Mary Awudu Creates the Unexpected at Planting Season

 

Mary Awudu addressing the women ahead of distribution

For the second time, farmers in Nkambe Central have been supported with improved maize seeds. The support was from no other person than the wife of the Member of Parliament for Nkambe Central. Hon. Awudu Mbaya Cyprian. The distribution of improved maize seeds to farmers come barely a week after Madame Mary Awudu distributed women day outfit to all the groups. The strive of Madame Mary Awudu has been acknowledged by varied women and men. Last Saturday March 9, 2013 she started the distribution at Binju-Nkmabe and Binshua village and on Sunday 10, she led another powerful delegation to Bongom, Chup, Wat and Ngwanri villages. 
On Monday 11, 2013, the team stormed Ngie-Njap, Mbot I and II, part of Nterbang quarter in Wat an Moh in Nkambe. Addressing hundreds of beneficiaries and quoting from the Book of Corinthians, she said God loves the cheerful giver. Giving she said is complementing God’s work on earth. Flanked by SDF district chairman, Mbeh Wlifred, District Secretary Sajio Amindou, District Treasurer Patience Mangoh, Mary Awudu proceeded by telling the women who turned out in the 10 distribution points that the soil never fools.

Since seeds are never given on hand, each woman collects hers

 In Romans 9:32 it says, He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all–how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things. God was willing to give his own son for our sake, and He didn’t stop there, says the Bible.

“From each breath you take, to the house you live in. From your farms, to your children, to your ability to till the soil and plant, God has graciously given you all that you have, and the ability to do all that you can do. There is nothing given to you, that does not flow from the hand of God”. Let these seeds multiply that in the next years we should be able to harvest red maize and white maize”.

“I am here to give you in the name of Hon. Awudu Mbaya and it would be bad of me if I do not share with you. In fact many others will follow me, your sons and daughters, husbands and wives, the difference is that I strive to be a cheerful giver. Don’t hold back when it comes to giving. In Psalm 84:11 it says, for the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. He withholds no good thing from us, and we are not to withhold any good thing from those in need. She emphasized. Accordingly, Mary Awudu said the gesture is to recognize the efforts rural women have been sacrificing amidst climatic challenges to feed the cities. “I am most conscious of is how much rural women do for their families and communities. And how much more we all need to do to support them so that they can achieve improved livelihoods and food security in a way that is sustainable and I am sure this could be done by providing them with quality seeds, inputs and modern farming techniques”, she told this report.

Mary Awudu giving guides on planting

Proving improved seeds to the rural poor is the most effective strategies for reducing poverty and malnutrition. Women hold the key to ensuring food and nutrition security. Being the wife of a politician and a perfect public speaker for that matter, Mary Awudu didn’t spare any effort to remind farmers of their civic responsibilities. That is to register in order to vote in the upcoming elections. She also reminded the population that love is more than money. Besides, she added that sustainability means actions that lead to hope and that “the changes we make today will be the norms of tomorrow”. Sustainability doesn’t mean giving out money and if it is what about tomorrow and the day after that. She told urged farmers to understand that it means adopting agricultural innovations that improve efficiency and outputs while also conserving scarce natural resources and reducing waste reasons why she started the seed program which many are trying to do the same. “People only copy good examples and not bad ones”. To Njibu Esthela, the seeds will go a long way to improve her yield this year. Brigitte Manlih of Chup village was very elated for the support. She said that God who brought the cheerful giver will do same to them her and her team back. At the Bongom Market Square, Ndimla Comfort expressed her joy in prayers and said God should also replenish the pockets of the giver so much so that she would continue to give to others who are in need.

It was a moment of communion in all the villages and the ten distribution points. Fanfare and elation because the seeds were just coming at the moment that the first rains had softened the soil. The distribution exercise continues today. The beneficiary villages today include Nterbang –Wat, Mbot I and II, and then Moh-Nkambe. 


When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

Senatorial Challenges: Cavaye Yeguie Djibril to Resign

 Zehinatou Baba

Hon. Cavaye Yeguie, elected House Speaker since 1992 and was elected MP since 1972

By the end of the day on March 7, 2013, the CPDM party Central Committee team for the assessing and analyzing of lists of senatorial had already received four lists in the Far North Region. According to our sources, lists led respectively by Cavaye Yéguié Djibril, Sali Dairou, Adama Yassifou and Haman Tchiouto is now the center of discussion in Maroua. Upon observation, the “heavyweights” in the region, both CPDM MPs in the National Assembly and members of the political bureau of the party are competing for the Senate. The tussle according to what we gathered is between the National Assembly Speaker Cavaye Yeguie  Djibril and Sali Dairou. Yet it is alleged that Louis Paul Motaze tried to form a consensus list but it was above him. However, the news is now that Hon. Cavaye Yenguie Djibril will have to resign before he contest in the upcoming senatorial elections giving that the laws doesn’t permit accumulation of functions. It should be recalled that Cavaye Yeguie Djibril was elected National Assembly Speaker since 1992and since then he has been there. He began his parliamentary career since 1970 has been there and some Northerners think it is a throne that he inherited from his forefathers.  As for Sali Dairou, he is one of the famous rapporteurs of the Committee on Finance. Before becoming an MP, he has been seen as one of the most controversial ministers of the Biya regime. He resigned from the position of Minister of Public Service.  The question many are asking is what is so important in being a senator that even the Speaker of the National wants to quit the prestigious position of President of the National Assembly to becoming a senator.
But the plurality of candidates, and especially the fact that they are not on the same list, announced tough battles in this region, where the CPDM leadership sinking like a ship. Pending publication of the final lists, there will be exercises in all directions, including the disqualifications.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

Mary Awudu Takes Improved Maize Seeds to Rural Farmers

 By Nfor Marc Bright

Maize Seeds exposed for Distribution by Mary Awudu

Madame Mary Awudu, wife of the Member of Parliament for Nkambe Central has announced that the first consignment of seeds to boost this year’s planting season arrived Nkambe early this week. Presenting the improved maize seeds to journalists today March 9, 2013 in Nkambe, Mary Awudu said a good farming season depends on the planting material. Harping on why she decided to support women with maize seeds, Mary Awudu said that for the past years she had been doing it and this year, she decided to increase the quantity thanks to the support she received from the husband. “We have brought enough seeds that will reach every farmer in the municipality”. The packaged seeds she said were bought from the Institute of Research for Development-IRAD. “The price of maize has risen from FCFA 700 to about FCFA 4000 and I think if we support our mothers with seeds, they will be able to have a good harvest. And you know a good harvest implies that women will be able to sell some and equally feed their families” she emphasized. To Madame Mary Awudu, a good yield will means that there would be money for some parents to send their kids to school, pay hospital bills etc..

When quizzed on the planting method, she said she will take along with her some agric technicians who before the distribution exercise will explain to the farmers the method of planting as well as how they could be able to select quality planting seed at first harvest. What I will tell the beneficiaries is that they should be careful to pick a kolanut from a pear tree. Quoting from Jeremiah 17, Mary Awudu said life is about doing what you know best correctly. “I am just showing my mothers and sisters that in the past we use to select our planting materials ourselves but with the phenomenon of climate change, we need to plant improved seed that could resist to adversity. If not we may one day cry of starvation” she added.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

2013 Public Investment Budget Launched Amidst Pessimism in Donga Mantung

Stakeholders in Donga Mantung Division are aghast with the fact that the 2013 budget has dropped by over 14%. The most pathetic thing is that full description of Donga Mantung Division only be looked through the lens of Milton's lost Paradise. The Division lacks roads linking the Regional capital and if we go by the popular saying that where the road passes, development follows then development process in the division is just a shattered dream.

During the launching ceremony some stakeholders in the division raised their voices in an unequivocal protest against the prevailing deprivation, exploitation, oppression and humiliation of the people of Donga Mantung.

However, the 2013 Public Investment Budget for Donga Mantung Division which stands at about 550 million FCFA was launched on Thursday March 7, 2013 at the Nkambe Community Hall. Addressing stakeholders during the launching ceremony, the Senior Divisional Officer for Donga Mantung Division Ngone Ndodemesape Bernard expressed gratitude for the massive turnout. He further called on the various vote-holders to listen to the explanation from the technicians so have to execute the budget with diligence. 

The Financial Controller for the Division, Sunde Richard said there are some few changes such as the procedures in assessing bills on public contracts.Sunde Richard added that the 2013 budget has been reduced by over 14%. He however regretted the fact that some contractors did not attend the launching of the budget. On his part the Chief of Taxation for Donga Mantung in his presentation said the delay in the launching of the budget has been caused by new procedures. He said the main target is to improve the relationship between business people and tax collectors. Djofack Andre said publicity tax that was paid at the council has been suppressed. 

However, the mayor of Nkambe Mangoh Jones Tanko was aghast that the Nkambe Council has not a single project in the budget. He was saddened by the fact that in his municipality, there are 24 schools without a single classroom and could not understand why there is no project allocated to the Nkambe Council. The new programme budget according to Nkenda Simon Sunde also ignored the Misaje Council in the distribution of projects, yet a critical look into the distribution of the projects places Nkambe with the highest number of projects.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

Panic, Confusion, Frustration in Northwest CPDM Over Composition of Senatorial List

 An atmosphere of uncertainty and frustration was reported at the Bamenda Congress Hall yesterday where the Central Committee team led by Agbo Tabi was receiving candidatures for the senate. Classified sources hinted that there was frustration, intimidation and confusion when some names were deleted. Accordingly, sources say the master planner who frustrated most of those who were aspiring to go to senate was no other person than the Rt. Hon. Achidi Achu. According to what we gathered John B Ndeh, Nwana Sama, Sama Ignatius, Fon Chafah and Achidi Achu each submitted a list. And at the end of the day, only three lists were forwarded to the Central Investiture Committee. Dr. Nwana and Sama Ignatius’s lists were dropped without giving tangible reasons why. More so, sources say the most frustrated case was that of Nji Fidelis whose name was deleted and replaced with that of Wallang Ako David. Besides, it is alleged Agbo Tabi fell into Rt. Hon Achidi Achu’s trap and he was seen as receiving instructions from him and not implementing orders from the Central Committee. Public opinion in the North West is aghast with what transpired at the Congress Hall. Yet allegations are rife at that the crack will give the SDF the position to sweep the seven seats in the North West Region if the situation is not redressed immediately. Some CPDM councilors are quoted to have vowed that they will never cast their votes for a certain personality who thinks that the entire region is in his armpit. Another even vowed to vote for the opposition due to the bias exercise by the Regional investiture. Yet, others say the lists were being dictated from the Prime Ministry while Simon Achidi Achu was implementing. More so, it is not yet clear whether Dr. Nick Ngwanyam's name appeared in any of these three lists or he finally formed his own lists.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

Senatorial Challenges: Ni John Fru Ndi Back Paddles, Declares SDF will Take Part

SDF Chairman, Ni John Fru Ndi has announced that the Social Democratic Front-SDF will take part in the upcoming April 14 Senatorial Elections in Cameroon. Ni John Fru Ndi made the declaration after a meeting with Belinga Eboutou in Yaounde yesterday Mrch 7, 2013. The leader of the main opposition party, Chairman Ni John Fru Ndi took his supporters aback when he declared that the SDF will take part in the elections. What is however very intriguing is the fact that Fru Ndi who from the beginning insisted that he will no more talk to President Biya through his emissary finally fell into the CPDM trap. However, many questions abound at what Biya’s emissary told SDF national chairman that he suddenly changed his decision. Notwithstanding Ni John Fru Ndi is quoted by “Cameroon Info net” to have said that ““I have told the SDF militants in particular that we are having discussions with Mr. Biya. And these discussions, he sent his emissary to talk to us and looking at the senatorial election which is the upper house, we’ve discussed not only at the level with Mr. Biya but also at the level of the party. And we’ve come to a conclusion that we should participate in this elections not withstanding.” Yet barely a week ago, the Fru Ndi called on militants of the SDF to sharpen their cutlasses to go to the street for what would have been chaos. He (Fru Ndi) even voiced out that the SDF will not allow senatorial elections to take place under the present dispensation. Yesterday, the most shocking thing was that Fru Ndi after the meeting swallowed his words. Allegations are rife at that Ni John Fru Ndi will be appointed President of the senate but other classified sources say the deal did not gave Fru Ndi that position. On the contrary, it is aired that the SDF will win 16 seats and one of them will be appointed, making a total of 17 seats in the upper house. Fru Ndi we gathered is the only candidate who has already been declared winner along the corridors in Yaounde in the North West Region. Since politics is what it is, stories abound that it could another trick by the CPDM to tame SDF chairman.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa