Nigerians living in Cameroon have been challenged to be law abiding as well as contribute to the socio-economic development of their host country.

Nigerian high commissioner to Cameroon, Hadiza Moustapha, made the clarion call last Wednesday October 1 in Buea, at the banquette hall of Chariot hotel during commemoration activities organized to mark Nigeria’s 54th Independence Day anniversary.

While appreciating the peaceful behaviour of Nigerians in Cameroon, Hadiza Moustapha commended the efforts of the Cameroon government in accommodating thousands of Nigerians in the country.

“I will want to seize this opportunity to thank all our law abiding citizens who have heeded to our continuous call to be law abiding, to live in peace with the host community and to contribute positively to the socio-economic development of their adopted home,” the high commissioner said.

Hadiza told her compatriots that by being law abiding, they have collectively changed the perception of those who choose to define Nigerians by the misdeeds of some misguided few amongst them.

She did not hide her satisfaction with the government of Cameroon for the continuous hospitality accorded Nigerians in the country. The diplomat said that together with the United Nations High Commission for Refugee, UNHCR, Cameroon has constantly ensured the security of thousands of Nigerian refugees around border localities.

He said the Nigerian government is more than grateful with Cameroon for providing shelter, food, medicine and other amenities to the said depressed Nigerians.

“Indeed the relationship between Nigeria and Cameroon has never been stronger; both Countries are forced to grapple with security challenges posed by the diabolic attacks of Boko Haram on innocent and defenceless school children, women and villagers.

We will continue to collaborate with Cameroon on all forms for security around our borders, for the interest of the huge socio-economic relation that already exists between our two countries.

We are very proud of our arm forces as they intensify efforts towards ending these unwarranted attacks in our country. We are hopeful that before long, this matter will be handled as evident by the recent successes of both Cameroonian and Nigerian military,” the high commissioner remarked.

She said the choice of Buea to host this year’s Independence Day celebrations was unique given that the South West region harbours the highest number of Nigerians; “I am especially happy that we are marking our 54th independence anniversary in this region which plays host to the largest number of Nigerians in Cameroon.

I wish to extend my congratulations to all Nigerians on the occasion of this landmark anniversary that also marks one hundred years of our existence as one entity.

Two years ago when I arrived and on this very day on our 52nd independence day when I had the opportunity of addressing the Nigerian community as well as our Cameroonian brothers and friends of Nigeria, I pointed out that one well known fact about us Nigerians is that we are hardworking and enterprising” she recalled.

Earlier, Nigerian consul general for the North West and South West regions, Dan Warri Nwazim also described the Nigerian community as peaceful, responsible and hardworking. He said they are economically ambitious, enterprising, occupational mobile and have often succeeded in their endeavours.

Dan assured Nigerians, especially those living in the SW and NW regions of their security. The consular head appreciated both Cameroonians and Nigerians for the peaceful co-existence in the country.

The anniversary celebration attended by the secretary general at the south west governor’s office, Clement Fondikum, the Limbe government delegate, Andrew Motanga, the mayors of Tiko and Muyuka was spiced with traditional dance displays from most parts of Nigeria.