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ABAYOMI OLONISAKIN: The untiring General in Cameroon

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The journey of the former Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gabriel Olonisakin as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Cameroon, started when he officially pulled out of the Nigerian Army in a parade at the Mogadishu Cantonment, Asokoro, following his retirement and appointment of his successor, Lucky Irabor, a major general, by President Muhammadu Buhari.

As part of the military tradition in honouring a retiring CDS, the event involved a march past by the officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

It was attended by the Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi, members of the National Assembly, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Mr Irabor and other services chiefs.

Others in attendance were the traditional ruler of his Ode-Ekiti hometown, Oba Samuel Aderiye, as well as a representative of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Enoch Adeboye.

In his valedictory remarks, Olonisakin, then nominated as an Ambassador, thanked President Buhari for counting him worthy to command the nation’s armed forces for five years, recalling that his appointment came at a time Nigeria was confronted with several security challenges like the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-east. Olonisakin said, confronting those threats, was his major pre-occupation as CDS.

Shortly after arriving in Yaoundé airport upon his appointment as Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Cameroon, his first official assignment was charging the Super Eagles of Nigeria to beat the Central African Republic in the second leg of 2022 FIFA World cup qualifiers in Douala having lost the first leg by a lone goal to Central African Republic in Lagos, Nigeria.

Olonisakin welcomed the national team led by the team captain Ahmed Musa from the Douala International Airport along with the Consul General of Nigeria Consulate General, Queen EFE A. Clark-Omeru and representatives of the Nigerian community in Cameroon.

He encouraged the team to put the previous shocking defeat behind them and go all out for victory to redeem the image of the country in the second qualifying games.

He said, “On behalf of the High Commission, the Consulate General and the Nigerian community, we want to welcome you to Douala, Cameroon for the return leg of the World cup qualifiers against the Central African Republic which we believe you are here for victory all the way. We believe in you going by your past records and we still want to believe you can do much better to redeem the image of the country here in Cameroon.

“As you are aware, Cameroon is Nigeria’s second home and you can be sure of maximum support from every Nigerian in the country, we are not going to let you down by cheering you to victory as we also believe you have the capacity to make the country proud once again.

Leon Balogun and Victor Osimhen scored a goal each as the Super Eagles beat the Central African Republic to avenge their shocking loss to the Les Fauves in the reverse fixture of the 2022 World Cup qualifier.

ABAYOMI OLONISAKIN: The untiring General in Cameroon

Olonisakin was excited as Nigeria defeated the Central African Republic on his first assignment as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Cameroon.

Later on, he began a five-day working visit as part of his tour of duty to dialogue with different regions to smoothen the existing relationship between Nigeria and Cameroon.

He visited Cameroon’s Littoral Regional Governor, Ivaha Diboua at the latter’s Bonanjo based office in Douala to discuss the possibility of a permanent Consulate staff residence in Douala.

During the visit, Olonisakin thanked the Governor and his état major for the relentless protection of Nigerians and defence of their interest in the region and pledged to collaborate in fostering further cooperation.

He also used the opportunity to request a parcel of land to construct a staff residence in Douala.

Responding, Governor Diboua lauded the ties between the Nigerian community and the Missions in Douala, stating that the Nigerian community in Douala is the biggest foreign community and one with which Cameroon historically shares natural brotherly ties.

The governor also promised to liaise with the Douala Consulate to find a solution to the staff residence project.

Olonisakin was also received by the Consul General to the Littoral and West regions, HRM Queen EFE A. Clark-Omeru.

His working visit lasted for five days, during which he met Nigerian businessmen based in Cameroon, socio-cultural unions as well as heads of Nigerian interest groups based in Douala.

Olonisakin commended the initiatives of Nigerian companies extending their businesses to neighbouring countries like Cameroon to further strengthen the good ties between the two countries over time.

He stated that it is important for them to extend corporate social responsibilities not only to the Cameroonians alone but also to Nigerians living in the regions.

He said: “I am very impressed with the development of the companies from Nigeria. I must commend all the efforts of the leadership of those businesses to have the initiative of establishing businesses in Cameroon like Dangote Cement, United Bank for Africa, and others.”

He continued: “Having met with the Nigerian companies in Cameroon, I made them understand the importance of Nigerians living in the country as part of their corporate social responsibilities.

“I am very confident that Nigerians living in Cameroon will benefit from the development; it is not only about Cameroonians but Nigerians also to further strengthen the ties between the two countries economically.”

Olonisakin stated that visiting Douala, the Littoral region was part of his five-day working visit plan to get acquainted with the authorities. The Ambassador was part of the top dignitaries that bid farewell to the outgoing Nigerian Consul General for North West and South West in Buea, Mr. Ibrahim Bashir, during which he called on the Nigerian community to show better cooperation for the successor.

“The farewell showed that he’s a committed servant dedicated to duties. He did good works that positively affected the lives of Nigerians living in the region and deepened the relationship between Nigerians and Cameroonians. His diligence to duty paid huge dividends for him at his sent forth, in which people came in numbers to appreciate his work and show their appreciation in this regard. I want to really commend all he did within that period.”

Over time, socio-political crises have ensued in the Northwest and Southwest regions in Cameroon where many Nigerian nationals reside, but Olonisakin appealed to everybody living in the regions to allow peace to reign and resolve the issues.

“As I said, there’s nothing better than peace in life, we must understand that there’s no other substitute to peace, so whatever we need to ensure that we have peace in our region is what we must pursue,” Olonisakin appealed to the Nigerian community.

“Wherever I find myself, I let them understand there’s no substitute for peace, and all hands must be on deck. All the stakeholders must be committed to ensuring there is peace. And of course, we know in the Northwest/Southwest there are some conflicts over there but it’s very important to let everybody understand that they must allow peace to reign. It is with peace that we can make progress.

The 59-year-old general said he was delighted to see patriotism amongst Nigerians upholding values in Cameroon.

“I was really delighted to see them coming out in numbers to appreciate their presence and I used that moment to send a message to them to ensure they live in peace and continue their good life and be law-abiding in the country and once they can do that, we are sure to support them ultimately.

Of course, they have issues they have mentioned which I will address when I get back to Yaoundé to ensure that these are properly addressed so that their stay here can be pleasant.”

Olonisakin expressed interest in the forthcoming Nigerian-Cameroon Trade, Tourism and Cultural Fair in Douala.

“It was a good initiative which should be sustained. This is going to be the third edition, which I believe will build on the successes of the previous editions. We are working with necessary stakeholders to ensure that the third edition is an improvement on the last one. In this position, we are going to involve more of the home country and all the relevant agencies and ministries will be contacted to participate in the trade show in such a way that they are well represented.”

As a former Military General, Olonisakin could not resist the fact that sport is a universal activity when he landed in Garoua to drum support for the Super Eagles ahead of the 2022 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Speaking on plans to ensure Nigeria excelled at the competition, Olonisakin said the embassy started a mobilisation drive as part of its diplomatic offensive aimed at getting over five million Nigerians resident in Cameroon to support the Super Eagles.

During his trip to Garoua, Olonisakin met with Governor Midjiyawa Bakary of the Northern Region of Cameroon, and also examined the accommodation and other facilities provided for the Super Eagles in the city.

ABAYOMI OLONISAKIN: The untiring General in Cameroon

He also inspected some facilities reserved for supporters planning to come to Cameroon to cheer the Super Eagles to victory in their matches.

“I met with the Nigerian community to sensitise them on the need to give the Super Eagles a rousing welcome and to support them in all their matches.

“We hope to top the group and play a fourth match in Garoua and also move ahead to get into the semi-finals. That means, we are playing about five matches in Garoua,” Olonisakin said during the visit.

Emphasising on the need to reach out to the Nigerian community in Garoua, Olonishakin said it was to prepare the city as a comfortable haven for the team.

Olonisakin told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Garoua that he had to temporarily relocate to Garoua in Cameroon, where the team played in the recent AFCON.

“I have been in Garoua right from the time the Super Eagles landed here. I came to receive them and since then I have been watching all their matches and even their training sessions. Last year when I resumed duty I went round to meet with members of the Nigerian communities in this country.

“When I met them, I made them understand that we have this year a very important task ahead of us, and that is to support the Super Eagles,” the envoy said.

Olonisakin said further that he was very impressed with the style of play of the team and expressed optimism that the Super Eagles would go all the way to play in the final match.

“Of course, from the performance of the team (Super Eagles) so far, it’s now a team to beat in the competition. So, I see the team going far in the competition.

“I see them scaling through the round of 16 tomorrow (Sunday), and then the quarter-finals and semi-finals. I see in them a promising team. This team is very young and very mobile and much of the strategy they employ is quite good and the coaching crew too is good,” he added. Olonisakin called on Nigerians both back home and abroad to continue to be patriotic and support the Super Eagles. Unfortunately, the team exited at the tournament in the round of 16.

On this note, the Sports Minister Sunday Dare commended the Nigerian High Commission in Cameroon for its support for the Super Eagles from the beginning of the AFCON 2021 tournament.

Dare said: “the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, the Nigeria Football Federation and even the Super Eagles are really appreciative of what the Nigerian High Commission did at AFCON 2021.

 “The team felt at home. Garoua became home away from home for us all. The Nigerian Community was always mobilized to turn up in their green and white outfit, and in large numbers too, on match days to support the Super Eagles.

“Driving through Garoua, you got the feeling that you were in a Nigerian town. One of every three persons on the street was putting on a Nigerian jersey, the Nigerian flag was everywhere and this was really heart-warming and inspiring.

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Nigerian Community praises Consul General Clark-Omeru over resolving Resident Permit issues in Cameroon

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Consul General Clark-Omeru hosts Nigeria Community

…urges them to be law abiding citizens in host country

The Consul-General of Nigeria to Douala, the Republic of Cameroon, Ambassador (HRM) Queen Efe A. Clark-Omeru has hosted the Nigerian community in the Littoral Region for the second time to show appreciation for relentless services rendering to Nigeria nationals residing in the region of the host country.

It could be recalled that the executive of the Nigerian community paid courtesy visit to the Consulate General in May 2022 to express their maximum appreciation to the Mission who has been helpful in resolving pressing issues with the host country.

According to her speech, the CG welcomed the Nigerian Community executives led by the President, Honourable B.I.C Okwujiaku and provided details of the Consulate progress with the host country over pending issues concerning Nigerian residents in the region.

« It is my pleasure to welcome you to this event of New Year visit/wishes to me and the Consulate, » the statement reads.

« Since my arrival in June 2021, and with the presentation of my Exequatur which I assured you that the Consulate would not rest its oars by ensuring  that the issue of molestation  will be a thing of past in the history country. The Consulate has met several times with the officials of the immigration of the host country with particular reference to resident permit, exit Visa and the matter was resolved amicably as the immigration rights accorded to members of Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC)

region is also accorded to Nigeria due to the already subsisting bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries. »
The Nigeria CG also highlighted the issues of non-issuance of Resident permits which is a great challenge to Nigerian residents in the Littoral region as it is contrary to it immigration law.

« The issue of non-issuance of Resident Permit has attracted my attention, on that basis, I directed my officers on 10th February 2023, accompanied by the president and some executive members of the Nigerian community to meet with new Commissioner  EMI-immigration Madame Gertrude Bikok and the matter was also resolved due to the subsisting bilateral relations between the two countries.

The Consul General was excited to proudly commend the Nigeria community over their successful business activities which were satisfied by the host authorities. But urges her compatriots to be more tolerance of each other and remain law abiding to the host country.

In responding to the CG’s speech, the President of the Nigeria Community, Honourable B.I.C Okwujiaku heaps praise on the first female Consul General in Douala for her breath of peace among Nigerians in the region.

« Last year, we came to say thank you for the ones you have done. We have come again to further demonstrate our joy for your constant support, caring and motherly advise and solidarity  to us as your fellow compatriots in Cameroon, » he said.

« History will record it that as the first female Consul General in Douala. Nigerians have benefited from your good leadership and skills of work, » he added.

Also appreciating the CG is Eminent philanthropist, HRH Eze Thomas .J. Onyengubo, Eze Gburugburu 1 of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo in Cameroon, who also urged the Nigerian community members to remain united and be law abiding to the host country.

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10TH ANIVERSARY OF THE CAMEROON LEADERSHIP ACADEMY – FINAL THOUGHTS

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From the 18th to the 21st August 2022, the Pastoral Centre St Joseph of Kribi (Cameroon) hosted the 10th edition of what has become an annual ‘rendez-vous’ of capacity building of young Cameroonian Leaders and Entrepreneurs selected on the basis of their civic engagement, professional achievement and patriotic spirit.
 
Through this Academy, the Pan African Leadership and Entrepreneurship Foundation (PLF) by Go Ahead Africa Ltd has been contributing to the empowerment of hundreds of young people in the fields of Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Management.
 
Held in partnership with some of the most influential stakeholders in the Cameroonian economic ecosystem (Go Ahead Africa Ltd, Groupe SABC, the Port Authority of Kribi (PAK), BGFIBank Cameroon, Balafon Media and Vox Africa); and despite unforeseen circumstances, this 10th edition succeeded to gather forty-six participants (23 boys and 23 girls) aged between 18 and 35 years old under the theme « Challenges and opportunities of youth in a VUCA environment (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous) ».
 
For the Founder of the PLF, Roland KWEMAIN, these young Leaders are true ambassadors of the emergence and prosperity of Cameroon. « Our goal is to train a world class of Young Cameroonian Leaders/Entrepreneurs who are masters of their destiny and resolutely at the service of the emergence of our country and even of our continent, Africa » he said.

During four (4) intense days under the expert guidance of Leadership Coach/Trainer
Emile SINGEH and Assistant Coach Perrin KWENKEU, the 2022 batch developed through a tailor-made program:
·       Leadership and Management Skills
·       Entrepreneurial spirit
·       Spirit of Individual Social Responsibility and Active Citizenship
·       Knowledge and Valorisation of the Great Historical Figures of Cameroon
·       Appropriation of the Vision of a prosperous Cameroon
 
During this unique and extraordinary life experience punctuated by short nights (4 hours/day) and intense days of emotions, knowledge acquisition and teambuilding, the participants had the opportunity to meet and learn from their 2 Patrons:
·       Mr Patrice MELOM (GM PAK)
·       Mr Cyrille BOJIKO (Founder and CEO Balafon Media Group)

They also had the great opportunity to interact with some of the Leaders and Managers who drive the economic scene.
Among them we can name Mr Abakal MAHAMAT (General Manager, BGFIBank Cameroon), Dr Elizabeth FON (General Manager, TESHO), Mrs Arielle WAFFO (General Manager, DKT Cameroon), Mr Dagobert TAHA (Design Thinking Expert), Mrs Pulton ARUNA (Consultant, Corporate Trainer in Management Skills, Customer Care, Food Safety, Quality Management, Training Techniques).
 
As key part of the program, the participants worked on reinventing the CLA model during the traditional ‘24 heures Chrono’ where they spend 24 hours in a row without sleeping in a journey to better understand (themselves) and learn how to surpass their self-expectations.

As the Cameroon Leadership Academy heads to new starts for its 10 years’ Convention on December, 10th taking with it an annual event that brought together hundreds of young Leaders and Entrepreneurs; it’s worth reflecting on its legacy and on the impact it made during the past ten (10) years that the event grew to empower 850 youth with the mission of training better Leaders in order to build better communities. 
Emile Désiré SINGEH
President, PLF

Du 18 au 21 août 2022, le Centre Pastoral St Joseph de Kribi (Cameroun) a accueilli la 10ème édition de ce qui est devenu un rendez-vous annuel de renforcement des capacités des jeunes leaders et entrepreneurs camerounais sélectionnés sur la base de leur engagement civique, de leur réussite professionnelle et de leur esprit patriotique. 
Grâce à cette académie, la Pan African Leadership and Entrepreneurship Foundation (PLF), une initiative du cabinet Go Ahead Africa Ltd a contribué à l’autonomisation de centaines de jeunes dans les domaines du Leadership, Entreprenariat et du Management.
Organisée en partenariat avec certains des acteurs les plus influents de l’écosystème économique camerounais (Go Ahead Africa Ltd, Groupe SABC, le Port Autonome de Kribi (PAK), BGFIBank Cameroon, Balafon Media et Vox Africa) ; et malgré des cas de force majeure cette 10ème édition a réussi à rassembler quarante-six participants (23 garçons et 23 filles) âgés de 18 à 35 ans sous le thème « Défis et opportunités de la jeunesse dans un environnement VUCA (Volatile, Incertain, Complexe et Ambigu) ». 
Pour le Fondateur de la PLF, Roland KWEMAIN, ces jeunes Leaders sont de véritables ambassadeurs de l’émergence et de la prospérité du Cameroun.  » Notre objectif est de former une classe mondiale de Jeunes Leaders/Entrepreneurs camerounais maîtres de leur destin et résolument au service de l’émergence de notre pays et même de notre continent, l’Afrique  » a-t-il déclaré.
Pendant quatre (4) jours intenses sous la direction experte du Coach/Formateur en Leadership Emile SINGEH et de l’Assistant-Coach Perrin KWENKEU, la promotion 2022 a développé grâce à un programme taillé sur mesure :
-Des Compétences en leadership et Management
-L’Esprit d’entreprise
-La Responsabilité sociale individuelle et de citoyenneté active
-La Connaissance et valorisation des grandes figures historiques du Cameroun
-L’Appropriation de la Vision d’un Cameroun prospère
 
Au cours de cette expérience de vie unique et extraordinaire ponctuée de courtes nuits (4 heures/jour) et de journées intenses en émotions, en acquisition de connaissances et en Teambuilding, les participants ont eu l’occasion de rencontrer et d’apprendre de leurs 2 Parrains :

·       Mr Patrice MELOM (DG PAK)
·       Mr Cyrille BOJIKO (Promoteur et PDG du Groupe Balafon Media)

Ils ont également eu l’occasion d’interagir avec certains des leaders et des managers qui animent la scène économique.
Parmi lesquels, nous pouvons citer M. Abakal MAHAMAT (Directeur Général, BGFIBank Cameroun), Dr Elizabeth FON (Directeur Général, TESHO), Mme Arielle WAFFO (Directeur Général, DKT Cameroun), M. Dagobert TAHA (Expert en Design Thinking), Mme Pulton ARUNA (Consultante, formatrice en management, service client, sécurité alimentaire, gestion de la qualité, techniques de formation). 
Durant le traditionnel « 24 heures Chrono » qui est en réalité l’élément clé du programme, les participants ont passé 24 heures d’affilée sans dormir afin de mieux se connaître et apprendre ainsi à dépasser leurs propres attentes. Pour cette édition, le « 24 heures Chrono » était dédié à réinventer le modèle économique de la CLA.
Alors que l’Académie Camerounaise de Leadership s’apprête à prendre un nouveau départ avec la Convention de ses 10 ans le 10 décembre 2022, emportant avec elle un événement annuel qui a rassemblé des centaines de jeunes leaders et entrepreneurs, il convient donc de réfléchir sur son héritage et à l’impact qu’ elle a eu au cours des dix (10) dernières années durant lesquelles l’événement s’est développé et a autonomisé 850 jeunes avec pour principale mission de former de meilleurs leaders afin de construire de meilleures communautés.
Emile Désiré SINGEH
Président, PLF

Pour plus d’informations sur la Fondation et ses activités, contactez :

Etienne Martial MVONDO
Directeur Exécutif, PLF
emartialmvondo@yahoo.com
+237 6 96 79 99 60 / 6 51 51 40 59

Emile Désiré SINGEH
Président, PLF
gea126@yahoo.fr
+237 6 77 82 36 12

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THE LAW SOCIETY with ELOCHUKWU JOY as president

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The law society, is the student association of the department of English law of the University of Buea, Cameroon. It encompasses all duly registered students of this department. It has been existing since the creation of the university in 1993, and stands out as the largest departmental student association, with about three thousand (3000) students at both the undergraduate and postgraduate level. With the motto| “integritas veritas justicia” meaning integrity, truth and justice, the main objective of the student association is to maintain a link between the students and the administration. The association is made up of fourteen (14) executives elected through universal suffrage, representing the various levels. The association is headed by the president who together with his/her executive are elected for an unrenewable duration of one (1) academic year. During the course of the year, the association is charged with organizing activities such as moot courts, symposiums, debates, academic interactions etc.

As a student enrolled into the department of English law during the academic year 2019-2020 and consequently became a Bonafide member of the student association. I was then, immediately elected to serve as the class delegate of my class. As the class delegate, I was the representative of the over 700 students admitted as freshmen during that academic year. Due to my diligent service as class delegate, I got elected as vice president of the law society for the academic year 2020-2021. With my experience as class delegate and then vice president, I postulated for the post of president of the law society and eventually won the election in a historic election that saw the law society produce the first female president in its over 23years of existence.

During my tenure of office as president of the Law society, my executives and I, organized a series of activities to the benefit of the students. To promote harmony and enhance a sense of belonging amongst the students, we launched the T-shirt for the department of English law. To be worn by all the students in the department on Wednesdays. Also, to create awareness on sexual harassment which is a common phenomenon in the academic milieu, we organized a symposium that was well attended by officials in the university as well as the various heads of the judiciary in the south west region. To educate the students on how to avoid, overcame and tackle issues related to sexual harassment. We also continued the customary annual activities of the law society such as moot court, academic interactions and the Law society Gala. however, amongst the many activities and events we recorded, was the launching of the gigantic project to construct a Law society coffee stand. This project is aimed at building a spot that will enable law students of the university commune together out of the usual formal environment of the classroom. We equally championed advocacy campaigns at the level of the rectorate and the Nigerian consulate in Cameroon to inquire why Cameroonian students were not being admitted in the Nigerian Law school.

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