Cameroon's Foremost Whistleblower, Ntumfor Barrister Nico Halle Recognized by Nigeria

This reflection is inspired by the fact that unlike an umpteen African and Cameroon elite who have spent time over the years, fostering and perpetrating Western and European hegemony or North/South cooperation, Ntumfor Barrister Nico Halle has stood out as a shinning city upon the hill, in promoting and fostering South/South cooperation.

It is also informed by the fact that very few African thinkers and elites seem to understand the fact that Africans would remain underdogs and beggers infront of Western and European countries, if they do not fight to break down the movement and trade barriers amongst African countries skillfully imposed by the Western and European colonizers so as to keep African nations perpetually divided and reliant on them, while the West and Europe unites in exploiting such divisions, a phenomen Ntumfor Barrister Nico Halle now seems to be joining Professor Lumumba, in frontally challenging.

It is also inspired by the fact that it takes only a forward-looking and open-minded people and nation like Nigeria to publicly recognize and eulogize a citizen of another country like Cameroon, for years of promoting and fostering trade, tourism and cultural relations between Cameroon and Nigeria, as well as intra African trade.

Last March 22, 2021, saw a new chapter opened in the history of Cameroon-Nigeria relations with citizen diplomacy at the forefront as frontline Cameroon citizens who have over the years been promoting and nurturing trade, tourism and rich cultural relations between Cameroon and Nigeria were publicly recognized and awarded certificates. Singled out for appreciation and awarded by the Nigerian diplomatic mission in Cameroon, acting on behalf of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Nigerian people, was Cameroon's international legal luminary, human rights and humanitarian lawyer, Ntumfor Barrister Nico Halle, who in turn quickly dedicated the award to the media family in Cameroon for always standing by him in the dissemination of his crusades and campaigns against injustices, moral decadence and social ills.

The event that marked the end of the Cameroon-Nigerian Trade, Tourism and Cultural Week, an annual event curated by the Nigerian Consul General in Douala-Cameroon, where Ntmfor Barrister Nico Halle, the awardee was also guest speaker, was unique opportunity for the friendly and brotherly people of the two countries to showcase the richness of intra African trade, tourism and cultural cooperation as its sustainability needed to go beyond governments and diplomats to being appropriated by ordinary citizens in African countries, the likes of Ntumfor Barrister Nico Halle leading by example.

Not that Ntumfor's charity in leading by example began abroad. He has for years done so in his native Awing, the North West, Cameroon and in various spheres. His examplary leadership skills and humanitarian ouvertures have over the years, earned him over 116 local, national and international awards, which averagely could be an equivalent of three awards per year for the last 30 years, not counting awards and medals he has rejected, for want of credibility.

Apart from being holder of two honoris causa doctorial degrees from renowned university institutes, Ntumfor Barrister Nico Halle is also awardee the 2018 Africa Summit Universal Peace Federation, which award Ntumfor dedicated to all peace loving and law abiding Cameroonians, 2019 Nelson Mandela Memorial Lecturer, amongst others.

Some of his most exciting awards are a sign of encouragement and appreciation for his unrelentless whistleblowing against corruption, embezzlement, bribery, election rigging, moral decadence and human rights abuses in both public and private spheres, including the church.

Ntumfor's whistleblowing against powerful institutions and individuals cuts through foreboding shadows with a clear and courageous message of hope to all Africans in general and Cameroonians in particular: a message that fear must be defeated in 2021 for any meaningful change to be effected in Cameroon in particular and Africa in general. A message that Cameroonians, and by extension Africans, fear truth-telling because of the fear of material and career-limiting opportunities. 

And like Dr. Lloyd John Ogilvie in 'Facing the future without fear', Ntumfor is of the opinion that even though there are over 136 references in the Bible urging God's people not to fear, fear has weakened the immune system of Cameroonians and Africans to an extent that they compromise the morally corrupt governance systems across Africa.

His outings at times inspire awe and contempt, heightening the intense affective landscape in which whistleblowers will often find themselves.

Ntumfor's boldness and critical scholarship in calling out the injustices of power regimes, institutions and individuals, inevitably trigger anger, anxiety, shame, guilt, disgust, and indeed fear, as he refuses to behave like other Cameroonians by remaining silent in the face of corruption, embezzlement, linguistic and cultural violence and discrimination, as obtains today in Cameroon.

And going by the prevailing circumstances, especially in the two English speaking Regions of Cameroon where fear of speaking truth to power has become a constant companion to many, Ntumfor's prescription for 2021 is that it is preferable to speak the truth if any change in the situation is expected in 2021. 

That would also entail promoting and fostering intra African trade, tourism, cultural exchanges, and more importantly, indigenous methods of preventing and resolving intra-state and inter-state conflicts in much the same way Cameroon and Nigeria did over the Bakassi boundary conflict, where Ntumfor himself later gave awards of appreciation and recognition to the Presidents of Nigeria and Cameroon, for their statesmanship in peacefully resolving the conflict, and where he continues to bring pressure to bare on President Paul Biya to use the same enlightened wisdom to resolve the ragging Anglophone conflict.

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

Bambili Road Sink: Tubah/Bafut MP, Agho Oliver visits scene, sympathizes with victims

Hon. Agho Oliver, Member of Parliament for Tubah/Bafut, this Thursday morning made an on-the-spot visit and assessment of the distruction caused by the unfortunate sink caused by the heavy rains of yesterday, and that led to the obstruction of traffic and destruction of property.

The Hon. MP was satisfied that all was quickly put in place for traffic to resume and that the local company charged with the road works was putting all in place to see to it that all ends well.

Hon. Agho Oliver was however disappointed that the local contractor carrying the repair/reconstruction works has so far been high handed and not cooperating with local authorities of Tubah.

He was concerned about reports presented to him by Tubah Council authorities that since the contractor started work, he has refused to collaborate with Tubah Council authorities. It was further revealed that the road sink could have been avoided if the contractor did not, in the course of opening up the Bambili stretch of road, discarded the existing three metre rings for one metre rings and never made sure the pathways were canalized.

While calling for greater collaboration between contractors and local authorities, Hon..Agho Oliver took time off to sympathize with some inhabitants of the area whose properties and homes were destroyed by the torential rains.

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

Hon. Agho Oliver Goes International, Speaks at Massachusetts Water Youth Summit

March 22 was largely observed around the globe as World Water Day, a day which underlines the significance of fresh water in our lives. 2021 edition was commemorated under the theme: Valuing water.  According to the United Nations, this day is not just only to celebrate water but more importantly it is also intended to raise awareness about some lesser facts. For instance, statistics show that approximately 2. 2 billion people don’t have access to safe drinking water. And besides, the UN has predicted that by 2050 approximately 5.7 billion people could be living in areas that will witness water shortage for at aleast a month every year. Accordingly, the UN says one of the core focus areas of World Water Day is to work towards accomplishing Sustainable Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030. 

As part of the commemoration for this year, Hon. Agho Oliver Bamenju was one of the panelists at the 9th Annual Massachusetts Water Youth Summit organized by the Foundation for a Green Future.  In his presentation Hon, Agho Oliver that with the harshness of the dry season access to water remains a major preoccupation around the globe and Cameroon as well. “Covid 19” he added “has skyrocket the need for water given that water is one of the barrier measures that those who cannot afford facemask can easily afford if it is accessible to all”.  To Hon. Agho Oliver, improving access to water should start from protecting water sources which to him are “sources of life given that water is life”. Harping on his personal contribution and water government of Cameroon has been doing to improve access to water, Hon. Agho Oliver said every year, government provides water schemes to communities yet community beneficiaries hardly take care of the water sources. He also mentioned the invasion of water catchment areas by farmers and rampant grazing in around water sources. “Lash and burnt commonly known as Ankara” he reiterated also is also one of the drivers of climate change and contributes significantly in polluting water sources. When asked what has been his contribution in improving access to water, Hon. Agho said he started planting trees to restore water sources before he became Member of Parliament. “With the ongoing crisis and Internally Displaced in the North West Region, there is the need for us to improve on access to water in the North West Region”, he added. At the end of the presentation Hon. Agho Oliver expressed gratitude to Dr. Karen Weber, of the Foundation for a Green Future for inviting him to talk to youths and learn as well. 

It is worth mentioning that the 9th Annual Massachusetts Water Youth Summit was a virtual event was sponsored by Senator Ann Gobi, Senator Jamie and Representative Carolyn Dykema. Participants were made up of youth from USA, France, India, Cameroon, Kenya, Rwanda, Malaysia and South Africa. 

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

Hon. Mbongnyor Naomi Ngando Communes with Wimbum Community in Yde

The Member of Parliament for Donga Mantung Centre Constituency, Hon. Mbongnyor Naomi Ngando was flanked by a powerful delegation as she Communes with the Wimbum Cultural and Development Association-WICUDA in the outskirts of Yaounde, on Sunday 14, 2021. There was euphoria and fanfare when Hon. Mbongnyor Naomi Ngando and her entourage arrived the meeting ground. She was saluted on her arrival by a huge crowd of Wimbum people. The echoes of drumbeats and chants in Limbum echoed into the small hills of Oyomabang and the lowland of Nkolbisson, which indicated to the Yaoundeans that something was about to happen. 

Upon arrival, she was received by the President and the entire executive as well as some title holders of Mbumland resident in the nation capital. Welcoming the MP 

and her entourage, the President of the WICUDA expressed gratitude to the Member of Parliament for Ndu for taking time off her busy schedule to commune with them.

Speaker after speaker poured expressed joy and happiness for the timely visit which they said will consolidate the solidarity amongst the Wimbum Community. 

Addressing the Wimbum Community, Hon. Mbongnyor Naomi Ngando said she is looking forth at WICUDA as a veritable partner in development. "We don't know everything, we learn every day and I am here so that we can put our ideas together to impact lives back home" she said. In her greeting speech she emphasized that she neither knows all nor they know all but that together they will know all for the development back home.She regretted for have not paid them a  visit because of the traumatizing unfortunate Ngarbuh incident of 14/02/2020 just  5 days after their election.

In comformity with the Wimbum tradition, before leaving the Wimbum meeting hall she offered drinks to the population

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

Women's Day: Meet Hon. Mbongnyor Naomi Ngando, the Carreer Politician

Hon. Mbongnyor Naomi Ngando  is a female political giant whose rise to prominence paints the picturesque of how much women in leadership could impact lives in purely male dominated society.
She is the Member of Parliament for Donga Mantung Centre Constituency-Ndu in Donga Mantung Division of the Northwest region. She is on her first mandate. She is one of those exemplary female politicians who have dismantled male barriers to rise. Talk about female politicians who are fighting against the widespread of covid 19, the first name that come to mind is Hon. Naomi. Of late she was in town distributing maize seeds and covid 19 kits to women. She is making a mark in the Donga Mantung political landscape. 

Before becoming a career politician, her hard work, determination and involvement in community work and sound education shaped and influenced her life to where she is today.

This good natured, self-motivated and sparkling political icon has had a distinguished career as a teacher before a jump-start in politics where she is going into records in great names. Conscientiously speaking she has been rated as the agrarian political messiah who continues to stimulate the woman that “what a man can do in politics, a woman can do it better”. This is great motivation because she is and continues to make a difference in the lives of the rural woman as she is on her first mandate. 

Besides, she is an educationist. She had served as head teacher in several schools before moving to work in the inspectorate. 

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

Christelle Bay Chongwain: The Exemplary Human Right Advocate

Behind every woman is an inspiring story. Meet Christelle Bay Chongwain one of the few women who has moved beyond artificial male barriers and she is changing lives as rights and peace advocate. On this special day,  the inspiring stories of women cannot be be told with mentioning her name. Christelle Bay is a woman of the future who was born with the knack to cater the need of 

others.  She is a Mandela Washington Fellow. She is the CEO of  Hope for the Needy Association-Cameroon. HOFNA  Accompanying rural women, advocating for gender equity, violence against women and rights of children as well as providing support has been her line of action in fostering the empowerment of the poor as well as building a better future for all. And providing scholarships to orphans as well as encouraging the education of the girl child is what has made HOFNA Cameroon the Best of the Best in Child result orientation. It is also this art of reaching out to the needy that has catapulted Christelle Bay Nfor in various communities in the North West Region of Cameroon. What makes her dissimilar from others is that she does uncommon things in a very common manner.

With the collaboration of funding partners and with donations from members, HOFNA has reached out to over 500 primary schools pupils in the North West Region by donating didactic materials. In her move to encourage communities realize their worth through the education of the girl child; HOFNA has offered scores of scholarships to little intelligent girls in the region. She started ten years ago by providing scholarship to pupils  at CS Ngwanri in Nkambe Central. This she said is a way to raise hopes in communities and build a better future for the next generation. 

Today, she has reached out to hundreds of children accross the country. Coming closer to Christelle Bay is discovering a pictogram in child welfare and an advocate for the right to education for the girl child. As a matter of fact, she is putting and has been putting HOFNA Cameroon on the ladders of the trusted NGOs that Cameroon needs to achieve the Vision 2035. HOFNA Cameroon from all observations inspires hope given that her devotion to work for a sustain future is what is making her to think of moving climate change issues from workshops and symposium to the classrooms for children to be informed and empowered on mitigation strategies. 

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

Celebrating Leadership Skills of Ma Yaah Patience Tamfu on Women's Day

She is CPDM Section President in the United States. Her trappings as a career politician speak volumes. In fact, to have risen above the artificial barriers to be elected Section President in Uncle Sam's country is a feat. If there is any area in Cameroon where the Beijing platform can be assessed, it is in her participation in political and economic sphere which was former a no go one for the woman. This woman has shown that women in leadership could mean a lot to Cameroon. Ever since this daughter of the great statesman, late Hon. SN Tamfu became the sparkling flicker, the ever first woman to strengthen the CPDM party in the United State of America. She has become a symbol that women in leadership position could mean a lot to Cameroon. Hitherto considered a no go zone for women, Yaah Patience Tamfu has not only dismantled the male barriers constructed round politics but has more importantly serve as a woman emancipator. Where two or three are gathered to talk development, Patience Tamfu is always present. Though living in the USA, her contributions to development initiatives in Mbum land are surplus. Congrats Ma Yaah and Happy Women's Day. 

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

Mafor Achidi Achu Judith: A Woman Worth Celebrating on Women's day

Mafor Yaah Judith Sunday ’épouse Achidi is the General Manager of CAMTEL. As CAMTEL boss, Mafor Yaah Judith Sunday epouse Achidi has accumulated over 25 years experience in governance and entrepreneurship development. She is one of the most formidable woman of all the women in leadership position. Her astuteness at the helm of Camtel is very positive as she is set to make Camtel leader of mobile network in Cameroon. Ahead of the BLUE Camtel project launch, the programme has already registered hundreds of thousands of new subscribers. 

Mafor Yaah Judith it should be noted has served CAMTEL in various capacities ranging from regional director for Littoral, South West, North West and Center regions respectively. Before her recent appointment, she was Commercial Director. She holds a degree in business administration and Master Degree in Banking and Finance.

Mafor Yaah Achidi Achu Judith Yaah Sunde as she is commonly called is a woman of additional qualities. This is a woman who unlike others is busy round the clock. As a seasoned administrator, she believes like Immanuel Kant that “the more we are busy, the more we feel we are alive and contributing for the welfare of others”. Her educational background coupled with her devotion to be perfect has made her to transform the principle of education for work into the principle of education through work. Reasons why she puts  she had always put the local communities especially youthsand women ahead in all her actions as she believes that by empowering the rural women and youths she would be an avenue par excellence to change lives through work.

As a Christian, she believes like Martin Luther King that “working is praying”. One prelate once said that every human natured person is made up of the human and the divine and that when the divine overrides, the human one becomes closer to God. Yet, Mafor Achidi Achu Judith goes beyond that by making work the divine with the human as a pairs.

Some years ago she defeated all speculations when she donated a football trophy worth a million FCFA for youths in Donga Mantung Division to celebrate the 50 Anniversary of Cameroon’s independence. The event ended in grand style with over 20.000 man crowds at the finals. Her contribution to the welfare of rural women and youths caught the admiration of Donga Mantung Fons and she was coroneted Senior Ma-Yaah of Donga Mantung division. The second edition of the tournament took place at Ndu last year with over 24 football teams taking part. In a bit to promote the football nursery of Donga Mantung Division, Mafor Yaah Achidi Achu has proven that what a man can do, a woman can do it better. Her largesse to rural women of Nkambe Central has been out numbered ranging from farm inputs to maize seeds and others.

Her devotion for work and down to earth nature ignited fons of the North West who coroneted her with the title of “Mafor”

Accompanying rural women through support has been her line of action in fostering women empowerment. What makes her dissimilar from others is that she does uncommon things in a very common manner. 

While working for Camtel, she had proven that she is duty conscious. In the Littoral and South West regions where she served as Regional Director of CAMTEL, she left an indelible mark of greatness that speaks positively and confirms the aptitude of women in leadership positions. In the Southwest Region she succeeded in putting in place the optic fiber. In the North West, she is also noted to have transformed the entire service into a bee hive of activities. Putting CAMTEL to the forefront by putting in place new installations at Jakiri, Wum, Nkambe and Oku as well as the terminal optical fibre at the University of Bamenda before her workaholic nature moved her to the head office in Yaounde where she is Director of Urban Development at CAMTEL. Notwithstanding, Mafor Achidi Achu Judith Yaah Sunde is also a great supporter of the CPDM. In the political arena her presence in Donga Mantung Division is often described as a booster to youths and the woman folk. If you have never met a cheese full of prominence, get closer to Senior Ma Yaah Mafor Achidi Achu Judith to rediscover her role as a woman emancipator. She has been at the forefront of women advocacy for peace in the North West and South West region.  He desire to see peace returning to the North West and South West Regions has ignited hopes. 

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

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

Covid 19: Minister of Territorial Administration Instructs Governors, SDOs to Intensify Barrier measures

Paul Atanga Nji, Minister of Territorial Administration has given firm and strict instructions to the 10 Governors and 52 Senior Divisional Officers to intensify barrier measures to curb the spread of covid 19 into communities. MINAT boss is quoted to have issued a letter in which he ordered that the wearing of facemasks in public places is now obligatory. Minister Paul Atanga Nji's instructions comes following Prime Minister's call for Cameroonians to respect WHO and Government barrier measures. 

It should be recalled that since the outbreak of the pandemic, Paul Atanga Nji has been at the forefront distributing covid 19 support kits. 

In the communique issued on March 5, 2021, MINAT boss instructed that as from today March 8, hand washing basins and hand sanitizers must be placed in all public places, schools, markets, etc. He went further to reiterated that SDOs, DOs and mayors should go down regularly to ensure that these barrier measures are attic ly respected. 

On removal of corpse, the monster equally instructed that not more than 40 persons should be allowed to attend and that hospital officials should ensure it's respected. While the letter equally states that not.more than 50 persons should be allowed to attend a burial ceremony. The same measures concern churches, marriages and other public gatherings. 

Prospects are high at that if these instructions are respected, they could mitigate the widespread of covid 19 in communities. Notwithstanding, another school or thought holds that if the public doesn't adhere, MINAT may take more drastic measures which include prohibiting public gatherings, closure of bars, snacks and restaurants in order to intensify the fight against covid 19. 

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

Here is the Funeral Programme of Retired Lt. Colonel Sunday Nfor Lawrence

Cameroon has lost one of it's foremost senior citizens and retired military official. Retired Lt. Colonel Sunday Nfor Lawrence was a great son of Donga Mantung Division and would be remembered for his contributions in nation building. 

The man who many described as a Role Model is father of Camtel General Manager, Mafor Yaah Achidi Achu Judith. Born in June 1939, he took the journey of no return on February 10, 2021 in Canada. The sad news of his demise in Canada has left the entire North West Region in disbelief and tears. The great military officer who hails from Ndu was a man of great ideas and learning as well as development luminary.

Born in Ndu on June 30th 1939, retired Lt. Colonel Sunday went to primary school in Kumba and later completed his secondary school in Sasse, Buea.

​

Following his graduation from Sasse, he went for the selection into the Military Academy. He was part of 1 in 10 officers selected from West Cameroon to go to Yaoundé during the reunification of the two cameroons. He started his training 01/10/1961, the day of reunification of The Cameroons. He trained for two years exclusively in French and in 1963 he ended his training in July.

 

He was appointed second lieutenant and posted to Loum and then on to Tombel where he met and married Marguerite Epote with whom he had seven children.

 

Throughout his carrer in the army he was posted at different positions within Cameroon. From Bamenda in 1966 before being sent to Mbouda, then Bafang, Djoum, Ebolowa, Yaounde in 1977, Buea 1979, Mamfe in 1980 then Bafoussam, Koutaba in 1984, Yaounde in 1994, Maroua and then back to Yaounde before he retired in 1996.

​

He lived between Bamenda and Canada where most of his children and grandchildren had settled.

 His family has released his burial programme for people to pay their last homage to the departed astute retired military official

Date March 05 at 2pm

Viewing Ceremony in Montreal

Location: Magnus Poirier Inc.

6825 Sherbrooke Est. Montreal, QC

Cameroon programme

​Wednesday March 03

*Mass at the family residence, Yaounde

Friday March 05

*Celebration of Holy Mass followed by viewing of ceremony in Montreal, live feed

Saturday March 06

*Wake keeping at the family residence, Yaounde

Tueday March 09

*Arrival of the remains at Nsimalen International Airport

*Celebration of Holy Mass at the family residence

*Wake keeping at the family residence, Yaounde

Wednesday March 10

*Celebration of Holy Mass at the Cathedral Our Lady of Victory, Yaounde

*Departure for Bamenda

*Celebration of Holy Mass at the family residence, Bamenda

*Wake keeping at the family residence

Thursday March 11

*Mass at the Saint Joseph's Cathedral, Big Mankon

*Military Honours at the family residence, GRA

*Burial - Restricted to family only

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