Thursday 1 August was an eventful day for the Bamenda III Council delegation in Banyo. Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Banyo Council, Mayor Fongu Cletus and his delegation accompanied by Mayor El Hadj Garba Soule and his close collaborators, visited the historic Lamidat du Banyo, a traditional chieftaincy located in the Mayo-Banyo division of the Adamawa Region.
The guided tour of the Lamidat, which has been the royal home of the Banyo people for centuries, left the delegation amazed. The architecture and symbolism embedded in various sections, such as the reception hall, then the court yard with a customary court, ceremonial hall, succession history, throne hall, and the office of the chief protocol officer, presented the rich cultural heritage of the Banyo people. The official seal and emblem of the Lamido further emphasized the deep-rooted traditions preserved over generations.
The Bamenda III delegation brought messages of goodwill for the Lamido, Elh. Mohaman Gabdo Yaya, who has been a great figure in Banyo since ascending the throne on October 24, 1997. Although the Lamido was not present to receive the guests, his representative, Galina Boute, welcomed the delegation warmly promising to convey their messages to the king.
Mayor Fongu expressed his admiration for the historical and cultural richness of the Lamidad, stating,
The Lamidat de Banyo, under the leadership of Elh. Mohaman Gabdo Yaya, who has also served as Mayor of Banyo from 2007 to 2013 and as a Senator of the Adamawa region since 2013, is undoubtedly proof of the enduring legacy and governance of the Banyo people.
This visit reaffirms the growing collaboration and mutual respect between the Bamenda III and Banyo councils, setting a promising tone for future initiatives aimed at regional development and cultural exchange.