By Albert Njebusi*
Thousands of people showed up at the Molyko Omnisport stadium in Buea as the documentary film highlighting the life and legacy of President Paul Biya premiered on Thursday September 19, despite a separatists-imposed ban on the screening of the film in the South West regional capital.
The screening of the documentary film titled “Paul Biya, a Great Statesman With a Prodigious Destiny”, brought together people from different strata of society, including administrative, political and traditional leaders from the six divisions of the Region. Buea was the 5th lap of the nationwide tour of the projection of the documentary after Bertoua, Douala, Maroua and Bafoussam.
The film screening event in Buea was chaired by the Chairman of the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism (NCBM), and leader of the South West Permanent Delegation of ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), Prime Minister emeritus, Peter Mafany Musonge.
Co-produced by Solange Edimo and Cathy Meba, the documentary film traces some of the achievements of the man of the New Deal in his 42 years at the helm of the Republic of Cameroon. It paints a picture of President Biya’s key success in the domains of peace, national unity, economic development and foreign policy.
Addressing the over 2,500 people who answered present to watch the epic documentary, Mafany Musonge said the South West Region has benefitted eleven-fold in the four decades of the Biya regime. Among the benefits, the Emeritus Prime Minister cited the appointment of three Prime Ministers from the Region, the tarring of several kilometers of road and the construction of the Limbe Omnisport stadium.
Also on the list of achievements the South West Region has had during Biya’s reign, Mafany Musonge mentioned: “the creation of the first Anglo-Saxon state university in Buea, the creation of the National School of Local Administration (NASLA), special status that was one of the resolutions of the Major National Dialogue as well as the peaceful retrocession of Bakassi peninsula to Cameroon by Nigeria”.
Population defies ban
The population of the South West Region defied the hostile climatic conditions as well as the menaces from the separatist fighters to be present at the Molyko stadium. Separatist leaders had announced a ban on the screening of the documentary and warned denizens not to attend the event – a call that was not heeded.
In his welcome address, the mayor of Buea, David Mafani Namange, saluted the choice of the town of legendary hospitality to host the event. In his words: “Buea has played host to several historic events such as the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Cameroon and today we celebrating our ‘Naliomo Nfor Mbo’ literally translated as the paramount leader and the Wiseman of Africa”.
Viewers appreciated the documentary which they describe as more than just a film but a piece of history that should be kept for posterity.
Ernest Esumbe one of those who watched the documentary said the film was a good review of history on the Head of State. “I enjoyed the film, it was fun to watch archieves of President Paul Biya when he was young and energetic but it was too short, interviews took a longer time”.
The Buea event had a colourful ambiance with several cultural dance groups drawn from all the Divisions of the Region. Also, the artistic and cultural phase was ensured by the “Enssemble National” accompanied by some fourteen local artists from the South West Region. The animation which was before and after the projection of the documentary film, translated a moment of harmonious living together.
It is worth noting that the documentary film was supervised by the Civil Cabinet of the Presidency of the Republic, with the Artistic touch of the Ministry of Arts and Culture.
*Albert Njebusi is a Journalism Student of the Advanced School of Mass Communication (ASMAC) in Yaounde.
