« All the Chiefs and Traditional Leaders, led by Paramount Chief Endeley V, Doctor Robert Esuka Mbella and the Presidents of the two Chambers of the South-West Regional Assembly, Zaccheus Bakoma Elango and Chief Atem Ebako welcomed with pomp, the Child Prodigy of Precision and Agriculture, Samuel Tony OBAM BIKOUÉ, National President of the Association of Stakeholders in the Banana-Plantain Sector in Cameroon. He was in Buea accompanied by 200 stakeholders and world-renowned investors such as the American Fertile Ground, to make Buea the World Capital of Great Opportunities for Banana-Plantain. The Governor of the South-West Bernard Okalia Bilaï expressed the satisfaction of his region, in hosting this large-scale project where important agreements have been signed ».
This is all contained in the final speech pronounced at Mountain Hôtel in Buea by Chief Doctor Atem Ebako, the President of the House of Chiefs at the South West Regional Assembly: « This is the kind of event that happens once in a lifetime. A sick person who arrives desperately at the hospital, and finds a doctor ready, he is already saved. We are poor in the South-West; but it is not nature that makes us poor, but our mentalities. Now a child prodigy comes along, with investors, and says ‘this has to change’, we have to change the paradigm, we have to change our way of seeing. We were living with the banana-plantain without knowing! A plantain, a plantain that we thought was simple, that we were living with and neglecting, today it comes to tell us and we see clearly, that Banana-Plantain is a lot of opportunities. The Regional Assembly is therefore committed to providing an institutional framework for the emergence of planters in the South West.”
From words to deeds, the South-West has begun to enjoy the dividends of the Banana-Plantain Sector. Three Agreements of Approval for the distribution of seeds, fertilizers, bunches and products resulting from processing were signed between the FBPC under the presidential guidance of the boss of Agricultural Industries Tony OBAM, and Distributors who are now approved. It was at the end of the grand mass where the National President, his 200 collaborators,Producers, Processors and Distributors with the official sponsor, Fertile Ground and the British Investors of Belwéda and Nigerians of AFTEL presented all the great opportunities and business dimensions of the International Banana-Plantain Festival’s second edition Buea 2023. The November meeting, as declared the National President Tony OBAM, will be « a meeting of business, a meeting of investors, a meeting of win-win partnerships ». This was confirmed by the personal representative of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Gabriel Mbairobé in the person of the Director Henri Messi in charge of professional organisations, who indicated that Minister Mbairobé has put in place no less than 13 billion to support mature agro-pastoral projects, with the Banana-Plantain Sector being in good graces, because it is well organised. The National President of the FBPC, Tony OBAM, reiterates this business contract to be developed around the Banana-Plantain will be beneficial to all parties. In Ebolowa, he raised over the 68 billion CFA francs for same purpose. While in Buea, he wants to reach the record figure of 100 billion with the bonus of a processing plant for this fruit, an incubation centre of international reference, and an all-out development of the business around the banana-plantain field.
Fertile Ground, the official sponsor, was there, and its Central African representative even took the floor to confirm the new and innovative concept of Precision Agriculture. It is a question of producing on a large scale with little investment thanks to Fertile Ground’s very high yielding organic fertilisers.
All this made the Traditional Chiefs of the South-West say with this new paradigm of Banana-Plantain, « everything is accomplished ».
The adoration of the Chiefs
Tony OBAM’s stay in Buea was widely acclaimed by the Governor of the Region Okalia Bilaï, and the Traditional Chiefs at the Royal Palace of Chief Endeley V, Doctor Robert Esuka Mbella. These were moments of emotional exchanges that justified the brand name of Messiah, given to the National President Samuel Tony Obam Bikoue.
For the Governor of the South-West Bernard Okalia Bilaï, the International Banana-Plantain Festival is appreciated as an event that will leads to the total development of the Region. The Governor even posed for posterity with the actors, to deliver a message: « the South-West is now the national capital of banana.
It was at the home of the Paramount Chief, His Majesty Endeley V, that the whole of Buea, the whole of the South blessed this Banana-Fiesta in a traditional ceremony. Mr Tony Obam was received massively. The reason given: « he brings us progress and peace ». Because, the chiefs revealed, “there is no fruit as unifying, as economically profitable as the Banana-Plantain”.
The National President said, “We have come in peace, for peace and development ». This peace, the Regional Leaders from the 8 Regions and the investors, all experienced an extraordinary return to peace in Buea. Buea, a living city! Buea, a business centre.” He further congratulated the members who came to experience this peace.
To enter the chieftaincy, the child prodigy did not go empty-handed. A gigantic torrau, and a good number of drinks. The chiefs understood they simply had to adopt this prodigal son. This ox is the symbol of the new alliance that must make Cameroon emerge in Unity and peace. « One and indivisible », repeated the National President.
The President of the Regional Assembly, Zaccheus Bakoma Elango, even explained this to the host. He presented the South West as a great opportunity.
Simeon Ava / Brenda kiven Nsodzefe
