Goodbye, well-done Cameroon’s first couple

The government of Nigeria and Cameroonians living in Nigeria have lauded the current visit of Paul and Chantal Biya to Abuja.

From the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja to the Transcorp Hilton Hotel and the Presidency, Aso Rock Villa, back to the Nnamdi Azikiwe airport, the First Couple of Cameroon had an exceptional time upon their arrival and departure from Abuja, the Capital City of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The same enthusiastic and happy people of Abuja city that received President Paul Biya and Wife, Chantal Biya, upon their arrival in Abuja, for a two-day official visit, were present at the Presidential Lodge of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Wednesday May 3, 2016 to bid them goodbye.

Sounds of dance groups from Cameroonians living in Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory Cultural groups (Gbagyi and Yoruba) accompanied Boeing 767-200, as it took off with President Paul Biya and Wife, Chantal Biya, onboard after midday on May 3, 2016. It was a historic moment for the many Cameroonians living in Nigeria, who had braved the scorching sun to come and tell their beloved First Couple “safe-flight” to Cameroon.

As they brandished banners which revealed their love and happiness in having President Biya and “Mama” Chantal Biya in their midst, the scores of Cameroonians who had lined up in front of the Presidential Lodge said “we came, we saw and we conquered”.

Just as it was upon their arrival in Abuja, a crowd of joyful compatriots thronged the airport entrance of the Federal Capital Territory, in a show of solidarity and oneness, to bid the president and wife, goodbye as they departed from Abuja. Besides songs and dance, Cameroonians living in Nigeria also brandished messages that revealed their love for the fatherland and the First Couple of the nation.

Before meeting with the joyful crowd of Cameroonians living in Nigeria, President Paul Biya and the Wife, at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton was specially given a goodbye hug and handshake from the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari. President Muhammadu Buhari at this point, presented a framed photograph of him, his wife and the First Couple of Cameroon together to President Paul Biya and Wife, Chantal. This was after a press conference.

As Nigeria tradition required, President Paul Biya was accompanied to the airport in the same car by Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama while the First Lady, Mrs Chantal Biya was accompanied by the wife of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Oludolapo Osinbajo.