Divisional Offiicer, Bridgade Commander, Arrest "Juju"

 By Wamey Panky

The Divisional Officer, DO, for Bankim Subdivision in the Adamawa Region, recently arrested and detained a masquerade of the Wimbum Community of the Northwest Region, during the Wimbum Annual Cultural Festival organised in Songkolo in the Adamawa Region.

 Reports hold that members of the Wimbum Community left Nwa to join their brothers and sisters in Songkolo for the cultural festival, with their masquerades to thrill the population that would attend the festival.

The most popular among the masquerades, the ‘Wan Mabuh’, is said to have stolen the show, when it arrived in Songkolo. As the excited population of Songkolo scrambled to watch the masquerade display, they poured into the street and blocked the way for the car of the DO who was riding to the ceremonial ground.

Infuriated, the DO is said to have called in the Brigade Commander from Ata to clear the way. A few minutes after, a contingent of combat-ready security forces arrived at the scene. The DO then ordered that the masquerade be arrested. 

 As the Wimbum people saw the security forces pushing the ‘Wan Mabuh’ into the truck, they offered themselves to the security forces to arrest them also.

 At the Ata Gendarmerie Brigade, the members of the Wimbum Community were joined by members of the Nso community who said they could not sit and watch the culture and tradition of their brothers being rubbished. The organisers of the festival then confronted the DO accusing him of disrupting an occasion he authorised. 

 Threatened by the number of people trooping unto the Gendarmerie Brigade premises and asking to be detained, the Brigade Commander is said to have pleaded with the DO to “liberate the masquerade and people before the situation gets out of control.” 

The DO finally reluctantly ordered that the masquerade and the people accompanying it be released, but the people refused, insisting to spend the night in the Gendarmerie cell. They accused the DO and security operatives of desecrating their tradition and committing an abomination by forcing ‘Wan Mabuh’ into a vehicle. 

The Chief of Songkolo, who was at the cultural festival, also chastised the DO for his rash decision and for humiliating his guests. 

 “You have treaded on holy grounds and you will badly need traditional cleansing,” the Chief of Songkolo told the DO. The DO and the Brigade Commander, after releasing the masquerade reportedly appealed for forgiveness and cleansing.

 According to Emmanuel Ringka, one of the followers of the masquerade; “We told them that any cleansing can only be done in our traditional house in Sabongari, where the traditional pots and herbs are found. If they failed to come for traditional cleansing, then, they would have themselves to blame.”

 Rev. Father Venatius Nsame, Sabongari Parish Priest, whose Parish extends to part of the Adamawa, strongly condemned the DO for daring the people’s tradition. He said it was due to dangerous pride.

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ACADA Cultural Festival to Hold from December 12-14, 2014 (see programme attached)

HRH Fon Bambi of Aghem

Aghem Cultural And Development Association (ACADA) informs elites and the public that prior to the up coming festival from the 19^th to the 21^st of December 2014. Uniforms and other gadgets are already around. The national executive shall undertake a tour from the 12^th to the 14^th of December 2014 for official lunch in the following groups “Yaoundé, Douala and Bamenda” prepare for this very important event.

Program

ACADA 2014 CULTURAL FESTIVAL

A 3 day Cultural Festival from Friday 19- Sunday 21 December 2014 in Wum. The tentative programs stand as follows:

Day1  - Registration (individuals, Groups (Cultural, Dance, Njangis, Associations, etc), Branches, Zones etc)

At ZONGHOKWO PALACE

-         Ecumenical service (Catholics, Presbyterians, Baptists, Full Gospel, Jehovah, Moslems, etc)

At GRAND STAND 3 CORNERS\

-         Team sports (Football, Handball, Tug of war, etc) at MUNICIPAL STADIUM BU ROAD

-         Exco Meeting at ZONGHOKWO PALACE

Day 2 – team Sports (football, Handball, tug of war, etc) at MUNICIPAL STADIUM BU ROAD

-         Cultural dances or ZONGHOKWO PALACE

-         Exhibition (artefacts,…) at GRAND STAND 3 CORNERS

-         ACADA National Council Meeting at ZONGHOKWO PALACE

Day 3 – Workshop/Talks (History Territory, Goals) at WUM TOWN HALL Naikum Overside

-         ACADA General Assembly: projection on main project, review of Constitution at ZONGHOKWO PALACE

-         Gala night: Theatre/ drama, fund raising with a target of 7.5 million FCFA at WUM TOWN HALL  Naikom Overside

Branches/Zones/Groups are called upon to massively mobilize towards the festival and continue with registration, forward their proposals for sources of income and levies as well as their proposals for the amendment of the constitution.

NB: please channel donations via Express Union, Express Exchange, Money Gram to Andrew Mua or call 677 250 348 or 695 047 627. You could also send donations to ACADA Account N° 1106 at Aghem Credit Union

Thanks

Andrew Mua Itung

ACADA National President

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

Reqiem Mass for Anne Nsang

 

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

State or Official Burial for HRH, Prof. Senator Jikong Stephen Yeriwa?

Senator Jikong Deserves a State Burial

The mortal remains of HRH, Prof. Senator Jikong Stephen Yeriwa who passed on at the Yaounde General Hospital on Thursday, November 13, 2014 will be laid to rest in Jato-Gwembo village (Nwa sub Division in Donga Mantung Division of the North West Region) next week. According to classified sources, corps removal has been billed for December 11, state honours at the senate on December 12, and burial on December 13, 2014.  It should be recalled that he died, after a protracted illness. Yet it is not clear whether Senator Jikong Stephen Yeriwa who served this country in various capacities would be given a state or an official burial. A school of state holds that HRH, Prof. Senator Jikong deserves to be honoured given that he spent his entire life working for the nation. Born on February 2, 1949 in Mbem village, Nwa Subdivision, Donga-Mantung Division of the North West Region, Stephen Jikong was among the first Anglophones who were transferred to the then East Cameroon to teach English Language. If there is anything paramount in the mind of the people of Donga Mantung Division, it is how HRH, Prof. Senator Jikong Stephen should be given a state or official burial by the Gov­ernment.  An influential Northwest elite is of the opinion that if there is “one thing that I am asking for is that HRH Prof. Senator Jikong should be given a befitting burial, for having contributed to the survival of Cameroon as an educationist, university don, adviser to the Prime Minister, politician and even as a traditional ruler. In fact, he should be given a state burial. This is my own humble plea”, he concluded. Youths are also of the opinion that the head of State should do something to honour the man who worked hard for the country. “I believe the President I do something” says Nfor Kingsley Mama. To Comfort Nye, a state or official burial is a logical thing to do for such a rare character in the Cameroonian society. As all eyes are looking towards Yaounde, it is hoped that the head of state will do something to honour the fallen hero.

Who is HRH Prof. Senator Jikong Stephen

HRH Prof. Jikong Stephen Yeriwa  was an influential Member of the Central Committee of the CPDM and one of the CPDM diehearts who in the 90s was the Charge de mission of the party to the Northwest region alongside Senator Francis Nkwain. He is a traditional ruler (Fon of Jato-Gwembo village in Nwa Sub Division). He was a senior citizen who has served the country in various capacities. He started his professional career as a teacher, to a University don and Special Adviser in the Prime Minister's office. He is widely read, published many books, calm and soft-spoken too. His political abilities are also an added value.

Before late Senator Jikong was elected into senate in November 2013, he had served as Secretary General in the Ministry of Public Service and Administrative Reforms from 1992-1994, and then Technical Adviser in the Prime Minister’s office 1996-2012. He was also board member of State corporations such as SCDP, ENAM, INJS and recently CRTV. He retired from the public service in 2008 as lecturer at the University of Yaounde I.

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

Land Dispute: Baligansin, Bamukumbit Spar Go Bloody, One Killed

Northwest Governor Aldolph Lele Lafrique has called on the people of Baligansin and Bamukumbit in Ngoketunjia Division of the North West Region to bury their grievances and live as good neigbours. Governor Lele Lafrique made the clarion call when he visited the disputed piece of land where one person was killed and several houses destroyed.

 It is reported that a land dispute broke out in the early hours of last Saturday between Baligansin and Bamukumbit in Balikumbat sub division and the confrontation resulted to one dead. It is alleged that the dispute between the two villages erupted over a piece of land. Allegations abound that matters came to head when irate Bamukumbit villagers stormed Baligansin and took the villagers off guard. It is aired that four houses were destroyed and a young man in his early 20s was killed. Being a less-thickly populated village, Baligansins rather than fight back reportedly took to their heels. It is thanks to the timely intervention of the forces of law and order that Baligansin did not retaliate.

According to The Guardian Post (lone English Language Daily), the two villages have a long standing dispute over a piece of land that dates back to 1979. A ministerial decision had on July 20, 1979 ruled that the disputed piece of land belongs to Bamukumbit but a 2005 prefectoral order awarded the land to Baligashu. In the midst of the administrative buffoonery, a prime ministerial order ruled the area as a no-man’s land.  But recently, the people of Baligashu secretly began constructing a newly-created Government Technical College on the disputed land. Tempers flared when the people of Bamukumbit got wind of the development; tempers which fortunately did not degenerate into a confrontation because of the timely military intervention. North West governor, Adolphe Lele Afrique rushed to Bamukumbit on Saturday with troops to maintain order. Four people from Bamukumbit were arrested while the village remains heavily-militarized.

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

National Assembly: Government Proposes Death Penalty as Sanction Against Terrorism

National Assembly of Cameroon

The bill proposes the ultimate penalty, the death penalty for anyone personally, in collusion or coercion commits a terrorist act is currently at the National Assembly of Cameroon for examination, debate and adoption. 

"The explanatory memorandum to the draft law on the suppression of acts of terrorism, acceptable to the Conference of Presidents of the National Assembly last Friday led by Hon. Cavaye Yeguie  is unequivocal when it resumes Article 2 of the text.

The text indicates that even acts of financing, recruitment, laundering of the proceeds of terrorism support, as can be read in the text of Article 3 to Article 9 are subject to the same penalty. Here, the military courts have exclusive jurisdiction to hear such actions. The bill proposed by the government indicates that even a corporation may be held criminally liable. In this case, "the penalty is a fine of a minimum of 50 million francs," as can be read with Article 6. As for anyone who might be guilty of condoning terrorist acts, if the text is adopted and promulgated, it "shall be punished with imprisonment from 15 to 20 years and a fine of 25 million to 50 million. F or one of these penalties. "The false statements and false accusations are punishable under this bill. Authors incur a penalty of 20 years imprisonment, while life imprisonment is recommended for those who threatens a witness, "even implicitly, of violence, assault or death. "This draft law comes after two previously adopted during the current parliamentary session.

 The second is Bill amending and supplementing certain provisions of the Act of 10 September 1997 on private security activities. These amendments concern a dozen articles. They aim to end the misinterpretation of the opinion of the Commission for the review of applications for approval. An opinion which has so far been wrong to equate to a reporting regime. The practice of this activity can only be done after first obtaining a license that can be issued by decree of the President of the Republic.

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

HIV/AIDS Prevelence Rate Drops in Cameroon, Committee Says

According to officials of the National Committee for the Fight against AIDS, approximately 3% of the population of Cameroon is affected as against 5.5% in 2005. Committee officials made the revelation last December 1, during commemorations marking International AIDS Day in Yaounde. The National Committee also revealed that they started in 2005 when the national prevalence  rate stood at 5.5% and the latest demographic survey indicated a prevalence rate of 4.3% in 2011. Barely three years after, the prevalence rate is about 3%. Even though they talked of a good margin, Committee members also added that they are still waiting for a national survey to confirm the rate. Dr. Claus Essomba, regional coordinator of the National Committee for the Fight against AIDS for the Littoral is quoted to have said that it is the survey that will give the exact figure (rate). “ Today we have triple therapy, that is to say, an increase of three drugs, usually the most effective than each other”. It is alleged that for the past years, more than 5 billion CFA Francs has been spent enabled the affect have anti-retro- viral drugs and that the drugs have been stocked that could get up to April 2015. “Our patients will not have a problem of anti-retro-viral”, Reassure the doctor.

However, it has been reported that the high cost of tests, such as viral load and frequent shortages of anti-retro-viral drugs in some areas has been some of the major predicaments. The National Committee for the Fight against AIDS has promised to make necessary arrangements so that all the subsidies from the Ministry of Health is made available to the beneficiaries within time record. Since in Cameroon it is better done on papers and speeches, it is hoped that the measures are respected to the later so that lives could be rescued. A suivre

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

How FEICOM Has Impacted NW Councils (Pics of Some Newly Constructed Council Chambers)

 

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

Press Release: IFPRI: Women Farmers and Climate Change, New Climate Tool at COP 20

Press Release
 

For more information, please contact:
Nilar Chit Tun, n.chittun@cgiar.org, +1 (703) 627-4396 
Deborah Horan d.horan@cgiar.org, +1 (202) 627-4310

 

IFPRI researchers contribute to the Lima Climate Change Conference in Peru
Women farmers need equal access to assets, technology for “climate-smart agriculture”
New tool helps governments evaluate trade-offs in agricultural emissions

December 1, 2014, Lima, Peru—IFPRI researchers will present findings of a new series of policy notes on women farmers’ ability to adapt to climate change and contribute to a workshop on the economic viability of climate change mitigation policies at the annual climate conference known as COP 20.

The events will add evidence-based findings to the global discussion on climate change mitigation, adaptation, and policy that brings together governments, policymakers, researchers, and civil society to discuss how to confront climate change challenges. This year is the 20^th session of the Conference of the Parties, or Lima Climate Change Conference, and is being held in Peru from December 1-12.
 

The policy notes focus on findings that suggest women farmers will not be able to cope with climate change equally to men without equal access to assets, capital, agricultural extension services, farm inputs, and technology, among other resources. The first challenge in addressing this disparity lies in supporting governments in their efforts to track how men and women deal with climate change differently by collecting gender-disaggregated data.

Policymakers must also address social protection schemes that enable women to hold onto their assets during severe weather shocks and target ways to close the gap between men and women’s ability to access climate information and utilize new agricultural technologies.

The discussion on policy notes will be hosted by Claudia Ringler, deputy director of the Environment and Production Technology division at IFPRI, at an official side event on December 3 and again at the Global Landscape Forum on December 6.

“It is extremely important that negotiators at the COP 20 consider the needs of women farmers in their policy recommendations if we are going to succeed in implementing climate smart agricultural policies across the globe,” Ringler said.

“In many developing countries, women need access to climate information and to new technologies to help them adapt,” Ringler added. “Policymakers should work to ensure that mitigation and adaptation strategies to climate change meet the needs of women as well as men.”

At the same side event, IFPRI has invited the National Economic and Development Authority of the Philippines as well as the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), to address specific gender dimensions of climate-smart-agriculture, in the context of South East Asia, and particularly the Philippines.

IFPRI will also share new results from work in progress on the potential benefits from promising new technologies in offsetting the adverse impacts of climate change as part of the CGIAR initiative on Global Futures and Strategic Foresight.

A workshop on December 2 will feature a new mitigation assessment tool designed to help governments evaluate tradeoffs in agricultural emissions for enhanced Low Emissions Development Strategies (LEDS). The event is being presented by the CGIAR Challenge Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security.

The tool has been applied in Colombia and Viet Nam but can be applied by any country interested in exploring country-wide effects and economic viability of Climate Change mitigation policies for the agricultural sector. Alex De Pinto, developer of the tool, said that as countries experience economic growth, they are better able to adopt technologies and production practices with low greenhouse gas emissions.

“Rather than embedding high emissions practices in their development and intervene on emissions reduction at a later stage, they can utilize Low Emissions Development Strategies (LEDS),” De Pinto said.

“Our analysis reaffirms the importance of including all land uses when analyzing policies that target emissions in agriculture,” De Pinto added. “It turns out that shifts in land uses have a greater impact on existing carbon stock, which might be more significant than the resulting changes in GHG emission from crop cultivation.”

 

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