They marched past the Besseke grandstand in the presence of Governor Ivaha Diboua Saturday.

The 51stedition of the Youth Day celebrated on the theme: “Youth and Challenges of Bilingualism, an Exemplary, Indivisible, Strong and Emerging Nation,” was celebrated in pageantry at the admiration of administrative, traditional and religious authorities as special invitees and passers-by Saturday February 11 at the Besseke ceremonial ground in Douala. The second edition of the decentralised march past in Douala saw 40 primary schools, 40 secondary schools, 20 institutions of higher learning, 20 vocational schools and some associations marched past the Bessekegroundstand amidst applause. Since each Sub Division organises a march pass, many schools now have the opportunity to march. This explains why the duration of this year’s march past at the main ceremonial ground (the Besseke Boulevard) reduced from over three hours to less than two hours.

Beautifully dressed in their uniforms, pupils from Government Primary School Bonapriso Group II, Ecole Primaire d’Application Bonamoussadi and those of Renaissance Bonaberi among others marched past the grandstand chanting songs of unity for about 45 minutes. Secondary schools and institutions of higher learning followed in the same light brandishing messages peace and unity like “Cameroon is one and indivisible”, “youth say no to trans-border criminality”, and “no to cyber criminality”. As vocational schools clubs and associations marched past the grandstand, a square of about 100 determined and young fire fighters, trained by the Commander of the 20th Firefighters Regiment, Colonel Mikaila, marched with so much confidence and attracted thunderous applause from the crowd. Fashion design centres and welding and ICT training centres also stole the show. At the end of the 1h 38m march past proper, the Governor of Littoral, Samuel Dieudonné Ivaha Diboua congratulated the youth and enjoined them to embrace bilingualism and multiculturalism aspects while the Douala Archbishop Samuel Kleda said the responsibility of adults will pave a better future for youth.