By Olive Ejang
The 9km journey from Bangem, Kupe Muanenguba Division, South West Region by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Civic Education, MINJEC, Mounouna Foutsou to the Muanenguba Twin Lakes was a herculean task at the beginning.
The bumpy and rocky road to the lakes on Sunday January 28, 2023, was frightening to the Minister and his entourage at first sight. The journey seemed longer than expected, but the curiosity to see the Twin Lakes kept the delegation on the trail.
At about 2:00 pm, the Minister, accompanied by his Secretary General, Technical Adviser, Directors and other cabinet members, the South West Regional Delegate, MINJEC, the Senior Divisional Officer for Kupe Muanenguba, the Mayor of Bangem Council, members of MINJEC Kupe Muanenguba family, other administrative and security officials of the division, arrived the lake.
The beautiful lush vegetation and the rolling hills around the lakes brought excitement to everyone.
The SDO, Mungambo Ekema William led the Minister to the hilly shores of the male lake, which is greenish in colour. The green lake is smaller, landlocked, and no one dares descend into it except traditional rulers to perform sacrifices.
After about twenty minutes at the Male Lake, the Minister and Team descended to the shores of the Female Lake. The Female Lake is blue in colour, bigger and friendlier. Swimming and fishing takes place at the lake.
It was at the banks of the Female Lake that Mounouna met with the Mbororo community who came out massively to welcome him.
Speaking on behalf of his people, Yahouba Amadou said they are excited to see everyone at the Muanenguba Twin Lakes, especially the minister. He thanked Minister Mounouna for taking the pains to meet them. Amadou said as a settler population, they have challenges and diverse needs. He pleaded with the Minister to assist them.
In response, Mounouna thanked them for the warm reception accorded him and his entourage at the lake.
He said he has come to the field to meet with young people and understand their challenges and preoccupations. “That’s why I was in Tombel. I also thought that it was important to come to Bangem, the head of the division and go down to meet the minority population like the Fulani, the Mbororo, to let you know that you are taken into consideration.” He disclosed.
The minister told the SDO to do a need assessment of the Mbororos and Fulanies in Muanenguba, and send to him so that he can reach out to the population in the nearest future.
The minister and his entourage left the touristic Muanenguba Twin Lakes to a dinner offered by the SDO at his residence.
Earlier before the trip to the Twin Lakes, the Minister visited the following structures under his Ministry viz; the Divisional Delegation of Youth Affairs and Civic Education, Kupe Muanenguba, the Divisional Multi-Purpose Youth Empowerment Center, Kupe Muanenguba, the Sub Divisional Delegation of Youth Affairs and Civic Education, Bangem and the Sub Divisional Multi-Purpose Youth Empowerment Centre, Bangem.
After listening to the Heads of the various services, with lack of befitting structures as their major worries, the MINJEC boss promised to set up befitting structures for his collaborators in Kupe Muanenguba.
