The 58th edition of the National Youth Day, annually celebrated on 11th February, will this year be staged under the theme “Youth, Import Substitution and Economic Patriotism for Cameroon’s Development.”
Various activities for over a week now have been organized across the country in preparation for the celebration. This Saturday, 10 February in Buea chief town of the South West Region, youths on invitation from the Governor carried out a health walk.
Amidst these activities, Cameroon youths hold different opinions on the significance of the National Youth Day. Asanji Daniel is a third year medical student, he says, “the only thing associated with Youth Day for me is the good memories that came along with it in the past.”
To Kepgang Harry, Secretary General at the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences Student’s Association of the University of Buea, the youth day, “is a reminder that we have a huge role to play in nation building. And, we are expected to take responsibilities towards this.” This he highlighted through “our ideas, innovations, entrepreneurship and involvement in social causes. Despite the ills of our society, and the economic challenges, our impact as youths could be huge.”
The National Youth Day is an opportunity to examine his contribution to nation building and seek ways to do more says Njukang Princeley, Editor-in-Chief of the Matriculation Edition of the University of Buea Chariot Newspaper. According to him, the youths have an important role to play as problem solvers in this dispensation and must take up the challenge.
“The solutions to the problems plaguing this country are not in the hands of the old, but in the hands of myself and other young Cameroonians. I have a choice to keep condemning, or start changing, and I choose to do the latter.
If we’re desiring a better economy, a more stable country, we’re the ones to make it happen.” Njukang explains.
Factoring the recent hike in prices, Njukang notes that the youths must challenge themselves to do the most with the little they have, instead of waiting for all the stars to align. To the government, he adds “we urge the government to live up to the responsibilities it owes us. If we want more young entrepreneurs and innovators, if we want to create and consume locally, we must create the enabling policies and environment.”
Based in the Capital city of Yaounde, Tsapi Sandra an inspirational author and youth leader believes the Youth Day is a reminder of the hopes the nation has for the youths.
“Every celebration reminds me that my country counts on me. My country knows that I (youth) has a crucial role to play in its development. We won’t go far if we keep blaming our leaders and our fellows. It is only by embracing personal development or growth, that our nation can experience significant growth.” Says Tsapi Sandra.
This evening, President Paul Biya will be giving his traditional address to the youths.