Goodluck Jonathan Didn't Build a Single Road - Osinbajo

Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo has criticized the former administrations over the negligence to an important capital project like construction of federal roads.

Yemi Osinbajo

 

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday said that the federal government did not build “a single new road” in the last 10 years, according to the Cable.

The late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and former President Goodluck Jonathan presided over the country within that period.

Speaking at the pastors and leaders retreat of the Fountain of Life Church in Ilupeju, Lagos, Osinbajo said corruption in the country was not caused because by a few individuals, but that the entire system was built around lack of integrity.

He expressed confidence that the country would be great again but noted that the foundation for the greatness had to be laid with a lot of pains.

“Unless we tackle graft, we may not be able to achieve something,” he said.

“The federal government in the past 10 years could not build a single new road, not repairing existing ones alone.

“Now we have a president who will not steal money and who will not allow anybody to steal money.”

Commenting on the N6 billion that the last administration spent on a new residence for the vice-president, he said Aguda House, the current official residence, is up to standard with enough space.

He said the present administration would complete it but consider putting it to other use.

“There is no need for a new vice-president’s house; it is a kind of waste; we are now in a situation where we cannot abandon it; it has to be completed and used for a different thing,” he said.

Osinbajo also spoke on the controversy surrounding the State House Medical Centre, which he said was not only for workers at the state house.

Meanwhile, on the 9th of December, 2015, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola admitted the Goodluck Jonathan administration built more roads than any other Nigerian president contrary to the claims of Osinbajo.

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

Nigerians Threaten to Boycott Banks on Tuesday

The Consumer Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria (CAFON) and the Coalition of Nigerian Consumer Protection Associations have set aside Tuesday, March 1, 2016 as No Banking Day to protest against the charges introduced by the CBN.

 If Nigerians heed the call by the Consumer Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria (CAFON) and Coalition of Nigerian Consumer Protection Associations, banks across the country, on Tuesday, March 1, will be empty. 

The group wants Nigerians to boycott the banks on that day in protest against alleged arbitrary charges imposed on customers by the financial institutions. This is coming weeks after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) imposed N50 on customers as compulsory stamp duty on deposits of N1,000 and above. The charge, however, is collected on behalf of NIPOST and the Federal Government and it goes to the Federation Account.  Only last week, the CBN said it got banks across the country to return excess charges, estimated at N6.2billion, to customers. 

Our investigations revealed that, aside  normal bank charges associated with daily transactions, depositors are exposed to many hidden charges as well as what financial experts described as arbitrary charges. 

Charges enormous – Mikail, Shareholders Association boss 

In a chat, the National President, Constance Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Mr. Shehu Mikail, explained that the banks are facing a lot of challenges in the operating environment, saying, however, that this does not justify some of the charges. He said, “The reality is that, banks have to collect certain charges to sustain their operations, in order to remain in business.   They have to pay their staff, give dividends to shareholders and carry out general maintenance of their facilities.   The banks spend a lot of money to buy diesel daily to generate power due to erratic electricity supply in the country. So, at the end of month, they transfer some of the costs to customers as bank charges. We are not saying that banks should not collect charges from customers, because they need some of these charges to stay afloat in business.   But the issue is that, the charges are so enormous and, if not checked, may have adverse effect on the cashless monetary policy already in place. For instance, a large part of Nigeria is still un-banked, and if these numerous charges are not curtailed, many people who are already using the services of banks may stop patronising them”. 

Responding to what the Bankers  Committee, which often meet to examine issues in the financial sector, is doing currently to tackle the challenges in the sector, he said, “It is clear that the Bankers Committee, at present, does not know exactly what to do, in order to turn around the financial sector of the economy, especially in the issue of forex crisis rocking the sector. So, deliberate and consistent government policies are needed to restructure the sector for greater efficiency, especially in the aspect of exchange rate that is affecting virtually everything in the economy now.” 

CBN, Bankers’ Committee and bank charges: 

It could be recalled that the cashless policy was first introduced by CBN on January 1, 2012 in Lagos State, where the higher proportion of cash circulates daily as a pilot study to test-run the process. Thus, the CBN and the Bankers Committee, in November 2012, agreed to abolish all charges associated with the use of ATMs,   in order to increase patronage of ATMs, thereby deepening   financial inclusion strategy of the apex bank. So, in December, 2012, they abolished the payment of N100 ATM withdrawal charge by depositors. They transferred the payment of the N100 fee to the issuing banks, stressing that the fee be split between the acquiring bank, issuing bank and switch companies. But, on August 13, 2014, the same Committee and the CBN re-introduced ATM charge of N65 instead of N100, to be paid by individual customers. 

The circular, signed by the Director of Banking and Payment Systems Department of CBN then, Mr. Dipo Fatokun, stated, “The CBN agreed to re-introduce ATM charge because the cost of transaction was becoming too burden some for the banks to bear. The circular from September 1, 2014 shall be effective date for the implementation of the new charge. Banks are expected to conduct adequate sensitisation to the customers on introduction of the new fee. As a result of the un-intended consequences of the decision, which has resulted in substantial cost burden incurred by banks in defraying the cost of the service, the payment structure for card carrying bank customers is hereby reviewed in line with the present realities”. 

Customers’ angle 

When Sunday Vanguard visited some commercial banks in Lagos, customers were seen carrying out their normal transactions. It was also observed that, some banks had more customers in the banking halls and at the ATM points, while other places were very scanty.  Some of the depositors who spoke during the visit blamed the CBN for re-introducing ATM charged that was abolished by the former governor of CBN, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, while other said that banks are making a lot of money from customers, yet they keep on retrenching, even as many of their workers are on contract. 

A customer at Oluwo, Ikeja branch of First Bank, who gave her name as Mrs. Gloria Moses, said, “The apex bank that regulates activities of commercial banks is acting as if it is panicking, especially in the area of foreign exchange. If you look at the forex policies of the CBN critically, you can easily realise that the current CBN is already panicking. To me, the re-introduction of ATM charge after it was removed by the same CBN was unnecessary.  For that reason, I don’t use ATM of other banks for withdrawal since that charge was brought back. I simply withdraw from my own bank to avoid paying extra charge. It seems the CBN is even losing focus on what the banking public actually want, which is a reduction in interest rate for industries to thrive and create jobs for the masses. I think the re-introduction of ATM charge constitutes policy inconsistency”. 

Perspective of advocacy group/Objective 

Some of the practices mentioned by CAFON, which necessitated the action against banks excessive charges, unexplainable fees and unfair contracts designed to protect the financial institutions to the detriment of the banking public. Others are indiscriminate debiting of customers’ accounts for charges that are arbitrary and unilateral changes in interest rates by banks, and this without prior notice to the consumers.

 

Culled from the Vanguard

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

Nigerian Troops Clear Boko Haram's Hospital and Bomb Factory (Photos)

Nigerian soldiers have progressed in the war against Boko Haram insurgency routing out their various enclaves in the north-eastern part of Nigeria.

  

The Nigerian Army on Saturday said its troops made “tremendous success” in the ongoing operations to clear the extremist Boko Haram sect from locations around the country’s North-East.

The spokesperson for the Army, Sani Usman, said in a statement made available to PREMIUM TIMES that troops of the 7 Division Garrison, 112 Battalion and Army Headquarters Strike Group, recorded tremendous success in a clearance operations against terrorists at Kotokuma, Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno State.

“The troops cleared the terrorists camp which was equipped with medical facility, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) factory, fuel dump, mechanical workshop, generators and several water points,” Mr. Usman, a colonel, said.

 

He added, “The gallant troops also destroyed three vehicles laden with IEDs meant for suicide bombings somewhere and killed 37 Boko Haram terrorists.

“The troops also recovered 12 vehicles, 27 motorcycles, 9 AK-47 rifles, 2 Fabrique Nationale rifles, fabricated rocket bomb and a Sniper rifle. Other items recovered include 4 Dane Guns, solar panels and other household items. In addition to that, they also rescued 20 persons held hostage by the terrorists.

 

 

“Unfortunately, two of our soldiers sustained gun shot wounds. The wounded soldiers have been evacuated to 7 Division Hospital where they are receiving medical care.

“We wish to state here that buoyed by this unprecedented success, the troops morale is very high.

“We would like to assure the public that the troops would continue to do their best to clear all the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists wherever they may be to successfully bring to an end the menace of the terrorists.”

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

“The People’s Call” of Shame!

In the absence of clean policy and vision, the wheels of a political party can groan on monotonously, trudging along old paths and chewing the same cud over and over again. We surely are not strangers to motions of support and “the people’s call.” But the timing of this other bandwagon of “calls” to which many CPDM structures and barons are desperately trying to jump on, and take it over, is strange! The “calls” seem to be a calculated indiscretion meant to give out a little but important message to the rest of us.

The CPDM has been in a state of mental turmoil for quite some time now, aggravated by the fear of the unknown. It has been teetering on the edge of crisis, trying to keep up appearances, with no confident vision of the future in front of it. What we are witnessing now is just a symptom of alarm in the party, and of its God-sent leader. Only this can explain this other disingenuous manner of expressing what seems to be a long-laid devilish plan.

True, what appears as the same action, performed by several individuals in different places, may have a variety of different psychodynamic reasons and explanations. The “callers”may not necessarily be all willing follower; and some of the “calls” are talking of 2018, while others are talking of “the next” presidential election. Our take is that this is all about “the next” presidential election that may happen in 2018, or sooner.

One of the central purposes of spin-doctoring is to form public opinion before the act. Many politicians usually blame the press not only for its partiality, but also for its not checking and cross-checking information dished out to form public opinion. This is obviously the reason for the strong condemnation of journalists by Paul Ayah in a write-up he titled “journalist sans pareil” [a strange type of journalist]. All because, judging by the gesticulation of the CPDM and its hero, some journalists concluded that the signs are that the presidential election will be anticipated.

Ayah reminded them that the fundamental law of the land (the constitution) provides for anticipated presidential election only when the incumbent president dies, or steps down, or is declared by the constitutional council to be no longer capable of exercising his duties. He charged that since none of these was the case, the journalists were living in a dreamland.  Fair enough: I think all of this would be true if we have an agreed basis for democracy in our country. But we do not.

Macky Sall, the Senegalese president, has committed himself to organizing a referendum in May 2016 to ask the Senegalese people to decide on his proposal to reduce the presidential term from 7 to 5 years. He says “if they (the people) say yes, the presidential election will take place in 2017 instead of 2019.”

This may have given Paul Biya an idea on how to “anticipate” the presidential election in Cameroon, especially because of the ease with which he removed the term-limit clause from the constitution in 2008. He must be reasoning that if he could so easily carry out such an operation that most of his peers are finding difficult to carry out, he can easily amend the constitution any time he wants, to reduce the presidential term in Cameroon from 7 to 5 years too (renewable once). His griots will easily argue that since it was the decision of the Tripartite Conference of the ‘90s, it is the wish of all Cameroonians. When it is done, he can then call a snap presidential election for October 2016 (instead of the October 2018 we are all focusing on).

Those trying to unfold this plan are arguing that he needs more time to finish “his” development projects. This is like taking all of us for the fools they have always wanted us to be. They forget that development is the perpetual struggle of humans to live a better life. A development project can never be finished to the extent that further development would no longer be necessary. As the philosopher would put it, the new is a question or problem; it is at once a result and a catalyst for step-by-step amelioration. The ludicrous deification of leadership given expression by the CNU/CPDM regimes for over half a century is a frightful aspect of human bondage that reduces human choices by freezing human ingenuity and passion.

In Cameroon, the governing system has been so screwed up that we regularly vote, but we do not elect. Abdoulaye Babale’s declaration that ELECAM’s role is to protect national institutions by blocking any transition at the summit of the state, only confirms what all of us have been saying!

This voting without electing has caused the people to slowly lose their pride, dignity, and self-belief. It has affected the nurturing of attitudes, behaviors and feelings of solidarity, and the cooperation and attachment to society that the election of leaders is supposed to nurture. It has blocked the development and practice of civic, social and emotional skills needed to make informed decisions in society. Indeed, it has subverted the use of elections to cultivate the soft skills of human capital needed to produce engaged, responsible citizens and their capacity to be, to know, to do, and to live together, as some would say. And so the pent up anger, and the explosion of violence that is slowly engulfing all of us!

Sycophants in the entourage of a leader can give him ideas, but since the leader is human like me and you, they always selects from a maze of ideas only those that assuage their ego and boost opinions that were already in their minds. This is true of Paul Biya. Like a Jacobin with trust in “le peuple” as the generic source of his actions, he knows fully well that he has been there for 30-some years because “le people” vote, but his regime elects him. He will go in for “another term” without the slightest fear of being humiliated at the polls like some of his peers. Abdoulaye Babale, there is no need to worry!

And so, as Paul Biya prepares to go in for another term chanting the slogan of “emergence,” he should remember that for the magic word to have relevance, it must be hinged on an implacable logic and an imperative of efficiency that can neither surrender to the “calls” of “le people,” nor to electoral favours, or bribery, or the arbitrariness of a political party incapable of looking reality in the face and taking the hard decisions that are necessary.

Those “opposition” people that will jump into the arena to give this other “call” of shame some respectability, or those that will claim that they will call its bluff, will no longer be a subject of bewilderment and ridicule. They all know that the regime can only be stopped through the streets, not the ballot box!

TazoachaAsonganyi

Yaounde.

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

Motions, Calls and The People

Political discourse is like advertising. Both are meant to have an effect on people. For both, the first effort is to get the attention of the audience; the next crucial one is to get the idea across.

 The political discourse in town is the divisive issue of the next presidential election. Somehow, the CPDM has used motions and calls about the next presidential election to force the more unifying war effort against Boko Haram to the backwoods!

 Their first step was to surprise us at a most unexpected time by presenting the next presidential election supposed to be held in October 2018 as an urgent matter. Bizarrely, they were clamouring to “beg” their natural candidate to accept to be a candidate!  When they were sure that we were all attentive, they put the joker on the table – they called for the the election to be anticipated!

 They themselves say that it is their “democratic” right to behave this way. Fair enough for the “democratic” environment that their policy of one strongman with extremely weak institutions has foisted on all of us. It has permitted that their desire can become the rational and the irrational can become their desire.

 Whatever the case, election is the single most important issue that unites the people with its leadership. Curiously, the CPDM takes it seriously only in the effort its leadership makes to detach the people from the outcome of the electoral process.

 The dialectics of the responses of some opposition actors to the “calls” is likely to contribute to this uncoupling effort of the CPDM. Some are engaged in Orwellian doublespeak - saying that there will be war if the election is anticipated,but preparing for the election all the same, as if the “war” will be prosecuted by some outsiders. Others are calling for the revision of the electoral process as if it is a stand-alone problem, not part of the problem of the whole failed system.

 And yet others are calling on the actual initiator of the “calls” not to accept the calls. In this, they forget the saying that in politics it is irrational to follow the wishes of your enemies. In politics, you cannot easily make an opponent to change an idea; the more you encourage them to do so, the more you stiffen their resolve to do it!

 In the cacophony, the bottom line is the unpredictability of politics – the effect of unknowns. But it is no excuse for those who want to ride two horses at once! Since pity is said to be a kind of affection, we can actually pity some of us! There is no need for duplicity and hypocrisy, or for touting a public persona that is very different from the private self. There is a point beyond which people with deeply felt convictions in politics cannot be dragooned, so there is no need to give the impression that strong willed persons are being dragged in by the weak. Whatever you accept to do in politics, it is all your choice!

 Everybody is saying that soon the bandwagon will lay its case at the feet of parliament. Every schoolboy knows that that is where the cacophony will end up. Who does not know that parliament has become not an effective but a dignified element of the political chessboard? Who does not see government ministers giving long and empty replies to questions in parliament, that avoid the questions; giving brief and inadequate responses in the confidence that there can be no follow-up questions? And parliament enjoys it, like we all do!

 So, sure enough, the bandwagon is heading to parliament. Like in 2008, this other one will have its way, and all the bluffs floating around will be called by the fact.

 Some CPDM people are begging their hero even more frantically not to say “No”. They say such an answer would cause the “house” to collapse on itself because of the feuding factions in the house. In other words, they are engaged in the folly of solving a problem by shifting it forward so that the factions can sharpen their weapons and strategies and prepare for a bigger fight ahead. Or maybe some serious God-sent kaleidoscope may just shake the glass pieces into another pattern that will avoid conflict and disorder?

 Time has a way of solving apparently complex problems. Invariably, people with a sense of indispensability always end up humiliated when such indispensability is entirely dissipated by the timelessness of the life of the nation, and the emergence of new leadership that leads differently and much, much better.

 My advice is that those inhabited by fear should shed the politics of make-believe, and embrace the only effective political vaccine against fear – the people.

TazoachaAsonganyi

Yaounde.

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

532 Athletes Set on the Conquest of Mount Cameroon

With less than 48 hours to go, some 532 athletes will embark on the conquest of Mount Cameroon (4100 meters) for most, the dream to win is giving them sleepless nights. Reports say of the 495 Cameroonians athletes will compete against 37 foreigners among them the formidable Kenyan.

Earlier scheduled for February 20, the 21th edition of the Race of Hope was postponed for a week to allow the organizing committee to be ready for a wonderful celebration. And time seems to have worked in favor of the organizers as  Charles Kouoh Kotte confirmed to journalists at weekend.

Thus, the winners in senior ladies and gentlemen now is expected to take home the sum of 10 million CFA francs each. The second will take home 5 million FCFA as against  2 million FCFA in the past. 

The attraction of this year will probably Yvonne Ngwaya who has won the race 6 times, the last five consecutive editions. If Ngwanya wins, she will get her 7 wins  to be on the line with "the queen of the mountain," Sarah Etonge. Still to watch closely is Mbacha Eric from Donga Mantung, a perfect mountaineer. 

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

Pregnant Secretary of Catholic Pope Francis Found Dead in Her Rome Apartment

A Secretary of the Catholic World Leader, Pope Francis, who was also pregnant has been found dead right inside her room in Rome.

 

Miriam Wuolou, the Pope's pregnant receptionist was found dead in her apartment on the outskirts of the city.  Wuolou, a 34-year-old of Eritrean origin, was seven-months pregnant when her body was discovered. She had worked at Pope Francis' home and a priests' guesthouse called Santa Marta for years. The Italian press reports she worked as a kind of gatekeeper for the Pontiff, as well as for the bishops and cardinals who stay there.

 The Pope opted to live at the Santa Marta guesthouse after his appointment in 2013, rejecting the grand papal apartments because he found them too sumptuous and he feared isolation.

 Ms Wuolou had a serious kind of diabetes which had led doctors to warn her pregnancy was at risk.

 Police are investigating a case of neglect and have interviewed family members, her ex-husband from whom she was separated, and most recent boyfriend, thought to be a policeman in the Vatican, according to Rome-based newspaper, il Messaggero.

 The first external examination of the corpse showed no signs of violence.

 Her brother found the body on Friday after he had not heard from her for several days. The autopsy has been carried out, and DNA tests are to be carried out on the foetus.

 Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said. "Pope Francis had been informed of the death. We are all pained by this news."

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

MTN Never Paid Any Money - Nigerian Communications Commission Denies MTN's N50bn Payment Claim (Statement)

Only when we thought that MTN has withdrawn its suit against the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and paid N50 billion towards an amicable resolution of the fine imposed on them, NCC has debunked the telecom giant's claim. 

  Contrary to reports that MTN announced on Wednesday that it was dropping its lawsuit against the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and was making in 'good faith' a payment of N50 billion to enable the two sides reach an amicable solution on the matter, the commission on Thursday, distanced itself from claims by the telecoms giant.

 In our earlier report, MTN Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer, Ferdi Moolman, was quoted as saying, "This is a most encouraging development. It demonstrates a willingness and sincerity by both parties to work together towards a positive outcome.

 "MTN paid N50 billion to the federal government as a gesture of good faith and commitment to continued efforts towards an amicable resolution," according to the telecoms company."

 Debunking the viral report, Tony Ojobo, NCC's director of communication, told Premium Times exclusively on Thursday that the commission was neither aware of MTN’s decision to withdraw its court case, nor pay $250 million (about N50 billion) to the Nigerian government.

"We (NCC) are not privy to it (agreement to withdraw a case from court and pay $250 million by MTN). We do not have anything to do with it. We do not have any evidence of payment of any money to the Nigerian government. There is no invoice to that effect. We have also not gotten any official information or confirmation that they have withdrawn their case in court.

"That information is not from us (NCC). It is MTN that released it from South Africa. We have not gotten into any discussion on the modalities of payment of the fine. Whatever MTN is doing does not affect the fact that a regulatory fine was imposed and payment is expected," he said.

 He however assured that the NCC management would meet later Thursday to review the report and take a decision that would be communicated to the public through an official statement.

 "We have not even met to take a decision like that. There was no discussion whatsoever with NCC on the matter. MTN has not even met with the committee that was set to discuss these issues.

"On what basis was the agreement made? We do not know the basis on which they arrived at the $250 million they claim to have paid. For now, no official position on this. We are just hearing it in the news like every other person," Mr Ojobo explained.

 The NCC had in October 2015 sanctioned MTN for failing to disconnect 5.1 million improperly registered lines within the prescribed deadline in compliance with its regulatory directive to telecom operators in the country.

 The penalty was based on N200,000 fine imposed for every unregistered SIM card in use on any telecom operator’s network. Although the fine was subsequently reduced by 25 per cent to N780 billion, MTN Nigeria failed to pay the penalty.

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

Nigerian Drug Peddler Arrested in South Africa

Some Nigerians have continued their quest to tarnish the image of the country as yet another young man has been caught in South Africa peddling drugs.

 

The Metro Police's Germiston crime prevention task team in Kempton Park, South Africa, has arrested a 39-year-old Nigerian drug peddler. 

 The Nigerian man with a life-partner permit that expired in 2014, was nabbed at the intersection of West and Central streets in the Kempton Park CBD around 11am on Thursday, February 11.

 It was revealed that he was found in possession of five blocks of 'Cat' estimated to be worth R25,000 (N318, 250) on the street. Methcathinone also called Cat, is a recreational drug and considered addictive. It is either smoked, snorted, injected or taken orally. 

 The charge of possession of an illicit substance was registered at Kempton Park Police Station and the suspect is expected to appear in Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court soon.

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

Sunday Oliseh Resigns As Super Eagles Coach

After several weeks of controversy between the Chief Coach of Nigeria's national team, Sunday Oliseh and his employers, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Oliseh, in the wee hours of Friday, announced his resignation as Chief Coach of the Super Eagles.

Sunday Oliseh, Fmr Super Eagles Chief Coach

 Sunday Oliseh has resigned as the Head Coach of the Nigerian football national team, the Super Eagles, just over seven months after he was appointed.

Oliseh, who announced his resignation on Twitter, said he took the decision due to the inability of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, to honour the terms of his contract.

“Due to contract violations, lack of support, unpaid wages, benefits to my players, assistant coaches and myself, I resign as Super Eagles Chief Coach,” he tweeted.

He thanked Nigerians for the opportunity of serving as the coach of the team in a preceding tweet before announcing his resignation.

“I feel fortunate, blessed and eternally grateful for having the honour to play, captain and coach this great nation of ours, Nigeria.” Oliseh tweeted

 

Oliseh, whose appointment was made with much fanfare by the NFF, soon started having problems with the executives of the federation over remuneration, match tactics and results.

His complaint about being owed was not well received by the NFF, which rather threatened to sanction him.

He also had challenges managing the players. An altercation between the coach and the team’s former captain and the country’s most capped goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, led to the goalie’s premature resignation from the team last October.

Apparently, the last straw for Oliseh was the woeful outing of the Super Eagles at the CHAN competition in Rwanda, where the team were eliminated in the first round.

Following widespread criticisms that greeted the team’s elimination, a Youtube video soon surfaced in which Oliseh lambasted his critics, referring to them as “insane”.

On Thursday, the NFF directed Oliseh to henceforth report to former coach and the NFF’s technical director, Amodu Shuaibu.

The NFF is yet to respond to his resignation.

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

Salaries, Remuneration for Cameroon’s Mayors: Victim of Government Inertia or Call for Open Embezzlement?

By Martin-Luther Fon Yembe ( SG UCCC Donga Mantung Bureau)

It was President Paul Biya, who, on December 31, 2013 reproached and rebuked the Philemon Yang Government for being sick from a disease he baptized inertia.\! Maybe Mr. President did not know the magnitude of the illness. It is not just at the level of HIV but has transgressed to AIDS!! This is so when we examine what is happening/or not happening with the situation of remunerations for Mayors and their Deputies.

It was on September 16, 2016 that a Presidential Decree was signed by President Paul Biya granting a salary and some allowances to Government Delegates, Mayors and their Deputies as well as adjusting favorably the allowances for councilors. The Budget for 2016 was voted in November 2015, promulgated into law and many ministries are already executing it. The Minister of Territorial Administration was quick to tell Mayors that the Budget had already taken care of the salaries and that all is being done for this to be paid in the shortest time possible.

We are at the beginning of March 2016 and these Mayors and their deputies have not yet had even the allowances for electricity, water or telephone. The salary situation is now an inviolable issue left to the winds. Nobody cares; nobody says anything, not even the UCCC!

Going by the facts that these Mayors and Deputies have families, friends and political commitments to fulfill, as has been the tradition, and more so, given that they cannot access any single franc since they have to do so only when the Ministers in Yaoundé sign the deliberations of the Budget sessions of the various councils, long done in November 2015, it beats any one’s imagination why this has become another “progressive” promise!

In the present circumstance, a Mayor or Deputy has to keep the office going, his family going, his stomach going and his social connections going! Do you imagine what will NOT happen? What will NOT happen is that the Mayor will Not stop fulfilling these “indispensable” natural demands! How? By dipping his hands into some forbidden coffers!! Whose fault? The indolence and lethargy of the Yang Government!

It should be recalled that immediately the Presidential Decree was signed on September 16, the majority RDPC-controlled UCCC organized a Thank You trip to Yaoundé to say “THANK YOU PAPA PAUL BIYA!!”, and now that Papa Paul Biya knows he is dealing with weaklings who are all the same like these susceptible and gullible Camerounais, he had to wag his tail and on December 31, 2015, his message was “THANKS FOR RESILIENCE”!!

The conclusion one makes of all these is that the regime is bedeviled somehow! What does it cause a Minister to sign a deliberation of a council where all the council did was to fulfill the demands stated in the September 16, Presidential Decree, allocating the amounts as directed! Ever since this new dispensation was voted, the Municipal Treasurers cannot pay anything, not even the old scale of allowances to the mayors and Deputies until the Ministerial golden signature! Is this deliberate to push the Mayors misbehave so that Yaoundé finds an excuse to reverse the ongoing decentralization moves? Who benefits, and who loses!!! The state of Cameroon is at stake!!!

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

Of Cameroonian Intellectual and the Making of Public Intellectuals #IssueOfTheWeek

Thomas Sowell once said that "some of the biggest cases of mistaken identity are among intellectuals who have trouble remembering that they are not God.” But I will contextualize what Thomas said by adding that there are plenty of people who have spent alot of time thinking over nothing yet mock the assumed self importance that must surely accompany not only the willingness to be "public intellectuals", but also abuse the term "public intellectual". It is their ignorance and prejudices that is allowing false ideas and bad values to work. I may not be an expert in the Queen's language but this issue has come up lately over CRTV Debate Club. I am a good poet and i adore my critics. However, when an intellectuals transforms self to a songbird of a political order, it creates the disaster that may befell society. It may not only be to the type Cameroon has produced but to one who may go on a public space at the drum beats of a chorus to be viewed as a self-proclaimed expert. Society relies on their elite(s) to get things right but I am wondering whether in Cameroon we can rely on some intellectual elite because theirs is to get things wrong. (Abeg, I need one expert to help me. Probably the panelist who quoted me). Nevertheless, I think the figure of such a person should be one that is endowed with values that can describe and analyse situations and issues from this point of view inorder to proscribe what need to be done or for its realization to progress. What i am wondering is the meaning of what it is to be an intellectual and to do intellectual work. To me, the idea of having some thinkers in Cameroon today, or intellectuals has been proclaimed dead and done away with ever since some of them joined the chorus of social guards to defend the interest of x and or y. To cut the story short, I think the intellectual needs the promise of another in order to actualise the process of the struggle  and desire which produces the intellectual itself. So, the beginning of the end of the intellectual as someone puts it is already inhabited by the end.  

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

Bangolang Chieftaincy Palaver: Villagers Besiege NW Governor's Office

Some villagers from Bangolang in the Ngoketunjia Division of the North West Region have stormed North West Governor's office requesting for the release of their brothers, sisters, and parents who were arrested last week. The group which is mostly made up of youths have vowed that they will not leave the governor's office until their compatriots are released from detention. It should be recalled that on February 17, Bagolang village registered an unprecedented incident when some kingmakers attempted to dethrone their ruler Fon Chafah Isaac. During that incident, some elders and youths were also arrested including the allegedly enthroned new fon. 

On February 19, 2016, when North West Governor arrived the scene his vehicle was vandalized and it is  also alleged that those who were in support of Fon Chafah like the mayor of Babessi also saw their property vandalized. This incident has generated alot of debate on the social media as expressionists say the people could dethrone their fon while others say in the graffi tradition, the fon is enthroned for life. 

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

MTN Withdraws Suit Against Nigerian Communications Commission, Pays 50 Billion Naira

MTN has withdrawn its suit against the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and paid N50 billion towards an amicable resolution of the fine imposed on the telecoms giant.

MTN office

 According to a report on The Cable, telecommunications giant, MTN, has withdrawn its suit against the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and paid N50 billion towards an amicable resolution of the fine imposed on the telecoms giant. 

 It can be recalled that NCC fined MTN N1.04 trillion for failing to deactivate 5.1 million unregistered SIM cards and later reduced the amount to N780 billion after the first round of negotiations. However, MTN filed a suit as the December 31, 2015 deadline drew near, and later requested an out-of-court settlement. 

 At the federal high court in Lagos on Wednesday, the telecoms company withdrew the case in response to a request by the Nigerian authorities. The CEO of MTN Nigeria, Ferdi Moolman, said on the withdrawal: 

 

"This is a most encouraging development. It demonstrates a willingness and sincerity by both parties to work together towards a positive outcome."  MTN paid N50 billion to the federal government as a gesture of good faith and commitment to continued efforts towards an amicable resolution," according to the telecoms company."

Moolman further said: "We are hopeful at this stage. Along with the authorities, it is clear that we are collectively committed to working towards a solution that is of mutual benefit to all parties. Our industry in Nigeria is an incredibly important example of the remarkable progress in ICT particularly as a much needed catalyst for socio-economic growth and development at this time."

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

Nigerian Senator Faces Sack Over Certificate Forgery

A lawmaker of the red chambers representing Nassarawa state might be shown the exit doors by court injunction after strong allegations of certificate forgery is being deliberated upon.

Senator Suleiman Asonya Adokwe

 A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has been asked to remove Senator Suleiman Asonya Adokwe, representing Nasarawa South Senatorial District, for allegedly presenting a false certificates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for election, according to Daily Post.

Adokwe assumed office as a legislator in December 2015 after the court has removed Architect Salihu Hussaini Egyegbola.

Egyegbola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared winner of the senatorial election by INEC, a decision Adokwe contested at the election tribunal.

He lost at the tribunal, but won at the Court of Appeal, which in a December 10, 2015 judgment voided Egyegbola’s election and ordered INEC to return Adokwe as winner of the election for the Nasarawa South Senatorial District.

 The plaintiff, Mohammed Abubakar Ozegya, in the suit he filed through his lawyer, Mathew Burkaa, before the Federal High Court, Abuja, stated, in a supporting affidavit, that upon Adokwe’s assumption of office, he discovered from the Form CF001 he (Adokwe) submitted to INEC, that the Senator presented certificates bearing other people’s names.

Ozegya, who claimed to be an indigene of Nasarawa State, said he discovered, in the Form CF001CF001 (affidavit in support of personal particulars of person seeking election to the office or membership of the Senate) deposed to on December 16, 2014 at the High Court of Justice, Lafia, Nasarawa State, that the 1st defendant (Adokwe) “submitted the WAEC certificate of one Adokwe Solomon and primary school certificate of Sule Adokwai, purporting same to be his.

“It is a fact in the Nasarawa South Senatorial District that the certificate of one Adokwe Solomon and Sule Adokwai presented by the 1st defendant are certainly not his certificates

“It is even more surprising that the 2nd defendant allowed the 1st defendant to use the WAEC and primary School certificates of an unknown third party to contest election in the first place. By presenting the WAEC certificate of one one Adokwe Solomon and Sule Adokwai in his Form CF001, the 1st defendant is not fit to continue to occupy the seat in the national Assembly,” the plaintiff said.

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

Calls for President Biya to run spiteful of Cameroonians says NDI’s Chris Fomunyoh

By Ajong Mbapndah L (Courtesy of Pan African Visions)

The Cameroonian Youth remains a source of hope says Fomunyoh

For a country with the kind of potential and human resources that Cameroon has, calls for President Paul Biya to seek another term of office will be a setback for the democratization process says Dr Chris Fomunyoh, Senior Associate and Regional Director for Central and West Africa  at the National Democratic Institute-NDI.

In an Interview at his Washington,DC,Office after his most recent trip to Cameroon, Fomunyoh said after over thirty years in power and in his 80s, it will not serve the best interest of Cameroon if Biya bows in to the drum beats of partisan chorus for another term of office.

“In times of attacks from Boko Haram, at a time when the President has not set foot in the Grand North where the bulk of attacks are taking place, and at a time when there is no thought of making the next elections credible, soviet era calls for President Biya to run are spiteful of Cameroonians,” says Fomunyoh.

Lauding the Cameroonian military for the gallantry in the fight against Boko Haram, Fomunyoh was apprehensive of the effects that the war will have on people in the Grand North Region in the long term. The region was already underdeveloped and the impact of the war will linger around for a while,he said. Dwelling on the myriad of challenges facing Cameroon, Fomunyoh said the country needs the freest and most inclusive elections possible to avoid calamities that have befallen other African countries.

Paying a courtesy call to President Roch Marc Kabore of Burkina Faso, Dr Fomunyoh and the NDI have been very active in facilitating democratic change across Africa

The constitutional foundation of Cameroon is very fragile says Dr Fomunyoh, whose regular visits and engagement with people across the country continue to fuel speculations that he may be in for a Presidential run.  Though he did not confirm his Presidential ambitions, Dr Fomunyoh signaled his intent to remain actively engaged in the the quest for solutions to shape a better way forward for Cameroon.

In the interview which started with questions on developments in Burkina Faso and Nigeria, Dr Fomunyoh also discussed the growing terror threats across Africa and the role that former leaders can play after leaving office.

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

We will Dishonor You, If You Fail Us”: Mbum Fons of Donga Mantung Warned!

By Muni Bondi in Mbipgo

The Fons of Mbumland in Donga Mantung have been advised to remain honorable and do just the right thing as far AS THE LEADERSHIP OF North West Fon’s Union ( NOWEFU) is concerned. They were given this hard piece of advice at a Conference organized by the NOWEFU branch of Ndu Sub division on Monday, February 22 2016 at the palace of the Fon of Mbipgo.Addressing the over twenty Fons from across Mbumland including the Fons of Nkambe, Fon Ibrahim Jabfu, the Fon of Binka Fon Benchep and Fon Mbunwe, of Mbort, Shey Lontum Martin Luther Fon Yembe, First Deputy Mayor of Ndu Council, reminded the Chiefs that they are the natural custodians of Mbum culture and so should not be led by the nose to the detriment of Mbum values and culture, now an endangered specie. He wondered why it is only during the turn of Donga Mantung that the ongoing political manipulations and feet-dragging should be noticed.In order to stress his point, Martin Yembe warned the Fons that the population of Mbum sons and daughters in Bamenda are waiting to see what they will put up as a candidate from the division. Given that Donga Mantung has this singular chance to put up one of theirs who can stand straight and speak out for the entire people, it was thus incumbent for the Fons to stop being manipulated by those presently at the leadership of NOWEFU for their selfish purposes. He wondered why a Mbum Fon too cannot be appointed Senator, yet they sit waiting for a small time Fon from an obscure settlement to come and dictate things to them.On the culture, Yembe lamented the fact that some churches have invaded our culture and decaled war against it in the name of God! He referred them to the Epistles of Peter where God entreats all people to honor their kings and the institutions they incarnate. How comes some of our Fons are now turning their backs to the culture that makes the Fon what he is and by destroying some cultural artifacts and even turning the palaces into churches obliging all to be members…he wondered. On Politics, the Mayor regretted the fact that our Fons have become victims of political elite whose motto is POLITICS AT ALL COST! He narrated the shame and disgrace our Fons are plunging themselves into in the name of politics to the detriment of the people, the Mbumland and our future. Why, he questioned, can Donga Mantung Fons not emulate what is good, and also put up an Ultimatum to Yaoundé to get what they want, since they have failed to get them by being sycophants of the regime!!In order to drive home his point, Yembe purchased over twenty copies of the book: DRINKING THE GOSPEL IN AFRICAN CUPS, by Pastor Koyoh Nformi, and distributed to all the Fons present. Speaking earlier, the Fon of Ngarum, Fon Nganji III, current president of NOWEFU Ndu Branch insisted that the meeting is out to seek for peaqceful means to the resolution of conflicts and to ensure that they remain united in peace under existing laws. On his part, the President of Nkambe Central branch of NOWEFU, Fon Mbunwe III of Mbort CONFESSED THAT HE ADMIRED THE WONDERFUL ORGANIZATION OF THE Ndu Branch and promised to emulate and do same in Nkambe. He regretted that fact that the Land Laws in Cameroon deprives Fons, custodians of the original land of having nothing to do presently with existing land, yet it is the Divisional Officers, all strangers who will soon go, that have the leverage to decide on lands. As Mayor in charge of Education and Social Welfare, and Shey Lontum the Messenger, he is ready to carry on a crusade to educate Mbum people on the activities of our Fathers, the Fons, be they positive or negative…reason why they should stand up straight and do just what is expected of them, especially now as the entire North West awaits a formidable candidate for the Presidency of NOWEFU. Other issues raised included the preparations for the 2016 ECCUFORUM, the classification of Chiefs and Fons, and the call for the Fons to be vigilant .Closing the ceremony, the Assistant Divisional Officer for Ndu appreciated the high ;level of maturity that is manifest in the Union, calling on them to have mutual respect and uphold the laws of the state. He called for vigilance at this period that Cameroon is facing lots of external threats.Welcoming all to Mbipgo, the Fon of Mbipgo thanked the founding members of NPWEFU, reminding all that the coming March 2016 will make him one year on the throne, and he counts on the prayers and support of all . He narrated the historical roots of Mbipgo tracing them to the Tang family. He requested that Government assists them in the domain of teachers for the newly created GTC; the Health Centre and praised the cordial relationship that reigns between the SDF and CPDM in his village.The occasion ended in dancing, juju displays and feasting with a historic population turn out of over two thousand people.

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

Forthcoming Presidential Elections: A People's Call from the United States of America for President Biya

Militants of the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement-USA-CPDM grouped under the leadership of Patience Tamfu(Section President) have declared their unflinching support to President Paul ahead of the forthcoming Presidential elections in Cameroon. In a well-worded motion of Support, issued on February 17, 2016, USA-CPDM unanimously choose the President of the CPDM, as candidate. Here below is the Call from Uncle Sam's America...

Motion of Support 

To The Head of State, President of the Republic of Cameroon, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency President Paul Biya

Sitting in an Extra Ordinary CPDM USA Section Executive Conference, convened by the Section President Mrs. Patience Tamfu, and on behalf of our Subsections, Branches and Militants; we unanimously resolved to renwe our loyalty, to the CPDM party and to the National Chairman H.E Paul Biya, President of the Republic. 

* Acknowledging that peace and stability are vital pre-conditions for political growth and economic development;

* Inspired by the relentless fight in the war against boko haram terrorists; 

* Aware of the role the Government has played in offering meaningful solutions to pressing socio-political, economic and cultural challenges faced by Cameroonians;

* Recognizing the progress made so far in infrastructural development, which will facilitate free flow of commerce especially from farms to the markets;

* Encouraged that Cameroon is instituting new reforms and improvements in the private sector to lure more investments to Cameroon;

* Noting further the international community's increasing confidence in Cameroon's ability to foster innovation and progress based on its human values, the strength of its youth, its rich and abundant natural resources; 

We, militants of the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement Party in the United States of America (CPDM USA) this February 17th 2016 unanimously declare our unflinching support to President Paul Biya, National Chairman of our party as our chosen candidate in the forthcoming Presidential elections. 

Patience Tamfu
Section President
CPDM USA

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

Nollywood Veteran Actor, Festus Aguebor is No More

Nollywood has been thrown into a deep state of mourning following the demise of a veteran Nollywood actor known for starring in major thrilling movies.

Late Festus Aguebor

 Nigerian media few days ago of the tragic death of popular Igodo actor, Michael Odiachi, and now, Nollywood has experienced yet another great loss as veteran actor, Festus Aguebor, known for his white beards, has passed away.

 

Earlier today, ace producer, Fidelis Duker announced on Facebook the passing away of the actor who was popular for his roles in movies such as The King and I, Family Contract, Rituals and A Kiss from a Rose. He was also popular for his role as the grandpa in family series, Household.

 

May his soul R.I.P Amen!!!

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

Nigerian Government Penalizes Multichoice DStv for Consumer Rights Abuse

Nigerian has penalised MultiChoice Nigerian Ltd over strong allegations of abuse of consumers rights.

 The Consumer Protection Council has issued disciplinary orders to MultiChoice Nigerian Ltd following reported violation of consumer rights in the provision of its Digital Satellite Broadcast Television service.

This follows the conclusion of investigations into the allegations consumer rights abuse brought by the public. The council ordered the company to compensate its consumers for violation of their rights.

Some of the compensation are suspension of service when consumers are away; release of free-to-air channels, even when subscription expires; compensation across board to consumers for lost viewing time, introduction of local toll free lines; and reasonable equitable spread of popular sports channels, among others.

The company was also required to present written assurances in line with Section 10 of the Council’s enabling law that it will not engage in any conduct which is detrimental to the interest of consumers.

In the same vein, the company would for 18 months from the date of the order, subject its processes to the Council’s inspection to ensure compliance with the directives contained in the orders.

It said that all the orders, which have already been served on MultiChoice, are effective, not later than 90 days from their receipt.

The Council’s Director General, Mrs. Dupe Atoki, expressed optimism that compliance with these reforms would bring about a new dawn for Nigerian consumers.

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

Boko Haram Kingpin in Nigerian Military Dragnet?

Strong rumours have it that Abubakar Shekau of the dreaded Boko Haram sect may have been nabbed by Nigerian troops as an investigation is underway to confirm his identity.

 The Nigerian military has said it is yet to confirm the speculation over an arrest of Boko Haram kingpin popularly known as Bashir Sarkin Yanka, which, in Hausa, means Bashir the King of Slaughter and who had been acting as Abubakar Shekau in some videos on the social media, according to the Vanguard.

Local security volunteer group known as Civilian JTF in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State claimed that it had arrested the notorious Boko Haram kingpin. The arrested suspect was reported to have confessed to the Civilian JTF that he had acted as Boko Haram leader, Shekau, in some videos and was responsible for the death of his (Bashir’s) mother, two sisters and brother apart from engaging in mass slaughter.

However, spokesperson of Operation Lafiya Dole in the North-East, Air Commodore Dele Alonge, said the military could not confirm the arrest of the Shekau’s actor yet.

 He said the military had sustained its counter-insurgency operations where some terrorists had been eliminated and others apprehended in the North-East.

Alonge said: “As you are aware, the Nigerian military has succeeded in routing out terrorists from some of their hideouts in the North-East, and, in the process, some were eliminated and others had been arrested.

“We cannot at the moment provide the identities of those in our custody or in other places until after we have conducted thorough investigations,” he said.

Speaking further, he said the military arrested two suspects, Audu Umar and Hassan Umar for smuggling themselves among the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) brought from Pulka to Gwoza IDPs Camp in Borno State.

He said the male suspects who gave their names as Audu Umar and Hassan Umar were undergoing interrogation by the military and intelligence operatives.

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

North West Fons Union-NOWEFU: End of Time for Kaduna Mafia

By Fai Cassian Ndi

Truth is like a heavy load thrown into the sky that must finally fall down. When the elective General Assembly of the North West Fons Union-NOWEFU of February 18 flopped, that was when the heavy load that the Kaduna mafia had thrown into the sky protect their interest started falling down. Matters came to a head when North West Governor, on Friday summoned the Executive of NOWEFU ahead of the Nkambe elective AGM and ordered its suspension after observing the flaws in the constitution.  This was the last stroke to stop constitutional manipulations at NOWEFU which was intended to give Fon Teche, the outgoing President of NOWEFU, the post of Honorary President General as observed by analysts. 

The crux of the matter is that the revised constitution had created the post of Honorary President General (who should be a member of government or anyone ranking as such). As to what happened to the revised 2005 edition of the constitution of  union with which it was registered in 2006 (acknowledgment  receipt No 00100/E.29/111/vol.8/APPB remains another misery that only the Kaduna mafia can tell.  Yet when the leadership crisis resurfaced the Mezam SDO's office was in difficulties because it appeared NOWEFU had three different constitutions at the level of the administration. To cut the matter short, Fon Chafah took the matter to court, and in suit No HCMB/13/2015, the High Court of Mezam ruled that: the Senior Divisional Officer of Mezam who is even the Supervisory authority of the Union, call a general assembly of all the members to regularize the issue of their constitution and thereafter hand over to the new executive that shall be elected therefrom. The Nkambe elective General assembly was then convened based on that court ruling. The argument that elections were carried forward because Donga Mantung fons are not united is not tenable at all. Donga Mantung has helped in revealing the practices of the one-time Kaduna mafia that used to decide on who should be elected as President of NOWEFU. In article 1 of the Internal rules and regulations defining the duties and functions of the various officers of the union states that: The Honorary President General 

* Shall be the laison person between the union and the administration of the Republic

*Shall work closely with the executive Bureau of the Union

* Shall be a member of Government or assimilated as such

*Shall be a former Executive Bureau Member 

* Shall be elected by the General Assembly. 

Implicitly, only Fon Teche fulfills the third condition and wins to remain in power. What reason accounts for the creation of this position when during his own reign the post was not there? Will Donga Mantung accept this? Elite of Donga Mantung Division we gathered have vowed to unleash a can of worms of that post is not deleted. PM Yang sources say has summoned the outgoing executive to explain after the warning signals. 

The Fon Chafah, Fon Teche Wahala

Despite being best friends through thick and thin since the creation of the North West Fons Union-NOWEFU, it is now clear that Fon Chafah of Bangolang and Fon Teche Njei of Ngyenmuwa have fallen out. It has finally emerged that the duo (formerly ring leaders of the Kaduna mafia) as they used to call themselves have turned their backs. This was confirmed by a release issued recently by Fon Chafah rubbishing his former ally (Fon Teche).

What is however intriguing is that these former ring leaders of the Kaduna mafia tacitly claim ownership over NOWEFU. At the beginning, Fon Chafah fired an unguided missile towards Fon Teche. In a letter to former Mezam SDO Nguele Nguele Felix, which several quarters were copied titled “Truth and Facts which may be bitter but necessary for posterity” (he) Fon Chafah outline the following points against his former friend:

*“Senator Fon Teche Njei has never convened a single General Assembly or Executive meeting of NOWEFU since his election in 2012, thereby leading the association single handedly with demagogy, manipulation, division and misinformation. He has even summarily put aside his Secretary General, Fon Ndofoa Zofoa of Babungo.

*Being the first Third Class Fon with a very tiny population to head NOWEFU, he has systematically excluded all the First Class Fons and Second Class prominent of the region from the affairs of the association, so as to continuously manipulate a few fons who run after him.

*Clandestine trips to Yaounde to harass state officials for pecuniary gains and self aggrandizement are frequent under his leadership, thereby putting the once respected Fons of the region to ridicule and disgrace.

*A grand fundraising was organized by him soon after his election to complete a multi-purpose secretariat complex of NOWEFU built up to 80% under my presidency, no work has been done and no account rendered of the ten million FCFA collected for that purpose. In fact reliably sources hold that huge sums of money were collected by him and pocketed from prominent state personalities amongst which are the Secretary General and Assistant Secretary General at the Presidency, and the delegate general of the National Security.

*Politics being a game of numbers and results, it is on record that he has never won any election for the ruling CPDM where he is Senator and Central Committee member through appointment. His Batibo Constituency has been in the hands of the opposition since the inception of multi-party politics. His colleague in the senate, Fon Doh Gayonga of Bali proudly has his Bali council under the control of the CPDM. I equally proudly have all the two (2) parliamentary seats, the Senatorial seat and all the three councils in my Ngoketunjia constituency under the CPDM. That is what we call support for President Paul Biya, National Chairman of the ruling party and not empty noise and demagogy. CPDM is the winning party in my Fondom Bangolan.

In light of foregoing sir, I retreat you to take this moment of truth in good faith and to support us to re-establish legality of NOWEFU.

With the expiration of Fon Teche’s mandate on the 16^th of March 2015, he no longer has the locus standi to act on behalf of NOWEFU and any attempt by him to convene any meeting to modify our constitution shall be considered as null and void. Any administrative authority or persons treating with him in that capacity are no longer doing so in the interest of the North West Fons. The Advisory Council of NOWEFU shall be meeting very soon to chart a way forward for the association with a view to putting in place a transitional committee to organize elections for a new President General from any of the two gaining divisions”.

Fon Chafah also revealed that NOWEFU is a legal structure and was duly registered by the then Senior Divisional Officer for Mezam, Jules Marcelin Djaga. Fon Chafah Issac finds faults with Mezam Administration for asking Fon Teche to organize a general assembly to adopt a new constitution for NOWEFU, even though former Mezam SDO Nguele Nguele is said to have been wondering why NOWEFU had three different constitutions.

To Be Continued

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