By NDUMBE BELL GASTON
An atmosphere of accomplishment now reigns among the organisers and the organising committee members who sweated for months to revive what is now known as the 2nd edition of the Nigeria-Cameroon Trade, Tourism and Cultural international fair that officially started on Friday September 27 and ended on October 1, the 59th birthday of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
To mark the end of promoting opportunities for development in all its aspects between the two countries, lots of activities such as goodwill messages were made by senior government officials, the consular and diplomatic corp, economic operators and other invited guests targeting all the different delegations to encourage and promote them.
To enable participants to have an insight into good business practices across our common borders, presentations to facilitate or to do business in Cameroon and Nigeria were made by the Chamber of Commerce of Cameroon represented by the Vice President Ekoko Mukete, the assistant D.G. of A.P.M.E. that promotes the interests of small and medium businesses in Cameroon and a highly reputed international lawyer Ntumfor Nico Halle. On the other hand, presentations were also delivered by the representatives of SMEDAN that promotes small and medium sized enterprises in Nigeria, the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), NAFDAC, Dangote who was also the biggest sponsor of this edition, and experts under UBA who presented the Tony Elumelu Foundation (T.E.F.) to make tomorrow’s Africa great again, Madam Olaniyan, wife of the Consul General of Douala and Mme Gunang Abingi who was the head of Delegation of Benue state and senior official of Benue Information and Culture ministry.
In brief, the presentations were just another training session. All that one needs to do to be successful in business or life, in general, was delivered to all the actors.
In his closing remarks H.E. the Consul General of Douala, S.O. Olaniyan told participants that it has been a special journey this far and that it is no longer fashionable for one’s destiny to be in other peoples’ hands. He continued that this little step that the Nigerian diplomatic and consular missions have taken will take Nigeria and Cameroon to their dream destinations, so this effort should not be allowed to comatose. The organising committee chairman confirmed that the fair will be holding every two years where more is expected to happen. He thanked all the stakeholders, close collaborators, sponsors and other participants for the successful hosting of this session.
To the youths H.E. S.O. Olaniyan said they should take a positive step now and believe in what they can do, for the future is now. He added that one can be taught skills but it is always good to be obedient to one’s passion and advised that youths should make profitable use of their cell phones. The Benue head of delegation advised that the youth can start an enterprise with very little capital but cut down on luxury goods. Many other lessons were taught by Madam Olaniyan, Barrister Nico Halle, Tony Elumelu Foundation and others.
At the gala night on October 1, the Nigerian High Commissioner to Cameroon, Lawan Gashagar once again highlighted Nigerian-Cameroon cooperation such as the Bamenda Enugu road.