The Eye Newspaper

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Tatsa Estate Wahala: How Estate Administrators Apologized to Sheriff-bailiff Njoya

By FC Ndi

The administrators of the Tatsa Estate have apologized to Sheriff-bailiff Joseph Fonyuy Njoya,a Bamenda based international legal consultant. In a mail issued an signed by the three administrators of the Tatsa estate namely; Tatsa Fonkwang Norbert, Tatsa Mbikakeu Augustine and Tatsa Longlack Berlain, the trio on behalf of the entire family apologized for whatever any member of the family might have caused to the personality of Barrister Joseph Fonyuy Njoya during the Press Conference that took place at Ayaba Hotel on May 31, 2013. The apology dated July 15, 2014 which The Eye laid hands on a copy was explicit and apologetic, yet impressive and full of dignity. The administrators averted that they were ill advised. In a very cordial manner, the administrators outlined that "having amicable resolved with you, all pending actions against our estate and individual members of our family, we hope by this apology to move harmoniously rather in building together what our father left as a legacy for this country for each and sundry, and to foster your career as a legal practitioner".

It should be recalled that Sheriff-bailiff Joseph Fonyuy Joseph is a hard working and efficient international consultant who many young advocates look up to him as their role model. What is peculiar about the learned advocate is that whenever you meet him for the first time, you are taken by his mastery of issues. Take it as arrogance and you are right for this is positive superciliousness because he masters issues. Notwithstanding, he has the drive and dedication that defies any facile explanations. From that standpoint, popular opinion in Cameroon had long described Barrister Njoya as a role model in the legal profession and a silent achiever. When he was cited in the Tatsa saga, analysts were taken aback given that he is “highly skilled and approachable and has good legal and people skills”, a “formidable advocate” that could not be involved in scandals. He is well known for his dedication to the well-being of the profession as well as his clients, his will to win, his legal knowledge, creativity and attention to details. Besides, has also been said to be that kind of person who finds solutions to difficult problems. He will take time to understand everything issue and will tailor his service around the needs not only for the seek of money but at times for humanity (Pro Bonu) and with a fair and flexible approach. Where a case can be resolved through negotiations, so as not to incur costs, Maitre Njoya can be relied upon for his strong negotiation but where a fight is necessary, he is renowned for his authority performance.Meet him at the Njoya Chambers in Bamenda and you will be marveled by his skills in both national and international issues.

When Abraham Lincoln in 1850 wrote the following on the job of a lawyers, he was categorical that even though “there is a vague popular belief that lawyers are necessarily dishonest…the impression is common, almost universal. Let no young man choosing the law for a calling for a moment yield to the popular belief---resolve to be honest at all events; and if in your own judgment you cannot be an honest lawyer, resolve to be honest without being a lawyer”. Lincoln appears to have practiced what he preached. Amazingly, he earned his nickname, “Honest Abe,” despite working in two professions commonly accused of ignoring the truth: law and politics. Even as a young man, Lincoln’s honest character was evident just the way Cameroonians look at Barrister Joseph Fonyuy Njoya. Lincoln’s reputation for honesty followed him into politics just like Barrister Njoya’s truth earned him an apology from the Tatsa Estate administrator.

Lincoln’s reputation for absolute honesty gave him an edge as a leader. People might have disagreed with him, but they couldn’t question his integrity.

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

NW Youths Disassociate Selves from Extremist Tendencies

Ihimbru Vincent Bache: CNYC NW President

By FCN

The Regional President of the Cameroon National Youth Council for the North West Ihimbrus Vincent Bache has declared that North West youths are aware of the growing threat "on our borders by Boko Haram" and "we the youths of the North West are strongly behind H.E President Paul Biya in his fight against Boko Haram and we strongly disassociate ourselves from any extremist tendencies. We will not also hesitate in pointing out such tendencies when they arise to the powers that be". Ihimbru Vincent made the declaration during the official launching of the 49th National Youth Day activities at the Bafut Palace. NW CNYC President also used the opportunity to call on government to give youths the confidence and trust to hold posts of responsibilities. According to Ihimbru Vincent, youths are not groomed to ensure a smooth transition and continuity in the future. "The pride of place is not accorded to youths. Youths have been systematically deprived of participating in decision making through non-appointment into ministerial positions or none nomination for elections as MPs, Mayors, or Councilors" he continued. He however, suggested to the Minister of Youth and Civic Education that youths continue to feel that they deserve 30% as their own veritable quota which up to know is given a blind eye. He concluded that a successful youth is not just a pride to the family and or the parents but the entire community.

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

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Zambian Minister of Youth and Sports Inspires Bamenda Youths

By FC Ndi

H.E David Musunda

David Musunda, Zambian Minister of Youth and Sport has been described by the Regional President of the Cameroon National Youth Council as a glaring example of a role model. Talking to the Press at the Bafut Palace esplanade, during the official launching of the 49^th edition of the National Youth Day manifestation in the North West, by Cameroon’s Minister of Youth Affairs and Civic Education, the young Zambian Minister expressed satisfaction at what he witnessed. All youth leaders who spoke to this reporter said they were all inspired by the presence of the youth dynamic Minister. “ I wish Cameroon could copy from Zambia to appoint youths to oversee and coordinate youth activities. After listening to him, I concluded that we are in an identity crisis because our Government doesn’t know who is the youth”, says Lienny Constance. "I am really inspired by the presence of the Zambian Minister. He is am sure in his early 30s and from all indication youths from Zambian are not suffering the way we do here", says Jacky Nfon. This statement was further corroborated by SDF National Chairman who decried the fact Ministers and Directors of state corporation from Yaounde traveled to Bamenda to hijack and politicize youth activities.

Worthy to note that youths were sideline in almost every aspect. It is even alleged no youth was allowed to be part of the committee that was incharge of the selection of prizes to youth groups. Youth leaders of the North West region were buried in the crowd at their own event. “If the Minister of Youth Affairs was a young man or woman he would have understood our importance. Can you imagine that Divisional Presidents of CNYC were chased away from the seats. Youth Presidents did not even have food to eat. In fact it is deplorable and unacceptable”, vomited another youth. More so, the communication department also ferried in journalists from Yaounde to Bamenda while those based in the Northwest were left in the cold.

Earlier in his welcome speech, the Mayor of Bafut, Langsi Abel since the inception of Pajer-U only three youths from Bafut have benefited, while 9 youths benefited from the National Civic Participation. Besides, the Sub Delegation is in a borrowed premise.

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

Sunday, February 1, 2015

Ntumfor Barr. Nico Halle Elected to Head Bar Council General Assembly

By Fai Cassian Ndi

Ntumfor Barrister Nico Halle

The venerated international legal consultant, Ntumfor Barrister Nico Halle has been elected as the new President of the General Assembly of the Cameroon Bar Council Association. Reports say he was elected at the elective general assembly in Yaounde which kick-started last January 31, 2015. Accordingly, Ntumfor candidature was greeted by all and sundry. It is hoped that with his being there, the issue of the creation of a law school and construction of the secretariat will become realities given his knack in development issues and lobbying skills.

The Man Ntumfor Barrister Nico Halle

If there is one Cameroonian who does ordinary things in an extraordinary manner, it is Ntumfor Barrister Nico Halle, international legal consultant, human rights defender and nationally-acclaimed peace crusader. Only few years ago Cameroonians were taken aback when news went round that he succeeded in uniting rival journalists factions in Bamenda by using the Bible. Many who thought he was calling the journalists to start quoting journalism principles or law were surprised when in his characteristic manner, Ntumfor Barrister Nico Halle quoted a few Bible verses, offered a brief prayer and distributed copies of the revised version of the New Testament Bible and the deal was done.

Whither the Bar Council

When Eta Bisong Jr. took over the Bar Council some years ago, Cameroonians and especially Anglophones thought that the reputation of the Bar as a strong, united, and independent association would soon be restored. What immediately came to mind was the hey days of Barrister Bernard Muna and Barrister Akere. As Eta Bisong Jr. worked day and night to build a strong and united Bar Council, he easily forgot that government was less interested in such a strong force, especially with an Anglophone at the helm. The fragilization process bar started with various interpretations of the same law. The Bar council President was made to be always at logger heads with the President of the General Assembly. The President of the General Assembly who in previous administrations had always been a figure-head emerged as a force to reckon with during Eta Bisong Jr’s tenure. As usual decisions from Eta Jr’s office were systematically disrespected by a faction of the bar. In response, the Bar council President decided to rule by the law. His team vowed never to allow the General Assembly President mis(read) the law. He made it difficult for elections to take place after his mandate ended in 2010.

The bone of contention became the list of admission of some 60 new members into the Bar council. While the President of the General Assembly held that by law, he had the right to scan the list and disqualify some candidates, Eta Bisong Jr. President of the Bar council held that he had no right to do that given that by law, only the General Assembly had such powers. He raised as another objection the fact that in convening a recent General Assembly meeting the President inserted more than one item on the agenda when the law allows only for elections.

As the misunderstanding persisted, lawyers across the country decided to ground tools and boycott all court sessions thereby causing enormous loses to the government treasury, the plaintiffs and other categories of litigants. Even the government’s Minister for Justice, Laurent Esso found difficulties resolving the conflict.

Ntumfor and the Bible

Faithful to the saviour’s command that if you cannot preach like Paul, you can at least bring the little children to the saviour’s waiting hands, Ntumfor Barrister Nico Halle took upon himself the responsibility to bring the love of Jesus to the rival factions. As he brought the two men together, he told them he was not interested on who was right and who was wrong. To Ntumfor, the real issue was the interest of the Bar, not the interest of individuals. He went further to remind them that though they were men of law the overriding law was the law of the Bible as presented by Jesus Christ and this law was love and forgiveness. In using the Bible as the final authority in all matters, Ntumfor Nico Halle successfully brought both Eta Bisong Jr. and Barrister Meli Hypolite to reason. The Douala-Ntumfor-initiated reconciliation was total and both parties who could not see eyeball-to-eyeball only a few weeks ago, resolved in a joint communiqué to hold an elective assembly come August 11 and 12, 2012.

Ntumfor, Unassuming

Although reconciling the two Barristers was a huge task and a feat, Ntumfor immediately refused to take any credit for the event. He repeatedly said the honour and glory was God’s as he was only an instrument in God’s hands. He wondered whether on his own he could have succeeded and thanked the Holy Spirit for using him to bring back sanity into the Bar.

Ntumfor the Peace Crusader

This new development comes to add to the long line of achievements recorded by Ntumfor Nico Halle in the domain of conflict transformation. In the North West in particular, noted for its conflictual nature, Ntumfor successfully reconciled traditional rulers, journalists, tribes, elites and even local council authorities. As peace crusader, he preached peace in and out of season in the North West and in Cameroon. He repeated told Fons and elites in the North West that peace and reconciliation was the weapon of the strong while force was the weapon of the weak. He preached love among brethren and this reduced the number of inter-tribal conflicts in the region to the barest minimum.

Ntumfor the Developer

He championed the fundraising for the construction of NOWEFU secretariat in Bamenda. Ntumfor is one of those who really believe that charity begins at home. As President of the Ndong Awing Development Association, NACDA, Ntumfor did not only work hard to see that electricity comes to Awing but went further to make sure the Fon’s palace was an architectural journal in the village. When he extended to the rest of the North West region, he developed the philosophy that the best house in every Fondom must be the Fon’s palace. He went ahead to mobilize North West elite in and out of the region to contribute to the transformation of their palaces. He did not end there. He contributed to every village development association that knocked at his door and he had the resources.

Knowing fully well that development is not just about the building of good houses, the provision of electricity and pipe borne water, but more importantly, how man has learnt to treat his fellow man, Ntumfor went beyond to recognize the value in every human being that approaches him. That is why he spends more time assisting individuals and families in the individual needs. Many poor and disadvantaged children would confirm to you that they only went to school or pay their hospital bills thanks to Ntumfor’s prompt intervention. Ntumfor remains a veritable peace crusader and development agent that the North West, Cameroon and the world find difficulties replacing.

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

Sisters, Make Your Tomorrow Today (Education Before Marriage)

By Hasiatu Sali (First Published June 2014)

Hasiatu Ali: Tells her story

While at GBHS Nkambe I listened with alot of passion how young boys and girls argued on the importance of education to the girl child. The debate brought back to memory this small writeup by a Mbororo student. The American Embassy in Yaounde working in partnership with the Hope for the Needy Association-HOFNA and the Mandela Washington Fellows have embarked on a sustainable action with specific focus on understanding GBV and engaging men and boys in the fight against child trafficking, Child/early/forced marriage and other forms of Gender Based Violence. Unlike many other noble souls who wrote and worked with the principle of sexual equality in mind the US Embassy and HOFNA took part of Mahatma Gandhi theory into the feild so as to sought to bring about a revolutionary change in the status of women.
The views expressed by the Mahatma and the actions undertaken by him may not go entirely with the current times because the times have irreversibly changed but the honesty of the Mahatma, the love and respect he had for women can never be doubted. He said that education enables women to uphold their natural rights. Men and women are complementary to each other. Man is supreme in the outward activities and therefore he should have a greater knowledge thereof. Home life is entirely the sphere of woman and therefore in domestic affairs, in the upbringing and education of children women ought to have more knowledge.

The Mahatma’s views on women’s education are based on family ideals because he assumes that man is supreme in the extra-mural activities and that woman is supreme in intra-mural activities. Hence, education imparted to both men and women should be according to their pre-ordained stations in life. The fon Budi III in his presentation at the workshop in Nkambe disclosed that in the past young Mbororo girls of nine years old were given out for marriage while in some palaces young girls or teenagers were (are) forced against their will to marry a fon and notables. (Read writeup below)

When I was a little girl, I knew life was about cattle and the daily washing of dishes. As a little

Mbororo girl I was always beside my mother and my best moment was when she would ask me to fetch water from the stream so that she could wash all the dishes. It was so thrilling and I enjoyed the way my mother was doing it. I knew nothing on earth was more prestigious than what my mother and father used to do everyday to keep our family happy. I knew nothing about education as a way of life and the only way to make tomorrow happen. To be candid, I had no idea why only boys were going to school. To me, school was for boys and going to the stream and cooking was for girls. One day, my father came

back from a meeting looking happy. He told us that we will all have a discussion after dinner. We were all waiting anxiously both boys and girls. After our evening meal, he asked my elder brothers whether they knew anything about the Mbororo Cultural and Development Association-MBOSCODA. When they said yes, he replied that they want all the girls to go to school and that in our compound school shall henceforth be for everyone. He then turned to me and said that I shall go to the Islamic Primary School Nkambe. I felt very bad that he was trying to push me aside from helping my mother. That night I did not sleep well because I thought my father wanted me to do what only boys in our compound have been doing. In fact, I thought my father wanted to impose on me things that are done by boys and men. But I first day in school turned out to be an exciting one because I saw many other girls.

Education suddenly became part of my menu. When I had my First School Leaving Certificate, and was admitted at GTHS Nkambe that was when I understood the importance of education. People always say that education is the key to a successful life but I will contextualize it by telling all the young girls (ages 15 and above) that you can make your tomorrow happen today by investing your leisure in education. Dear sisters, you can make your tomorrow today through education. I have decided to tell my life story because I have observed that despite the sacrifices byt government and our parents for some of us to make our tomorrow today, we still disappoint them. In the past, we, Muslim girls were not given the opportunity to go to school, the boys were but today it is different. I feel sad that this opportunity is being squandered by many of us (especially the Mbororo girls).

However, I wish to draw your attention to this fact and at the same time remind all of us if you make education your first husband, it can never fail. An educated housewife is more productive in our contemporary society. On the contrary we are the ones that have always fail education. Education is like the soil where you can only harvest what you have sown. Today, the evidence is clear that those who own the high herds of cattle and highest number of dishes in their cupboards are the people who sent their children to school. What I have learnt as a High school student is that my going to school has finally taught me that whenever you have a goal, it's a good idea to have both a plan A and a back-up Plan B, unless you are illiterate. What I mean here is that early marriage is the easiest way to frustration and you can avoid if we (young girls) can think out of the box of pleasure. When I was reading a book two days ago, I saw this inspirational quote by Jarod Jintz and it read: The future is right around the corner from a bar called, “Yesterdays.” I know, I work there every tomorrow.

I think it is possible for us to make education our first husband because without education, a woman’s dream cannot come true. It is not only the key of life as we are often told, but the key in your hand that will open every door for you tomorrow. When I was in class six, a friend of mine told me that after our graduation she was getting married. As I am writing my Baccalaureate Technique, she is already a mother of three. But unfortunately she had abandoned the husband on grounds that she made the wrong choice. I have learned one thing that while her husband disappointed her, mine which is education has been very fateful. Every time I am back from school and I see my father coming back from the field, I always think of what he said to me when I obtained my CAP examination. He said “my daughter, I am proud of you”. The sentence was very short but pregnant with meaning. Please, girls do not always disgrace your parents or family due to useless boys who would always like to play us around for their sports. It is your tomorrow that is at stake because HIV/AIDS too is just next door waiting to make new victims.

Tyron Edward says, “Thoughts lead on to purposes; purposes go forth in action; actions form habits; habits decide character; and character fixes our destiny” in my opinion, it is what we think today and act that puts forth our tomorrow. Think positive and you will see your tomorrow today by the grace of Allah. Social prestige is equal to social ill given that it can be a good choice at a very wrong time. Making the right choice at the right time paves way for a better tomorrow. That is the quality of life that we need to pay after the price of the bars called “yesterday”, when the night clubs and other fancy things are forgotten. That is why all successful people (men and women) are big dreamers. They imagine what their future could be, ideal in every respect, and then they work every day toward their distant vision, that goal is only possible if we think education, eat education and above all, make it a tradition in our hearts. In the past, our parents had no idea that what a man can do a woman can do it even better, but nowadays it is happening.

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