National attention turned to the National School of Administration and Magistracy, ENAM, yesterday in Yaounde as the Head of State, Paul Biya, the national constituted corps and diplomats converged on the institution to begin a five-day ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the creation of the nation’s foremost elite institution. Created on July 27, 1959, as ECAM- the Cameroonian School of Administration, ENAM came into existence in 1964 following a transformation of ECAM. The first batch of trained Cameroonian civil servants entered the institution in 1960 and since then, ENAM has been the breeding ground for those who manage major State affairs in the country.

To mark the Golden Jubilee of the institution, President Paul delivered a keynote address during which he recalled the mainstay of ENAM saying Republican values like peace-work-fatherland must remain the most important pillars of training in the school. The Head of State said it was only by respecting such principles that those who leave the school could better meet their professional challenges. Corruption, fraud and absenteeism, the President noted, are vices that hinder the smooth functioning of the public service and ENAM graduates should be able to track down such ills. The President noted that learning good governance begins from school.

Making special reference to the magistracy, the Head of State pointed out that those who graduate from the judiciary department must be aware of the delicate task they have and render justice to Cameroonians. He said ethical and deontological norms must be their guiding principle adding that no error can be tolerated within their sector.

Speaking earlier, the Minister of Public Service and Administrative Reforms, Emmanuel Bonde and the Director General of ENAM, Benoit Ndong Soumhet, recalled the cardinal principles behind the creation of ENAM as an institution to help Cameroonians take control of the country emerging from colonialism. The Minister said ENAM was created to train Cameroonians capable of conceiving, elaborating and managing State affairs. That is, an institution at the service of the State and the citizens. Emmanuel Bonde also said the celebration of 50 years of ENAM’s existence could be qualified as the celebration of the finest the public service of Cameroon could offer.

The Director General of ENAM, Benoit Ndong Soumhet, who began the speeches with a word of welcome to the Head of State and the august guests at the ceremony, presented the institution and the focus of training at ENAM. He stated that the school has undergone several reforms to meet the changing environment within which her products operate. He expressed the wish to see products of ENAM take the present anniversary celebration to reflect on how to assure Cameroonians about the values acquired in the school.

The official opening ceremony was also highlighted by the Head of State visiting the stands of the various administrative services that exhibited brochures at the occasion on their activities. The Head of State then unveiled the anniversary monument within the school compound before a reception in his honour at the occasion.

source:quotidienCameroonTribune du 02/11/09