Arrested Female Suicide Bomber Says She is One of the Chibok Girls

In a bizarre twist of events, a suicide bomber who was napped in the Northern Region has said she is one the abducted Chibok girls who are being searched for by the Nigerian army.

Chibok girls

 

A suspected suicide bomber intercepted in northern Cameroon on Friday before she could blow herself up claimed to be one of 219 schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram in the Nigerian town of Chibok in 2014, military and local government sources said.

 According to Reuters, two girls carrying explosives were stopped by local self-defense forces in the village of Limani, in an area of northern Cameroon that has been the target of frequent suicide bombings in recent months.

 They were then handed over to Cameroonian soldiers belonging to a multi-national force set up to take on Boko Haram.

 In a high-profile attack that sparked a global outcry, Boko Haram militants raided the school in April 2014 while the girls were taking exams. They loaded 270 of them onto trucks, though around 50 escaped shortly afterwards.

 "One of them indeed declared that she is one of the Chibok hostages. She is around 15. We are now verifying, because on the Nigerian side they have the names and photos of these girls," said local government administrator Raymond Roksdo.

 Two military sources, who asked not to be identified as they were not authorized to speak to the press, also confirmed that the girl had claimed to have been one of the Chibok abductees

"We need a few days to be able to confirm this information. We have to debrief all the men who were present and interrogate the two girls before we can say anything," one of the military sources said.

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

4 Important Details to Note About Shekau's New Video

Abubakar Shekau, a cat with nine lives who has been killed over and over again by the Nigerian troops released a video yesterday and a qualitative analysis has led to some strong assertions. 

 

Abubakar Shekau on Thursday appeared in a new Boko Haram video which was posted on Youtube. Speaking a language confirmed to be Arabic, the Boko Haram leader reportedly said he's done and called for his flock to follow suit.

Here are the little details to note about the video.

1. It is easy to see that the video was poorly shot and edited. The background was edited in crude graphics and his voice had a reverberating echo.

2. Shekau doesn't look like his energetic self. The militant looked weak and emaciated. He appears to have lost weight.

3. His voice. Shekau sounded solemn and subdued. Not commanding and challenging like he used to be.

4. His body language. Shekau's shoulders were slumped and slouchy, like a student who just learned he failed his final year exams.

Towards the end of the video he delivered his messages with his neck angled slightly downwards and his head cocked in an apologizing manner, like a sinner asking for forgiveness for his atrocities.

Last year, Shekau released an audio recording saying he is still alive. He sounded subdued in the recording as well. Nigerian military authorities have undertaken forensic investigations on the video footage.

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

Missing Chibok Girl Nabbed in Cameroon?

A little 15-year-old girl who was sent on suicide mission and was caught by security operatives has pleaded not to be killed as she revealed that she is one of the kidnapped Chibok girls.

 

A suspected suicide bomber intercepted in northern Cameroon Friday March 25 before she could blow herself up is claiming to be one of 219 schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists in Chibok, Borno State in 2014, military and local government sources say.

 It is alleged in the ongoing Boko Haram clearance operation, village vigilant group intercepted two female suicide bomber before they could blow themselves to death.

 The two girls arrested in Cameroon Friday were carrying explosives and were stopped village vigilant group of Limani, in northern Cameroon that has been the target of frequent suicide bombings in recent months.

 They were then handed over to Cameroonian soldiers belonging to a multi-national force set up to take on Boko Haram.

 “One of them indeed declared that she is one of the Chibok hostages. She is around 15. We are now verifying, because on the Nigerian side they have the names and photos of these girls,” one of the members of the village vigilant group is quoted to have said.  

“We need a few days to be able to confirm this information. We have to debrief all the men who were present and interrogate the two girls before we can say anything,” one of the military sources said.

 In a high-profile attack that sparked a global outcry, Boko Haram militants raided the school in April 2014 while the girls were taking exams. They loaded 270 of them onto trucks, though around 50 escaped shortly afterwards. Former president Goodluck Jonathan was criticised for his slow reaction to the Chibok abductions.

 It was nearly a month before a fact-finding committee travelled to Chibok to establish whether the abduction actually happened and how many girls were missing.

 Muhammadu Buhari, who defeated Jonathan in an election last year, ordered a new investigation into the kidnappings in January.

 Joint operations between Nigeria and its neighbours Niger, Chad and Cameroon succeeded in driving Boko Haram from many of its strongholds in Nigeria last year.

 However, as an 8,700-strong regional task force seeks to stamp them out once and for all, the Islamists have stepped up cross-border attacks and suicide bombings, many of them carried out by young girls.

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

What You Need to Know About TRAKAMI: The Shop Where Automobile is a Style #PhotoNews

 TRAKAMI The Solution to Your Car Problems and A Place Where Automobile is a Style .....Car Sales & Rentals, Specialist in Car Accessories. 

General Manager: Ernest Ndzenyuy W alias Papa Wemba

email: ndzenyuy_papa@yahoo.com

Infoline: +237 6 77 67 90 33 / +237 6 98 98 98 67 

Location:  (Shop 1)Beside Dubai Plaza Tsinga

                (Shop 2) Opposite Tonton Bar/Ecole du Police Yaounde

GENERAL MANAGER: Ernest Ndzenyuy W alias Papa Wemba

General Manager: Ernest Ndzenyuy W alias Papa Wemba

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

The Nightmare on the Ring Road Versus The People's Call from Donga Mantung Division (My Letter Number Two)

By Fai Cassian Ndi

On March 22, 2016, Ngue Bissa Thomas, the National Coordinator of the Maize Programme told journalists in Nkambe that he took 7 years to travel from Bamenda to Nkambe. Those who listened to him thought it was a slice of the tongue. Maybe he was to say 7 hours not 7 years. To us, the 7 years is pregnant with alot of meaning because it represents just one third of the number of years that have passed since President Biya promised that he was going to personally supervise the tarring of this road. Twenty four years have passed and Donga Mantung people have been waiting anxiously for Papa God to fulfill his promise and nothing. Road or no roads, his followers and supporters continue to destroy our ear-drums with the "CPDM is development". I don't know whether some of them know the basic that where the road passes development follows. Which development can we bee talking about when we have no access road. Paradoxically, on March 24, 2016, Misaje, Nwa, Ako and Ndu joined Nkambe to issue Motions of Support and People's Call to Paul Biya. Nothing was mentioned about the stretch of the ring road from Kumbo to Tatum-Ndu-Nkambe-Misaje. 

The dilemma of horrific nature of the ring road has become a painful shame. In Donga Mantung Division for example, normal interaction has been frustrated by bad roads. Vehicle owners are in distress as their vehicles are not used optimally. In a border Division with hardly any railway, no air service and now no roads, the citizens of Donga Mantung Division feel trapped with nowhere to turn. 

Reasons why they have decided to take their destiny into their hands. As from Monday March 28, 2016 over 3.000 people will come out with hoes, spades, wheelbarrows, digging axes and hoes to start working on the spots that are making names along the ring road. Transporters and business owners in Nkambe and Ndu are all expected to make contributions to ease the work ranging from FCFA 5000 to 250.000. 

As someone puts it: This is a big shame to the Biya regime. The stretch of the road is such that even four wheel vehicles using that road invariably retire to a mechanics workshop at the end of every journey. Ngue Bissa Thomas, took 7 hours from Bamenda to Nkambe. 

Transporters are hurting and are bewildered that despite their payment of all road taxes to Government and the various rates to the state and local governments, little is being done to repair the roads upon which their livelihood depends.

The state of nature of this road as Budi Nji says "is not just a nightmare but a therapeutic theater of trauma for anyone pregnant woman and children below the ages of two". I remember how a friend of mine lost his child who left some parts of Yaounde in good health yet up arrival at Binka, the child was so tired that he just gave off kicked the bucket.

From Kumbo to Nkambe, there are trucks that have sunk into the mud and have remained on the spot for the past two weeks. If one can imagine that this is happening just at the beginning of the rainy season then if the people fold their arms and sit, expecting that the tons of motions will help them, i would say they are daydreaming. Besides, the very many potholes and detours mean that vehicles keep breaking down and sometimes with disastrous consequences. 

It is common for thieves, rapists and other miscreants to ensconce themselves in bad portions of the roads where all vehicles virtually come to a halt. Traveling on the Kumbo-Nkambe stretch of the ring road represents a perpetual danger to the population. Instead, the present state of nature of the Ring Road makes it impossible to plan a journey or predict arrival time. Commercial activities are suffering as goods and services are now in short supply leading to price increases in practically all consumer items. Just after two weeks of rain, transport fare from Bamenda to Nkambe has moved from FCFA 5000 to FCFA 5500. 

Of Corrupt Consciences 

From Kumbo-Nkambe is now a dangerous pothole. I mean potholes everywhere and all the directions. It is practically impossible to avoid all of them as quite often one preventive manoeuvre often leads the driver into yet another pothole. That's what exactly happened to us at Njifor and we almost spent the night along the road. Trailers and tankers are quite vulnerable. Trailers as usual often do not secure the containers they carry, relying on their weight for stability. As a result of a combination of circumstances, the Ring Road is littered with overturned trailers, tankers and containers. At Kakar (another celebrated hill) three trailers have been stuck in the mud for two days. How they managed to pass the ring gate when there was a heavy down pour is another misery. Traveling along the ring road doesn’t require any stranger to look for signposts, because the nature of the road is always a topic of conversation and most celebrated areas are always key topics. (Tatum hill, Yamba at Mbot, Njifor at the Ndu Tea Plantation) are the celebrities. Many have lost their cars at these spots. This is so because after each 1km or even less, the driver will always ask passengers to jump down and push the car. Here one of them “we are at Kakar, please everybody should move out of the car because we have to push. We used to pass through the church but that cut-short has been blocked”.

Transporters are lamenting the loss of revenue and the population the pains they go through. They can only operate skeletal services during the day and cannot operate at night because of the menace of armed robbers. Their revenue is down by 70% and unless the roads are repaired, the transporters may well abandon their trade. Already bad roads have led to a reduction in travel.

Campaigns will soon start and UFOs will storm villages asking for votes in exchange for development. Dr. Fuh Calistus just set the pace for the Frontier Agro Industrial Programme to kickstart massive production of maize. The question on every lip has been how will the produce be transported out of the Division. With the roads being in such poor state it is doubtful whether individuals would be prepared to put themselves through the rigours of a punishing journey merely for the sake to be part of the much talked about second generation agriculture. The real problem besetting the ring road is that government cares little about the people of Donga Mantung Division. Do the "C" elite(s) really care when they don't care to remind Paul Biya that he promised to personally supervise the tarring of the ring road? 

The lack of maintenance of roads in Cameroon has become a public issue as Cameroonians are lamenting this failure of leadership. Good roads are a basic component of good governance. Cameroonians are routinely being put at risk everyday as a result of the failure of the state to provide adequate amenities for its citizens. All the authorities involved in road construction and maintenance should buckle down and do something to remove this blot on Cameroon’s image. We are even made to understand that this road is tarred on papers. If really that is true, I am suggesting to all the CPDM elite(s) to download this second letter to attach to the Motions of Support and People's Calls they signed in the name of the people of Donga Mantung. This is my letter No 2 accompanying the Motions and Calls for President Biya's Candidature.

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

Nigeria Military Subjects Shekau's Latest Video to Forensic Analyses

After news surfaced that dreaded Boko Haram leader released a new video, the Nigerian Military has swung in to verify the authenticity of the video. 

 Nigeria military is subjecting a purported new video from leader of the Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau to forensic examinations in order to ascertain its authenticity.

 The development is based on calls being made by Abubakar Shekau in the alleged video on his followers to embrace peace and stop the fighting by sheathing their swords and surrender.

 A military source said: “the ongoing campaign against insurgency and indeed Boko Haram is being intensified most especially in the Sambisa forest, and its environs in  order to further degrade and demystify  the sect and  bring them to their knees.

“We are aware of the video but we are subjecting it to thorough forensic investigation. We wont take any action that can stop the ongoing offensives against the terrorists in all fronts. Every terrorist is free to surrender.

“While the military is conscious of sustaining the tempo on its war against terrorism, the military intelligence will subject the undated and unverified video to forensic analyses,” the officer concluded.

 Shekau was last heard from in March 2015, when an audio message attributed to him was released pledging Boko Haram’s allegiance to the Islamic State militant group (ISIS), after which it rebranded itself as the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). The Boko Haram leader also issued a threat to disrupt 2015’s general elections in Nigeria.

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

Lesson from Nigeria: Africa's Richest Woman, Alakija Reveals The Secrets to Her Success

Africa's richest woman, Folorunsho Alakija has come out to reveal the secrets to her success and how she climbed to become relevant in the world.

Africa's richest woman, Folorunsho Alakija

Africa’s richest woman, Folorunsho Alakija, has remained an enigma of sorts even as she hit international limelight as the woman who beat Oprah Winfrey to the number two spot on the Forbes black women rich list. 

 Many aspiring women will however find inspiration as she gave a peek into her very essence recently at her inauguration as Chancellor of Osun State university recently, while sharing nuggets of wisdom or “wisdom pills” that have helped her over the years. 

"Do not accept ‘’No” for an answer – Many doors were shut in my face but I refused to give up and kept going back and it paid off; see where I am today. 

"Be determined to succeed as there is always a way where there seems to be no way. Only the persistent and diligent find it. Time is money, use it wisely. Say “no” to corruption Find mentors for practical guidance in your chosen career. 

 "Find out God’s purpose for your life and embark on it. Exercise patience and have courage. Courage is fear that has said its prayers. 

 "Always remember, that anything worth doing at all is worth doing well. Don’t sit on the fence but come to Nigeria’s defence. Proffer solutions and follow through. 

"My personal ethics have been formed through family influence, religious beliefs, life’s experiences, my personal reflections and the culture in which I was raised. My family instilled a strong work ethic in me as a child and they hardly ever missed a day of work. Ethics is a word I live by because it is conducted in a work environment and in individual daily life. 

 "I always try to do the right things and this will be my guiding principle throughout my 5 year tenure at Osun State University. "

 In addition, she attributes her success to her relationship with God and enjoined all to put their trust in Him who, according to her, brought her from a Moslem family background to become a Born-again Christian; singled her out from 52 children for His “divine assignment”; gave her a husband for almost forty years in a marriage that is still growing strong and brought an Executive Secretary to the Oil Industry to break glass ceilings.

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

Lesson from Nigeria: Why My Company Has Been Very Successful - Dangote

One of the richest black men in the world has shared the major factor why his business enterprises across Africa has enjoyed its fair share of success.

Aliko Dangote

 

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has stated that the challenge of electricity was adversely affecting the growth of the continent’s economy, according to the DailyPost.

Speaking at the Africa CEO forum in Abidjan, the President of Dangote group also disclosed what has made his conglomerate successful.

Where I come from, which is Kano in Nigeria, we have over 20 million people and we are sharing 35 megawatts only,” Dangote said.

“So when we started business as a group, we said that we would not go into the national grid. Every single country that we are operating in, we would create, generate our own power and that is why we have been very, very successful.”

In his remark, President of the African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina, said Africa must seek ways to light up the continent.

“If you walk in the dark, you’ll stumble and you will fall. But if you walk in the light, you will constantly see things ahead of you,” he said.

“The problem is, in Africa, you have today 645 million people without electricity. You have the GDP in which the cost of not having electricity is about four to five percent shaved off.

“We cannot be competitive when it comes to value adding. We cannot industrialise because we have no electricity. The kids cannot go to school because we have no electricity.

“Vaccines can’t be in hospitals because we have no electricity, and business are operating at very high cost, using diesel. In other words, what is the emergency power supply system has become the normal power supply system – no way!

“And as Africa Development Bank, I know that the very blood of Africa’s transmission and life is what we do,” he added.

Nigeria’s electricity generation currently fluctuates around 4,000MW, a meagre capacity for a country of over 170million.

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

Dreaded Boko Haram Leader, Shekau Predicts Groups End in New Video

Dreaded Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau has been caught on camera as he predicts his own end with the following words 'for me the end has come'.

Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau

 Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau appeared on video for the first time in more than a year on Thursday, rejecting rumours about his death but appearing to signal his time in charge of the Nigerian jihadist group may be coming to an end.

 In a message that contained none of the defiant bluster, taunts and denunciation of political leaders of previous videos and will likely be interpreted as an admission of defeat, the dejected-looking Shekau declared in the Hausa language: “For me the end has come”.

“This is a message of greeting and joy for you to see my face,” said Shekau, who in March 2015 pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group in an audio message.

“This is my desire: that whoever sees this will hear nothing but greetings between me and you. Only Allah knows the rest, as you believed (and) as you submitted. For me the end has come.

“This is only the message I want to send to you for you to understand that this is certainly I. This is why I did this.

“May Allah protect us so that no hypocrite stands between us. May Allah protect us from the devil so that he doesn’t achieve his evil among us.

“May Allah protect us and may we stand firm on the path of Allah. I thank my creator.”

 A military source in the Borno State capital, Maiduguri, told AFP: “Watching Shekau in this video, the message is clear: the game is over.

“For this arrogant and boastful terrorist to speak in such a meek and subdued tone shows he has been trounced beyond his imagination.

“It is farewell video. He is just telling his fighters they should forget their illusionary Islamic state and lay down their arms.

“He knows that with the current advance of the Nigerian military our troops will soon reach him”.

 Unlike messages from the Islamists at the end of 2014 and start of 2015, which were slickly edited and closely resembled those of the Islamic State group, the new video was poorly shot.

 It was also posted on YouTube rather than via Twitter accounts linked to IS supporters and websites used by fellow jihadists, which had become Boko Haram’s preferred medium of communication.

The bearded Shekau, who looked thin, spoke to his followers in front of a lime green background, with the Boko Haram black flag superimposed in crude graphics.

 He also makes no mention of the Islamic State or Islamic State in West Africa province (ISWAP) and uses the group’s original name “Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad” or “People committed to the propagation of the Prophet’s teachings and jihad”.

 There was no indication of when or where the video was shot and Nigeria’s military said it was trying to determine its authenticity.

 “We are aware of the video but we are subjecting it to thorough forensic investigation,” they said in a statement.

In the video, Shekau referred in the past tense to the Borno State town of Gwoza, which Boko Haram overran in mid-2014 and declared a caliphate, referring to it as “Darussalam” or “Home of Peace”.

 The town was later retaken in a military counter-offensive that has seen Boko Haram-controlled towns, villages and territory seized back over the last year.

 Boko Haram supply lines are said to have been squeezed, preventing them sourcing fuel for hit-and-run attacks and conventional fighting, although suicide bombings persist.

 There have also been reports of fighters surrendering for lack of food. Shekau himself is said to be in hiding in the Sambisa Forest area of Borno state, currently targeted by the military.

 Nigeria has claimed several times that Shekau has been killed since the start of the deadly insurgency responsible for at least 17,000 deaths since 2009, only for him to reappear in video messages.

 The military believes several lookalikes have since stood in for him.

 

Source: AFP

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

Federal Government Declare 2-Days Public Holidays to Mark the Easter Celebrations

To mark Good Friday and Easter Monday celebrations respectively, the Federal Government has declared two days of public holidays.

 The Federal Government has declared Friday, March 25th and Monday, March 28th as public holidays to mark the Good Friday and Easter celebrations respectively. 

 The Minister of Interior, Retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, made the declaration in a statement issued by the acting Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Alhaji Muhammadu Maccido on Tuesday in Abuja. 

 The minister urged Christians and Nigerians in general to support and join hands with President Muhammadu Buhari in his sustained efforts to build a peaceful, united and virile nation. 

 He further urged Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for peace and unity across the nation. 

 While wishing Nigerians and Christians the world over happy celebrations, Dambazau also reiterated Federal Government’s commitment to the change agenda in the country.

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

MPs Write to Speaker, Threaten Boycott if Car Repair Allowance is Not Paid

It is widely acknowledged that the Eagle is the only bird in the bird kingdom that sheds tears! It does this only when it’s renewing its youth on rocky hidden altar somewhere on mountains! Our Parliamentarians are like the Eagle because they only shed tears when their interest in at risk. If the Cameroon National Assembly has been tagged as a rubber stamp, it is not by mistake. It is because whenever their interest is protected, they always play the ostrich by staging some dramatized acts infront of TV cameras and journalists. But when their interest is at risk, they go on bended-knees pleading. 

When a proposal was made for the extension of their mandates for six months they all applauded. When proposals were made for them to pay a deposit fee of FCFA 5 million, they took Cameroonians as witnesses that government wants to sell the country to conmen. And for their interest, they all stood against the proposed article that once an MP is dismissed from the party, he or she should automatically give up the seat at the National Assembly. Whenever they smile at anything that may juxtapose their interest, they sometimes make a lot of noise but when they are fine, there is silence.

The fear that the Bill on the modification of the Constitution may get to the National Assembly may come to  null as MPs have been caught in another interest protecting cycle. The Eye is aware that early this week, all the Members of Parliament unanimously signed a letter pleading on the Speaker, Hon. Cavaye Yegue Djibrille to grant them car repairs allowances which is supposed to be half of the FCFA 10.000.000 they received as non-refundable car loan at the beginning of their mandate. They claim that apart from the 23 members of the Bureau who were given brand cars by the National Assembly, majority of bought old cars given that the amount was too small to get a new car. 

Classified sources hinted that MPs non-members of the Bureau are threatening to boycott the session if the situation is not redressed. And as observed, they would only threaten when their interest is at stake. 

It should be recalled that some years ago, MPs staged a silent demonstration on the controversy surrounding the condition of car loan. In the past, backbenchers used to pay back car loans while members of the Bureau did not. The injustice resulted to an uprising within the house and the matter was settled to the benefit of all. Since then, car loans are non-reimbursable to all the MPs. In fact our MPs have been behaving like the ugly bird, Eagle.

Their interest according to what we gathered is centered on money and how much enters their pockets. It is even alleged every MP that voted for or against the Electoral Code received at least FCFA 5 million while Members of the Bureau had between FCFA 10 million and FCFA 30 million for the speaker. While Cameroonians have been wondering whether their MPs too cannot fight as it is being done in other places, sources linked to the National Assembly say that such a scenario can never take place in Cameroon because the MPs have been spoiled with huge salaries and advantages that the public is not aware of. Here is an extract of the letter to the Speaker: “High Honourable President, we, MPs signatories of this present correspondent, just respectfully with your kindness seek financial allocation for the maintenance of our vehicles. Indeed, the allocation of 10,000,000 FCFA we received in 2014 could only allow us to buy used vehicles of eight-year old or even 10 to 15 years of age. Today, these vehicles are no longer able to serve Members in their multiple missions Hence the need for us to address this concern to you so you can unlock the vehicle maintenance endowment to half of the initial endowment of 2014 “.

The newspaper points out in this regard that “according to an MP met yesterday, the correspondence addressed to the President of the National Assembly is justified by the release this month of March in the amount of 600 million CFA francs for the allocation of vehicles“. The wrath of the MPs comes from discrimination in the sharing. “But instead of the money to be distributed among the 180 MPs, only 23, who are members of the office, have benefited, from it“.

How Government has Spoiled MPs

With FCFA 10 million non-refundable car loans and a sitting allowance of 1.2 million per session awarded to each Member of Parliament and an additional FCFA 900,000 to FCFA1.3 million per month as salaries, there is every reason for MPs to think of themselves first before the people they represent. Yet reliable sources say the backbenchers (hand clappers) have a net salary of FCFA 900,000 per month, as too low from FCFA 500.000. 

Being a member of the Bureau of the National Assembly is a super job. The advantages numbers and attached to it is a super salary. We also learnt that all MPs however, are not housed in the same boat. Those who were lucky to pick positions into the Bureau including Parliamentary group executives sometimes receive up to double the salary of backbenchers, as well as various advantages, such as a free mansion, drivers, guards, cars, entertainment expenses, telephone, water, petrol vouchers, house-helps (in short seven house helps) etc.

This avalanche of membership benefits according to what we gathered exploded in 2007 with the decision by the National Assembly to increase funding for vehicles and maintenance. Thanks to two Orders signed in September 11, 2007, the speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Djibril Cavaye Yeguie, increased premiums for the purchase of official cars for bureau members. It was, after this text that the President of the National Assembly started allocating a non-refundable car loan to MPs.

Our investigation further revealed that before then, only Bureau members and Group leaders had non-refundable car loan. Thank God, young MPs from the North Region revealed to other backbenchers and a revolt was organized. Like the Eagle, the protest took place in hiding. Note that within 5 years (mandate), the Speaker of the National Assembly gets as much as FCFA 60 million from non-refundable car loan scheme while the 1st Vice president now receives FCFA 50 million non-refundable. The remaining vice Presidents FCFA 45 million each, the Quaestors FCFA 40 million and the secretaries’ FCFA 35 million each. The Secretaries on the other hand also receives FCFA 40 million. Each of these recipients get from the third year of the current legislature two-thirds of the amount for the maintenance of the car purchased. That is fantastic!

Faced with such generosity, they have nothing to protect more than their own interest reasons why those who think that they could one day witness boxing at the national assembly will never live such a scenario. It is to protect these numerous advantages that they hang on party allegiance to mock at Cameroonians or close their eyes to vote bills without looking back at the people who voted them to Parliament. In addition, each MP also receives a sitting allowance of about FCFA 1.2 million for each session. Since there are three sessions each year, MP will receive at least make FCFA 3.6 million per year excluding extraordinary sessions. The amount increases when there are extraordinary sessions. These adjustments have never been given publicity ever since they became effective in 2008, probable because like the Eagle, they keep it secret to reassure the public they deal with their problems.

At the close of the last session, pay vouchers of our MPs are great people. The least the hand clappers received as salary was FCFA 899,000 while the least for Bureau members was FCFA 1,300,000. That is why there is no pressure from MPs on government for salaries of civil servants. Notwithstanding, they also console themselves with the eight million micro project money they receive yearly. During their five years in office they get 40 million each, ostensibly to finance micro-projects for the benefit of people. In truth, these funds, although in principle under control are used as pocket allowances for leisure in beer parlors, snack bars and restaurants. Indeed, no member has ever denied this kitty, even though people complain of not seeing the trace on the ground. “Too little, our needs are enormous,” retorted the elect. The most intriguing thing is that the very MPs are designated to follow up whether the money was used properly. How can you send a thief on another?

“MPs are not there to implement projects, which is the role of the executive. Their role is to monitor budget performance and vote bills” yet the National Assembly of Cameroon is filled with goats in sheep clothing.

Some MPs spend time going on missions abroad to make money while a majority usually transfer their constituencies to Yaounde once elected. They transform selves to contractors overnight. 

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

Beyond The CPDM Regalia (Part 1)

*By Shey Lontum, Martin-Luther Fon Yembe

In View of the Pending End Times for CNU/CPDM Era!

                SDF in Spirit; RDPC/CPDM in Body

When we visit most spiritually inclined churches these days, we see and hear stories of a twelve year old child carrying the spirit of a 200 year-old women. Her attitudes, responses and reactions in life are those of the old woman, the spirit, yet, she carries the body of a teenager. The war between the body and the spirit is not limited only to things of God, but now, in the present political dispensation in Cameroon, is extending to the socio-political arena.

In 1985, barely two years after outwitting his political master and guru , Ahmadou Ahidjo, Mr. Paul Biya and Francois Sengat Kuo came up with the RDPC ( CPDM) to replace the nomenclature UNC(CNU), which was a forced amalgamation of the recognized political parties that had existed in the Federal Republic of Cameroon before June 1966! The story of why and how it happened is an issue for another day. But, suffice it to note that RDPC is a metamorphosis of UNC, and so our analysis will span far beyond 1985 when the transmutation took place.

It is supposed that by 1985, all Cameroonians of voting age were ether CNU militants, advocates, followers, adherents, well-wishers, collaborators, fanatics, enthusiasts, sponsors, activists, disciples, collaborators or simply admirers. It was like the situation in North Korea and Communist China…You either belong or you are dead!

Idea of SDF Born at CPDM Congress in Bamenda 1985

And so, at the Bamenda Congress, we could see Biya, Fru Ndi, Foncha, Muna, Semengue, Gorji Dinka, Mukong, Francois Sengat Kuo, Prof. Fonlon, Hon. Nsakwa, etc doing everything for the Congress to be a success. In fact, it was at that Congress that was born the idea of the Social Democratic Front (SDF), given that the Batonnier Gorji Fongum Dinka and Professor Bernard Nsokika Fonlon had come up with a book called the New Social Order wherein, the proposal for Cameroon to return to Federalism and prioritize a Social Democratic outlook with equal opportunities for all was propagated . Albert Wumah Mukong was in the shadow of all this, especially as he was always on the Wanted List of the Forchive Boys! General Semengue supported the move for these principles to be discussed at the Congress, and when time came for Dinka to come up with the book, he was blocked by Pa ST. M!!! and a year after, while Gorji Dinka was dragged to a military tribunal where he won his case and fled into exile, Fonlon was less lucky as he was “poisoned” and ended up in Paradise! Of course, Mukong continued with the idea and it landed on fertile ground when a certain Dr. Lawrence Fomambuh of the Bamenda Provincial Hospital directed him to a dynamic leader of PWD Bamenda, a certain Ebibi…Ni John Fru Ndi!! Again, …that is a story to be told another day elsewhere!

So, who were those who animated the CPDM in 1985 and where are they today?

Needless to talk of the CPDM’s first Secretary General, Francois Sengat Kuo , and Political Bureau members like Hon. P.N. Nsakwa who identified themselves with the lofty ideologies of the Social Democratic Front early enough and died satisfied and peacefully having stood by what they believed in. Others like J.C. Kangkolo, a one time top West Cameroon politician from Wum, Pa Tanya Tangem from Nkambe, Rose Abunaw Makia of Mamfe, and others in top government positions today, had to hurry back to the CPDM when the SDF leadership refused taking part in the March 1992 Parliamentary elections. What were they after then? Your guess is as good as mine!

The answer to this single question will x-ray the minds of many Cameroonians today parading the corridors of the CPDM . They are either position seekers; running away from something or something is running after them; they are either there because of cowardice, fear and intimidation or to benefit from a lobby force from the ruling junta. Most of all, poverty and impoverishment has been a very effective weapon responsible for dragging many in the villages to that movement. Finally, there is this notion that in Africa anyone in office/ power is a royalty, and most royal families tend to belong and adhere to assure their loyalty to royalty.

We will begin identifying the various alignments or what they love to refer to as the cells, branches, sub sections, and sections which effectively refer to something else. For example, the cells the branch and sub section are made up of the poor villagers and their sub chief or Fon. They have one thing in common…they have something to do with royalty, and depend on one or two elite from their village who once in a while comes in with a tin of oil, and  fabricates information on how this or that Minister or Director of the CPDM in Bamenda, Limbe, Buea, Bafoussam, Douala, Yaoundé etc has promised to promote them from Principal to Delegate or even Director if they continue to support the ruling party (CPDM) and President Paul Biya who “has the yam and the knife”! Given that Cameroonians have been used to one regime being in power, it is easy to ensnare  and entice this gullible people that if they support their son or daughter, he/she will be promoted and thus bring glory to the village. And the circle of mendacity will ensue…reason why that organ, the cell is a group of feeble and pathetic cowards!

Then comes the Sections where the high gear political monsters reign. As a matter of fact, the various sections now in place is headed by a bunch of criminals and hoodlums…not insults but facts!! Check it out! The records of those heading the various sections are very glaring. They have a lot of skeletons in their cupboards. Some of them have very dirty records that could have landed them in prison, so, to hide their dark spots, they use part of their usually ill-gotten riches to “impress” and astound their Yaoundé comrades.  They have “murder” on the top of their list of activates. Either they have killed or are prone to killing if their interests are threatened!! They loath those who have clean spirits around them. They discuss these clean spirits in very disgusting words! They will go even to the devil to get their deal…at all costs!  In the last reorganization of the CPDM, these guys were smart enough to lobby their “pals” in Yaoundé at the Central Committee with the promise that only “dirty guys” like them can assure any “Victory” for the CPDM at all cost in future elections in their sections.

The new phenomenon that has surfaced and will be analyzed in detail is that of Head Teachers and Principals. A few daring ones who are very sure of their competences and know they merit the positions they have, are adamant and have repudiated any stupid threat to militate in the CPDM. What some do is simply procure a CPDM membership card and this, just to “protect” their , probably, undeserved position. Who are some examples in our communities? We will be bring out some names and why they are in he CPDM in the series to come.

                                * Shey Lontum, Martin-Luther Fon Yembe is Editor of The Frontier Telegraph newspaper; Political Activist and Critic. He is a writer and Human Rights crusader. The issues raised here are his personal views and do not engage any group whatsoever.

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

How I Nearly Became a Suicide Bomber - Boko Haram Recruit Recounts Real Life Experience

A Nigerian girl recruited by the rampaging Boko Haram sect has shared her radicalization story by the sect members who recruited her to detonate a bomb at a public place.

  

On Tuesday February 9, two Nigerian girls entered a camp for internally displaced people in the north-east. Minutes later they detonated their explosive vests, killing 58 people. A third girl refused to take part in the suicide mission for Islamist group Boko Haram. 

 

Read her story below:

Hauwa, not her real name, doesn't know her age, but she looks 17 or 18. She had been held by Boko Haram for more than a year when her captors suggested the plan to attack the Dikwa camp. In return for carrying out their mission, the three girls were told they would go to paradise. But Hauwa knew that she had to defy them.

"I said 'No', since my mum is residing in Dikwa, I won't go and kill people there. I would rather go and stay with my family, even if I die there," she tells me through a translator.

Both her parents and her siblings, except for one brother who had been captured with her, were staying in the camp at Dikwa in Borno state, along with about 50,000 others forced from their homes. Hauwa explains how she ended up being lured into joining the group.

 "I had spiritual problems and so the Boko Haram told me they could help get rid of them," she says.

We do not know exactly what Hauwa was suffering from, but these so-called "evil spirits" had caused her to soil herself and even put her hand into a fire.

Whatever the reason, she saw Boko Haram as the answer to her problems, and they took her in. She remembers a typical day living with the militants.

"We were living in grass-thatched houses. When my husband was around, I cooked three times a day... the men would steal meat and bring it for us to cook."

After a while, Hauwa separated from her husband and then got remarried. Her second husband then ran away and when she refused to take a third husband, the group suggested their plan:

 "They said since I refused to re-marry, I should take the bomb," she says.

 The Dikwa camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) was 85km (50 miles) north-east of Maiduguri, the state capital of Borno and the birthplace of Boko Haram.

Hauwa knew it well and it was not far from the place she was being held by the militants, so the night before the attack was due to take place, she sneaked out very early in the morning. Her plan was to alert her family and others staying at Dikwa of the impending attack.

 But she was too late.By the time she reached Dikwa camp, the two suicide bombers had already struck. An army officer showed the BBC team the scene of the attack.

"This is the spot where the first explosion went off," he said pointing to brown patches on the tarmac, where blood stains had been darkened by a layer of dust.

The camp stretches across both sides of the road and so residents still have to pass the scene of the attack every day to get water and food. There are 15,000 people still living here and they are scared. But they have nowhere safe to go, so they are staying here. Now, they say they cannot trust anyone, not even children.

An elderly woman, Falmata Mohammed, remembers the minutes before the attack. "A soldier was trying to arrange our queues... There was this woman wearing a red veil and she had long hair."Falmata says she looked round when the woman began complaining about the soldiers, who were trying to disperse the crowds. "As soon as we moved onto the road, she shouted 'Wayyo', saying she had a pain in her stomach… People rushed to help her and tried to lift her up and that's when the bomb detonated."

"We saw fireballs around us," she tells me, saying that suddenly she became aware that she was surrounded by dozens of mutilated bodies.

Hauwa did not see the attack herself, but she was shown footage of the aftermath by military investigators and reflect on the fate of the two girls.  "It wasn't a pleasant thing to see. It wasn't good to carry a bomb to go and kill fellow human beings," she says.

"I don't know if the other girls knew they would die when they went on the mission."

  For parents in this part of Nigeria, the fear of Boko Haram is all too real. The group is prepared not only to abduct their children, but to send their own young back as assassins in the very places they have sought refuge. This is the same state where Boko Haram kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls from the town of Chibok in April 2014. Most of them are still missing.

Hauwa chose to defy the group and to escape, saving her own and the many lives of her would-be victims. We talk about her future, but when the topic of children comes up, she laughs it off.

"I'd like to get an education," she says.

 

-BBC

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Lesson from Nigeria: Police Force Begins Recruitment of 10,000 Personnel

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has warned that there would be no short-cut into the Nigeria Police Force in the recruitment of 10,000 personnel as it kicks-off its recruitment.

Nigerian Police officers on parade

 

It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari, had in 2015, approved the recruitment of 10,000 policemen at the National Security Summit in Abuja. In a statement released on Wednesday by Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations of the Police Service Commission (PSC) in Abuja, the commission has warned that there would be no short-cut into the Nigeria Police Force in the recruitment of 10,000 personnel.

 The spokesperson told journalists in Abuja today that Mike Okiro, Chairman of the commission, gave the warning while unveiling a portal for the exercise in Abuja. The statement said that the portal would be opened to the public on April 1 to herald the commencement of the exercise.

 "The process leading to the recruitment of 10,000 Policemen as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari at the National Security Summit in Abuja last year, has commenced," the statement said, adding that the unveiling of the portal was in actualisation of the presidential directive on the recruitment of the 10,000 Policemen.

 The statement also noted that the exercise was remarkable because there had not been recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force for more than five years, adding that thousands of policemen who died in the course of service, dismissed or retired, had not been replaced since the last five years.

 The statement stressed that the recruitment would strengthen and re-energise the force to tackle more security challenges facing the country, adding that the exercise could not begin last year because the funding was not captured in the 2015 budget.

 The statement urged interested applicants to access the portal through the commission’s website: www.psc.gov.ng or that of the Nigeria Police Force: www.npf.gov.ng.

 It said that no fee would be charged for the processing of the forms which would be filled on-line. "We are not charging money. It is free, absolutely free," it said.

 The statement said that the exercise would be in three entry points of Constable, Cadet Inspector and Cadet ASP, while there would also be recruitment into the Specialist cadre.

 The applicants for Police Constables are expected to possess five credits including Mathematics and English Language at Senior School Certificate Examination in not more than two sittings.

 While that for Cadet Inspectors, in addition to having the requirements of Police Constables, candidates would be expected to have an Ordinary National Diploma (OND), Advanced Level (A level), National Certificate in Education (NCE) or their equivalents.

 The statement said Candidates for Cadet ASP must possess a University degree or a Higher National Diploma (HND).

 

Source: NAN

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TB Joshua Claims He Predicted Brussels Bombings

Highly revered Nigerian clergy, Prophet TB Joshua, has said he predicted the latest act of world terror in Belgium.

 

TB Joshua

T.B. Joshua released a video to YouTube claiming he foretold the strike some weeks earlier.

 Speaking of a 'French country' in his time of prophecies on Sunday 31st January 2016, the cleric said, "They have to tighten their security; it’s not yet over. These evil people are in the town." 

 The popular 'prophet' was seemingly referring to the perpetrators of the terrorist attack in Paris that left 130 dead in November 2015. 

 "The people they chased out - there are some that are still there. They want to strike back." 

 He added that the 'evildoers' would look for an opportunity to strike an 'assembly of people'. 

 "They will blow - a lot of people will die. It will be the North part of a French country," Joshua warned, calling on congregants and viewers of his popular Christian channel Emmanuel TV to prayer.

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

Lesson from Nigeria: Customs Bans Rice Importation

The Federal Government has taken a concrete step to limit the importation of rice to Nigeria which has adverse effects on the Nigerian economy.

  Nigeria Customs Service has re-introduced the restriction order on importation of rice through land borders across the country according to P.M news.

Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) gave the approval for the reversal of an earlier policy in October 2015 which allowed rice imports through the land borders, once appropriate duty and charges were paid.

Wale Adeniyi, spokesperson of Nigeria Customs Service said in a statement that at a review session held with Comptrollers of Border Commands and Federal Operation Units held in Abuja, the Service noted that dwindling revenue from rice imports through the land borders do not match the volume rice landed in neighboring ports. Rather, reports from border commands indicated an upsurge in the tempo of rice smuggling.

Though he noted that implementation of the restriction order got off to a smooth start, with a high level of compliance in October 2015, revenue started dwindling from January 2016, with importers blaming access to forex as major impediments.

According to NCS, during the five-month period when the importation was allowed which was from October 2015-March 17th 2016, a total of 24.992 Metric Tonnes of Rice valued at N 2. 33 billion was imported through the land borders.

The NCS said during the period, total revenue generated amounted to N 1.68billion.

“This is considerably lower than the revenue projected to be generated with the removal of import restrictions. However, an upsurge in the number of the seizures has been reported across the land borders since January 2016.

In the first two months of the 2016, a total of 9238 bags were seized, with Duty Paid Value of N64,666,000 was made by the Customs anti-smuggling patrol teams of Federal operations and Border commands.

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How Goodluck Jonathan Made Me the 25th Richest Man in the World - Aliko Dangote

Nigerian billionaire and business mogul, Aliko Dangote has revealed his benefits from the 6-year rulership of former president, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan who was defeated in the election by the current administration.

Aliko Dangote

  The man Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will forever remain significant in the life of one of the most successful businessmen in the world, Aliko Dangote due to the enabling ground he created for his business to strive while the former was president.

 This is a throwback report which took place in September, 2013 concerning the economic achievements of Jonathan which has faded away in the hearts of some Nigerians due to insinuations of massive corruption, youth unemployment, Boko Haram insurgency amongst others during his administration.

 Aliko Dangote once said that his achievements as the richest man in Africa and 25th richest man on earth were attributable to the favourable policies of the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Dangote disclosed this in Nairobi when the former President Goodluck Jonathan met with the Nigerian community in Kenya in the month of September 2013 while the later was still in power.

The meeting was part of the activities lined up for the three-day visit of President Jonathan to Kenya.

Dangote, who was on the entourage of the president to Kenya, told the gathering that Jonathan had done a lot to improve the business climate in Nigeria.

“I want to tell you what the president has been doing in Nigeria. He is very humble and may not want to sing about what he has been doing.

“I will tell you what he has been doing to Nigerians and to some of us who are in business in Nigeria. We are very grateful for some of the policies he has introduced.

“As you all know, without good policies of government, there is no way a person like me from a big town like Kano can rise from a humble beginning to become the 25th richest person on earth.

“Without the policies of the president and also making sure that there is consistency in the policies of the government, this could not have happened,” he said.

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Dr. Fuh Calistus Kick-starts Industrialization of Donga Mantung with PIDMA, APRO-COM-PH, ACEFA, Others

Founder/CEO FAINAP: Dr. Fuh Calistus

The Secretary of State for Mines, Industries and Technological Development, who doubles as the Initiator, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Frontier Agro Industrial Programme-FAINAP has disclosed a vast strategy to develop the unique diversity of Donga Mantung through agro pastoral activities. Dr. Fuh Calistus Gentry made the statement in Nkambe on March 22 during a groundbreaking ceremony with partners and stakeholders. According to Dr. Fuh Calistus, FAINAP's vision is geared towards developing Donga Mantung with emphasis laid on encouraging large scale production, transformation and the development of agro industries. These actions, he added will also ensure that storage facilities, marketing channels and branding is carried out to instill growth and stability. 

Harping on the promotion of second generation agriculture, Minister Fuh Calistus disclosed that they have targeted to increase maize production in the Division to 300.000 tons per year on about 50.000 ha. In addition to the maize sector, FAINAP CEO also revealed that strategies have been put in place to increase Pal oil to 150 tons and 20.000 ha of new farm land would be developed. To kick-start the process, FAINAP shared 2 tons of improved maize seeds to farmers to encourage the development of maize clusters while in the months ahead, maize seed multiplication farm will be established in Ako and the Mbaw plain.  The seed farms are expected to boost maize production as well as encourage second cycle maize farming in the Division. He used the opportunity to express thanks and appreciations to FAINAP partners such as PIDMA, PRO-COM-PH, IRAD, ACEFA, AFGRILAND, AGT and the National Maize Programme amongst others. 

On his part the Senior Divisional Officer for Donga Mantung, Ngone Ndodemesape Bernard congratulated FAINAP and its partners for their efforts in promoting second generation agriculture in the Division. He called on the beneficiaries to use the support for the purpose that it was intended. Agriculture, he emphasized is the backbone of the economy. 

Ngone Ndodemesape: SDO

On the other hand, the National Coordinator of PIDMA, (World Bank) sponsored programme hailed FAINAP for its efforts in promoting large scale production. Ngue Bissa Thomas said PIDMA could be indifferent in this strive reasons why his structure supported FAINAP with 1 ton of improved maize seeds. "We are ready and looking forward to work with FAINAP in setting cooperatives in the Division. And we are also ready to give more support to make sure that this programme succeeds. Donga Mantung has the rich ecological potentials to produce the desired results", he told journalists. 

It should be noted that the Frontier Agro Industrial Programme seeks to also introduce mechanized agriculture in the Division with prospects of establishing clusters and production basins. The idea is to establish a functional industrial zone with diversified industries linked to the maize, oil palm and diary sectors. As the Mayor of Nkambe Council, Ngabir Paul Bantar puts it, there is no other way to go industrial than to go agricultural.  

The Mayor of Ndu, Bunyui Emmanuel warned that FAINAP is apolitical and frowned at the fact that someone wanted to use the exercise to gain political points. This is due to the fact that a dance group from Binju was dressed in CPDM outfit. He said development should be void of such tendencies given that it may scarce potential partners. 

stakeholders

Maize seeds

PIDMA National Coordinator handing over seeds to FAINAP delegates

Ngue Bissa Thomas: National Coordinator of PIDMA

Chief Obiora: Agro Industrialist warning that agriculture is the art of touching the soil

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