Bamenda III, Banyo councils sign MoU to foster dev’t, mutual support.

A Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, to this effect was inked Thursday August 1, in the town of Banyo, Mayo Banyo Division of the Adamawa Region.

It was the Mayor of the Bamenda III Council, Fongu Cletus Tanwe, who led the no-nonsense delegation to the town of Banyo.

The visit was marked by several major events with the aim of strengthening ties between the Bamenda III Council and the Banyo Council.

The Mayor Fongu-led delegation arrived Banyo on the afternoon of July 31, 2024. 

Despite the challenging close to 24-hour journey due to difficult road conditions, the delegation was met with a warm and enthusiastic reception. 

Showers of rain welcomed Mayor Fongu Cletus Tanwe and his team as they were received by Mayor El Hadj Garba Soule of the Banyo Council and a large delegation at the entrance to the municipality. 

Traditional dances, including the Algeita dance and the Njang from the North West community in Banyo, added a cultural flair to the welcome ceremony, symbolising the rich heritage and unity of the regions. 

On Thursday, August 1, the main agenda of the visit unfolded with the signing of the MoU between the Bamenda III and Banyo Councils. 

The signing of the agreement marked a new era of collaboration aimed at fostering development and mutual support between the two councils. 

Following the signing ceremony, the Bamenda III delegation, accompanied by Mayor El Hadj Garba Soule and his close collaborators, visited the historic Lamidad de Banyo.

The delegation was given a guided tour of the centuries-old royal residence, marveling at the architecture and the deep symbolism embedded in every section, from the reception hall to the throne hall and the official seal and emblem of the Lamido.

Although the Lamido, Mohaman Gabdo Yaya, was not present to receive the guests, his representative, Galina Boute, welcomed the delegation on behalf of the monarch.

Mayor Fongu Cletus Tanwe conveyed messages of goodwill and respect to the Lamido and the people of Banyo, strengthening the cultural and diplomatic ties with the institution. 

Mayor Fongu granted Banyo ‘citizenship’

The third day of the visit, was dedicated to visiting Banyo Council transformative projects and engaging with the English-speaking community in the area. 

While visiting the Centre Touristique du Mont Djoumbal which includes a functional resort and a sports complex, the municipal slaughterhouse, the main market under construction, the cattle market and others, Mayor El Hadj Garba Soule outlined his five key objectives for Banyo’s development.

He cited the establishment of Banyo as a commercial center, enhancing educational opportunities with new universities and institutions of higher learning, promoting tourism, ensuring food sufficiency, and advancing livestock development and processing.

The day will later continue with a visit to NdzenNso, a newly allocated 17-hectare area provided to the Nso Community by the Lamido of Banyo. 

Mayor Fongu Cletus Tanwe was deeply impressed by the construction of the Nso Community Hall, known as Ngai Nso. 

Moved by the community's dedication, Mayor Fongu made a generous donation of a ton of cement to support the ongoing construction efforts.

The community leaders, in a touching gesture, offered Mayor Fongu a piece of land, recognising him as one of their own and inviting him to reside among them. 

The delegation then proceeded to Banyo Council Hall for a meeting with the broader English-speaking community, joined by Mayor El Hadj Garba Soule. 

Representatives from the Nso and Wimbum communities expressed their gratitude for the peaceful coexistence.

Both mayors addressed the gathering, emphasising the importance of their MoU and urging the community to support their collaborative efforts while maintaining peace and unity.

The meeting concluded with a collective prayer for peace in the North West Region, with Mayor Soule urging the community to embrace the practice of Zakat in Islam, promoting sharing and mutual support.

This story was first Published in The Guardian Post issue N0:3194 of Friday August 09, 2024