Festivities leading up to May 20, 2013 officially went underway in Bankim in the Adamawa Region on May 9.
Bankim, a locality in the southern Mayo-Banyo Division of Adamawa Region witnessed unprecedented excitement, effervescence and a sense of belonging on May 8 and 9, 2013, when a high-level delegation from Yaounde under the stewardship of the Minister of Youth Affairs and Civic Education, Bidoung Mkpatt arrived and set the ball rolling for the civilian manifestations of the 41st edition of National Day.
The celebration will be on the theme, "The Army And The Nation, Working Together Towards Meeting Security Challenges For An Emerging Cameroon," was exceptional in terms of mobilisation and commitment as was described by Minister Bidoung Mpkatt. In his official launching speech, the Minister recalled that the theme of the celebration was coming at a time the country just witnessed the first-ever election of Senators and as it is preparing to mark the Golden Jubilee of Reunification.
Speakers at the event, from Ministers Bidoung Mpkatt, that of Social Affairs, Catherine Bakang Mbock, an elite of the locality, Zacharie Ngniman, Mayor of Bankim Council, Philippe Njowe and the representative of the Mbororo community, Oumarou Abdoulaye, commended the virtues of peace, national integration and unity demonstrated in the country and Bankim in particular.
Prior to the launch, Minister Bidoung Mpkatt and his delegation on the instruction of President Paul Biya, handed over barbed wire, wheel chairs, wheel barrows, grinding mills, hand carts, computers and buckets to six associations to boost their economic activities and livelihoods.
Mbororors Honoured
Prior to the official launch of the ceremony on May 9, the little but yet highly populated Kongui Mbororo Settlement Camp in Bankim with over 25,000 inhabitants, on May 8 was in celebratory mood. The arrival of Bidoung Mpkatt and Social Affairs Minister, Catherine Bakang Mbock with their delegations to this settlement camp in the evening of May 8 created excitement. The ministers and the delegations were later treated to a guided tour of the settlement area, then to a makeshift traditional dining table where 'kosam,' milk, shaï and meat were politely and respectfully served in a total traditional setting.
Meeting With Sultan
On the sidelines of the Minister's stopover in Foumban in the West Region for the handing over of gifts to a group of youths during a visit to the Bamoum palace, the Kpaloum traditional dance group was on hand to welcome Bidoung Mkpatt and entourage. The hallmark of the Minister's stopover there was the handing over of a motorised cargo tricycle to the Njiyouom Association of Young Craftsmen to ease the transportation of their goods.
The association's President, Ibrahim Toukoupen Yap told the Minister how much they were grateful for his largesse and promised their unalloyed support to his mission of youth socio-economic integration. The ministers also met with motorcycle riders of the locality. In a brief exchange, Mr Bidoung Mkpatt challenged bike riders to respect the laws of the land and above all, put on helmets as required. He handed over a gift of FCFA 300,000 to assist them purchase helmets.
The Minister's working visit in Bankim ended with a visit to the site that is expected to host the offices of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Civic Education in the Sub-division.
