The Secretary General in the Littoral Governor’s Office, Ludovic Etienne Ngwba, has launched the training by the National Civic Service Agency for Participation in Development this year of 600 youths in the Littoral Region.

The launch comes almost a month after the kickoff of the first phase of two training sessions for volunteers scheduled for this year.

The event, which took place at the Lycée Joss in Bonanjo, Douala, on August 19, 2015, was attended by 300 volunteers who still have up to 10 days to complete 40 days of training.

The Secretary General said the presence of the young people was evidence of their esteem and consideration for Cameroon, as well as national solidarity which is necessary for social cohesion and success of the initiative set up for youths.

The initiative, he pointed out, seeks to encourage a sense of civic education and citizenship among the youths who are often found wanting in State and republican values, patriotism and traditional values. He added that there was also need to sensitise them on environmental protection.

As criteria for selection, a candidate had to be of Cameroonian nationality, age between 17 and 21, have team spirit and a stable career. Ngo Lan Emillienne, student of ENIEG Edea and a volunteer, said a form from the Civic Service Agency which carried personal information of volunteers, their level of education, place of residence, domain of competence, person to contact in case of accident, was provided to the school. According to the Agency’s Regional Bureau Chief, Massoda Martin, selection of candidates was based on merit.

Some 400 volunteers were trained in 2014 in the Littoral Region. The creation of the agency by President Paul Biya in 2010 was aimed at training youths and providing subventions to enable them become self-sufficient by setting up small businesses and agricultural projects.