Cameroon: Importance of 1st January and 1st October.

By Chief A.S. Ngwana

On the first of January 1960, East Cameroon, the former French Cameroon became independent and was known as the Republic of Cameroon.

On the first of October 1961, West Cameroon, the former British Southern Cameroon, became independent and unified with the Republic of Cameroon to form the FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON.

These are the most important dates in the history of Cameroon. These are the dates Cameroonians, French speaking and English speaking, threw off the shackles of Colonial imperialism and became independent.

How can we forget these dates in our history, in the history of Cameroon?

On Unification, the first of October was celebrated yearly as a public holiday. The First of October is so important to Cameroon, because without the first of October 1961, Cameroon would have been two different countries, the Republic of Cameroon and the Republic of Southern Cameroon. But thank God, Cameroon is one Nation.

The First of October will remain a National Day and must be declared a National Public holiday.

Finally, we must not forget that unification and independence were based on federalism, so for the smooth existence and unity of Cameroon as a corporate unit, we must return to the Federal system of government.