Nigerian soldiers march during 58th anniversary celebrations of Nigerian independence, in Abuja, Nigeria, Monday, Oct. 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Olamikan Gbemiga)
Some 103 soldiers are part of the Nigerian delegation to Cameroon that will participate in this year’s 53rd National Day celebration, the Ministry of Defence has said.
The Ministry revealed on Sunday, May 18, that the Nigerian soldiers have already taken part in the rehearsal in Yaoundé ahead of the celebration scheduled for Tuesday, May 20.
However, it did not say much about the nature of their participation in the celebration.
But, in previous years, foreign forces have always taken part in the march past.
The Defence Ministry added that the Nigerian delegation is in Cameroon at the invitation of President Paul Biya, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Cameroon Armed Forces.
According to MINDEF, the Nigerian soldiers are “under the command of the parade commanded of the 174th Infantry Battalion in Nigeria, Commander Abdoumalic Souleman.”
“Their presence added an international dimension to the celebration, symbolising the friendship and cooperation that exist between the two nations,” said MINDEF.
This will not be the first time Nigerian soldiers are taking part in the celebration of Cameroon’s National Day.
Ahead of Wednesday’s celebration, general rehearsals have been ongoing across the nation.
On May 17 in Yaoundé, the general rehearsal unfolded at the iconic 20th May Boulevard in a display of national pride and unity.
It featured all components of the Cameroonian Defence and Security Forces, including the Penitentiary and the Customs Administration.
The general rehearsal began with the simulated arrival of the Head of State.
“This moment set a solemn tone for the proceedings, which were marked by a merry-go-round performed by the Main Band of the Army under the 20th May main theme ‘Army and Nation United for a Cameroon Tuned Towards Peace and Prosperity,’” MINDEF wrote.
This year, the troops will be led by the Commander of the Air Force, Eba Eba Bède Benoît.
As per tradition, once the troops assemble and all invited persons are seated at the 20th May Boulevard, President Paul Biya will arrive.
Then the military march past will begin, followed by the civilian march past.
The celebration of the National Day began after the May 20, 1972, referendum that abolished the federal system of government.
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