Religious authorities here present
Administrative authorities
The media here present
All protocol respected
Ladies and gentlemen.
Good afternoon!
A warm word of welcome to everyone this afternoon as
we welcome and celebrate the presence of our
entrepreneurship trainer Carlos Eduardo
Diaz Botia far away from Colombia, South America in our midst today. To Eduardo's
parents, brothers, sisters, relatives and friends back home and his country,
let them assured that his being in Africa means everything – having like good friends,
host parents, brothers, sisters, a host of relatives and a new country.
I also want to thank in a special way all the persons
who helped in one way or the other to facilitate the processing of travel
documents for Eduardo to Cameroon. I cannot forget to thank the founder and
workers of Movingworlds, an American Non Governmental Organization whose
platform helped all of what we are celebrating today to happen.
As Eduardo revealed to me, Colombia has an
unemployment rate of 12% and I feel this is another good country for
Cameroonians who would like to travel and fulfill their dreams out of Cameroon
to go. How can that happen? I think it has happened with Eduardo even though
Cameroon does not have external relations with Colombia. I think bringing to
minds the one thing Eduardo told me he knew about Cameroon i.e. the football match
in the World Cup in Italy in 1990 between Cameroon and Colombia wherein
Cameroon emerged victorious, one thing that came to my mind – Mila Roger and
his spectacular goal in that match, and bodily gesticulation and joy for
himself and Cameroonians. Any big thing you will ever see on earth is traced to
one or two persons. Let's all call on our football icon Mila Roger now a Roving
Ambassador, the government of Cameroon and Colombia to open up bilateral
relations between the two countries which Eduardo and myself started when he
landed Douala airport on the 14th of this month.
Tobby Vision Computers started as a small documentation
in 2002, was incorporated as a company in 2012 because of its publication now
used by all secondary schools in Cameroon and officially authorized and
recognized as a Vocational Training Centre in 2016. Our celebration does not
mean things have all been well! There have been difficulties like lack of
funding, lack of infrastructure and access to technology but not withstanding Tobby
Vision Computers have won awards as one of the best model technical vocational
education training institution in Africa for the 21st century from
the African Union Commission and best computer institution of the year award
from the national media in Cameroon. I want to use this opportunity to present
these awards. The coming of Eduardo as the first international Entrepreneurship
Trainer to Tobby Vision Computers is confirming to us the vision of the African
Union for Tobby Vision Computers which is in their agenda 2015–2063.
Again, if I am a Bambui person today it is because of
the nice host parents I found here when I came to do business. I have seen many
people in a video become Colombians just because of the magical and beautiful
nature and love. And what made me to be more Bambui than even Bambui people was
that my host mother was an elder sister to the king of Bambui and through that
I automatically was not only an ordinary Bambui child but one with roots to the
Palace. Eduardo I passed onto you this same grace and favour I received to also
be a child of this kingdom. Feel at home with us!!!
Before I continue I will like us to pay a minute of
silence to my biological father whose name (Tobby) I used to name the business
and host parents here in Bambui Mr/Mrs Thomas Momah (all of blessed memory).
Today is an exceptional day - I am so glad that
so many special people have been able to join us this afternoon. As, always, to absent friends, students and
teachers - we still miss you.
But, this afternoon is all about celebrating!
It brings to mind the all too true words that at times, we
should "dance like no-one is watching"!
And this day is one of those days!
Let's capture some magical
moments, let's create happy memories and let's surround ourselves with laughter
and friendship as we celebrate this special occasion.
Have fun, thank you for joining us and go on…dance a
little...like no one is watching!
Long live Tobby Vision Computers
Long live Movingworlds
Long live the Republic of Colombia
Long live the Republic of Cameroon