By Bouddih Adams
Some Fons of the Northwest, under the umbrella of the Northwest Fons Union, NOWEFU again did the undoable when they shook hands with the First Lady. Fons are known not to shake hands even with sub chiefs. Even their highest subjects do not give them the traditional greeting without a cap on the head. But here was Chantal, a woman, without a cap on the head, who would not give them even the royal greeting of three claps and cupping the mouth, say "Nfor" or "Chiabifor" or "Nyarr" or "Bvuruh."
Monsieur Fon Aneng
Calling on those to present gifts to the Presidential couple, the emcee announced (in French), the turn of Northwest Fon's Union, NOWEFU, led by its President: "Monsieur Francis Aneng…," referring to Fon Aneng of Bafmeng. It is after the gift that the Fons of Bafmeng, Mankon, Bafut, Kom, Bangolang and a few others shook hands with Chantal.
The Post learnt that some of the gifts had been taken to Yaounde several weeks before the event, for screening for security purposes and were only brought back on the eve of the visit. A special unmarked bus was on standby to convey the gifts.
The fact that practically every reporter who applied for accreditation got it was commended and the provision of a press centre akin to modern events was highly appreciated. However, the press card for the occasion had "Fixe" engraved on it which meant that they were to stand on one spot and cover the event.
More than 100 reporters were caged in a 10msq space on the tarmac to the right of the Presidential tribune which made it impossible to shoot pictures and elaborately cover the event. At the end of the first part of the ceremony, which consisted of singing of the National Anthem and honour to the national flag, the inspection of the guard of honour; the award of medals and before the speech-making ceremony, they were released like cows from a lock-up.
Caught Napping
The list for decorations, at one moment, was so long that some of the guests, including political leaders, traditional rulers and even some of the old and tired military men dosed off. It was suggested that the rank and file to be decorated should go back to their units and be decorated by their unit heads.
The decoration of some top brass of the military due retirement but still in service was seen by junior staffers as the beginning of the end of them hanging in office. It was mooted that some of them are driven to the offices where they are unable to do any work but are still hanging around like evil spirits and a plague to the promotion of junior officers. Some of the military men observed that junior officers are retired at 50 on unbefitting ranks and pension because they cannot get higher because the positions are occupied by octogenarians and even nonagenarians.
PM's Intervention In French Aches…
Part of President Biya's address in English was highly appreciated but the decoration of an elite like Mrs. Regina Mundi in French by Prime Minister Philemon Yang drew disapproving mutterings from members of the public. Regina Mundi, they said, is a model to most WCPDM militants who look up to her as an icon, hence, her decoration by an Anglophone would have been in English.
Fru Ndi Distanced
The Chairman of the SDF, John Fru Ndi, was conspicuously distanced from President Biya. He was made to sit about 10 metres away from the President. Besides the distance, there was no occasion for the two men, who had come so close to, shake hands as had been highly anticipated by the public. Later on, after the public ceremony at the grandstand, Fru Ndi was reportedly called by Governor Abakar Ahamat to have an audience with Biya. But upon arriving there, he was told the President was resting.
Population Left Out
Despite the fact that the population of the Northwest is very happy that it has been granted a university, they are unhappy that they couldn't come close to the Head of State. Most of them who came in - 2 000 from each of the seven Divisions of the Northwest - plus the population of Bamenda, were kept at the peripheries of the ceremonial grounds.
One Pa Matti Moto, an automobile technician at Ring Way Street, was bitter that the population was not allowed to see the Head of state. "How can someone come to town and would not meet the population but the people he is with every other time," he mused.
Centralised Decor
The décor was concentrated at the ceremonial grounds at the Commercial Avenue; unlike in modern events where giant screens are raised in different parts of the town. It had been expected that giant screens would be erected at the City Chemist Roundabout, T-Junction, Nkwen, Ntarinkon and other parts for those who could not watch it live due to space. According to park boys in Nkwen, "the occasion should have been decentralised.
No Balloons
Unlike formerly when on such occasion, balloons were used as part of the décor, there were no balloons. The balloons were avoided presumably because the explosion of one of them during a recent ceremony created panic that almost resulted in a stampede.
Prostitute waiting for event dies
One of the prostitutes who revealed to The Post some months ago that they were preparing for the President's visit was reported dead. She was reportedly killed at her Sisia quarter by armed bandits.
People detained
The ceremony was holding while some 50 persons arrested during the build-up to the event were still in detention for lack of national identity cards. The arrests and harassments had caused some people to leave town while others decided to stay at home during the event. Local radio stations even accused security operatives of having caused the lukewarm attitude, adopted by the "Bamenda Man" The radio animators viewed the various public concerts organized by the various units of the armed forces as an attempt to woo back the population.
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