By Safiu Kehinde
Nigeria’s national team, in the early hours of Thursday, landed in Garoua – a northeastern town in the host country, Cameroon. With a team of 25 players and officials, the Super Eagles arrived at Hotel Ribadou via Air Peace Jet.
With the tournament commencing in three days’ time, Nigeria will take on Cameroonian champion, Cotonsport Garoua in a friendly match on Friday before starting their AFCON campaign against Egypt in Garoua Stadium.
As the Super Eagles prepare for the Pharaohs, Blackbox highlights five interesting facts about Garoua.
1. Home to the first President of Cameroon: Following the independence of Cameroon in 1960, Garoua had one of its indigenes, Ahmadou Ahidjo, emerged as the first elected president of Cameroon. Though he won by a small majority, Ahidjo managed to build a stable and relatively prosperous country. After 22 years in power, he resigned and was replaced by Paul Biya, the current president of Cameroon.
2. Established by a Fulani Emir: Garoua came to existence during the first half of the 19th century. It was established by a Fulani Emir, Modibbo Adama. He was the one who led the Fulani Jihadists having been appointed by Uthman Dan Fodio during the conquest of Northern Nigeria.
3. Sister-state to Adamawa: Not only did Modibbo Adama created Garoua, he was also the founder of Adamawa Emirate – the remain of which is today’s Adamawa State and Taraba State, Nigeria. This historical tie will surely imbibe the feelings of home away from home on the Super Eagles as they take on the Pharaohs of Egypt.
4. Fourth largest port in Cameroon: Garoua also boasts of having the fourth largest port in Cameroon. The port is situated on the Benue river which stretches over 1,620km from the Gulf of Guinea. Though the port is only active during the wet season, it fosters trade between Nigeria and Cameroon. Its presence also give Garoua a little resemblance with Lagos, though very little.
5. Home to textile industry: With cotton being one of the principal export and source of revenue for Cameroon, Garoua also serve as a base of cotton farming which contributes to the Gross Domestic Product of the country. It also has established textile industries among which is Laking Textile. They specialize in making African imprints and are part of the companies producing the famous Ankara material.
