By Ikome Christie-Noella Eposi in Buea
A new wave of expertise in regional and local governance has been unleashed into the Cameroonian job market following the graduation of the first batch of trainees from the National School of Local Administration (NASLA). A total of 466 graduates, armed with specialised skills tailored for regional and local authorities, completed their two-year training at the Buea-based institution. The historic graduation ceremony took place recently at the Buea Independence Square, and was presided over by the Minister of Decentralisation and Local Development, George Elanga Obam.
The grand occasion was attended by several high-profile dignitaries, including the Governor of the South West Region, Bernard Okalia Bilai, Senator Mbella Moki Charles, the Member of Parliament for Buea Urban Constituency, Hon. Malomba Esembe, as well as religious and traditional authorities. The presence of these notable figures underscored the significance of the event in the decentralisation landscape of Cameroon.
-Government assures employability of graduates
Addressing the audience, Minister Elanga Obam lauded NASLA’s mandate of energising decentralisation by equipping trainees with specific skills for local development. He acknowledged the efforts of the NASLA staff and mentors, praising their commitment to grooming the trainees into competent professionals. Special commendation was given to the Director General of NASLA, Tanyitiku Enohachuo Bayee, for his remarkable digitisation efforts that have shaped the graduates into well-grounded experts.
In his remarks, Minister Elanga Obam assured the graduates that the government is taking concrete steps to enhance their employability by tightening laws in their favour. “This graduation means there are a lot of people who are at the disposition of regional and local authorities. These graduates are very well trained. They have the skills, and they are ready. I think it was a long journey of two years. It is the end of the journey, and it is the start of a new one. I urge local and regional authorities to take advantage of the fact that they have at their disposal 466 people who can enhance the function of regional and local collectivities,” he stated.
The Minister further emphasised that the graduates have been trained to serve the realities of governance at the grassroots level. He called on council authorities to make good use of the new professionals by integrating them into various capacities that will improve service delivery across local collectivities.
Regional leaders highlight NASLA’s importance
In his address, the Mayor of Buea Municipality, David Mafani Namange Esq, reminded the graduates of their crucial role in the development and progress of Cameroon. He stressed that their expertise in regional and local governance is vital for strengthening the decentralisation framework.
Similarly, the Governor of the South West Region, Bernard Okalia Bilai, reaffirmed government’s commitment to decentralisation and stressed that the graduates will be key assets in executing local development initiatives. He called on local and regional authorities to absorb the graduates into strategic roles, ensuring that their acquired knowledge translates into tangible progress within communities.
-A bright future for NASLA
With their newly acquired skills, NASLA graduates are now poised to make significant contributions to local governance structures. Their training has equipped them to navigate the complexities of decentralised administration and implement best practices that will benefit communities.
For the graduates, the ceremony marked the culmination of an intense academic and professional journey, but also signaled the beginning of a new chapter filled with opportunities to drive change. Many of them expressed enthusiasm for their future roles, eager to take up responsibilities that will enhance public service at local and regional levels.
The event was more than just a graduation; it was a milestone in Cameroon’s decentralisation agenda, reinforcing the commitment of government to ensure effective local governance through well-trained professionals. As NASLA continues to refine its curriculum and produce high-caliber graduates, the country’s vision for decentralised development remains bright, with promising prospects for its local administrative systems.
With this historic graduation, Cameroon takes a significant step forward in fortifying its local governance framework. As these experts integrate into various councils and administrative structures, their impact is expected to be felt in communities across the nation, ensuring that decentralisation remains people-centered and transformative.