In the heart of the event, AfricaNews caught up with the legend, who shared his views on many happenings within Cameroon.

Excerpts:

What is the motive of your visit to Buea?

I brought my family for a weekend treat at the seaside resort of Limbe, Southwest Region of Cameroon, to also witness the 16th edition of the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope and to support a friend, an elder brother, a veteran journalist, Kevin Njomo who has retired from public service (Cameroon Radio & Television, CRTV) after thirty years of journalism. I am delighted to have been part of his retirement party. He is one of those Cameroonians who have served the people with all his heart and energy. May God bless him and his family, as he negotiates a new bend in the course of his life on earth.

Kevin Njomo, the veteran journalist, what memories of him?

He is amongst the top class journalists we have had so far in Cameroon. Unfortunately, he is retired already. That is life. After all the hard work, he deserves to be retired. He deserves the huge support I saw expressed by the big turnout of his fans.

To Njomo and those already retired, what is your message to them?

Though they are officially retired, it is another opportunity for them to explore other horizons for the benefit of the nation and for those who may want to seek their expertise.

The top single of Roger Milla, Sandy, was played by the Old Timers Orchestra at the party. Is Milla divorced from his music career?

No!! No!! I have not left music. I have only taken a breather. If I do find a credible producer, I will bounce back.

Are you working on your next musical album?

I am doing that. I am working quietly on that.

For many years you have been a keen observer and visitor at the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope, in Buea, why the deep interest in mountaineering by a former footballer?

I come to the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope to support the sporting movements in Cameroon. Remember, it is an international race. In football, there is the aspect of running. We have to encourage the participants, the athletes taking part in the race. It is a sporting discipline that must be taken and treated seriously. My presence out here is to show my support and doff my heart to the athletes. The Mount Cameroon Race of Hope is a difficult competition.

For many years, the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope is being rocked by organisational problems. What is your advice for the organisers?

That is a Cameroonian problem. It is not an issue of the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope only. In many aspects of national life in Cameroon, many things are not working as expected. I pray that Cameroonians learn how to get themselves organised and develop a culture of organising events properly. It is not foreigners who will come and organise Cameroonian events for us.

You are a Roving Ambassador for Cameroon, what does your job entails?

I am at the Presidency of the Republic of Cameroon and answerable to the President. He (the President) sends me on assignments; national and international. There are times I am asked to join some national delegations going out of the country.

Roger Milla and Samuel Fils Eto’o, how is the relationship like?

We do not have any problems. Recently we met and had profound discussions on issues plaguing Cameroonian football. However, there are some people who want to destroy us. I don’t know why. We all have our perception of issues and individual views about them. It is unfortunate that Cameroonians have failed to recognise the values of their brothers. We cannot progress in a society where people are jealous of one another.

How are you looking forward to the do or die match for Cameroon against Senegal come March 26 in Dakar, being qualifier for the 2012 AFCON to be jointly hosted by Equatorial Guinea & Gabon?

I will not comment about the Indomitable Lions. I do not know how they are preparing for that match.

What is your message to Cameroonians?

I invite all Cameroonians to rally behind President Biya and encourage him for all what he is doing for the growth of the nation, especially the peace reigning in the country. We have to join him to make Cameroon a strong nation. All those who are asking Cameroonians to go to the streets like Egyptians are out to deceive us.

They should go and march elsewhere. That is not what we want in Cameroon today. Cameroon wants people who are ready to help the country. All those who wish to put Cameroon on the progress lane and are sincere in their actions, we will join them. I am happy because even opposition leaders in the country have denounced the promoters of violent demonstrations across the country.

Those are the builders of the nation. I thank all the Cameroonians who turned their backs to those machinations against the state. Some people even peddled information that the economic capital, Douala, was already under fire, giving out fictitious figures of 70 people dead. Those people should be booted out of Cameroon. They are wishing for the destruction of Cameroon. It will never happen. An average Cameroonian is smart and they know what they want for their fatherland.