Nigerian Consul on Better Partnership with Journalists

Journalists in Douala were invited for a Press dinner at the Consul’s residence on March 25.

Some journalists of both the private and public media from some media houses in Douala attended a press dinner at the residence of the Nigerian Consul in Douala. The press dinner according to Bambale; Vice-Consul II in an opening remark was a platform for better relationship and partnership between journalists and the Nigerian consulate, to place the press in their right perspective and also for social interaction between the Nigerian authorities in Douala and the journalists.
On his part, the Consul General, Samuel A. Ekpa, said the dinner was a forum for formal engagement and interaction with the media since his arrival to Cameroon to assume duty as Consul- General to the Littoral and Western Regions.
He said the Cameroon Nigeria Bilateral relations in a new era, with a new focus and hope. “Our two governments have done very well to resolve the Bakassi problem amicably. It is now incumbent on all of us Nigerians and Cameroonians alike to do everything possible to build on that initiative with a view of sustaining the new relationship”, he said.
Ekpa added that this office is doing all for Nigerians in Cameroon to be law abiding and they are putting efforts to constantly liaise with the relevant Cameroonian authorities to maintain an enabling environment for Nigerians to go around their legitimate businesses without hindrance. “We of the consulate in the course of our duties have worked for harmonious and peaceful co-existence between Nigerians and their Cameroonian counterparts”. He said they have always emphasised compliance with the rules and regulations of Cameroon. “We would therefore naturally expect fair, just and humane treatment before the law and mutual respect for citizens of both countries”, said the Consul General.
He added that as Consul General he has enormous responsibility in this post- Bakassi era to widen the scope of their relationship, to make it stronger, and mutually beneficial.
He said their expectations are that interactions between Nigerian citizens and frontline officials in Cameroon should be as cordial and hitch- free as possible in the implementation of policies, especially relating to taxation, residence permit, immigration matters and law enforcement.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO.