By Tata Mbunwe
The new President of Nigerian Union Buea 1 chapter, Umoren Augustine Philip, has urged his countrymen to pray for their host country, Cameroon.
Umoren made the appeal, Sunday March 20 in Buea. This was during a ceremony to install him and 10 other members of his executive into their functions. Besides praying for Cameroon, he also tasked Nigerians in the country to remain law abiding.
“Let me use the words of Psalms 152 verse 6 to close. Paraphrased, it says pray for the peace of Cameroon – where you are resident in. For in the peace of Cameroon is your own prosperity.”
He told fellow Nigerians in Cameroon to “continue to be law abiding” and to “continue to contribute to the development of this place where we live”. “This is very important,” he said, “And though you have mansions back at home, while you are here in Buea, live a good life, you never know tomorrow”.
He also promised that the new executive will steer the Union’s affairs with honour, integrity and dignity, and to serve. Such service, Umoren said they will do “not as masters, but as servants of the people; to protect your interest and watch over your welfare”.
Attended by scores of Nigerians living in Buea, alongside some Cameroonian dignitaries, the installation occasion was chaired by the Nigerian Consul General to the North West and South West regions, Lawal Bapah.
Bapah said the Nigerian Union had been inactive for some time and the recent installation marks a rebirth of the association. He advised Nigerians in Cameroon to “continue to live peacefully, to obey the laws and regulations of host authorities and ensure that all Nigerians should continue to do their business in an atmosphere of peace”.
Also present at the installation was the Chief of Great Soppo Buea, HRM Etina Monono.
“With the union,” he said, “it’s going to play a very significant role because they help to moderate the excesses on both sides”. After having named the Nigerian Consul General ‘Eyole’, which means peace in the Mokpe Language, Chief Monono promised to collaborate with the Union and to have meetings with them in the future.
Meanwhile, the Chief of the Igbo people in Cameroon, HRH Eze Jonathan Onyenagubor (Eze Gburugburu), told the new executive to be receptive to everyone and to avoid discrimination.
He said, such a posture will be a sign of peace and unity. Eze Gburugburu told the new Union executive to “carry everybody along”. After controlling the association for 17 years, outgoing Union President, Obioma Duru Augustine, said the main challenge to his reign was the reluctance of Nigerians to join the Union. He told his successor “a leader is just like a dust bin” and that they should accumulate whatever that comes.
