Despite several delays and with few days to the celebration of the 47th edition of the National Youth Day, NYD, next February 11, a senior official in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Civic Education, MINJEC, has confirmed that the theme for this edition was out three days ago.

A traditional Youth Day march pass
Photo: © V. K. M.

Despite several delays and with few days to the celebration of the 47th edition of the National Youth Day, NYD, next February 11, a senior official in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Civic Education, MINJEC, has confirmed that the theme for this edition was out three days ago. The Head of the Communication Department revealed that “Youth, Civic Responsibility and Participation in the Development Process” is the theme retained for the 2013 edition of the NYD. The theme is revealed at a time when many were questioning the absence of a theme in less than a week to the “D” day. Interestingly enough, Bidoung Mpkatt, Minister of Youth Affairs and Civic Education, did not make mention of the theme during the launch of youth week activities in the build up to the NYD in two separate ceremonies in Babessi, North West Region and Lagdo in the North Region recently. Usually it is on such occasions that the theme is announced. Last year for example, it was on February 1, that the same minister announced the theme of the 46th edition of the NYD “Youths and Participation in Greater Accomplishments for an Emerging Cameroon” Many are pondering why MINJEC claims the theme was out three days ago but was never revealed to the public. Usually, the ministry proposes several themes to the presidency for the endorsement. Since Paul Biya was in France for a working Visit, popular opinions were that the President is yet to endorse one of the themes. But all that is now history. All eyes are now fixed on the “D” day next Monday February 11, 2013. Many schools across the national territory are making final preparations against Monday’s feast.