Bamenda, August 28, 2026 – It is in a moving and solemn atmosphere that the National Center for Zootechnical and Veterinary Training (CNFZV) of Jakiri celebrated its 53rd promotion. Named “Batch of Reawakening and Transition” – this historic vintage received its parchments on Friday, August 28, 2026 at the village hall of the Presbyterian Church of Ntamulung in Bamenda.

A relocation that tells a story. Since the socio-political crisis of 2019, the school, created in 1941, has been living in exile in Bamenda, hosted by the National Polytechnic Institute, Campus B of Mile 3 Nkwen. A poignant consequence highlighted by the Director, Dr. Nfor Mohamadou Bawe: most of the 166 laureates have never set foot in Jakiri, on the 500 hectares of pastures, fish ponds and sheepfolds that have made the school famous.

 New professionals for food safety

A total of 166 of them, including 81 women and 85 men, have braved seven years of exile and limited training conditions to obtain their diploma:

• 53 Livestock Technicians
• 58 veterinary nurses
• 23 Agropastoral Advisors
• 17 Assistant Technicians and 17 Assistant Veterinary Nurses

A success rate that commands respect: 98.8% for the Technical and Veterinary courses and 82.14% for the HND Agropastoral Advisors. More than 500 guests, parents, authorities and trainers made the trip.

The ceremony, presided over by the Governor of the North-West Region represented by his Secretary General, began at 9:00 a.m. sharp with a prayer and the national anthem.

 “Don’t go back to sleep after this awakening“

In his much-applauded speech, the Governor’s representative praised the baptismal name chosen by the students. “After the challenges, we wake up. After the difficulties, we rebuild. You are the generation of awakening.”

On behalf of the Head of State, His Excellency Paul BIYA, he urged the laureates to become entrepreneurs: “Go to Bui, Mezam, Momo, DongaMantung, Boyo… May the farmers feel your presence. May each of you create at least two jobs in the next two years.”

A message reinforced by the Director, Dr. Nfor Bawe, himself former Head of the Division of Studies (2024-2026) promoted to Director. With emotion, he said: “Today is a day of double emotion. We are graduating, but not in Jakiri, our ancestral home.”

His motto to the graduates: three objects to never abandon – “bones boots for the field, your syringe for healing, and your notebook for business. Don’t sell fake medicines. The animal doesn’t speak, but God hears its pain.”

A total of 61 awards of excellence, offered by MINEPIA, former directors and generous donors, have rewarded the best in surgery, microbiology, health inspection, clinical and animal production.

Budget of the ceremony: 2,618,000 FCFA, financed to the tune of 1,000,000 FCFA by MINEPIA and 1,570,000 FCFA by the students themselves, despite financial and logistical constraints.

In conclusion, a unanimous plea: the return to Jakiri. “This room is beautiful, but Jakiri is more beautiful,” said the Director. “We are ready to return. Our hearts are in Jakiri, even if our bodies are in Bamenda.”

With this 53rd promotion, the CNFZV Jakiri proves that even in exile, excellence can be reborn.