Cameroon honours heroes in the war against Boko Haram

Cameroon honoured the memory of three heroes; police officer Elie Ladié and members of vigilance committees of Kolofata, Abba Gana and Dogo Golda.

All three sacrificed their lives by preventing girls strapped with explosives from entering the markets. Their selfless act prevented what would have been a major disaster and catastrophe.

The nation celebrated patriotism, courage and sacrifice of these three compatriots. Pursuant to a presidential order, the former Chief Inspector was made officer of second grade and fifth level police, on September 29 in Maroua.

The president of the Republic, on the other hand, awarded Abba Gana and Dogo Golda with the Medal of chevalier of the national order of Valour. This award was presented to them on October 3 at the esplanade of the Kolofata council. United by a heroic death and these marks of recognition of the nation, these three heroes will always remain the symbol of the symbiosis between the population and its defense forces against the country’s enemy, Boko Haram.

Just as they crowned the greatness of these men who died on the field of honour, these tributes expressed the recognition and admiration of the Cameroonian nation to their respective families.

Similarly, there was a motivational message to all those who, at this moment, defend the security and integrity of the national territory; be it a civilian or military against enemies and the barbaric hordes likely driven by their thirst for blood.

In addition to be inscribed on the granite of hearts, the memory of these men should be honoured on perennials (like a high school, a street, a place or a building) like Yeyap Moussa who lost his life at the battlefield. His name was bestowed at the famous Gendarmerie school in Yaoundé, located in the heart of the capital.

Even though there are many others at training schools of the corps or defense forces, it should be noted that the distinctions for the men and women watching over the security and integrity of the national territory only come posthumously

For the remarkable case of the defense forces stemming armed gangs at the borders of Cameroon with Nigeria and the Central African Republic, the head of State honored deserving elements with medals or promotions at many occasions and when the opportunity presented itself.

Moreover, Cameroonians would probably have no reason to be limited to contemplation and celebration of these heroes. It is already a lot, of course, in a country that does not take pleasure in destroying values. But well beyond recognition, we have a compelling duty to emulate these heroes

Not necessarily by pouring our blood for the fatherland, but with zeal. It should be done where ever we find ourselves; in our daily acts, honour and merit our homeland, as our country is at the front of several wars.

This does not limit us to a military field. We are also at war against under development and all its defects which include disease, illiteracy, underemployment and poverty. We are at war against incivility, selfishness, the retreat of probity and the general interest; so many ills that we should avert.

On all these fronts, Cameroon needs heroes, to get out of the rut, to get to emergence. The West saw "thirty glorious years" based on the rubble of the Second World War. These three decades have allowed the progress of scientific, technical and social revolutions.

It is a progress which have reduced mortality and lastingly improved the quality of life, all over the world. After the union sacrée of our nation against Boko Haram, why should the many challenges facing our country not make us better and more welded?