EMIA 40th batch: Biya charges graduates to be exemplary, vectors of stability.

President Biya’s call was delivered at the Military Headquarters Brigade in Yaounde, on Friday, March 13. 

This was during the triumph ceremony of the 40^th batch of officers from EMIA christened batch of “Peace, Integration and Development”.

The Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo, delivered the message as envoy of the Head of State to the ceremony.

In the message, President Biya saluted the 335 officers among whom are 52 women, for successfully completing their training. 

While lauding officers as capable men and women who have acquired the required skills, Biya reminded them of the need to be agents of national integration, sustainable development and the stability of Cameroon.

The Command-in-Chief reminded the officers of the sacredness of their mission to the nation. The mission, he insisted, requires honour, integrity, discipline and loyalty to the nation. 

President Biya reiterated to the officers that the christening of their batch should guide them throughout their careers.

Biya also underscored the need for the officers to be exemplary in service, intellectually alert and morally upright as they go about serving the nation, its people and institutions. 

He reminded the officers of his commitment to a united, stable and prosperous Cameroon renewed while taking the oath of office for his current mandate on November 6, 2026 before parliament.

That commitment, the President through Minister Beti Assomo indicated, is what the officers are expected to be actors in contributing their quotas. Situating the context of the country as the officers being their careers, President Biya cited the Boko Haram terrorist threats in the Far North Region that have increasingly subsided and the armed conflict in the English-speaking North West and South West Regions.

He told the officers that with the security situation of the three regions improving, they are coming on board to further enhance the return to peace and make reconstruction efforts easier through noble engagement to service.

Enter EMIA Commander, officers

The Commander of EMIA, Colonel Nang Zengue Roger, stated that he has no doubt about their ability to face challenges that lie ahead after three years of solid training. 

He urged them to emulate the examples of others who are ahead of them through patriotism and courage to preserve the territorial integrity of Cameroon.

He appealed to them to combine their skills and potential to consolidate peace not only in Cameroon but globally given the challenges of the time. He also praised their discipline and selflessness during training.

The best graduate of the batch, Foko Kameni Brunel,23, promised to serve the nation with loyalty and integrity. Kameni said it was difficult emerging be the best, stating that to achieve such a feat, one has to be a model.

Another officer, Mokosa Engelbell, thanked God for seeing them through the training. He recalled climbing mountains and other difficult terrain. Mokosa said it was not also transitioning from a civilian to an officer.

Ebah Mbida on her part promised selfless training to the nation but recalled  challenging training exercises such as  Alligator training in Kirbi and Limbe, ascent of Mount Cameroon, Mindif in the Sahel

Pofoura Nasser, president of the batch in a message noted that the officers, are committed to serving “with dedication, proudly representing the nation and honouring at all times and in all places the oath they swore to protect the fatherland”.

Nasser wrote that the cadet officers underwent training that combined academics, military instruction, hardening courses and operational exercises. 

These, he noted, developed their endurance, moral resilience “and ability to command in all circumstances.

Details about batch

The batch compromised four trunks viz; Trunk A of 172 cadet officers who are holders of Advanced Levels plus one year of university studies. Trunk B is made of 48 cadet officers who are former non-commissioned officers who are holders of Advanced Levels.

The third compartment are 78 cadet officers who are first degree holders or its equivalent. The fourth set of 37 are cadet officers who are holders of PhD in medicine. 

Gabon, Cote d’Ivoire, Conakry and Niger had two trainees each while the Central African Republic, CAR, had 15 officers. Officials said it is the third batch to be trained at Tchabal in Ngaoundere, Adamawa Region.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3733 of Monday March 16, 2026