Upon arrival in Nigeria, the First Couple of Cameroon was treated to a warm welcome from Cameroonians living in Nigeria as well as Nigerians.

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Inhabitants of Abuja, the capital city of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, saluted the entrance of Cameroon’s First Couple into their city on May 3, 2016, with an honorary reception during which President Paul Biya was handed the key of the city of Abuja by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Muhammadu Bello. At about 11:00 am, when the Boeing 767-200 aircraft, bearing President Paul Biya and Wife, Chantal Biya, hit the tarmac of Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, for an official visit, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Professor Yeni Osinbajo and wife, Oludolapo Osinbajo were on hand to receive them amidst songs and dance from Cameroonians living in Nigeria as well as the Federal Capital Territory Cultural groups; the Gbagyi and the Yoruba.

Before receiving the key of the city of Abuja, Cameroon’s First Couple was handed two bouquets of fresh flowers from a little girl, Tehilah Lemo and a boy, Ameh Akwashiki. The warm reception continued as the Presidential Couple, while walking on the red carpet, could not resist the dancing styles from the Federal Capital Territory’s cultural groups. As such, Paul and Chantal Biya stepped out of the red carpet, moved towards the dancers to show some appreciation. The climax of it all was when Paul and Chantal Biya came out of the airport’s Presidential Lodge to ride in a presidential limousine for the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, where they will be hosted during their stay in Abuja. Cameroonian nationals from all 36 states of the Nigerian federation had gathered in front of the airport, in a show of solidarity and oneness that has become characteristic of President Biya’s visits abroad. It was a historic moment for Cameroonians living in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Crowds of joyful compatriots thronged the streets and strategic avenues of the Federal Capital Territory, as the convoy carrying President Paul Biya and Wife, drove past the streets of Abuja. These Cameroonians, who were mostly militants of the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), did not just shout in joy but also carried the effigies of President Paul Biya and Wife as well as that of the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari.

The Secretary General of the Cameroon Community in Nigeria, Dr Celestine Nse said despite the scorching sun, they could not stay back from coming to welcome the First Couple of Cameroon, whom he called “august guest”. According to Celestine Nse, it is a heroic visit to Cameroonians living in Nigeria because it is a sign that the State visit is an opportunity to reinforce the bonds of oneness that exist within the fabric of Cameroon’s Nigeria-based community. A Cameroonian teaching at the French Institute in Nigeria, Seraphine Ngo-Keng said they are greatly committed to ensure that the President and his Wife feel at home. Cameroon’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Salaheddine Abbas Ibrahima said “such a depth of commitment is a message to the entire world, and particularly the people of Nigeria, that Cameroonians love their President, and those in Nigeria are happy and proud to receive him and his entourage

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