Hon. Abe Michael Catapulted at Homecoming

By Haruna Mohammadou

Hon. Abe Michael surrounded by traditional rulers giving thanks to God

There is a common saying that the cock may belong to a particular family but when it crows, it wakes up the entire village. This statement was recently contextualized with the home reception given to the MP of Ako/Misaje who was voted under the banners of the CPDM party; yet Hon. Abe Michael got the Father of all Civic Receptions as everyone found in him trust, love, peace and development. There was fanfare and trumpet blast at Mbande in Ako Sub Division of Donga Mantung in the North West Region of Cameroon as the hardworking dynamic people of Kuta Zone catapulted a son of theirs after being sworn-in in Yaounde as the Member of Parliament for Ako/Misaje Special Constituency. Hon. Abe was coming home for the first time as Parliamentarian. At about 11 am, on December 16, the drums and sound of elated voices echoed into the valleys signaling to everyone that the hero is backing home. People could be seen rushing to the ceremonial ground in order not to miss a glimpse of the arrival of Hon. Abe Michael Ndra who was elected on September 30, 2013. Organized by the Kuta Zone Fon’s Union in collaboration with the Mbande Sons and Daughters Development Association-MBASODDA to honour the newly elected MP, the event which was conceived as an in-house kind of civic reception finally turned out to be one of the unforgettable bringing together the entire people of Kuta and beyond. From Mbande to Ande, Akwenko, Abuenkpa and Jevi, no one was left home except the sick. It was as if it was Sunday that the hardworking farming population could not go to their farms, yet they had reserve the day as a memorable one to be living witnesses of the coming home of the people’s hunter-man, the man who everyone has been looking up to as a role model and trustworthy politician.

Hon. Abe Michael decorated by five fons of Kuta zone

The euphoria was total when Hon. Abe Michael showed up. He was greeted by thunderous applauses. Singing and dancing eslalidated. The mammoth crowd was trapped in joy and emotion as what could not be said in speeches was sang in songs.

Opening the floor for speeches, the President of Kuta Zone Fons Union, HRH Fon Asenge Ignatius Ebah who doubles as the fon of Mbande village(one of the six villages of Kuta Zone), expressed satisfaction to the six villages for their massive turn-out. He called on the population of Kuta to always support their MP so that he could bring Yaounde to the people of Ako/Misaje given that Hon. Abe Michael Ndra is a father of Twins (the Ako/Misaje Special Constituency). Before proceeding to the decoration of the MP, HRH Fon Asenge called on the MP to continue from where Hon. JK Ntoi ended. He assured the MP that all the people of Kuta zone are all behind him to enable him succeed in his laudable task. The fon of Mbande also used the occasion to hail Hon. Abe Michael for his brilliant election at the September 30, 2013 Polls that catapulted him to parliament. To HRH Fon Asenge Ignatius, it is not with the small micro grant of FCFA 8 million that he would disenclave Ako Municipality but through lobbying.

Earlier on, it was the President of MBACUDDA, who shower-praised the MP for his dynamism and contribution towards the development of people and mind-set, their surrounding and through innovative ideas. The President of MBACUDDA also used the opportunity to congratulate Hon. Abe Michael describing him as a development luminary. Hon. Abe Michael it should be noted before his brilliant election was the National Coordinator of MBACUDDA where he left an indelible mark of greatness as development leading light.

Taking the rostrum, Hon. Abe Michael Ndra said his greatest pleasure is the honours the people have given him and his entourage. This pleasure he added also couples with the unflicnhing brilliant victory that paved the way for the day’s celebrations. He thanked the Kuta Zone Fon’s Union and MBACUDDA for organizing the civic reception. 

Hon. Abe Michael flanked by the fons

Harping on the development problems of Ako sub Division, Abe Michael said that the construction of roads remains his number one priority, number two main concern and number three right of way. Accordingly, he reiterated that where the road passes development follows. Linking Ako to Misaje is of great necessity as well as linking Kuta to Ako is of paramount interest to ensure sustainable development. Opening of farms to market roads, he said is also another giant step that will eradicate post-harvest waste and provide farmers the opportunity to carry their products to the market. He described Ako as the breadbasket to Donga Mantung Division. The people’s hunter revealed that while in Yaounde during the swearing-in ceremony and the budgetary session, he had visited the Ministry of Public Works severally to discuss the issue of the road network in Ako. Health centres, schools and food production without roads is not sustainable he argued. To boost the efforts of the hard working dynamic people of Ako, it is hope that Hon. Abe Michael would carryout feasibility studies for the Mbembe Oil Palm Agropole which could be financed in billions of FCFA as is the case with the Oku Honey. With the coming of the CDC Oil Palm Expansion Porgramme to the fertile area, this would spur both quantitative and quality as well as increase revenue per farmer. Besides, Ako which is endowed with a lot of Non Forest Timber Products such as Njangsa, Bush Onion, Bush Pepper, etc should be given special attention to ensure its sustainable management. This according to the MP is one of the steps to ensure sustainable development. The Mbembe Forest Reserve also represents another opportunity where by communities could enjoy climate change fall-outs in carbon trade for taking care of the forest. With this openings and opportunities available, hopes are on the rise in Ako/Misaje Constituency as Hon. Abe Michael is expected to create wealth locally using the available potentials. To Keyi Dickson who traveled from Abafum to part of the celebration, Hon. Abe is not only a refined politician but a leader with character and conscience.

Those who took the pains to travel on the rough road to Kuta, discovered for themselves the hard working nature of the people and their commitments to development. It was the unique moment of communion, and an expedition that portrayed the rich culture of the Mbembe people.


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

Bamenda I Council Moves from Bad to Worst

By Nwe-Mbimbip 

Politics they say make strange postmasters. This statement has not only been confirmed when judged from the cacophony that took place last week when councilors of the Bamenda I Council met to vote a moribund budget of about FCFA 332 million, but was contextualized that the Bamenda I Council was trusted to a very confused set of councilors. Those who took the pains to attend the first budgetary session of the Bamenda I Council went back home with this notion. The first thing is that Caroline Bongwa and her deputies even forgot their sashes at home yet they all appeared in “plain dresses” to preside over an official activity of the council. It was thanks to the intervention of the Senior Divisional Officer for Mezam, Nguele Nguele Philip that the mayor and her deputies requested for their sashes to be brought to them.

During deliberations, the councilors also transformed the session into a “Portuguese Parliament”.  It was strange that they behaved like nursery school children. Whether it was the lack of knowledge on council systems or their inabilities to behave, the outcome was that almost all of them could not even differentiate the variation between making a submission, and or raising or supporting a motion. In fact it was catastrophic that no councilors knew the disparity between motion or a deliberation. They were more interesting in signing and collecting their sitting allowances on the spot, as raised by one of them during the session. The fact that no councilor raised a finger to point out the interest of his or her quarter has not been protected in the 2014 budget is indicative that they are more concern about themselves than the people. One councilor whose name (I have just forgotten) was heard arguing with a lot of agility that this is also their own time to “chop” after all (we all know how the victory came about). It is however clear that the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralization has a lot of work to do by empowering councilors to know their roles and responsibilities, a journalist remarked. The most pathetic thing is that the budget for recorded a drastic drop in income and expenditure. However, the mayor of Bamenda I, Caroline Bongwa Bih was of the opinion that she would be working with a more realistic budget. Notwithstanding, she however says she would rely on the fruitful collaboration of the Bamenda City Council to instill development. The embarrassing thing is that the Bamenda II Council which is headed by the hardworking quarrelsome Balick Awah Fidelis just voted an ambitious budget of 820 million FCFA. The Bamenda man sees the Bamenda II council to be more pragmatic and realistic than Bamenda I with it moribund budget. “It is better to aim high and shoot low than to aim low and go to the floor base”, John Chi, an inhabitant of Bamendakwe observed. It should be recalled that the Bamenda I Council is still operating in a borrowed premises at a point in time that 85% of the councils have constructed their council halls. 

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

Hon. Awudu Mbaya, Esther Ngala Mock at UFO Politicians

from left to right: Do for Nkambe, SDO for D/M, Hon Awudu, Hon. Esther

The Members of Parliament for Donga Mantung Centre in the North West Region of Cameroon have all called on UFO elite politicians who before and during the last September 30, 2013 elections paraded villages with porch cars to  join them so that they could foster development efforts. The MPs made the clarion call while addressing a mammoth crowd at the Ndu and Nkambe grandstands during a groundbreaking civic reception on December 14, 2013. According to Hon. Awudu Mbaya Cyprian, Quaestor at the National Assembly, he will not go back to the obnoxious practices that transpired before, during and after the September Polls which finally ushered them into the National Assembly. Harping on the much talked about “development” which was subject matter before and during elections, Hon. Awudu Mbaya emphasized that “we saw all the manipulations but the game is over and now is the time for work”. Accordingly, he described politics as a very practical game to foster development efforts but lamented that politics has been transformed into a dirty game by overzealous the UFO political elite who think that it must be won by all cost. Hon. Awudu challenged all the elite(s) who stormed Donga Mantung Division with Prados and porch cars that they should all come back home to join them so that they can serve the people. “We have offered ourselves to serve the population of Ndu and Nkambe and if need be, we will die for you”, Hon. Awudu Mbaya reminded the population. Hon. Awudu vomited that “you massively voted to send us to the National Assembly and we have come back to say thank you. And as representatives of the population, we have gone beyond party consideration”. Politics he added is not to antagonize people. Being a Christian and a practical one for that matter, Hon. Awudu Mbaya after drawing his inspiration from the Father of African politics Nelson Mandela said that he has forgiven all those who wanted him out of

Hon. Awudu Mbaya

parliament by all cost and also begged for pardon from those on whose toes he stepped ignorantly before and during the campaigns. He also used the opportunity to announce some lofty projects which they have lobbied for the people of Ndu and Nkambe which range from construction of schools, health centres and even a sum of 47 million FCFA each for Ndu and Nkambe councils. To Hon. Awudu Mbaya, it is high time for all the four MPs of Donga Mantung Division to work as a team in order for the Division to emerge. As to the whether Ndu and Nkambe should be separated into two constituencies, Hon. Awudu Mbaya reminded the population that it is at the discretion of President Paul Biya given that after creating administrative units, President Biya also created political constituencies. “Luckily enough, President Biya thought it wise to unite the Mbum people under the Nkambe Centre Constituency” and at the same time,  Nwa he noted was carved as a Special Constituency. However, he said that he is not against Ndu and Nkambe separating but added that it was not by error President Paul Biya decided that the (wi) Mbum people of  Ndu and Nkambe should remind as a united force. “We are hoping that with the coming of the Savannah Region, Ndu, Nkambe, Ako, Misaje and Nwa will all be upgraded into full fledged Divisions and why Not Wat, Tabenken and Binka having their own councils.  He announced that while at the National Assembly he was again voted to the position of Questor and this time not Questor No 3 but was moved up to Questor No 2. It should be noted that Hon. Awudu Mbaya entered into record as the lone Anglophone MP who succeeded in going back into the glass house after being voted Questor. The first Questor of the SDF party was Hon. Akonteh, he was booted out at the primaries by Hon. Aaron Neba. The almighty Hon. Yoyo moved into his shoes and he was booted out by Hon. Njigum Musa. Two Anglophones were elected Questors, Hon. Awudu and Nji Fidelis. Hon. Nji Fidelis was flushed out by Ndong Larry Hills alias Wum Boy and Hon. Awudu break record by not only going back to the National Assembly but again and above all retaining his post of Questor. He concluded that as MP he was hoping to see all the other political parties yet the CPDM boycotted including their mayor. “I will not go back to what transpired but I think what happened obliges us to work together. God is witness that we have extended the hand”.Hon Awudu also used the opportunity to thank Mangoh Jones Tanko, former mayor of Nkambe for his trapping at the helm of the Nkambe council such as the construction of schools, the Nkambe Grandstand, the Council Chamber, the provision of potable water etc.

Hon. Esther Ngala

On her part, Hon. Esther Ngala Ntala commonly known as Donga Mantung political Queen thanked the population of Ndu and Nkambe for their massive turn-out. She expressed gratitude to the population for their sense of responsibility. Ma Esther Ngala, said it was in 2007 that she went to parliament and by then she was the lone female MP from the North West Region and the only one from the position. Today, Hon. Esther Ngala says she is proud that more women have joined the bandwagon. She also used the opportunity to request for a minute of silence in honour of the departed African Hero Nelson Mandela. She lamented the absence of two councilors of Ndu Council, noting with sadness the death of DK Nfor, former mayor of Ndu council. Hon. Esther in her usual charismatic manner told the population of Ndu and Nkambe that they might have observed that SDF MPs and some CPDM stormed out of the national assembly. This, she added was due to the fact that the Senate did not want to present how they would use their budget estimated at 15 billion FCFA. “This is a violation of the rights of Cameroonians because as representatives of the population, their role is to give feedbacks. It should be noted that Hon. Esther Ngala was also voted as chairperson of the cultural and social committee at the National Assembly. She is one of the two female MPs to head a committee.

Enter Bunyui Emmanuel, Mangoh Jones, Ngabah Eric and Mbeh Wilfred

Welcoming the MPs at the Ndu grandstand, the mayor of Ndu council Bunyui Emmanuel said the civic reception was a mark of the beginning of a new era in the life of Donga Mantung Centre Constituency. According to Bunyui Emmanuel, the political ingenuity of the two MPs have been a source of inspiration to the people of Donga Mantung Division. He described Hon. Esther as a female politician who has moved above the male artificial barriers marked by cultural beliefs and male chauvinism, thus stimulating female participation in politics at all spheres and giving birth to triplets with three female SDF MPs. On the other hand, he said Hon. Awudu steadfastness has made him a political icon and development luminary of all times. “It is thanks to your savoir-faire that the birth of Savannah Radio and Millennium Television” came to existence, he shower praises Hon. Awudu. 

He said politics is an intellectual game aw well as a game of numbers. However, politics he retreated is concerned with the management of people and resources and not meant to antagonize families and friends. He call on all the politicians to close ranks and forge with meaningful development given that there is no SDF road and nor CPDM water. He called on the politicians, elite and the clergy to put all heads under the same thinking caps and transform Donga Mantung into the land of Doctors and Masters. To the MPs he concluded by saying that they are “not only politicians but leaders because while politicians focus on the next election, leaders focus on the next generation”.

Mangoh Jones Tanko, former mayor of Nkambe on his part said abject poverty and misery has pushed the population into obnoxious acts. He said he saw hopelessness at the September 30 Polls whereby voters’ cards and vote casts were traded like loaves of bread. He lamented that politics has become a game for rituals and other obnoxious practices like corruption putting the case of Nkambe to lime-light. To Mangoh Jones Tanko, Cameroon can only emerge if government gives attention to the needs of the rural poor. He talked about the pathetic journey from Bamenda to Nkambe on the million pot-holes road known as the ring road, the lack of teachers, poor health services and even requested for the reform of the education system.

The SDF District Chairman for Ndu, Ngabah Eric on his part called on the clergy men and women to enter politics. He used the case of Desmond Tutu to illustrate his argument adding that he saw God’s intervention during the September Polls in spit of the corruption, rituals, and libations practiced by the UFO political elite and traditional rulers. “God did not permit them to go through. At Last when the so called elite saw that their rituals failed, the next morning they disappeared with their Prados”. He also decried the poor treatment of workers of CTE Ndu and suggested the government should revisit the contract. “The privatization has not only affected the workers but hit the population of Ndu who are farmers”.

In Nkambe, elatd Mbeh Wilfred Shey, the SDF District chairman on his part said that the SDF is waxing strong in Nkambe. He said the scientific vote rigging has not change the fact that the SDF is the majority party. He blamed those who want to use politics as a tool to destroy that history will judge them when the time shall come.

SDO, DOs Present But Mayor of Nkambe, Ngabir Paul Conspicuously Absent,

The Senior Divisional Officer for Donga Mantung Division, Ngone Ndodemesape Bernard and entourage also stole the show at the Nkambe grandstand as both MPs shower-praised them.  The Divisional Officer for Nkambe Central was also there to be part of the new way. At Ndu it was the no-nonsense Divisional Officer for Ndu who advised the population to shy away from politics of destruction.  Those who say that once somebody is elected into a public office, that person represents the interest of all left Nkambe asking rhetorical questions.  This is so because of the absence of mayor of Nkambe, Ngabir Paul at the civic reception of Hon. Awudu Mbaya and Hon. Esther Ngala. Yet sources linked to the SDF District secretariat hinted the mayor was informed and notified. However all attempts to get to Ngabir Paul to get his own side of the story were not fruitful. Allegations are rife at that a contractor who was assigned the job to construct culverts at Binju was asked to quit given that he is SDF. According to the hint, the said elite based in Yaounde whose name (I have just forgotten) is quoted to have told the contractor that he should wait when the SDF takes over the council he could apply for jobs. Yet, the contract which was to be executed by the delegation of Public works hasn’t any reference and not to talk of other impedes. However, a school of thought holds that the mayor of Nkambe boycotted by paying Awudu in his own coin since he too was conspicuously absent at his installation. But Awudu Mbaya, is also quoted to have said that h could not show up at the installation because at that particular moment, they were busy deliberating on the state budget. Dark clouds loom large as to whether the two elected officials will throw away their political jackets and work for the interest of the population. Allegations abound that Ngabir Paul was spotted dancing heads high at NKASOG at Millennium Night club. Implicitly it was a boycott and nothing else another school of thought holds. More so, it should be recalled that during his installation former Mayor of Nkambe Mangoh Jones Tanko was not even given a seat at the grandstand. Sources say it was thanks to the kindness of a clergyman that the former mayor had a seat reasons why Mangoh was spotted with clergymen on that day. It is even alleged that Ngabir Paul Bantar has refused to pay bills owe Mangoh on grounds that the later destroyed his shop some years back. Hail rising looms large as Sammy Mgbata formerly Treasurer of Nkambe now Mayor of Misaje council continue to play double rules in violation of the text at Nkambe council.

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

Climate Change Dictates Own Law at Nkambe Mayor’s Installation

 Fai Cassian Ndi

"ngoro" display under rain

In the African tradition, few drops of rain are often described as showers of blessing. Never could a heavy down pour of the rain be described as such. A heavy down pour of the rain before or during an occasion is often likened to an awful premonition and or a cleansing exercise. The heavy down pour in Nkambe on December 7, 2013 during the official installation of the mayor of Nkambe and his four deputies was contextualized with critical minds casting doubts over the notion of showers of blessing. The euphoria that many expected at the Nkambe mayor’s installation aborted prematurely with the sky raining it anger on the innocent population. Could it have been that the gods were angry or could it have been that the heavy down pour of the rain was some sort of a mess cleansing, many pondered in rhetoric?Skeptics were of the opinion that the gods were agry with the ruling party in Nkambe given that obnoxious chronic electoral matches loom large.Notwithstanding, a school of thought holds that climate change is the problem given that at this time of the year, it is dry season yet the rains have been rampant this year.

 More or less, all the UFO councilors answered present BUT vanished just with the same speed that came the rain.  Councilor Adamu Musa, was one of those who many have been looking up to for development to have a better orientation in Nkambe. Despite all, Adamu Musa was conspicuously present and when his name was called the grandstand responded positively Beside, Kimbi Michael alias Bob Mickey, the indomitable councilor of Tabenken “the man whose victory was stolen” was also in time to be part of the new way. Even though disgruntled, Kimbi Michael said he is determined to make his little contribution felt.

 The most interesting thing is that observers who took the pains to travel to Nkambe were more confused than when they were going. This has been so due to the fact that those who were hoping to use the installation rite as measuring rot of Paul Ngabir’s popularity could not make up whether, it was the heavy rain that kept back the inhabitants in their houses or it was a boycott to express anger at the chronic electoral gulp. Despite the fanatism and or the good intention, the poor turn-out after all finally confirmed the nifty- gritty that ushered the team, headed by Ngabir Paul as mayor. Even though public opinion holds that the representation is hop-hic, Donga Mantung Senior Divisional Officer in his installation speech re-echoed that councils are not organs of political parties. SDO Ngone Ndodemesape Bernard also reminded the council executive that by installing them doesn’t means that the mayor and his team have been given a blank check to wear political jackets into the councils and or transformed the council into a political balloon. What comes to mind, the SDO continued is the political promises which if care is not taken will caught them in their dreams because five years is nothing.

SDO flanked by Paul Ngabir and Deputies

Pathetically, the Nkambe council is without a treasurer which indicates that figures may suffer. This is so because the Sammy Mgbata, formerly mayor of Nkambe was also installed as the mayor of Misaje council. Apart from the fact that he may or had as yet to confirm defied the role with the mayor of Nkambe, which the law forbids vote-holders of playing double roles already carried out financial transactions prior to the installation rite.  

Fon of Nkambe/CNYC Steal Show

It was HRH Fon Ibrahim Japbu Nfor, the fon of Nkambe took the population aback by decorating Paul Ngabir in public with one of the most significant cloth in Mbum land (Njaab). Paul Ngabir when during the gala-night wanted to use the symbiotic act of the fon to define development endeavour yet went out of words. How and how the act could be rated as developmental reminds another un-deciphered landmark of the type of development politicians usually talk of.  But its significant to this reporter cannot be over-emphasized given the King Solomon of Nkambe, as the fon is commonly referred is not a man to pigeon-hole with. If the CPDM party had reach its apex, much credits also goes to Fon Ibrahim Japbu for his firmness in the Biya regime.

The public presentation of the Divisional executive of the Cameroon National Youth Council-CNYC was the only delicious take-home. Abanda Marcel and his team were presented to the public amidst applauds. This was however the thrilling moment of the installation of the mayor of Nkambe and his four deputies.

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