By Mohammadou Haruna
 |
| Ngum Jerome, Mayor of Elak Oku council |
The Senior Divisional Officer for Bui Division Nzeki Theophile was categorical in his
installation speech by stating clearly that borrowed water cannot cook beans
given that times are changing and the people of Elak Oku must adapt to it and
as well admit reconciliation. Before commisioning Ngum Jerome and his four deputies, the SDO called on the population to stay off
intoxication and give total support to the councilors as well as the council
executive headed by Ngum Jerome. He also challenged the newly installed council
executive to revamp clean up campaigns in Elak Oku adding that cleanliness is
close to Godliness. One of the major challenges of the Elak Oku council, the
SDO said is for the council to promote the white honey sector which has already
had an international recognition.
Talking to this reporter after the installation rite, the
mayor of Oku council Ngum Jerome said that his being
elected and installed as
mayor of Elak Oku for the second time marks another historical step in the
history of his municipality. According to Ngum Jerome, the election that result
to their victory was highly competitive. “I therefore owe a duty to the entire
Oku electorate and on my behalf, that of my deputies and councilors, I
sincerely thank them for renewing their confidence on us”. He said he is also
indebted to the entire election stakeholders in Bui for their respect of the
electoral laws. He expressed gratitude to the entire population of Oku for
voting him to the position of mayor emphasizing that “ thank you for reconducting
me to this apparent admirable position even though with a lot of obstacle
before it. Since to me I see a miracle in every obstacle, I promise you to be
up to the task and to develop the entire Oku municipality, God being my
helper”.
Harping on modern politics and it present day challenges, Ngum Jerome
said that “in modern politics, development is the main focus” yet in Oku some
people still practices politics of blackmail, slandering, backbiting, lies
telling and witch hunting. “I have the singular option to distance myself from
that form and nature of politics”. He said he is a replica of modern politics
and does not practice the 15th century primitive politics full of negative
tendencies. He said as a result, all hands must be on deck for progress,
development and true democratic practices. In a rhetorical question, he
 |
| Ngum Jerom flanked by the SDO, DO, fon of Oku and deputies |
asked
whether there is any Oku man or woman, boy or girl, who does not like good
roads, good structures, a clean environment , good and accessible health
structures and educational establishments?, he asked. He argued that those who
ate five loaves of bread yesterday in the dark and underdeveloped Oku must
accept to eat one loaf today to permit Oku to see the tenets of modern
civilization.
On the Internal and
External Elite of Oku
Ngum Jerome said it is time for those in high positions to
contribute significantly to the development of the municipality. Hear him: “regrettable,
in the conduct of some internal and external elite of this tribe today, you are
strong in the corridors of power, we expect you to fetch all forms of development
projects and direct them to Oku, rather than come home regularly to misdirect
people, let your positions be felt by the man power geometric growth in Oku.
Permit me look at the internal and external elite in their eyes and in doing
so, I would ask them whether confusion, lies telling, back biting and
defamation is what is needed to bring roads to Oku”. He challenged the elite to
look into the staffing situation of schools and health services because by so
doing they would have contribute to changing lives in the municipality and not
vice-versa.
On the Death of
Councilor Sunju Idrssu Nyinchia:
Mayor Ngum Jerome lamented that the passing away of Councilor
Sunju Idrissu Nyinchia who was snatched
by the cold hands of death in a ghastly motor accident along the Douala
highway. With a sign of remorse sadness, he said he is conscious of the
controversy over his colleague’s death. “We are all Oku and I am Oku just like
those who made stories about me. I stand here to say that I would have desired
that those who accused and made stories and even documents, very embarrassing
documents against me would have been honest people. Oku tradition demands that
if a person is accused of the brother’s death, his plea of guilt or innocent is
taken over the corps and then the person is armed and buried. For those who accused,
tried and convicted me in absentia, God and God alone knows the truth. And I must
end here by wondering why the family of my regrettable fallen brother and the
authorities acceptably charged with the maintenance of public peace and order
has remained mute after several trips to sooth-sayers or “ngambe” people. Oku politicians
of my era will not only drive but fly in planes. And the magic that my
persecutors said I have, if I had such primitive magic, I will rather convert
it to a useful one, such that I can lay on my bed and bring from Yaounde all
development to Oku in a single day. I will not like to win any victory which will
either me or my opponent.
On the development Challenges
of Oku
Harping
on the numerous development challenges of the municipality, Jerome Ngum emphasized
that “the road to success is climbing and not descending. In climbing,” he
added that one is “bound to work against the common force of gravity” reasons
why he said that “those who have to work with me to develop Oku must all be
ready to serve 24/24 and not to be masters” because “they will drive
caterpillars in suits, carry building blocks daily on emergency and develop Oku
out of the dark of yesteryears”. Accordingly, he disclosed that his present
mandate is about action which entails that no stone will be left unturned and
no lazy complaints will be accepted. Haven been elected and installed as the
mayor of Elak Oku, Ngum Jerome says time for politics is over and it is time
for all and sundry to join hands in order to make the Elak Oku municipality and
enjoyable enviable place irrespective of their political leniency. “There is no
CPDM bridge, no SDF hospital, and no UPC and or NUDP school. All the
development is that of Oku for the industrious sons and daughters of “ Mnkong
Moteh”.
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa
No comments:
Post a Comment