The Governor of the Southwest Region, Bernard Okalia Bilai, has appealed to the people of the Region to contribute both materially and financially to support Cameroon defence forces in the fight against Boko Haram.

Governor Okalia Bilai made the appeal in Buea on March 13, during a meeting grouping General Managers of parastatals, Directors of private enterprises, economic operators and the media.

The Governor encouraged the general public to show support and solidarity to the national defence forces as they battle to secure the territorial integrity of Cameroon against the Islamic insurgency. “It is necessary to invite economic operators, union leaders, businessmen to sensitise them on their own contribution in the chain of solidarity” Okalia stated.

The exercise, the Governor said, is not obligatory. “I would like to clearly state here that this gesture is completely voluntary and nobody should feel that he or she is being forced to contribute. The Southwest Region cannot remain passive when other regions and social groups are mobilising for this important national course,” Okalia averred.

The initiative, the Governor went on, was launched by the Minister of Commerce, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, on February 18, 2015. The event, which gave birth to the chain of support and solidarity to the national defence forces, is also aimed at helping the population in the three northern regions of Cameroon who are directly affected by the activities of the Boko Haram terrorists.

The fundraising exercise in the Southwest Region has been slated for Friday, March 20, in the conference hall of the Southwest Governor’s Office. To some stakeholders, the initiative is a lofty idea as it will go a long way in helping the Cameroonian military flush out Boko Haram in Cameroon.

“It is a good initiative and I advise we work in sectors to ease contribution. It is clear and encouraging that many Cameroonians are looking for ways to help our forces,” Moses Fongang, General Manger of G3-Biz Ltd said.

A commission that will oversee the collection of the various contributions was created and is headed by the Governor, while Senior Divisional Officers will coordinate the activities in their various Divisions.