Part I of celebrations in Yaoundé included a mini-marathon, an exhibition and a political rally at the esplanade of the city council.
« I am grateful to all Cpdm militants and organizers of the race”, said Vouffo Momo Ernest, one time winner of the Mount Cameroon race of hope and victor of the mini-marathon which took place last Saturday March 24. Beginning as early as 7:00 am, the over one thousand athletes present took off at the head quarter of the Cameroon people’s democratic movement across some Yaoundé neighborhoods, representing a 21.5 km itinerary. The men and women who partook in the race were split info six categories: visually impaired, deaf, male skate rollers, female skate rollers as well as the male and female athletes of the race proper. While Vouffo Momo Ernest (policeman) used 1h:23 min to complete the race, the first lady, Ngono Etoundi of the National Institute of youth and sport used 1h:48 min. Across the finish line, the first three athletes of all categories received prizes from senior officials of the party’s Central Committee. In this light, the mayor of the Yaounde II council, Luc Assamba awarded prizes to the visually impaired; Ngali Ngoa did same to the deaf while Jean Fabien Monkam (technical adviser at the Cpdm Central Committee) performed the same ritual to the first three female skate rollers. On their part, the first three male skate rollers received prizes from minister Laurent Serge Etoundi Ngoa while the male and female winners of the race proper were respectively handed their envelops by minister Grégoire Owona (deputy Secretary general of the Cdpm Central Committee) and Mr Jean Nkuete, Secretary general of the party. The prizes ranged from Cfa 100.000 (1st) to Cfa 75.000 (2nd) and Cfa 50.000 (3rd). Speaking to the media on behalf of the Secretary general, minister Laurent Serge Etoundi Ngoa said “our party is so impressed because the race started and ended well. It was marked by the Olympic spirit. That is, fair play. We are now using this opportunity to call on all our militants to massively register on voter registers in view of the upcoming twin elections. The success stories of our party will keep increasing if we win the largest possible number of seats at the National Assembly and in councils across the country in the days ahead”.ExhibitionAbout two hours after the competition, the Secretary general of the party’s central committee, cut the ribbon of the agricultural exhibition. Accompanied by his close collaborators, he exchanged notes with exhibitors on planting, food production, transformation and consumption. Officials from the ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development as well as those from the ministry of Scientific research and innovation together with other partner organizations presented their activities to the party’s scribe, showcased their prowess and uncovered their short, medium and long term plans. The Secretary of State at the ministry of Agriculture and Rural development, Mrs Clémentine Ananga Messina said “we came here to show and tell public what we do at the level of agricultural research and so far, we have received a positive feedback from the public. All of what you see here today is thanks to the government of the Cameroon people’s democratic movement. To achieve more, we must stick to the ideals of this party and its leader”. Another interesting stand of the exhibition was that of the party’s propaganda organ, L’Action newspaper. Here, visitors appreciated the evolution of the party within the last two decades. It also contained dozens of books published on the Cpdm, its leader and ideologies since March 24, 1985 in Bamenda. Books churned by militants such as Christophe Mien Zok, Zacharie Ngniman, Joseph Charles Doumba, Dieudonné Oyono, among others thrilled visitors.Grand rallyAfter the exhibition at the Congress hall, Mr Jean Nkuete set out for the esplanade of the Yaounde City Council, site of the grand rally which brought together thousands of Cpdm militants to reaffirm their support to the party and its leader. Upon alighting, the Secretary general was received by the Government delegate to the Yaoundé city council, Gilbert Tsimi Evouna, who doubles as treasurer of the Cameroon people’s democratic movement. Representing the first official outing of Mr Nkuete as Secretary general, he used the event to eco and re-eco the fact that “the Cpdm’s performance in the upcoming twin elections should surpass that of the October 2011 presidential election”. Speeches pronounced by officials of the three wings of the party centered on massive voter registration and consolidation of peace. The rally which was punctuated by musical interludes ended with all attendees taking a resolve to work to the best of their potential as far as the party’s landslide victory is concerned. Dignitaries present included members of Government, members of Parliament, mayors, senior party officials and Mr and Mrs everybody.
Manyanye Ikome
