French President Urges Cameroon, Nigeria to Form United Front in the Fight Against Boko Haram

Francios Hollande

The President of France, Francois Hollande has called on Cameroon and Nigeria to work in synergy in the fight against Boko Haram. French President made the clarion call last Friday in the nation’s capital during his official visit. Hollande said it is very imperative for Cameroon and Nigeria to have better relationship.    “Soon Nigerian president is coming here in Cameroon. It is very important. It is necessary that Nigeria and Cameroon have better relationship, he declared after meeting President Biya.

It should be recalled that Hollande arrived in Cameroon on Friday. This visit comes barely 14 years after former French president Jacques Chirac came to Cameroon for the France-Africa Summit in 2001.During the visit French President signed four agreements were signed between Cameroon and France in the fields of infrastructure, rural development and support to private sector totaling FCFA 76 billion  (about 150 million U.S. dollars).

Hollande, who invited some African leaders including President Paul Biya to attend Paris Summit in May last year to discuss the ways for fighting against Boko Haram, said he is willing to hold another similar consultation to intensify the fight against Boko Haram.

According to Le Parisien, François Hollande worried given that “Cameroon is a fragile State and we need to reinforce her security.”

Prior to the disclosure of this information, he promised, at a joint press conference with President Paul Biya, to intensify French military support to Cameroon – training, supply of weaponry and surveillance.

The 60-year-old French leader announced his country’s willingness to host fresh talks on Boko Haram. “I am ready to gather anew, as soon as the presidents give me a date, this conference so we could better act together,” he said.

According to Le Parisien, His Excellency François Hollande revealed his worries to reporters in a private yak during a July 3 State visit to Cameroon. He said: “Cameroon is a fragile State and we need to reinforce her security.”
Prior to the disclosure of this information, he promised, at a joint press conference with President Paul Biya, to intensify French military support to Cameroon – training, supply of weaponry and surveillance.
The 60-year-old French leader announced his country’s willingness to host fresh talks on Boko Haram. “I am ready to gather anew, as soon as the presidents give me a date, this conference so we could better act together,” he said.
- See more at: http://thecameroonian.com/article/president-hollande-reportedly-tags-cameroon-%E2%80%98-fragile-state%E2%80%99#sthash.b6PylkZu.dpuf

According to Le Parisien, His Excellency François Hollande revealed his worries to reporters in a private yak during a July 3 State visit to Cameroon. He said: “Cameroon is a fragile State and we need to reinforce her security.”
Prior to the disclosure of this information, he promised, at a joint press conference with President Paul Biya, to intensify French military support to Cameroon – training, supply of weaponry and surveillance.
The 60-year-old French leader announced his country’s willingness to host fresh talks on Boko Haram. “I am ready to gather anew, as soon as the presidents give me a date, this conference so we could better act together,” he said.
- See more at: http://thecameroonian.com/article/president-hollande-reportedly-tags-cameroon-%E2%80%98-fragile-state%E2%80%99#sthash.b6PylkZu.dpuf

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

At the Administrative, Management/Stores Accounts Session: Misaje Mayor Opens Canister of Worms

Mgbata Sammy Nforkemba: The No-nonsense Mayor of Misaje

The no-nonsense mayor of Misaje Council has threatened that he will spare no efforts to expose the obnoxious practices of some councilors not only to the media, but to the powers that be if they do not decease from backstabbing and bad-mouthing.  Mgbata Sammy Nforkemba made the declaration last June 15, 2015 on the occasion of the 2014 Administrative, Management and Stores Account session of the Misaje council.

He told councilors that it is incumbent of them (councilors) to criticize his management as a spur to better performance and output but if it is for egocentric purpose, he (Mgbata Sammy) will not continue to accept it. The mayor of Misaje however exploded that “It has been proven that most of the time some councilors go to Bamenda for their salaries at month end, they carry along with them slanders for publications”. He said some them who have dived into these acts have caused damages in the council yet turn to put the blame on him. “ Mr. SDO, this may sooner than later get to exposing some of these overzealous verbose councilors not only to the media, but to the powers that be if they dare continue”. The mayor however lamented that “we cannot built Misaje by painting it black to the world, just in vain attempts for power”. He frowned at the fact that some councilors think that the entire municipality is so inferior that they deserve the first place before the municipality.

Mgbata Sammy also used the opportunity to sound a warning signal to some council workers who think that by campaigning for the CPDM, was a license to disobey and go free. “Some workers deceive themselves that since they campaigned for the CPDM party to win the council, I can’t punish them for whatever crime they commit. I tell them that nobody in this council, with me inclusive, is more CPDM than the ministers who are suffocating in prison for having acted ultraviresly”. He warned that no political lineage would cease the hammer from him given that some council workers who were supposed to be controlling stray animals in the municipality have been accused of stealing goats and sheep.

It should be recalled that after the 2013 municipal executive elections that catapulted Mgbata Sammy to the position of mayor, some councilors resisted and created a factor. The factor, we gathered has been one of the major challenges in that municipality eventhough the present mayor has often called for them to work in synergy. The constant call yield no fruits reasons why during the last council session, he took the bull by the horns to hammer on his detractors.

However, the mayor cautioned that councilors must work in synergy to improve on their results given that on the 2014 accounts investment projects covered over 67.8% up from 40% minimum recommended by law. He also observed that the accounts show the realities of the financial transactions that occurred during the year, 2014. The revenue collected in 2014, he said stood at FCFA 362.269.739 while expenditure stood at FCFA 343.962.817 with only 6.2% revenue collected locally.

(Billboard of major realizations in 2014) coming soon.

 



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

Eto'o Fils and Wife Attend State Dinner Offered by President Biya and Hollande (PhotoNews)

Eto'Fils and wife entering the Unity palace hand in hand

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

At 47th AGM: CamCCul Applauds Gov’t, SDF Chieftain, LABOGENIE, Others

CamCCUL Head office in Bamenda

The representative of the minister of Finance Mballa Benile cautioned credit unions to put an eye on those who borrow big and turn to fight the credit unions in courts instead of repaying. He said the government shall continue protect the interest of CamCCUL by providing security in times of need and would not relent in the effort to recover those who are out to crumple credit unions with such big loans. As to the question of membership of CamCCUL the minister’s representative reiterated that affiliation and disaffiliation of members in to or out of the network is regulated by Cobac. Clara Ngwin representing the Minister of agriculture and rural development lauded CamCCUL for granting loans to farmers under the PADMIR project. According to her this is in line with government action to promote second generation agriculture in the country. Julie Chiambi of the Bamenda City council rather saw the pride of place given to Bamenda city with the construction of such a beautiful giant structure to host the CamCCUL headquarter.

Musa Shey Nfor CamCCUL President

The Governor’s representative, Monono Absalom Wolua who is Secretary General of the Region while declaring open the AGM observed that the mass turn out by members from all the regions was proof of the dearness to which the credit union is held. The credit union serves as catalyst to development given the impact of the movement in capital mobilization, poverty alleviation to improve living standards of members. The Governor did not hesitate to observe that the fallout of the investments that members undertake with loans obtained from credit unions benefits the entire nation directly or indirectly with concrete example being the beautiful building which is the pride of the regional capital today. He denounced initiators of the blackmail that almost caused the administration not to authorize the holding of this meeting in the structure but for the timely dispatch by the Governor, a team of engineers carried out technical inspections and declared the rumour as unfounded given that the structure had no crack nor did it develop any signs of stress. The chief executive cautioned members to identify shortcomings that could weaken the movement and make it to be unable to withstand the pressure of dynamic, competitive and volatile forces from the national and international environment. He promised members that government shall continue to partner with CamCCUL as has been the case through MINADER, MINEPIA and MINEPAT. The Governor applauded KENDELY Construction for realizing such a gargantuan structure which stands out on the Commercial Avenue.

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

CamCCUL Disregards "Rumour Haram" to Stage AGM at Own New Headquarters in Bamenda, Adopts FCFA 2.3 Billion

CamCCUL President and NW SG

The 2015 AGM of the Cameroon Cooperative Credit Union League-CamCCUL took place at weekend at in the presence of NW Governor’s Representative as well as Representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Agriculture and Rural Development. In his keynote speech, CamCCUL President, Musa Shey Nfor called on government to intervene in curbing a new form of insecurity “rumour harram” whereby some people intentionally spread false information and blackmail others. Information had circulated in Bamenda that the newly constructed CamCCUL headquarters in Bamenda was to collapsed. This is what CamCCUL President disregarded and described it as "Rumour Haram". Musa Shey Nfor was actually dismissing unorthodox claims by the so-called "Rumour Harams", who see nothing good in anything except in form of bread.

He also used the occasion to express thanks to government and at the same time appealed to the Minister of Finance to accelerate the process of special Tax Regime for Credit Unions and category one Micro-finance Institutions in the country as well as redress challenges raised by some contradictory provisions of the 2013 finance law. Given that CamCCUL oversees the safety of funds from mostly the rural poor, Musa Shey Nfor also called on  government to put in place an accelerated recovery procedure to check the unscrupulous altitudes of those he says “borrow BIG from small credit Unions and FIGHT THEM BIG USING BIG MEANS IN BIG COURTS NOT TO REPAY”

On the FCFA 2.3 billion, Musa Shey revealed that this amount will mostly be used to improve on the performance of the credit unions, that is,  494 million FCFA budgeted for interest on deposits alone from member Credit Unions, 86 million for training, education and partnerships, 169 million for effective supervision of its vast network of over 200 credit unions and to kick start discussions towards the implementation of the strategic five year development plan. The budget adopted stood at 2,311,990 000 FCFA in income and expenditure, up from 2,222,760 000 FCFA in 2014.

Founded in 196, it was the first time that CamCCUL was holding such a meeting in its own structure, a reference to the imposing building constructed along the Bamenda Commercial Avenue. “For the very first time since 1968, CamCCUL has the opportunity to hold the first AGM in her own building….with this complex, one thing is now certain, the head quarter of CamCCUL was in Bamenda, is in Bamenda and shall therefore have every reason to remain in Bamenda”

On his part the SG at the Northwest Governor’s office,  Absolom Monono, expressed thanks and said CamCCUL is playing the primordial role to eradicate poverty in the country, particularly in the rural milieu. He described the League as a beacon of hope for so many Cameroonians.
He described the CamCCUL building as “a symbol of power and financial strength” and praised the League for its role in the economic development of the country. He promised to channel to hierarchy the worries of CamCCUL that are above his office.

Musa Shey Nfor

He urged the delegates to deliberate objectively on the best practices that can strengthen the movement while identifying and correct short comings that are capable of weakening the league in a competitive environment. He advised the board to protect the members’ savings from mismanagement by unscrupulous individuals while promoting transparency and growth. He assured the board of CamCCUL that government shall continue to partner with them through the various ministries like Finance, Agriculture, and economic development. Mr Monono said the administration of the region almost banned the holding of the AGM at the CamCCUL building at Commercial Avenue due to widespread rumours that the building was collapsing. The governor he said had to order a team of engineers who inspected and passed the building safe. The AGM also reviews and adopted the reports of the various committees of 46thAGM, review cooperation with partners.

CamCCUL headquarters in Bamenda

Delegates at the AGM at the end resolved to maintain league dues at the present level, with news rates to be implemented as from 2016, create an Ad-hoc strategic reflection committee to be placed under the Board of Directors (BoD) to reflect amongst others on the new five year development plan, facilitate the review of various polices and to act as a think tank, put in place a security committee to reflect on CamCCUL network security issues and the creation of a common network security unit to protect property information and persons of the network, mandate the BoD to take urgent measures to put in place a new recovery strategies to curb delinquency and continue the restructuring of some key policies amongst others. The AGM also paid tributes to Ni John Fru Ndi and Pa Martin Alloh, neigbours of the CamCCUL building at Commercial Avenue for their support during the construction process. CamCCUL’s 47^th AGM came barely days after some monumental figures of the League passed on. Mentioned was made of Mama Nini Juliana Ikui, who opened the first account (Acc. No001) with 50 frs in 1963 and also donated the first counter to the first Credit Union, who passed on at the age of 106, Rev. Father Barnacle who in 1968, created the CamCCUL Network with 13 Credit Unions who also died on the 25thof February 2015, and Mama Catherine Tumi, mother of the Christian Cardinal Tumi, one of the promoters of the Credit Union in Kikaikilaiki at the age of 118.

 With additional Inputs from Santa Meteo

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

Man Linked to Boko Haram Abduction of Schoolgirls Arrested

 Source (AP)
Nigerian troops have arrested a businessman accused of "participating actively" in Boko Haram's mass abduction of nearly 300 schoolgirls from the northeastern town of Chibok last year, Nigeria's Defense Ministry said Tuesday.
Spokesman Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade said Babuji Ya'ari headed a "terrorists' intelligence cell" for the Islamic extremists while masquerading as a member of the self-defense Youth Vigilante Group. That news confirms suspicions that the vigilantes have been infiltrated by Boko Haram.
Soldiers have told the Associated Press that some of their comrades also belong to Nigeria's homegrown Islamic extremist group.
"The arrest of the businessman... has also yielded some vital information and facilitated the arrest of other members of the terrorists' intelligence cell who are women," Olukolade said in a statement Tuesday night. He did not say when the arrests were made or how many people were arrested.
He alleged that Ya'ari has coordinated several deadly attacks since 2011 on the northeastern city of Maiduguri, the birthplace of Boko Haram, and spearheaded the May 2014 assassination of the emir of Gwoza, a religious and traditional ruler who was targeted for speaking out against Boko Haram's extremism.One arrested woman, Hafsat Bako, confessed to coordinating the payroll for operatives paid a minimum of 10,000 naira (about $50) a job, the defense ministry statement said.
Boko Haram was responsible for the April 2014 kidnapping of 273 girls from a boarding school in Chibok. Dozens escaped but 219 schoolgirls remain missing. The mass abduction sparked international outrage and demands for the girls' release under the Twitter hashtag #BringBackOurGirls.
The extremists last year took control of a large swath of northeastern Nigeria where they declared an Islamic caliphate. This year, they said they were the West African franchise of ISIS.
As their attacks spread across borders, a multinational army from Nigeria and neighboring countries mobilized and this year drove Boko Haram out of towns. Suicide bomb and attacks on villages continue.

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

Chad Forces Arrest Boko Haram Leader, hold 74 others

N'DJAMENA, Chad (AP)

Chad's chief prosecutor says that security forces have arrested one of the leaders of the Nigerian extremist group Boko Haram.

Prosecutor Alhassim Khamis said in a statement Monday that Bahna Fanaye, whose alias is Mahamat Moustapha, was apprehended Sunday, along with two others. He said Fanaye coordinated the trafficking of weapons between Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad for the radical Islamic network.

Khamis said forces seized various weapons, communication materials, documents and more than 50 SIM cards from Fanaye's home. He said a man described as the financier of the group was also arrested in another operation.

Khamis says that security forces have now detained 74 suspects.

Chad has been a major military ally with Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram, which has publicly threatened the Chadian president with retaliation.

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