Fight Against Boko Haram: Fomunyoh Foundation Extends Hand of Fellowship to Internally Displaced Persons

 By FC Ndi

Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh

Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh, the President of The Fomunyoh Foundation cum Senior Associate for Africa and Regional Director at the National Democratic Institute-NDI led a team to the three Northern regions of Cameroon in what has been described as a humanitarian and fact-finding trip. Talking to Bamenda journalists at the foundation head office in Bamenda on March 12, 2015, Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh disclosed that during the trip to Maroua in the Extreme North, Garoua and Mayo Oulo in the North region, and Ngoundere in Adamawa region, the foundation team met with government officials, held working sessions with experts on regional issues and also visited over 80 children recovered by the Cameroon army from Boko Haram indoctrination camp in the town of Amcide last November 2014. The foundation he said also donated books to bilingual high schools in Maroua, Garoua, Mayo Oulo and Catholic college Mazenod in Ngoundere. Harping on the devastating impact on children and teenagers, Dr. Chris disclosed that some 134 educational institutions have been shutdown.

He said after the visit, the Foundation is committed to continue “to sensitize national and international opinion on the various aspects of Boko Haram and regional insecurity and the consequential instability, especially as it relates to our country”. He revealed that in the lead up to the trip, the Foundation laid out four specific objectives which are:

·         Show our support to our troops-brothers and sisters in uniform fighting on the frontline to defend our national territory and secure our freedom

·         Show solidarity with affected populations in the Extreme North Region by donating towards some basic needs

Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh

·         Communicate a message of hope, hardwork and aspiration for a brighter future among the youth and emphasizing the importance of education; and

·         Contribute significantly to the sensitization of national and international opinion to the inherent risks and consequences of Boko Haram in the immediate, medium and long term.

Talking on sustain actions, Dr. Chris Fomunyoh emphasized that the Foundation has already planned a national concert with Northern-born, France based artist Idy Oulo for the cities of Yaounde, Douala, Garoua and Bamenda. The nationwide tour he added is expected to kick-start by March 21 and ends April 4, 2015 in Bamenda. The funds will be used in supporting the affected communities and internally displaced persons.  He also added that he will co-lead an international delegation to observe Nigeria’s presidential elections billed for March 28 given that what happens in Nigeria can have huge implications for the neigbouring countries including Cameroon. 

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)