New Year 2026 : First Lady Receives Best Wishes

It was indeed a moment of communion and festivities that graced the atmosphere of the East Wing of the State House, location of the presentation of New Year Wishes to the First Lady, Chantal Biya. Spouses of diplomats accredited to Yaounde, female national dignitaries and other women, as well as persons of different social ranks, including officials of non-governmental organisations and artists, presented their warm regards for the year to the First Lady on January 9, 2026.  In the ceremony that lasted several hours, Madame Chantal Biya took time off to greet every member of each delegation, giving some time for picture taking and in some cases, exchanged brief pleasantries. It was indeed a convivial atmosphere. 
First persons to present their New Year Wishes to the First Lady were the spouses of the diplomatic corps accredited in Yaounde, led by June Josephs Langa, wife of the South African High Commissioner to Cameroon.
During the exchanges, the ladies wished the Presidential couple and family, a year of plenty of good tidings. Various humanitarian activities carried out by the First Lady, especially in the domain of the promotion of the rights of the girl child, empowerment of rural women and support to the vulnerable populations were saluted. In all, her actions to humanity and being the mother of the nation were greatly appreciated by the ladies, who have in the course of their diplomatic stay in the country, taken part in the organised activities. 
After the spouses of diplomats, came 28 other delegations made up of officials from different strata of social life. From female lawmakers, to Mayors, officials of civil society organisations, entrepreneurs, spouses of national dignitaries and those of trade unions, as well special guests, all had a moment of smiles with the First Lady, with each of them having the opportunity to immortalise the moment with pictures. 
The spouse of the Senate President, Marcie Niat and that of Speaker of the National Assembly, Fadimatou Cavayé, respectively led the delegations of wives of bureau members of the two Houses of Parliament. Wives of members of government and those ranking as such had as leader Grace Dion Ngute who in her capacity as the General Coordinator of CERAC, also led the delegation of the Circle of Friends of Cameroon. For the first time, Madam Nzete, spouse of the Vice President of the Economic and Social Council led the delegation of wives of members of the institution. This situation was akin to the delegation of members of the Supreme Court led by Mariatou Yap, wife of the President of the Audit Bench of the judicial institution, and the delegation of spouses of officials of the Presidency of the Republic, headed by Sylvie Elung, spouse of the Deputy Secretary General at the Presidency. 
Female legislators of the National Assembly and Senate were respectively led by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Mary Meboka and the Vice President, A...