he 37th batch of Officers from the Combined Services Military Academy (EMIA) christened Major General Kodji Jacob are now apt for the field. Engagements which kick started with 280 Cadet Officers from diverse Regions and neighboring countries namely, Cote D’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic Gabon and Guinea Conakry are prepared to brave the odds irrespective of the challenges that lies ahead.
The young officers triumphed yesterday January 24, 2020 at the court yard of the Head quarters Brigade in the presence of the Head of State and Commander –In-Chief of the Armed Forces President Paul Biya.
In front of the Head of State and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, the aspirants through a command went on their knees, while the Head of State, President Paul Biya affixed the epaulet on the 1st laureate Mefire Mfondoum Ahmed, 25 years old who hails from the West Region and holder of a Bachelor’s Degree in Bio-Chemistry from the University of Yaounde 1.
The best laureate of the Major General Kodji Jacob batch, is Mefire Mfondoum Ahmed who witnessed his epaulet fitted by the Head of State, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, President Paul Biya, pic.twitter.com/0vysNhHzel
— CRTVweb (@CRTV_web) January 24, 2020
According to reports we got, Mefire Mfondoum Ahmed is son of a local puff-puff (makala) vendor. many people have maintained that he did not make his way in to EMIA through bribe as would be the case with most of the laureates.
Il est le fils d’une de ces femmes qu’on aime appeler ”mammy makala”. Il n’a pas de ”relation haut placée”. Il a eu le concours de l’EMIA sans ” connexion”. Aujourd’hui à 25ans, il est Major de Promotion, honoré par Paul BIYA !
Voici le Lieutenant MEFIRE ! 🇨🇲🇨🇲🇨🇲 pic.twitter.com/c5ZqqvWeRD— Arsène Gaël onana (@GaelArsene) January 24, 2020
Next on the roll was Ganava Norbert native of the Far North Region who received his epaulette from the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence, Beti Assomo Joseph. The Secretary of State for Defence in Charge of the National Gendarmerie, Galax Etoga awarded the epaulet of Lieutenant to the 3rd laureate, Tamanjong Nche Henock, from the North West Region and a holder of a Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy.
Amongst the outstanding laureates who occupied the 4th position, was Ntsama Akoa Raphaelle Melissa, indigene from the South Region and holder of a Bachelor’s Degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Yaounde 2 Soa, she received her epaulet from the Secretary of State to the Minister of Defence in Charge in of Ex-Servicemen and War Victims, Koumpa Issa.
While the 5th best laureate, 26 years Metunde Nga Chrystelle Carole received the new epaulet from the hands of the Defence Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Rene Claude Meka. In a similar award of epaulet rituals, Generals and Senior Officers were assigned as well.
During his address the President of the Republic and Commander in- Chief of the Armed Forces he touched on the disturbing security situation in the North- West, South- West and the Far- North Regions of Cameroon. He lauded the presence of the Defence forces, whose deployment on the field has gone a long way to maintain the situation on the ground.
President Paul Biya, clearly spelt out the mission of the Defence Forces as they have to protect the Nation against any security menace. To this, he applauded their works while commending them for their efforts. Particularly to the Major General Kodji Jacob batch, he asked them to emulate the example of the late Major General Kodji who died on the 22nd of January 2017, during a reconnaissance mission in the Far North Region.
He asked these Officers to copy his example as he distinguished himself in bravery, courage and proximity to those he commanded. Also, the Commander-in-Chief instructed them to embrace the present security situation, respect human rights, work in synergy with their superiors, collaborate with local authorities, work hand in gloves with their subordinates, and restructure discipline. This is the road map he gave them as they will have to go out on the field to execute in Honour and Loyalty.