Defence Minister Feasts With Military

Godlove Bainkong

22 May 2011

Conviviality, ecstasy and reflection characterised the reunion between the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence, Edgard Alain Mebe Ngo’o and military personnel at the Yaounde military headquarters Friday May 20 after the march past that marked the 39th edition of the National Day. Though the common meal was traditional, Mr Mebe Ngo’o however told the military that it was symbolic given the recent changes in the military corps and the challenge of upholding State security starring them in the face. .

Addressing the military officials in the brief but colourful ceremony, the Defence boss said he was bearer of a verbal congratulatory message from the Head of State following what he termed their brilliant and thrilling performance during the march past. “Your Minister is also thankful for what you did before, during and after the event. This meal should strengthen us to work tirelessly towards ensuring the security of our country and the institutions our Head of State incarnets”, Mr Mebe Ngo’o noted. Re-echoing the theme of the 39th National Day, “Cameroon Army: Crucible of National Unity, Bedrock of Stable and Democratic Institutions, Guarantor of Socio-economic Development”, the Defence Minister reminded his men and women of their place in nation-building, stating that it is only in harmony and selfless service that they can meet their objectives.

Guests of honours at the event included senior military officials from neighbouring Equatorial Guinea. Their presence at the 20th May Boulevard to witness the National Day festivities and to later feast with their peers from Cameroon, the Minister said, was proof of sub-regional integration and the willingness by countries to partner for peace and socio-economic development.

While the Minister was feasting in the same hall with the newly-appointed Army Generals and other high-ranking military officials, the others were spread across the courtyard of the military headquarters. The availability of almost all the dishes of the country made the feast grandiose and translated national unity into concrete reality.

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