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There is controversy over what Governor Bernard Okalia Bilai will tell Cameroonian refugees in Cross River State whose houses and properties have been destroyed amid ongoing crisis in the North and South West Region of Cameroon.
Cameroon Consul General in Calabar, Patrice Onono has visited the Governor of Cross River State in Nigeria, Prof Ben Ayade to inform of the intended visit of the South West Regions Governor, Bernard Okalia Bilai.
Governor Okalia Bilai intends to visit Cameroonian refugees who have fled from the ongoing war which has lasted for over five years to the neighboring Nigeria. He will be going to the state of Cross River because according to reports Cameroonian refugees are largely settled there.
In response to this news, critics have decried the step calling it a form of hypocrisy. According to them, the first thing is to put an end to the war, reconstruct homes and then take such a step in a bit to bring them back.
However, in his reaction to the intension behind the visit, Governor Ayade has seen it as an improvement towards the war situation in Cameroon.
In his words he said, “I am happy to hear that your country is making efforts for peace to return to those two major provinces. The international view about what is happening in Cameroon is not good for the black man.” according to report from journalducameroun.com.
According to him, it is their duty to welcome and provide protection for refugees from Cameroon so that they can find comfort.
It should be noted that the Governor will be the first Cameroonian authority to publicly visit these refugees in Nigeria since the outbreak of the crisis over five years ago.