Marcelino Gabanas was yesterday rewarded for efforts in supporting various activities.

The government of Cameroon, through the Club of Friends of the Planet (Club des Amis de la Planète) of the Centre for Information and Documentation on the Environment (CIDE) of the Ministry of the Environment, Nature Protection and Sustainable Development has honoured the Ambassador of Spain for efforts undertaken in managing the environment.

The club yesterday November 13 handed a symbolic gift to the Ambassador, Marcelino Gabanas, in recognition of the efforts he and his country have made in assisting stakeholders like the Club of Friends of the Planet in carrying out sensitisation campaigns and other activities geared towards protecting and preserving the environment for posterity. According to officials of the club, thanks to the embassy, the group participated in international competitions in Spain during which it won several international awards. "Thanks to the embassy, we participated in a school competition, Paz Y Cooperation 2010 organised by Paz Y Cooperacion, a Spanish NGO during which we came seventh in the world and the first in Africa. Also, we participated in the world cup of Clubs of Friends of the Planet code-named, Mundialito Dubai 2011, organised by the same NGO and we came second in the world," Ebo'o Jean Felix, President of the Club said.

Like the Minister of the Environment, Nature Protection and Sustainable Development, Pierre Hele, the Spanish Ambassador said Cameroon and Spain share a lot in common with regards to environmental resources as well as threats and should thus work together for the mutual benefit of both countries. "The environment is a common heritage. Let's unite to safe our planet. We are friends of nature, so, we can jointly protect and preserve it for it is precious to us all," they said in speech, song and drama.