AUGUST 1ST COMMEMORATION IN PARAKOU: Mayor Zul-Kifly Zakari Calls for Unity and Civic Responsibility

Parakou

Like the rest of the country, the city of Parakou celebrated the 66th anniversary of Benin’s independence with solemnity and restraint.

The official ceremony was held in the historic Hubert Koutoukou Maga public square. The event brought together the Prefect of Borgou, local elected officials, heads of decentralized state services, high-ranking military and police commanders, traditional authorities, and a crowd of citizens who came to mark this patriotic occasion.

The ceremony began with a solemn tribute to the nation’s founders. Accompanied by the Prefect of Borgou, Abdoul Chakour Assouma, the Mayor of Parakou, Zul-Kifly Zakari, laid a wreath in the traditional ceremony commemorating the sons and daughters who fell for their country.

The delegation then paid their respects at the mausoleum of President Hubert Koutoukou Maga, a leading figure in the independence of Dahomey (present-day Benin).

« This symbolic gesture is first and foremost a duty of remembrance. We respectfully salute the sacrifice of those who gave their lives for the freedom and existence of our nation, » emphasized the city’s mayor.

Patriotism, Responsibility, and Social Cohesion
Far from being a mere protocol ritual, this day, according to the mayor, should foster collective awareness:

« This date reminds us of our fundamental mission: to serve the people with integrity, loyalty, and a constant focus on the common good, » he affirmed.

Reaffirming his commitment to collaborating with all stakeholders to make Parakou a stronger, more prosperous, and more united community, Zul-Kifly Zakari made a passionate appeal to the population:

Citizen involvement: “The development of our community is a collective endeavor.”

Republican values: “Let us cultivate peace, civic responsibility, and solidarity every day.”

Honoring the Defense and Security Forces
Taking the floor in turn, Prefect Abdoul Chakour Assouma emphasized the significance of this tribute to national heroes. He urged citizens to wholeheartedly support the development initiatives launched by the government, before paying well-deserved tribute to the Defense and Security Forces (FDS), who are committed daily to protecting and ensuring the safety of the population.

The events concluded in an atmosphere of enthusiasm, patriotic fervor, and shared satisfaction, leaving the citizens of Parakou resolutely focused on the challenges ahead.

✍️ By Joseph HOUNKPATIN

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