57th national youth day: what importance to youths?
By Stephen TADAHA
The 57th national Youth day will be celebrated in the days ahead under the theme “youth, moral, civic and entrepreneurship rearmament, a guarantee for discipline in building a united and prosperous Cameroon”.
Youth day is an important day in Cameroon as the country has a large percentage of young people. According to the National Employment Fund (NEF), nearly 60% of the population is under the age of 25 and this group of persons has mixed views on the celebration of this day.
“The youth day for me is a day meant for youths and which helps sensitize them on the social ills that have been rocking our society,” says a level 2 student at Prestige Bilingual Academy in Babadjou.
” It is a celebration as the name indicates that is dedicated to youths. It is a feast but that does not mean that we have to exaggerate in the celebrations. We youths have to use this opportunity to ask ourselves what we’ve done for our nation,” another young person declares.
History has it that the date of February 11th was chosen to commemorate the referendum that took place on that day in 1961 which saw the southern part of British Cameroons choose to join the newly independent Cameroon while the northern part of British Cameroons chose integration into Nigeria.
Youth day has been a public holiday since 1966. This holiday is marked by parades and sports events all over the national territory. The anxiety that usually surrounds this celebration has however diminished over the years.
“In our days, we used to be proud of participating in the march past parade. Knowing that we would pass before the Divisonal Offcier was really amazing,” a parent recounts.
“With white stockings and a pair of canvas, you were considered one of the most handsome boys. With 100frs in your pocket, your day was just great given that we could not consume that amount of money in a day,” he adds.
The phenomenon today has completely changed as the patriotic spirit is gradually disappearing.
“On February 11th, I will go and take part in the march past with my institution and gather with friends for a drink ,” says a youth.
Another youth says taking part on the march past is a waste of time.
“I won’t be part of the march past because it’s time wastage. I prefer gathering with my friends somewhere and celebrating the youth day”.
The youth day is also marked by the Head of State’s traditional speech – a speech he makes at the eve of the day which is broadcast nationally in which he comments on the achievements of the country’s young people and outlines the government’s plans to improve education and youth employment opportunities.
Happy Youth day!
