CNYC Participates in the Lékié Divisional Civic Mobilization Campaign, Calls on Young People to Champion Responsible Citizenship

CNYC Participates in the Lékié Divisional Civic Mobilization Campaign, Calls on Young People to Champion Responsible Citizenship

Monatélé, Centre Region – 5 July 2026

The Cameroon National Youth Council (CNYC) participated in the Divisional Civic Mobilization Campaign held on Sunday, 5 July 2026, in Monatélé, Lékié Division, Centre Region. The event, organized at the CPDM Party House, brought together members of Government, administrative authorities, traditional rulers, religious leaders, elected officials, youth organizations and thousands of citizens to discuss key national priorities, including voter registration, the Fourth General Population and Housing Census (RGPH-4), the General Census of Agriculture and Livestock (RGAE), responsible citizenship, responsible parenthood and the preservation of Cameroon's cultural values.

The campaign reflected the national vision of His Excellency Paul BIYA, President of the Republic of Cameroon, whose longstanding commitment to promoting peace, national unity, responsible citizenship, youth empowerment and sustainable development continues to guide many of the country's major public initiatives. Throughout the event, speakers encouraged citizens to actively support these national priorities through civic engagement and community participation.

Although the event was organized within a CPDM framework, the participation of the Cameroon National Youth Council was strictly in line with its statutory mandate as the national umbrella organization representing Cameroonian youth. The Council reaffirmed its apolitical character while continuing to promote civic education, responsible citizenship, youth participation, peace, national unity and sustainable development.

Opening Ceremony

The ceremony officially began with the singing of the National Anthem of Cameroon, symbolizing the opening of the proceedings. This was followed by the reading of the official authorization for the public gathering by Mr. Mvondo Mégane, Mission Officer at Permanent Delegation No. 1.

The Mayor of Monatélé Municipality then delivered the welcome address, expressing his appreciation to the organizers for selecting Monatélé to host such an important campaign. He welcomed the administrative, political, traditional and religious authorities, together with the population of the Lékié Division, and commended the remarkable turnout. He encouraged citizens, particularly young people, to embrace government initiatives and actively contribute to the development of their communities and the nation.

Government Officials Highlight National Priorities

Several members of Government delivered presentations addressing different aspects of Cameroon's national development agenda.

Mrs. ABENA ONDOA (née OBAMA) Marie Thérèse, Minister of Women's Empowerment and the Family (MINPROFF), emphasized the indispensable role of the family in building a stable, responsible and prosperous society. She highlighted responsible parenthood, civic education and moral values as essential foundations for sustainable development. She encouraged parents, women and young people to participate actively in voter registration, the ongoing population census and other government initiatives designed to strengthen national development.

Mr. Gabriel MBAIROBE, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (MINADER), focused on the enormous agricultural potential of the Lékié Division. He described the division as one of Cameroon's most productive agricultural zones, noting that many agricultural products consumed daily in Yaoundé—including tomatoes, groundnuts and potatoes—originate from Lékié. He encouraged young people to invest in agriculture and take advantage of government programmes supporting agricultural production while emphasizing the importance of the General Census of Agriculture and Livestock (RGAE) for effective planning and investment.

The Minister of Youth Affairs and Civic Education (MINJEC) was represented by the Inspector General for Programmes, Methods and Training, who stressed the importance of voter registration and active participation in democratic processes. He acknowledged the strategic role of the Cameroon National Youth Council, noting that its structures are present in all 360 municipalities of Cameroon through local youth councils, peer educators and community mediators. He encouraged stronger collaboration between census teams and CNYC structures to ensure the success of the ongoing national census while promoting moral, civic and entrepreneurial rearmament among Cameroonian youth.

Promoting Civic Responsibility and National Values

Professor Father Jean Marie BODO, Member of the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism (CNPBM), delivered one of the most comprehensive civic education presentations during the campaign.

He reminded participants that responsible citizenship begins with voting, paying taxes and respecting public institutions. He called on citizens to demonstrate civic responsibility by maintaining clean communities and avoiding the disposal of waste in streets and drainage systems, thereby reducing sanitation challenges and urban flooding.

He also warned against the growing spread of misinformation and fake news on social media, encouraging citizens to verify information before sharing it. Furthermore, he advocated integrity, transparency, responsible parenting, stronger family values and greater community engagement as essential elements for building a peaceful and united Cameroon.

Traditional Authorities Reinforce Cultural Values

Speaking on behalf of Cameroon's traditional rulers, His Majesty Professor TSALA NDZOMO Guy, President of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Cameroon and First-Class Traditional Ruler of Endinding, highlighted the important contribution of traditional authorities to national development.

He emphasized their responsibility in preserving Cameroon's cultural identity, promoting peace, strengthening social cohesion and encouraging responsible citizenship within local communities. He urged citizens to support national initiatives while working together for the country's development.

The Representative of the Minister of Arts and Culture, who is also a traditional authority, focused on safeguarding Cameroon's cultural heritage. He stressed the importance of documenting both tangible and intangible cultural heritage, preserving traditional knowledge and transmitting indigenous skills to future generations. According to him, protecting Cameroon's cultural identity is fundamental to strengthening national unity and social cohesion.

Census Operations Explained

Mr. Bodo Emmanuel, Divisional Census Representative, presented an overview of the Fourth General Population and Housing Census (RGPH-4) and the General Census of Agriculture and Livestock (RGAE).

He explained that census activities began on 24 April and outlined the methodology used for collecting information on the population and public infrastructure. He encouraged every household to cooperate fully with census workers, emphasizing that accurate data are essential for effective planning, equitable distribution of public resources and improved public services.

Youth Organizations and Community Partners

The spokesperson for the Presidents of the OJRDPC Section Executive Bureaus in Lékié welcomed the organization of the campaign and expressed the commitment of young party members to promoting civic responsibility, voter registration and census participation while encouraging peace and national unity.

The Representative of FESTY Lékié thanked the Ministry of Arts and Culture for supporting the festival's activities. She explained that FESTY Lékié goes beyond cultural entertainment by organizing humanitarian, health and community development initiatives that positively impact local communities. She also reaffirmed preparations for the festival's tenth edition and presented a commemorative cloth to the Minister as a symbol of appreciation.

The Cameroon National Youth Council's Message to Young People

Representing the Cameroon National Youth Council, the National President delivered a strong message centred on responsible citizenship, youth participation and national development.

She first conveyed the gratitude of Cameroonian youth to His Excellency Paul BIYA, President of the Republic of Cameroon, for the continued confidence he places in young people and women through policies and programmes that promote youth employment, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment. She particularly acknowledged the Government's continued investments aimed at creating opportunities for young Cameroonians to contribute meaningfully to national development.

She also thanked His Excellency Henri Eyebe Ayissi for inviting the Cameroon National Youth Council to participate in the campaign and for recognizing the important role of young people in promoting responsible citizenship.

Addressing participants, she stressed that the population census and voter registration are far more than administrative procedures. They are fundamental civic duties that allow every citizen to contribute to national planning and democratic governance.

She explained that census data enable Government to make informed decisions regarding the construction of schools, hospitals, roads, employment programmes and other public services, while voter registration gives citizens the opportunity to participate actively in choosing their leaders and shaping the future of the country.

The National President therefore encouraged every young person to register on the electoral rolls and fully participate in the Fourth General Population and Housing Census (RGPH-4) and the General Census of Agriculture and Livestock (RGAE), emphasizing that "to be counted is to exist, and to participate is to build the future."

She further called upon young people to reject tribalism, hate speech, misinformation, violence, manipulation and all forms of division. Instead, she encouraged them to embrace peace, patriotism, dialogue, responsible citizenship and national unity while respecting families, traditional authorities, religious leaders and the institutions of the Republic.

The National President reaffirmed that the Cameroon National Youth Council, through its extensive regional, divisional and municipal structures across the country, will continue supporting nationwide awareness campaigns to ensure that every young person is informed, every eligible citizen is registered and every community actively participates in national development programmes.

On behalf of the CNYC, she announced three major commitments:

• To mobilize young people throughout Cameroon to register on the electoral rolls.
• To encourage massive participation in the Fourth General Population and Housing Census (RGPH-4) and the General Census of Agriculture and Livestock (RGAE).
• To continue promoting peace, civic responsibility, national unity, patriotism and social cohesion throughout the country.

She concluded by reaffirming the Council's willingness to continue working alongside public institutions, local authorities, traditional rulers, civil society organizations and development partners to transform today's commitments into concrete actions for tomorrow's Cameroon.

Closing Remarks

In his closing address, His Excellency Henri Eyebe Ayissi, Minister of State Property, Surveys and Land Tenure (MINDCAF), Head of the Lékié Divisional Permanent Delegation of the CPDM Central Committee and host of the event, expressed satisfaction with the quality of the discussions and the remarkable participation of citizens.

Reflecting on his own journey in public service, he shared his personal experience of rising through Government service, recalling that he was among the youngest members of Government at the beginning of his career. Through his testimony, he encouraged young people to cultivate hard work, perseverance, discipline and excellence as the keys to success and national service.

He concluded by urging citizens to remain committed to civic participation and to continue supporting Cameroon's development efforts.

A Shared Commitment to Building Cameroon

The Divisional Civic Mobilization Campaign concluded with a renewed commitment from public authorities, traditional leaders, youth organizations and community stakeholders to strengthen civic participation and national development.

For the Cameroon National Youth Council, the event reaffirmed the important role that young people play in building a peaceful, united and prosperous nation. While remaining faithful to its apolitical mandate, the CNYC reiterated its readiness to support all lawful national initiatives that promote civic education, peace, responsible citizenship, inclusive participation and sustainable development.

The Council called upon every young Cameroonian to become an ambassador of responsible citizenship by participating actively in voter registration, supporting the ongoing national census, promoting peace, rejecting division and contributing positively to the development of their communities and of Cameroon as a whole. Together, through responsible action and collective commitment, young people can help build a stronger, more united and more prosperous Cameroon.