Nigerian Consulate in Buea, COW train Nigerians on rule of law, living together.

Addressing participants and trainers during the workshop at the Buea Mountain Hotel, the Nigerian Consul General for the North West and South West regions, H.E Ambassador Baapah Lawal, thanked COW for the initiative to empower Nigerians living in Cameroon with their rights, while encouraging all participants to be attentive and follow the training diligently.

The workshop, H.E Ambassador Bappah Lawal said, is demonstration of the importance the Consulate General of Nigeria in Buea attaches to educating Nigerian communities in Cameroon to know about their rights. 

“When they know their rights, they will not run afoul of the law, so as much as much it is our responsibility to promote harmonious living between Cameroonians and Nigerian. This seminar fulfils that objective,” he said. 

H.E Bappah Lawal speaking to the press after training as Barrister Kameni looks on

On his part, the President of Coalition of the Willing, Barrister John Kameni, said the workshop was an opportunity to demonstrate the importance of protecting foreigners and living together. 

“The protection of foreign nationals is primordial especially in the North West and South West. Nigerians in Cameroon must know their rights and must be protected by the laws of this country and they must be part of peace building,” Barrister Kameni. 

While appreciating the efforts of H.E Bappah Lawal in protecting his compatriots in Cameroon, Barrister Kameni challenged Nigerians present not to allow themselves become vehicles of trouble or chaos. 

“No Nigerian or any foreigner should be harassed by any foreigner because in such circumstances, people take advantage to misjudge the intentions of the Head of State in living together and the diplomatic relationship that exists between Cameroon and Nigeria,” he said. 

Participants at the workshop were drilled on various issues by trainers including lawyers, scholars and prosecutors. 

Dr Barrister Chana Anthony groomed participants on issues of rule of law and the role of the lawyer in facilitating and protecting rights of foreigners while Justice Mbuagbaw enlightened participants on the role of the prosecutor in the protection of foreigners.

On his part, Dr Mikano from the University of Buea lectured on rule of law and the protection of the rights of aliens while Dr Barrister Enow Benjamin briefed participants on the rule of law and living together.

Cross section of participants during the training

Speaking to journalists after the training, Barrister Kameni expressed his satisfaction that the participants can better appreciate their rights. 

“We are happy that going home today they know their rights and will ensure that whenever they are harassed, they should contact the Consulate, a lawyer or the legal department because we owe it to maintain the friendly relationship with have between our two countries,” he said. 

On his part, the Consul General expressed his joy with the calibre of trainers, saying he was satisfied that the participants were fully edified on their rights in this light he challenged them to regularise their legal status in the country. 

“They should ensure they have their resident permits or cards as the process is been clarified to them. They know what they need to do to regularise their situation in Cameroon to be good ambassadors of Nigeria here,” he said. 

For Chief Eze Gburu Gburu, one of the participants, the lessons were interesting and time as he promised to take lessons learnt to his people who could not attend the workshop. 

“…ignorance of the law is a not an excuse. Bringing together Nigerians to listen to lawyers tell them about their rights is crucial for them staying here in peace and harmony,” he said.