With aim to promote culture, peace and W opening avenues for investments and development, the population of Lower Meveo in the South West region of Cameroon last December 28, 2024 came together to celebrate the 11th edition of the Meveo Cultural and Development Assembly (MEVCUDA), a festival held under the theme, "Promoting Peace Development and Sustainable.
The event which had in attendance the Governor of the South West region Okalia Bilai, the SDO for Fako Bernard Viang Mekala, the Indonesian Ambassador to Cameroon, Isman Pasha, a traditional ruler from Cote D'Ivoire, including some traditional rulers from the four cardinal points of the country just to name a few, was an opportunity for culture to be displayed in its fullest.
The Vision Bearer, His Royal Highness, Chief Ndiko Fonderson Henry stated that the event has over the years impacted the lives of thousands with a message of peace and living together.
"The consistency of the event since 2014 has been our main achievement and we have been able to impact over 10,000 lives through cultural integration, farmers through the farmer support scheme, and so much more. Our aspiration is to be able to reach out to hundreds of thousands of persons", Chief Ndiko stated.
He observed that, "With the festival having a dance group from Nigeria and a traditional ruler from Cote D'Ivoire, the vision is for it to go international. "We plan to go international because activities like this integrate everybody irrespective of their tribal, religious, non-political backgrounds", Chief Ndiko added.
In his keynote address, Governor Bernard Okalia Bilai assured the chiefs of government's support to Cultural Integration in the country, calling on them to emulate such practices. "We need more MEVCUDAS in the six divisions and subdivisions of the region. Our doors remain open to give you every necessary assistance or orientation in your contribution to the cultural and community animation of our region", the governor said.
The over three weeks event which came to an end at the Eneo Training Centre in Ombe was an opportunity for some traditional groups in and out of the country to showcase their culture, traditional wrestling, exhibition from some craftsmen and share a common meal. For the Indonesian Ambassador, peace remains the only way to development and living together.
"11 years of this festival is not a short time. It is our hope that before the next edition of this festival, peace will be fully restored because without peace, we cannot develop, without peace, without togetherness, we cannot have better conditions", H.E Isman Pasha said.
MEVCUDA which is a non-political event falls in line with the region's desire to promote culture as seen in the previous weeks with the holding of the South West Cultural Festival, Mbando and others that were organised to showcase the cultural heritage of the people and opening doors for investment.
As the dust settles crowning the 11th edition, hopes remain high of what the 12th edition will bring and how best the culture of the people can be preserved for posterity.
BY EPOSI NOELLA $ JOSEPH EPIE
Bakweri pala performance
Cross section of dignitaries during the event
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