency of the Republic, Martin Belinga Eboutou, as well as members of the diplomatic corps.
Holding under the patronage of the Minister of Communication, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, the 10th edition of Canal D’or also compensated artists in some 16 different categories. The best female artiste award was given to Coco Argentée while the group X-Maleya received the prize of the best male artiste.
The award for the Most Popular Song was given to Mani Bella through her smash hit “Pala Pala”. Mabele Zang received the trophy for the Best Traditional Music while Prince de Jésus was crowned the Best Gospel Artiste. The best artist in music “Urbaine” genre and “Upcoming” was given to Stanley Enow. The Nigerian artiste, Flavour, was awarded the trophy for the Best Artiste in Africa.
Besides awarding trophies to the best comedian, humourist amongst others, Canal D’or also handed special trophies to artistes such as Soukouss Makoul, Aladi Touré, Eko Roosevelt and Roland Kamseu for their outstanding works in the domain of culture in the country. The award giving ceremony was not only an occasion to display the culture of Cameroon in music, but also to pay homage to a departed partner of Canal D’or, Françoise Foning, through a video.
