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29 Youth and Nation-Building in Cameroon 4 The West Cameroon Youth Day Messages: 1964-1966 4.1: Address by the Prime Minister for West Cameroon, Hon. J.N Foncha, on the Inauguration of Youth Day in West Cameroon, Buea, 11 February, 1964 Dear Cameroonians and friends of the Federal Republic of Cameroon, we are assembled here today to institute a SPORTS DAY for the youths of West Cameroon. We have chosen 11th February because of the special significance in the history of the Federal Republic of Cameroon, for on Saturday, 11th February, 1961, the people of the then British Cameroons won their independence by voting for it. The plebiscite was an event which occupied the energies and taxed the rights our people. The landslide victory is therefore an achievement for which Cameroonians should be remembered and congratulated. By this vote, the people of the then Southern Cameroons decided to reunite with their brothers in the then Republic of Cameroon, which had earlier achieved independence on 1st January, 1960, while Southern British Cameroons which was forcibly separated from the southern sector by the British Administering Authority was manoeuvred by the Federation of Nigerian. The inauguration of annual sports this day will enable the growing generation to remember this spectacular attainment which brought about our independence. February is important in some other happenings. It was during this month in 1955 that the Kamerun National Democratic Party (KNDP) was launched. Today makes the KNDP five years and eighteen days when the people of Southern Cameroons voted solidly for it on January 24, 1959, and enabled it to form the Government. The month February therefore has been marked by important events during our reign as the governing party. It is therefore justifiable that February 11th should be a public holiday for the commemoration of these important events, and to think out ways and means of overcoming the problems that face our youths. The idea of Youth Day springs from our desire that our children should inherit and continue to implement what we have achieved. We know that we shall not always be the ones to direct the affairs of the nation, and hence it is our desire to work for the proper upbringing and preparation of the youths so that they may truly take with the right motives. To do this, they should understand our stand and policy so as to avoid future misinterpretation. A study of the formation of the KNDP will reveal what we have in mind. In founding the KNDP, we were careful to avoid the very things detested in other parties. We made up our minds to have no malice against anyone, even our political opponents. Hence the talk of “Friendly disposition towards all men, no matter their political aims” was laid. The word “DEMOCRACY” is the moving spirit in our party. By living up to its true meaning, we were able to give to our following confidence and courage they needed in their progressive man and difficulties and to win the confidence of 30 Churchill Ewumbue-Monono the majority of the people. We have thus proved that democracy in practice is a major force and accounts for our success. Falsehood was sternly discouraged among our followers. Our party’s persistency to truth has shown that we have lived up to our motto, “THAT TRUTH SHALL PREVAIL”. In the KNDP everyone is given the opportunity to criticize and suggest amendments. Any grievance may be expressed without fear. The sound principles and carefully considered policies of the KNDP are clear and easily understood. If they are right, why not let us follow them? Why not join the KNDP so that we all working unitedly can contribute to the determined the efforts of the Government to better the lot of our suffering people. We do not believe in the multiplicity of political parties within one country. We believe in a set up of one-party system in which freedom of speech can be practiced without fear of victimization. We believe in criticizing and correction from within. It is however not our intention to force those who not wish to associate with us freely to come into our fold. We will never condone dishonesty and will continue to match and reject those we cover to have inimical interests for declaring to the KNDP. We do not intend to force others by law to join our party. We only appeal in the interest of progress and the elimination of poverty to all good...

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