North West - Babanki Gets Ultramodern Social Complex

The people of Kedjom Ketinguh popularly known as Small Babanki in Mezam Division of the North West Region on May 5, 2012 received a pleasant gift from the King of Saudi Arabia. It was on the occasion of the hand over to the community of a newly constructed social complex comprising a primary school, health centre, mosque, an administrative block and a residence for the Imam, constructed on the picturesque rolling mountains of the village.

The architectural jewel which has transformed Small Babanki into a modern village is the dividend of the successful surgical operation of a set of Siamese twins in Saudi Arabia. The two girls, today known as Rahima and Humaida, who were joined together from birth, were born in the Baptist Health Centre in Babanki in 2007. A group of surgeons in Saudi Arabia successfully separated the children. Touched by their plight, the King of Saudi Arabia after the operation, initiated the construction of the structure to ensure that the children are well catered for back home.

Inaugurating the buildings, the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Cameroon, Mahmoud Bin Hussein, commended the Cameroon government for giving them the opportunity to lend a helping hand to the twins and the entire Babanki community. He said it has been the wish of King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz and the people of Saudi Arabia to ensure that the children are fine where ever they are. Since the centre was solely sponsored by the King, it was named "The Islamic Centre of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz in Babanki." He announced the disbursement of FCFA 20 million for the upkeep of the centre. He equally thanked President Paul Biya for consolidating bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia.

The Governor of the North West Region, Adolf Lele Lafrique, thanked the Saudi Arabian King for the support in the development of Cameroon. He said the centre is a sign of fruitful cooperation between Cameroon and Saudi Arabia. Listing development projects carried out by Saudi Arabia in the country, he noted that as a secular State, Cameroon offers freedom of religion and so far Muslims and Christians have been living in peace. The Governor said the centre will go a long way in improving the lives of the people of Babanki in terms of health, education as well as promote Islam. He called on the people of Babanki to make good use of the centre.

The Mayor of Tubah Council, Soffa Stanislaus, promised the sustainability of the centre and thanked the Saudi Arabian government for all they have been doing in his Council. Like the proverbial Oliver Twist, he asked for the tarring of the road leading to the centre as well as the creation of an Islamic secondary school in the village.

Also present at the ceremony were the Minister of Basic Education, Adidja Alim, the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Public Health in charge of Epidemics and Pandemics, Alim Hayatou, amongst others.

The people of Kedjom Ketinguh popularly known as Small Babanki in Mezam Division of the North West Region on May 5, 2012 received a pleasant gift from the King of Saudi Arabia. It was on the occasion of the hand over to the community of a newly constructed social complex comprising a primary school, health centre, mosque, an administrative block and a residence for the Imam, constructed on the picturesque rolling mountains of the village.

The architectural jewel which has transformed Small Babanki into a modern village is the dividend of the successful surgical operation of a set of Siamese twins in Saudi Arabia. The two girls, today known as Rahima and Humaida, who were joined together from birth, were born in the Baptist Health Centre in Babanki in 2007. A group of surgeons in Saudi Arabia successfully separated the children. Touched by their plight, the King of Saudi Arabia after the operation, initiated the construction of the structure to ensure that the children are well catered for back home.

Inaugurating the buildings, the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Cameroon, Mahmoud Bin Hussein, commended the Cameroon government for giving them the opportunity to lend a helping hand to the twins and the entire Babanki community. He said it has been the wish of King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz and the people of Saudi Arabia to ensure that the children are fine where ever they are. Since the centre was solely sponsored by the King, it was named "The Islamic Centre of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz in Babanki." He announced the disbursement of FCFA 20 million for the upkeep of the centre. He equally thanked President Paul Biya for consolidating bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia.

The Governor of the North West Region, Adolf Lele Lafrique, thanked the Saudi Arabian King for the support in the development of Cameroon. He said the centre is a sign of fruitful cooperation between Cameroon and Saudi Arabia. Listing development projects carried out by Saudi Arabia in the country, he noted that as a secular State, Cameroon offers freedom of religion and so far Muslims and Christians have been living in peace. The Governor said the centre will go a long way in improving the lives of the people of Babanki in terms of health, education as well as promote Islam. He called on the people of Babanki to make good use of the centre.

The Mayor of Tubah Council, Soffa Stanislaus, promised the sustainability of the centre and thanked the Saudi Arabian government for all they have been doing in his Council. Like the proverbial Oliver Twist, he asked for the tarring of the road leading to the centre as well as the creation of an Islamic secondary school in the village.

Also present at the ceremony were the Minister of Basic Education, Adidja Alim, the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Public Health in charge of Epidemics and Pandemics, Alim Hayatou, amongst others.