Head of State Paul Biya
calls on his compatriots to love their country, to avoid abandoning the public
service and yet receiving salaries. To be combative like the soldiers fighting
against islamist insurgents: That Cameroonians should love and die for their country. Does Cameroon love Cameroonians?
Mr Biya urges the youths to return to farms “grung no di fool man..”and for
each and every Cameroonian youth to get busy… “the farmer on his farm, the pupil or
student in their studies, the workman on his work site, the teacher in the
classroom, the doctor or nurse at the hospital, the researcher in his
laboratory, the civil servant in his office, the trader in his shop, the
mechanic in his garage, the sweeper at his workplace, the transporter driving
his vehicle…”
Severally he returned to
his mantra: “I am fully aware of the
difficulties you are facing. I know your doubts and worries. I know especially
that you have difficulty getting a job.” 33 years after. When
Cameroonians are expecting solutions to the difficulties to which his regime
has plunged the country into.
The President always has plans...Now its the "SPECIAL YOUTH PLAN..
Read President Biya's full 2016 Youth Day Message..
|
PAUL BIYA : SAYING THE SAME THING? |
REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON
50TH
EDITION OF THE NATIONAL YOUTH DAY:
HEAD OF
STATE'S MESSAGE TO THE YOUTH
My dear
young compatriots,
The
celebration of the National Youth Day always affords me a singular opportunity
to address you.
This
year, we are celebrating the fiftieth edition of the Youth Day, which is proof
that the entire nation has been paying constant attention to youths for half a
century now.
It cannot
be an overstatement to say that our youths constitute a major asset for the
nation’s future. They are numerous and full of potential, dynamic and
ambitious, conquering and creative.
In this
regard, I wish to hail our young compatriots who have distinguished themselves
lately through major innovations which are acknowledged by all. They took bold
initiatives in the highly competitive domain of new information technologies
and in many other domains such as agriculture.
They were
not afraid. They were daring. Such has always been my recommendation to you.
They were able to weather the deficiencies in our country which is still in the
building process, and they have achieved the excellent results which we can all
be proud of.
They are
exemplars of personal patriotic commitment for our society. They deserve
everyone’s support. May they serve as a source of inspiration for those who are
still hesitating or dragging their feet!
My dear
young compatriots,
Patriotism
is a virtue that some people might wrongly consider outdated. Even today, it
remains a mark of responsible and nobly asserted citizenship for the nation.
Regardless
of your role in society, you should be patriotic to deserve well of the nation:
the farmer on his farm, the pupil or student in their studies, the workman on
his work site, the teacher in the classroom, the doctor or nurse at the
hospital, the researcher in his laboratory, the civil servant in his office,
the trader in his shop, the mechanic in his garage, the sweeper at his
workplace, the transporter driving his vehicle.We should
each ply our trade with patriotic love. Only then will we become forces of
progress for our country.
In this
regard, take the example of our youths who are engaged at the war front. For
the past two years, they have been protecting our country from the terrorist
threat. They are sustained and driven by patriotic love, often to the point of
sacrificing their lives.
Their behaviour is unlike that of some other
youths who do everything possible to get recruited into the public service and
then desert their duty stations while continuing to receive their salaries.
They represent examples of what should not be done.Some
youths join the public service just to obtain a service number, as they are
fond of saying. These do not deserve well of the nation.The unbridled quest for easy profit and wealth is
a road to perdition that should be shunned by the youths.
It is
proper for our youths to be imbued with republican and civic values. These
should form the basis of a genuine commitment on every front, be it security,
economic, cultural or socio-political.
My dear
young compatriots,
I am
fully aware of the difficulties you are facing. I know your doubts and worries.
I know especially that you have difficulty getting a job.
Our
capacity to create decent jobs is constrained by external factors related to
the global economic environment, coupled with some domestic red tape. Nevertheless, we are not giving up. Our
efforts over the past few years are starting to pay off.
The
imminent commissioning of major infrastructures and the ongoing Three-Year Emergency Plan should
consolidate such gains.In the
medium term, the launching of the extensive industrialization programme which I
outlined on 31 December last year should create many job opportunities.
The
development of our agricultural sector will be accorded a prime place. In this
regard, I urge you to truly revolutionize your mindset. The soil has never betrayed anyone. Do not be afraid to take the
plunge and become the agricultural entrepreneurs that Cameroon needs. It is a
noble and rewarding trade in the so-called real economy.
I
therefore I urge the elders to shoulder their responsibility: it is proper to
urge the youths to work the land and it is unwise to dissuade them from doing
so. It is
equally important to set a good example for them: urban workers should also
undertake activities in rural areas. Through their actions and those of the
Government, we should make our villages
more youth-friendly.
It is not a matter of waiting to amass substantial
resources. It is, first and foremost, a matter of determination and commitment.
In agriculture, a little often goes a long way.There are
many Government programmes designed to support rural development. Obtain
information on such programmes. You should be able to make
the most of them.In
addition, there is another domain which I know you of the so-called "Android" generation hold
most dear, namely the development of the digital economy.
To each
generation, its historic challenges for the nation’s future! I can say that one
of the major challenges for our youths is to manage to keep abreast of the
astounding phenomenon of the digital economy.I urge
the entire nation to resolutely mobilize and support the numerous initiatives
undertaken by our youths in this area:
- The
Government should systematically and effectively continue setting up
appropriate infrastructure, but also cleaning up and properly regulating this
key sector in the interest of the national economy and the development of youth
employment.
- Public
or private training institutions are called upon to fully play their role. They
must identify the new trades and tailor their syllabuses accordingly.
- Large
enterprises and other public and private entities should set the example by
progressively carrying out their own digital switch over.
- Financial
institutions definitely stand to benefit by developing specific programmes to
support youth-initiated projects in this new economy.It is
through such collective commitment that we will be able to rise to the
challenge of digital transition.These two
sectors, namely agriculture and digital economy, require us to continue with
and step up the professionalization of our secondary education.
In higher
education, the various stakeholders have been mobilized to progressively provide
the job market with human resources that meet the new requirements. Enterprises
are not seeking out for just graduates, but a labour force that is well trained
in specific trades and that is constantly adapted to global trends.
To meet
this expectation, I am pleased to note that the Government has opened three
Pilot Centres of Excellence in Douala, Limbe and Sangmelima, at the cost of
about 21 billion, to provide retraining
and skills upgrading for senior technicians and other skilled workers.
The economic integration of youths is thus a
constant concern. Our actions will continue with greater momentum to enable our
youths to make the most of the numerous programmes and projects that are
underway or in the pipeline.
To that
end, I have just given instructions for the launch of a three-year
"Special Youth" plan worth CFAF 102 billion in total.This plan
should facilitate and accelerate the economic integration of our youths. We
should all take a keen interest in it. In so doing, I believe, you will be
demonstrating your “economic patriotism”.
Furthermore,
I believe that you could reap much benefit from the good citizenship education
programmes offered by the Civic Service Agency for Participation in Development.This very
timely initiative has already set up hundreds of local committees countrywide.
You should sign on and enjoy its benefits.
My dear
young compatriots,
I gave
you a hint about it. The sky is gradually clearing up. The clouds are
dispersing progressively.I am
aware that you, more than the other population segments, are affected by unemployment. I, however, urge you to look to the
future with more confidence. Of course, we have not yet reached our goal, but
we are making progress against all the odds.
More
effort is definitely required from us to achieve stronger, more stable and more
sustainable growth. We will undoubtedly continue to encounter obstacles along
the way; however, it behoves us to overcome them resolutely and bravely with
everyone’s participation.
I have
just outlined all the benefits you can reap from working the land, from our
new-found industrialization and also from the digital economy.Thus,
through your active participation, you are expected to inevitably and
progressively take the nation’s future into your own hands, under the
benevolent mentorship of the elders, in a properly organized blending of
generations.
To that
end, you should have faith in the future, despite the challenges.Rest
assured that I will spare no effort to support you in your determination to
succeed.
Happy
Youth Day to each and every one of you!
Long live
Cameroon’s youths!
Long live
Cameroon!
How does he expect us to pick up our hoes and go to the farm when we are not sure of how to sell our farm products. Please mr president, kindly address the problem of poor roads in Cameroon before talking of youths engaging in agriculture.
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