Christopher Jator
23 May 2011
This year’s National Day celebration was an expression of gratitude for President Biya’s visionary leadership of the country.
The 39th edition of the National Day celebrated under the theme: “Cameroon Army: Crucible of National Unity, Bedrock of Stable Democratic Institutions and Guarantor of Socio-Economic Development” witnessed numerous songs which struck a chord among Cameroonians. Campaign slogans like “Another 20 years for our party president” did not only give a new look to praise songs chanted on the occasion by party militants, but also recalled the not-so-easy road President Paul Biya in his charisma has successfully led the country through in his political philosophy as contained in his book, “Communal Liberalism.” The songs of this year had innovations and new themes that added value to usual themes like national unity, fatherland, peace, patriotism.
The event took off at 9:20 am after the public had begun arriving the Bonanjo Place CEMAC Avenue as early as 7:00 a.m. in order to get good vantage points. Littoral government authorities, led by Governor Francis Fai Yengo were present at the grandstand to watch various groups march past. The Governor and his Secretary General awarded medals to some meritorious citizens. When the parade began, military and security contingents, the Fire Brigade, armoured vehicles and other hardware, and various schools and groups marched past the grandstand with the help of two military bands dishing out music. The motorised parade also displayed newly acquired armoured vehicles and fire trucks by the Cameroon Armed Forces and the police.
The 2011 celebration that held in light rain also witnessed the march past of political parties to complement the civilian and military parade. Apart from the CPDM, UNDP, CDU, UPC, UPK which marched past the grandstand, the SDF was present but did not march. What was perhaps most memorable at the celebration was the firework display and fly past of various military aircraft marking the climax of the parade. Governor Francis Fai Yengo and the Senior Divisional Officer for Wouri, Bernard Okalia, offered meals to officials at the end of the celebration.
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