By Tata Mbunwe
Renowned musician Adolphe Moundi Claude, popularly known as Petit Pays or Rabarabi, was honoured with the medal Grand Cordon of Merit during the 52nd National Day celebrations on May 20.
The medal was conferred upon him by President Paul Biya through the Littoral Governor, Dieudonne Ivaha Diboua, during National Day celebrations at the Besseke Valley grandstand in Douala.
He was among 156 personalities from public life who were decorated in various national orders in Douala.
Similar decorations took place across the nation, honouring hundreds of Cameroonians with Merit, Valor and Labor medals for their outstanding services.
Petit Pays, who has entertained Cameroonians for over three decades today, was elated to receive the medal, evident in the numerous posts he made on his Facebook page announcing the recognition.
He received applause from the crowd as he walked to shake the hand with Governor Diboua after the medal award ceremony at Besseke.
The Grand Cordon, which Petit Pays received, is the topmost medal category in the Cameroon Order of Merit.
Given to people who have made the country proud in various spheres, the Grand Cordon is preceded by the Commander of the Order of Merit, the Officer and the Knight of the Order of Merit.
The decoration comes as no surprise to Petit Pays, who has more than 30 albums, hundreds of concerts around the world, numerous trophies honoring Cameroon and promoting the country.
He also has the highest number of songs by any Cameroonian musician, mixing native Cameroonian genres like Makossa, Zouk, Soukous and Salsa.
