This day is all over celebrated in Cameroon as the national youth day. It’s celebrated every year in mind to creat awareness of the importance part or role played by the youths in Cameroon.

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History of this day to the Cameroonian people

11th of February was the day when the West Cameroon gain independence by joining the East Cameroon which was referee to as the referendum day in 1961. This day is always marked by meetings, match pass, football events and more. As years passed by, it was known as the youth day which was a symbol to creat awareness and recognized the most important role of the youths.

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Gone are those days when we were in the primary and secondary schools back in the 90’s. This was a great day for us just to prepare and match to defend our schools. This was a great moment to remember as of now when we are surrounded by wars where our school kids are attacked daily and a day like this means nothing to us in our region.

Immediately at the end of January, our schools by then would do all to start preparing us in match pass, football games, handball games and running competitions. We as well we taught how to sing and do cultural dances as activities to mark the day.
Before that time some of our classes would be suspended and pupils were advised to wash their uniforms and get prepared before the 11th. It was an exciting moment in our school life, we sometimes after school did some odd jobs just to have small coins to at least buy something at the end of the day. Our instruments were send to the venue on the day before so as to be punctual and represent our schools. Different songs with the theme of that year were practiced along side all kinds of traditional dances.

On the D day, since it was mostly on the dry season, sometimes before the open up of the activities, some of us were selected to water the grand stand where the SDO and his entourage would be seating.
After this, we were up-large to return and for dress with our clean and well iron uniforms with black shoes and white sucks ready for the match pass. This day some while not all of our parents were present to watch the occasion and many cane with stuffs to sell like sugar cane, jewelries, fruits just to name a few. It was a great day which after the match pass, the singing competition open by all schools present followed by cultural dance then the games which was always lasted by the football games from senior schools.

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That was how it was like in our days to celebrate the 11th of February. The day haven’t been change but the perception in our minds have greatly change. For years now because of the crises, schools are force or forge to to have taken part on the day and our leaders have made us youths worthless. Back then it was about the youths but in mouth and papers right up till now.
The question we ask is how can the government be creating awareness and recognizing youths without providing them jobs or protecting them?