Country people, happy Sunday to y’all. At
last your writtam-pen is back with latest gossips after several months
wallowing in the gutter like the North West Fons Union-NOWEFU. Have you heard
that the Bamenda High Court has finally passed a ruling on the matter between the
kingpins of the Kaduna mafia (HRH Fon Chafah and HRH Fon Teche)? Commentators
say the court ruling has axed Fon Teche Njei’s ambitions to hijack and
spin-doctor his stay at the helm of NOWEFU till 2018. Since your writtam-pen doesn’t
comment on commentaries, it is highly believed HRH Senator Teche will organize
an extraordinary General Assembly to adopt a new constitution for NOWEFU and
then organize elective assembly to hand power. Remember NOWEFU constitution
disappeared mysteriously at the Mezam SDO’s office. Now that the court has passed
its verdict and charged the administration to make sure that the ruling is
implemented, Fon Chafah camp has been showering itself praises for having won
the court case.
Donga
Mantung Division which is expected to produce the next President of NOWEFU has
been caught in a mad rush. With the union divided into factions, Fon Ibrahim
Jabfu Nfor of Nkambe is popular candidate for the post of President. He has
served the union in various capacities. He served as treasurer under Fon
Anneng, and currently vice President under Teche. His candidature was recently
endorsed by all the fons of Nwa, Ako, Misaje and Ndu.
NOWEFU has functioned under Fon Teche
like an Island. The only legacy has been the prostitution of titles, gifts and the
in-housing wrestling. NOWEFU has served as a beseeching tool to satisfy the ego
of the few.
Last November 26, expectations were dampened
in Nkambe. The Chief executive of the region we gathered slammed a ban on the
elective general assembly that was billed for Nkambe when preparation had
reached fever level. Losses incurred are estimated in tens of millions as the
population had prepared to celebrate the election of the fon of Nkambe.
Did you listen to Popol wobbling in Paris? He said
he has even created a climate change observatory. Popol is really smarter than
a Smartphone. The man outsmarted Eyibos, and Baaam, just zeroed-in Vision 2035
in his speech. After Popol, only Hon. Mbaya can dance climate change in Camer
here. Who doubt? I am sure that as Popol is back in Ngola, he will surely
instruct Parliament to revisit the Private Members Bill on the protection of
water catchements submitted by Awudu before creating the climate change observatory.
Oh University of
Bamenda. I told you sometimes ago that the HiTL saga must swallow somebody. Now
Prof. Edukat will meet the 20 students he ejected from HiTL against the
minister’s instruction in the quarters. Oh lala. (to be continued)
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)
The authorities of the Nigerian Army have
confirmed that its men “have advanced deep” into the Sambisa forest in
Borno State in the bid to deliver the final blow on killer squad – Boko
Haram.
Gallant soldiers are now “clearing most of the camps therein, rescuing
persons held captive, arresting some terrorists and destroying most of
their weapons and equipment.
“Advancing troops of the Nigerian Army, supported by the Nigerian Air
Force were able to clear and destroy Boko Haram terrorists’ camps at
Shuari, Adembe, Yerimari Kura, Yerimari Gana, Gonin Kurmi, Kore, Mainya
Kore, and Lopere.
“Additionally, the Multi-barrel Rocket Launcher Regiment has destroyed the terrorists’ camps
at Dure, Dure Kore, Jokwa, as well as several other camps.
“The troops recovered foodstuffs, motorcycles, flags, Improvised
Explosive Making Devices (IED) materials and military uniforms. Among
other discoveries were the terrorists’ tunnels, weapons and equipment.
“The soldiers also recovered 2,000 cows rustled from various persons
over time and rescued women and children held captives by the Boko
Haram. While the animals have been moved to Kanwuri, the rescued persons
have been evacuated and are being given all the necessary support and
assistance.
“During the encounter with the terrorists at Yerimari Gana a number
of Boko Haram terrorists were killed and some suspected terrorists were
arrested who are being interrogated. However, a soldier sustained
gunshot wound and fracture on the leg.
“Similarly, while advancing to destroy
Nefari terrorists camp, troops discovered and cleared 3 IEDs laid along
the route. The camp was successfully cleared and troops have continued
their advance while a blocking force has been deployed to prevent
infiltration and possible escape by the terrorists.
“Unfortunately during another encounter with the terrorists along the
axis of advance, three soldiers made the supreme sacrifice, while an
officer and two soldiers were wounded in action.
“It is instructive to note that the troops’ morale is very high and
being conscious of their set objective, they are unrelenting in their
determination to defeat the Boko Haram terrorists,” acting Director Army
Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, said in a statement.
The soldiers are now in the process of advancing into the ticker parts of the forest. We wish them well!
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)
An atmosphere of
uncertainty looms in Ako council after the 2015 budgetary session which was
planned for November 24, 2015 flopped. Sources say after the reading of the
agenda of the day, councilors immediately transformed the session into a
Portuguese Parliament, complaining for the nonpayment sitting allowances. The
infuriated councilors also accused the mayor and council treasurer to have
transformed them to beggars. Some councilors also said that council financial
resources were being managed as if it were a provision store while others were
on their toes complaining that the mayor, Akio Augustine has refused to
organize an evaluation session. All
attempts by the Senior Divisional Officer for Donga Mantung to calm down
flaring tempers met stiff resistance from the councilors. Matters came to a
head when the councilors raised another motion that they are not even sure that
arrangements have been made for their allowances.”We want our allowances to be paid
on the spot. We cannot continue to admit to be treated like beggars. It is
common meal that every time we come for a session our allowances are paid after
one or at times after three months”, one councilor hammered.
When the SDO for Donga
Mantung Division, Ngone Ndodemesape Bernard asked the mayor and treasurer
whether the sitting allowances for councilors was available, it become clear
that council coffers were empty. Tension almost escalidated when the Municipal
treasurer revealed that the council had received FCFA 30 million from FEICOM
and she had used everything without informing the mayor. Councilor Toka Thomas described the drama as
an unfortunate situation, “We have realized that the mayor and the municipal treasurer
are not working hand in hand. That is why we have come to this mess”. On her
part, Councilor Lizette said the municipal treasurer is a problem. She said
when the councilors suggested to that the mayor that they should ask for a treasurer,
the mayor rejected it. “We cannot hold a budgetary session without having
evaluated how the budget of the previous year was used”, she questioned.
Accusation
and Counter-accusations
On his part the mayor
of Ako, Akio Augustine said he was fully prepared for the council session
believing that the council treasurer went and collected money from the bank.
“Since the treasurer has not been here for weeks, I believed she must have gone
to the bank to bring money to pay councilors. In addition to this, the mayor is
not a signatory to the council bank account. It is only the municipal
treasurer. That is a clear case. Last week I was in Bamenda and I tried to go
with her to the bank just to stand by because I am not the signatory but she
said there is nothing in the account. She came back two days ago and I did not
come to present any situation to me. She is now talking of FCFA 30 million that
came in and has been spent”. The mayor further lamented that the treasurer has
not shown him any receipt nor any document on how she spent the money. “It
means she is using this money all alone. I cannot believe it. For now the mayor
is going to send a delegation to the bank to find out the last time she
withdrew money”. Reacting on allegations that the council took an overdraft,
the mayor of Ako said “believing that the council took an overdraft, we should
have a balance and even receipts of payment”.
On her part the municipal
treasurer Madame Mei Nee Stella Seimasih said that the council was relying of “centime”
from FEICOM to pay allowances to given that the account was in red. “we were highly
waiting on the centime but when I went to the bank, it hadn’t come. The mayor
would have looked for a contractor to sponsor the session as is always the case
with the agric show and the money be reimbursed latter”. She however lamented
that the mayor and councilors are always suspicious of her given that she is
the lone signatory to the account and one other council staff. “They feel that
the mayor or one of his deputies should be a signatory. So whatever I go to the
bank and tell them, they always think it is not true. It seems as if I am
taking the money and putting in my private pocket. In conclusion I want to add
that my life is at stake in this place because I am dealing with a very whimsical
mayor. At times the man signs a document and refuses it. It seems as if his senses
of reasoning are very low. Whenever I am from the bank I always give him the
photocopy of the check”. What is however intriguing is the fact that the same
treasurer who said nothing came from FEICOM later revealed that FCFA 30 million
came and FCFA 10 million was deducted as overdraft and the remaining FCFA 10
million she used in paying taxes. “When that check was issued, the region took
it. When I will be in Bamenda next week I will bring the photocopy of the check”.
Some councilors are pointing an accusing finger at the Divisional Chief of
Taxation for Donga Mantung for being an accomplice. The treasurer is even
accused of perpetual absenteeism but she refuted the allegations.
Enter
Shewa David (MP attempted)
It is alleged that
before any council session holds, Shewa David always sets the agenda for
councilors in the name of party discipline. This observer’s say has also
contributed enormously to the cacophony during council sessions. Akio Augustine
says “the problem councilors have here is that the man who attempted to be the
MP overcomes them. Whatever he says, they stand behind him. They think that
when someone is highly educated, that person knows everything. The attempted MP
doesn’t know anything”. It is alleged Shewa during that session even sat
amongst councilors whereas he is not supposed to. More so, severally he was
trying to make a statement when matters came to a head whereas only the
councilors have the right to speak during council sessions.
(Coming
up: Who Runs the Ako Council, Mayor, Attempted MP or Treasurer?)
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)
It
is understandable why a desperate childless couple might do anything to
have a baby, but those who exploit their unhappiness for profit are not
so easy to forgive. Al Jazeerah investigates Nigeria's notorious baby
farms and the criminals who abuse and exploit women for profit.
Some pregnant teenage girls being rescued by the police at an illegal baby farm in Nigeria
International news organization, Al Jazeera has exposed how far a Nigerian go to get a baby by airing an episode on its "Africa Investigates" programme focusing on what it tagged "Nigeria’s Baby Farmers."
The Al Jazeera journalists who went undercover for this report
posed as a couple who have been trying to have children for 12 years.
Armed with hidden cameras, they visited orphanages trying to find out
how easy it is to buy a child illegally, with no questions asked.
They are offered a baby at Destiny’s Child orphanage in Ulakwo by Ada Ezeoyi, for $4000 for a girl or $5000 for a male child.
They are also offered a baby by Basic Clinic and Maternity Home in
Imo State, owned by Doctor Ohaeri. They are asked for a similar figure.
Please read an excerpt of the report below:
In this deeply disturbing episode of Africa Investigates, Ghana’s
undercover journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas and investigative reporter
Rosemary Nwaebuni team up to identify and expose some of those those
behind Nigeria’s heart-breaking baby trade.It is a scam that exploits
couples desperate for a baby and young pregnant single mothers – often
stigmatised in a country where abortion is illegal except in the most
dire medical emergency. Filming undercover, the team find bogus doctors and clinics
offering spurious fertility treatments in return for large amounts of
money. In their guise as a childless couple, Anas and Rosemary are
falsely diagnosed by one dodgy clinician as being unable to conceive
children.When the footage is reviewed by an official from Nigeria’s Ministry
of Health, he is appalled at the way vulnerable people are being
conned. "You should not allow these people access to the public," he
says.But worse is to come. The team go on to uncover orphanages and
clinics that act as brokers for illegal baby sales, by which naive,
greedy or simply desperate young mothers are persuaded to hand over
their newborn children for cash.
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)
Former
Nollywood actor, Saint Obi is a recent interview has revealed the sole
reason why he took a break from acting despite being prominent.
Saint Obi
Obinna Nwafor, best known by his stage name Saint Obi is one of the
best actors Nollywood can boast of. When he came into the industry many
years ago, there was virtually no blockbuster movie that didn’t feature
him. From Candle Light to Sakobi, Goodbye Tomorrow to Heart of Gold,
Festival of Fire to Executive Crime and his own production, Take Me to
Mama.
Some years back, when he stopped featuring in Nollywood movies his numerous fans felt his absence and wondered why he withdrew.
In an interview with Daily Sun, he revealed the reason why he left the acting world;
He said: "As one grows older, you realize that you do not need to be in all
the movies. If you have been following my career, as years went by, from
doing 10 movies in a year, I reduced it to six. I later reduced to one
per year, because I felt that it’s not how many times you appear in a
movie but how well you act. People call me all the time to come and
feature in their movies, but I always decline.
"My reasons are that, as you move around you have other aspirations and
other opportunities appear. In Igbo parlance, you don’t watch a
masquerade display in one spot; you have to move around to get the total
view. Any smart person will take advantage of any opportunity that
comes, there are a million and one businesses out there that align with
what one’s profession.
"The Dangotes of this world do a million businesses; they don’t stick to
one business and become who they are today. I didn’t stop acting
because jobs stopped coming but because I needed to do other things.
However, I am still involved in the industry even though it is mostly
behind the camera"
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)
FOR THE ATTENTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND THE
SOUTHERN CAMEROONIANS.
The Government of the Southern
Cameroons, West Africa has observed very critically that from the 1st of October 2015; when the
Nationhood and the Government of the Southern Cameroons from 1954 to 1961
without any external interference such as that of La Republique du Cameroun,
Central Africa was restored Legally and constitutionally andalso in line with her Motto “THE FORCE OF
REASON, NOT THE USE OF FORCE AND THE PHILOSOPHY OF NON-VIOLENCE”and peacefully
for the Greater Honour and the Glory of God; yet some Southern Cameroonian
Journalists with the enticing financial support of the Annexationist
Government of La Republique du Camerounstill
go on publishing very false and uninvestigated information about the
Independent Territory of the Southern Cameroons and the people.
It is crystal clear; that is very easy
to understand or completely obvious that La Republique du Cameroun has annexed and
subjugated us for fifty four years (54) from 1961 to 2015 and made some
Southern Cameroonians such as the journalists feel that La Republique du
Cameroun is their semi god without
which they cannot exist or manage to sustain their life which is absolutely
false and unfounded belief of such God created Image of the Southern Cameroons.
Hence, The Government of the Southern Cameroons, through her Ministry of
Communication and specificallythrough “The Department of Southern Cameroons
Information Service Buea” calls upon all the Southern Cameroonian
Journalists to desist from misinforming the population of the Southern
Cameroons and the International Community. They should work with the Scientific
Principle of Journalistic Investigation about the Territory and the People of
the Southern Cameroons, West Africa before anything or information is said and
published about the people and their Territory
which was granted Independence unconditionally by the United Nations General
Assembly 15th Session of 1961 (U N G A 15TH Session 1961)
and the Final Decision on the Issue by the U N Fourth Political Committee at
3:15.p.m New York, U.S.A. 19th of April, 1961 and First October,
1961 was declared “Independence Day of the Southern Cameroons.”
The Government of the Southern Cameroons
exhorts the Southern Cameroonian Journalists to work with Fidelity in God and
publish The Truth of what they investigate to be the case. In reality, History
is based on Facts which could be derailed, delayed to be reactivated and lived
but Can never be altered. Indeed, Falsehood has never produced anything
beneficial and productive for any Rational Community. Falsehood destroys
completely but the Veritas that is the Truth builds up the Community and gives
real meaning to human Existence, Human and Economic Development; as this
in-born capacity to conquer the earth (Genesis 1:26-27) is given to the total
human family, that is Mankind by the Supreme Creator to make the earth an
enjoyable Habitat for His rational creatures.
Finally, Let all of us join hands and
work with the United Nations – The International Community to embrace the
Restoration of the Nationhood and the Government of Our Beloved Nation:
Southern Cameroons, West Africa of 1954 to 1961; on Thursday, the First of
October, 2015 with the Spirit of hard work, telling the Truth at all times and
working to develop our Nation, now and posterity.
In
fact, The Southern Cameroonian Journalistic Corps remember and keep this in
mind, your children now and tomorrow will ask you, you were there during the
Struggle to Restore the Nationhood of our Country: The Southern Cameroons; what
contribution did you make towards its realization as a Journalist. Indeed you
Journalists, some of the intellectuals and some of the so-called book
publishers and launchers who write about the History of Southern Cameroons know
the True History but deliberately refuse and pretend not to know the True
History because of the soft money they get from the Annexationist Government; La Republiqe du
Cameroun. What a pity?
Let us
remember what Our Lord, Jesus Christ, The Greatest Teacher and Sustainer of all
Peoples who teaches His Apostles and the Rest of Mankind: “That You will learn the Truth, and the Truth will set you Free” (John
8:32). This should be our Rule of Life and Activities.
May
God Bless All of Us.
Rev. Fr. Andrew Ambeazieh (Ph.D)
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)
The world football governing body, FIFA, has begun considering the expansion of the World Cup tournament to 40 countries.
FIFA is considering expanding the World Cup from 32 teams to 40 in
2026 with support particularly strong among Asian and African
representatives.
No formal agreement on the matter was reached at FIFA’s Executive
Committee meeting on Thursday, but ExCo member Wolfgang Niersbach said
it will be discussed at a later date.
In a written statement, Wolfgang Niersbach, the German Fifa executive committee member, said: “No
decision was taken on expanding the World Cup to 40 teams from 2026.
The Asian and African representatives on the executive committee were in
favour of it. This matter has been put off until a future meeting.”
The debate on extending the World Cup came as a corruption scandal engulfing the organisation widened with fresh arrests.
The World Cup had been a 16-team competition before being expanded to 24
nations in 1982 and then to 32 for the first time in France in 1998.
The bidding process for the 2026 World Cup was postponed in June due to
the corruption scandal which has centred around the attribution of the
2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 finals to Qatar.
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)
After
long negotiations and plea, the NCC has finally reduced the staggering
$5.2bn imposed on MTN Nigeria for violation of sim card deactivation
directive.
The Nigerian Communications Commission has reduced the $5.2bn
slamed fine on giant telecommunications company MTN Nigeria to $3.4bn
for flouting the regulatory body's directive on SIM deactivation.
The Nigerian Communications Commission handed Africa's biggest
mobile phone company the penalty in October after MTN failed to cut off
users with unregistered SIM cards from its network.
Nigeria, MTN's biggest market, has been pushing telecoms firms to verify
the identity of subscribers amid worries unregistered SIM cards were
being used for criminal activity in a country facing the insurgency of
Islamic militant group Boko Haram.
The fine, originally $5.2 billion, prompted MTN to hold talks with the NCC over the past five weeks seeking a reduction.
"After further engagements with the Nigerian authorities, the NCC has reduced the imposed fine," MTN said in statement. “After considering the company’s request, it has taken the decision to
reduce the fine on the MTN Nigerian business from the original
N1,040,000,000,000 to N674 billion which has to be paid by 31 December
2015,” the NCC said.
The company, which makes about 37 per cent of its sales from Nigeria, said it was considering the NCC's decision. "Executive Chairman Phuthuma Nhleko will immediately and urgently
re-engage with the Nigerian authorities before responding formally," it
said.
Nhleko, who took charge for up to six months after the abrupt
resignation last month of Sifiso Dabengwa, led the company for nine
years before stepping down in 2011.
Meanwhile, the MTN announced a shake-up of its senior management
structure in an effort to strengthen oversight, governance and
regulatory compliance across its operations in 22 countries in Africa
and the Middle East. “MTN Nigeria’s CEO, Michael Ikpoki and the head of Regulatory and
Corporate Affairs, Akinwale Goodluck, have tendered their resignations
with immediate effect,” the company said in a statement on Thursday
morning.
“They are replaced by Ferdi Moolman as MTN Nigeria CEO and Amina
Oyagbola as its head of Regulatory and Corporate Affairs. Mr Moolman was
previously COO at MTN Irancell and most recently CFO at MTN Nigeria. A
Nigerian national, Ms Oyagbola also retains the position of MTN
Nigeria’s Head of Human Resources. She formerly headed regulatory
affairs at the Nigerian operating company.”
Read below the mail MTN management sent to its staff
“The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) reduces imposed fine
to US$3.4 billion equivalent and further cautionary announcement.Shareholders are advised that, after further engagements with the Nigerian Authorities, the NCC has reduced the imposed fine. MTN has received a formal letter dated 2 December 2015 from the NCC
informing the Company that, after considering the Company’s request, it
has taken the decision to reduce the fine on the MTN Nigeria business
from the original N1,040,000,000,000 (One Trillion, Forty Billion Naira)
to N674 Billion which has to be paid by 31 December 2015.The fine relates to the late disconnecting of 5.1 million MTN
Nigeria subscribers in August and September 2015. The Company is
carefully considering the NCC’s reply, however the Executive Chairman
Phuthuma Nhleko will immediately and urgently re-engage with the
Nigerian Authorities before responding formally, as it is essential for
the Company to follow due process to ensure the best outcome for the
Company, its stakeholders and the Nigerian Authorities and accordingly
all factors having a bearing on the situation will be thoroughly and
carefully considered before the Company arrives at a final decision.Shareholders are therefore advised to continue to exercise caution
when dealing in the Company’s securities until a further announcement is
made. As we committed to you previously, and in the spirit of our Vital
Behaviour of Complete Candour, we will keep you updated as the matter
unfolds. As we enter the busy year-end period in our business, I
encourage you to continue focusing on our customers and strive to keep
our promise to provide the bold, new Digital World to them.
Regards,
Phuthuma
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)
Boko
Haram has encountered a fatal loss in a recent encounter with
Cameroonian soldiers who were assisted by a regional task force.
News reports say, the soldiers with backing from a regional anti-Boko Haram task
force, have killed at least 100 Boko Haram militants and freed 900
people held hostage.
“In the course of this operation, at least 100 members of Boko Haram
were killed. 900 hostages detained by Boko Haram were freed,” reports quoted army spokesman, Col. Didier Badjeck.
The defence minister Joseph Abeti Assomo the action enabled troops "to release almost 900 hostages, seize large
supplies of arms and munitions as well as black-and-white Islamic State
flags".
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)
In
an exclusive interview with IBTimes UK, the wife of Radio Biafra
director, has warned her husband's health is worsening as he is no
longer able to take medicine for 'his life-threatening ulcer'.
The wife of controversial Radio Biafra director, Nnamdi Kanu has
expressed concern over the prolonged detention of her husband, who she
says 'is a prisoner of conscience'.
Uchechi Okwu-Kanu told IBTimes UK she fears for her husband’s
well-being and alleged he is being tortured by the Nigerian state
security service (DSS).
She said she had been able to speak with Kanu only once since he
was arrested by the DSS as he travelled to Nigeria from London in
October. She warned her husband’s health is worsening as he is no longer
able to take medicine for 'his life-threatening ulcer'.
The Radio Biafra director was apprehended on charges of criminal
conspiracy, intimidation and belonging to an unlawful society. He
pleaded not guilty.
Mrs. Okwu-Kanu defended her husband’s struggle for independence and
argued pro-Biafrans have the right to self-determination. She also
urged the Nigerian government to release her husband and engage in
dialogue rather than arresting people 'who agitate for freedom'.
Kanu was due to appear in court on 1 December but his lawyer,
Vincent Obetta said the hearing had been postponed as the judge’s father
had died and could not attend. Obetta and Kanu’s sister, Princess
Chinwe Kanu, also expressed concern over what they described as Kanu’s 'deteriorating health' after seeing him in court on 23rd November.
IBTimes UK has contacted the DSS for a statement on allegations of
torture but has not received a comment at the time of publishing.
The Nigerian government told IBTimes UK that it does not consider
the separatist movement a threat to the current leadership and defined
pro-Biafrans as an 'insignificant number of frustrated people who are not a threat to the existence of Nigeria'.
Army spokesman, Colonel Sani Usman told IBTimes UK: "The
message to the Biafrans is clear: The army and police might use the
Rules of Engagement on security operations to the fullest depending on
the circumstances."
Amnesty International said in an exclusive report by IBTimes UK
there was 'credible evidence that pro-Biafran separatists in Nigeria are
targeted by police'. However, the police denied these claims, arguing
that pro-Biafrans hold violent rallies that disrupt peace.
Oleehkukyu Ali, a public relations officer for the police in
Anambra state, told IBTimes UK the police have nothing against
pro-Biafran groups as long as they behave in a peaceful way.
He said: "Our country provides freedom of association, speech
and movement. But groups have to behave peacefully. Police in Anambra
are operating a very open policy and leaders of groups should engage
with us and let us know what they are doing so we are aware of
protests."
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)
The
postponement of the reorganization of the SDF Kumba II electoral district
executive committee members scheduled for November 21, 2015 to an indefinite
date is an episode that is becoming recurrent in the party due to the somewhat
ambiguous rules/constitution the organization which does not play well for our
goal of capturing power in 2018 Cameroon polls!
Fellow
militants, sympathizers of SDFand
Cameroonians, lovers of democracy in general, conscious of the destructive
dictatorial governance of the amorphous CPDM regime; and that theSDF alongside the objective opposition must
take over power in 2018;considering
that Cameroon has been rendered heavily indebted, poor, insecure, corrupt ...
and trailing socio-economically and otherwise even sister Africa banana
republics, any delay in strengthening by organizing or smooth-running the
country's number one oppositionpolitical party spells continuous doom and misery to Cameroonians
particularly the expectant grass roots .
Unnecessary
delays at electing the national organizing secretary during the 2012national executive committee(NEC) reorganizing
exercise; the lingering incapability of putting order in SDF Douala
particularly with respect to picking a completeregional executive committee for the littoral and now the Kumba II
electoral district postponement of total reorganization due to feuds on
directives are direct and/or indirect consequences of uncombed party structures
and working guide lines which necessitates a review of the party constitution
to tackle the exigencies of practical realities in the political struggle today
!
The
SDF regularly holds conventions, NEC meetings and those of the party's lower
structures but they are not yet adequate to uproot the deeply entrenched Biya/CPDM
evil. Strategic innovations and decisions including embarking on the country’s
constitutional last resort (sustained uprising) are today imperative! Cameroonians
have to brace-up like Burkina Faso, Nigeria, South Africa, Senegal, the Maghreb
countries to have effective succession and progress! The pro CPDM ELECAM that
passes for Cameroon's elections body must be replaced; separation of governing
powers must be ensured before the 2018 polls. All these ills of the vicious
endemic ruling CPDM can be gotten ride of clearly when our party - Cameroon's mother
opposition often timely re-plans. There is no room for laxity now from SDF following
particularly peak party officials if we must attain the country’s leadership
position in 2018!
hen News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)
Prof. Nkuo Theresa epouse Akenji is the new Vice Chancellor of the
University of Bamenda (UBa). Appointed by the Presidential decree of November
27, 2015, Prof. Nkuo Theresa takes over from Prof. Edukat Tafahwho allegedly was swallowed by the scandal at the Higher Institute of Logistic and Transport, and the gross insubordination to Minister Fame Ndongo as he reportedly rejected recommendations from the minister to absorb students on the waiting list.
Formerly Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of
Internal Control and Evaluation at the University of Buea, Prof. Nkuo is expected to transform UBa into a citadel of standards. Born in Wombong, Boyo Division in the
North West Region,
Prof Nkuo Theresa according to reports is a product of Our Lady of Lourdes College,
Mankon-Bamenda, Saint Mary of Woods College, Indiana, the State
University of New York and the School of Tropical Medicine, Louisiana
State University – all in the USA – where she received a PhD in
Parasitology and Immunology.
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)
The Committee to Protect Journalists has joined an appeal
alongside 13 other international advocacy groups, calling on Turkey to
release Can Dündar, editor-in-chief of the Turkish pro-opposition daily Cumhuriyet, Erdem Gül, thepaper's Ankara bureau chief, and all other journalists currently imprisoned in Turkey for their work.
Dündar and Gül are being held in pretrial detention on charges of espionage and terrorism after their arrest Thursday, according to reports. The charges against them are related to a report published in Cumhuriyet
in May alleging that trucks belonging to the Turkish National
Intelligence Agency (MİT) had been used to smuggle arms to rebel groups
in Syria, according to reports.The government has denied the
allegations, according to local reports. If convicted, the journalists
could be sentenced to life in prison, reports said.
Details of the appeal were published today after a press conference in Istanbul about the Cumhuriyet
journalists' arrests, hosted by Reporters Without Borders and the
Turkish Association of Journalists, and attended by the Committee to
Protect Journalists.
A copy of the appeal can be viewed here.
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)
The
agitation for the realization of the sovereign State of Biafra
continues to gain momentum as protesters take to the streets in Onitsha
blocking the Niger bridge.
Biafra protesters on take over Niger Bridge
Activities in Onitsha, the biggest commercial city in Anambra State
were disrupted this morning as pro-Biafra protesters took to the
streets.
The Onitsha Bridge, which links the southeastern part of the country
with the western part, was blocked by the protesters denying vehicles
access.
Channels TV reports that the protesters had attempted to cross the
bridge, prompting soldiers to put up a barricade to stop them.
They began a protest yesterday in
Nnewi demanding for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the director of Radio
Biafra and today, December 1, they paralysed activities in the
commercial city of Onitsha, Anambra state.
It was gathered that they stormed the Onitsha bridgehead protesting, totally blocking the River Niger bridge.
Vehicles coming from Onitsha and Asaba axis were reportedly on stand still also.
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)
Alison Azaria (Community manager,
2degrees)
If more than 80 world leaders gather in Paris,
including Obama, Xi Jinping, Modi and Putin, will the Summit get off to a
good start?
Do prospects look bright for the Paris Climate Summit?
Prospects look bright for the Paris Climate Summit.
The sole fact that this year’s COP (Conference of the Parties) will
start with the government leaders meeting instead of finishing with it,
as was usual in the past, is promising. If the more than 80 world
leaders who will gather in Paris, including Obama, Xi Jinping, Modi and
Putin, will get the Summit off to a good start, the work of two Summits
can be done in the space of one. The Summit could lead to: a long-term
2050 goal, a five-year cycle of reviewing the pledges, the taking off of
carbon pricing, more transparency in financing mechanisms and possibly
the inclusion of non-state actors in future steps.
On 30
November, while still recovering from the horrific terrorists attacks on
Friday the 13th, Paris will be the host of at least 80 government
leaders from all major nations across the world. Together they will kick
off the COP21 Climate Summit On 30 November they will together set the
scene for the final Paris Agreement, to be concluded on 11 December.
Which is the opposite from previous COPs, at which government leaders
used to _close_the two weeks of negotiations.
Delegates used to
prepare the text, and the government leaders would sign it off. This is
what happened in 2009 in Copenhagen: government leaders were only
allowed to leave the building after about one extra day (and night) of
negotiations. However, it makes perfect sense to start with presidents
and prime ministers, for they are the ones that have the ultimate
mandate for negotiations. Putting the leaders’ session at the beginning
creates the opportunity to make progress that normally would take two
COPs.
Preparatory work on the Paris Agreement has already been
done in interim meetings, like the one in October in Bonn. However,
negotiators there forced the co-chairs of the central negotiation
process—who had drastically reduced the amount of text—to restore most
elements, still leaving a large number of issues that are ‘still to be
decided’. This means that the success of Paris will depend very much on
the ambitions displayed by the government leaders.
Optimism
In
this context, the lights are at least yellow, and many would say they
are green. “Paris will be a watershed event in climate policies,” said Edward Cameron,
Policy Director of We Mean Business, during a Press Briefing on 17
November. “The Climate talks have never before been in such a promising
position. It’s not enough, but a new economy is about to be
established.”
His optimism was shared by others at the briefing, like Steve Howard, Chief Sustainability Officer of the Ikea Group, and Anne Simpson, Investment Director Global Governance of CalPERS, a $300 billion pension fund in the US.
Michael
Liebreich, Chairman of Bloomberg New Energy Finance said: “Paris is
heading for an ‘imperfect success’. In the last three years, the clean
energy transition has gained momentum, mainly because the cost of clean
energy has come down. In addition, the preparation for this summit has
never been better. US talked to China, India talked to the US. I lost my
scepticism about the UNFCCC process.”
The optimism is partly
justified by the numbers. As of this writing, 174 of 196 countries have
submitted their action plans (INDCs: Intented Nationally Determined
Contributions). According to a recent report
of the UN Climate office (UNFCCC), 147 pledges met the 1 October
deadline. Their aggregated pledges deliver the best result ever.
According to Climate Action Tracker
and the IEA (International Energy Agency), the current pledges, if they
are kept, would lead to a 2.7°C temperature rise, which is quite an
improvement compared to the 3.6° that would be the result if all present
policies in place were implemented. A few years ago, temperature rise
in the 21st century was still predicted to be 4.8 degrees.
Nevertheless, the world still needs to bridge an emissions gap of about 9 billion tonnes
of CO2-equivalents by 2025, or 15 Gt CO2 by 2030, to stay on track for
not exceeding the 2°C threshold, still a considerable amount compared to
total global emissions today (about 50 Gt).
To be sure,
government leaders will definitely not bridge these gaps during this
year’s Summit. But they could decide on how to get onto the 2° Celsius
emissions pathway in the longer term. Progress will be guaranteed if
heads of state agree on a long-term goal, for instance for 2050,
together with a ’ratchet-up mechanism in a five-year cycle, gradually
gearing up the ambitions in INDCs over the next decades. This is
something that could not be accomplished by delegated negotiators, only
by political leaders.
Financing
The
aggregated INDCs and the road ahead to lower emissions are only one part
out of three main desired outcomes of Paris. The second one relates to
the Green Climate Fund, agreed to in Copenhagen in 2009. The Copenhagen
Agreement may be regarded as a failure, it did deliver two results that
are still important today: a general agreement not to exceed a 2°C
temperature rise, and the establishment of the Green Climate Fund, which
requires developed countries to finance mitigation and adaptation
measures in underdeveloped countries with $100 billion a year starting
in 2020.
Up till beginning of November, only $10 billion
has been promised, but Paris is expected to help drive the Green
Climate Fund forward. As many developing countries have now submitted
their plans, it becomes clearer how money from the Green Climate Fund
could be spent. This reduces the uncertainty that up till now was a good
reason for richer countries to delay their pledges.
Nevertheless,
there is still a long way to go. As Edward Cameron of We Mean Business
notes: “This amount of $100 billion is only ‘lubricating money’, because
the real investment will be at a level of trillions of dollars.”
Non-state actors
As
a third important element, Paris could become a real breakthrough if
states and non-state actors, such as cities, business and citizen
groups, could come to an agreement on how to proceed on a 2° pathway together.
Here too government leaders have a crucial role to play. There are
important reasons for them to listen to non-state actors. Business and
cities will have a large part to play in bridging the gap. For instance,
early November the World Business Council on Sustainable Development
reported that its nine low-carbon business partnerships could achieve
two-third of the emissions reductions needed to get on the 2° pathway.
Although business and cities do not take part in the negotiation process, the Lima Paris Action Agenda and the NAZCA
database of the UNFCCC contain many non-state initiatives, proving that
states and non-state actors are becoming increasingly aware of each
other’s efforts. Representatives of We Mean Business said they are
satisfied with the UNFCCC’s acknowledgement of business initiatives.
Cameron: “For the first time, business and negotiators are really act
ingtogether.”
Carbon pricing
A giant step towards integrating state and business efforts would be made if world leaders were to take a stance in favour of carbon pricing.
And this looks quite likely. Already 62 countries apply carbon pricing
mechanisms, covering some 12% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the
world. Over half of the INDCs consider the use of such market-based mechanisms.
At present, carbon pricing (one mention) and market-based mechanisms (three mentions) have only a modest role in the draft text
for the Paris Agreement. But even if a Paris Agreement would not refer
to carbon pricing, it could still take off. For instance, a high-level Carbon Pricing Panel,
initiated by the OECD, IMF and World Bank, is pushing hard for more
carbon pricing mechanisms. Panel members include leaders such as Angela
Merkel (Germany), Michelle Bachelet (Chili), François Hollande (France),
Hailemariam Desalegn (Ethiopia), Benigno Aquino III (Philippines),
Enrique Peña Nieto (Mexico), Jerry Brown (California), and Eduardo Paes
(mayor of Rio de Janeiro).
So there is every reason to assume
carbon pricing will return after Paris on a prominent parallel UNFCCC
negotiation track. Still, it would be an important official
acknowledgement of business efforts if carbon pricing does make it into
the Paris agreement. Even better would be a decisive step allowing
business to become an integral part of the negotiations one way or the
other. For the required acceleration of emission reduction after Paris,
it is indispensable that states synchronise with non-state actors.
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)
French President Francois Hollande said life itself was at stake as
he gave the opening speech of a UN
climate conference on Monday in
Paris. Addressing the over 150 heads of states at the Paris Summit, Francios Hollande said "Never have the stakes of an international meeting been so high
because it concerns the future of the planet, the future of life. The hope of all of humanity rests on all of your shoulders." The most interesting is that French government also pledged to support Africa with 2 billion euros to foster the use of renewal energy in Africa up till 2020.
Africa, it should be noted would suffer the effects of climate change more than any other continent due to the high level of poverty.
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)
The
Bayelsa State Police Command have swiftly played down rumours that a
former president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan was attacked by suspected
hired assassins.
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan
The Bayelsa State Police Command on Monday debunked reports that former President Goodluck Jonathan was attacked in the state. Earlier reports had
stated that there was an attempt on the life of Jonathan by men
suspected to be working for political enemies which instantly went
viral on the social media.
The State’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Butswat
Asinim, who spoke to a correspondent, said persons peddling the rumour
were mischievous. Asinim said a group of hungry youths mistook a convoy
of the former President for that of one of the governorship candidates
in the forthcoming election in the state. Asinim said the youths traditionally followed the convoy, perhaps, for alms, only to discover it belonged to Jonathan. “There was no attack on the former President. The youths mistook his convoy for a governorship candidate engaging in campaigns.
“But when they discovered on getting to the entrance of his house in
Yenagoa that it was that of the President, they ran away. Some of them
were arrested. They did not haul stones at the President’s convoy. They
did not attack the convoy and no weapon was found on them,” Asinim clarified.
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)
The President of Pan African
Parliamentarians Network on Climate Change has said that one of the great
expectations of the Paris Summit should be geared towards the replacement of
the Kyoto Protocol. Hon. Awudu Mbaya made the statement will leaving Cameroon
for Paris ahead of the COP21 Summit which kick-started on November 30, 2015.
According to the Executive President of PAPNCC the protocol served as a good
start and should from now serve as a necessary step to achieving a further
international consensus that would prove to be more effective. The protocol he
added laid the base for such a future strategy by increasing the global
awareness of the issue, stimulating research into the area of global warming,
and providing an incentive for the development of science and technology to
help curb emissions. He however observed that the greatest challenge to that
end is that in 2001 the world’s biggest greenhouse gas emitter, the United
States, responsible for 25% of the world’s greenhouse-gas emissions dropped out
of the Kyoto agreement. Environmentalists say the reason was that the drastic
curb of 7% on its emissions, as targeted by the Kyoto Protocol, would severely
harm the country’s economy. By withdrawing its support on mandatory emission
restrictions, one of today’s most influential countries is not acting as a good
example for the rest of the world.
« One Africa, One Voice and One
Position » whiich is the slogan carried by the 38 member countries of the
PanAfrican Parliamentarians Network On Climate Change (PAPNCC) seeks to bring
to light Africa’s opinion on climate change at the Paris COP21 Summit.
It should be recalled that in a Press
Conference recently Honourable AWUDU MBAYA Cyprian, PAPNCC Executive President
reiterated the fact that every individual, home, ethnic group and Nation must
join the struggle to mitigate fight climate change. According to Hon. Awudu
Mbaya, planting a tree nowadays is the most precious gift one can give to
humanity. Planting trees around water catchment areas he added can contribute
enormously in saving lives. He called on each and everyone to join given that
they (parliamentarians) are politicians and not scientist but have joint the
crusade.
Climate change has a negative impact on
national poverty eradication and sustainable developement, besides has
contributed a lot to global warming. Africa is a victim who suffers the effect
more as 75% of 350,000 people die annually as a result of climate change
related illnesses. Though climate change is an opposition to economic
prosperity, the Paris United Nations Frame Work Convention is battling to reach
a global agreement, which will replace the failed Kyoto protocol.
Hon. Awudu revealed to the Press that
Africa is going to the summit in one spirit and with resolutions arrived at the
Nairobi summit under the theme « Towards a common position on climate
justice and equity in the new world agreement on climate change ».
The Nairobi Summit he added called on
the developed countries compensate Africa on the damage they have caused them
through various means such as ; the Paris Agreement should ensure urgent
cuts in green house emission, and that an increase in the global average
temperature at all times should stand at 1.5°C above pre - industrial levels.
Also, in a bit to support the Green Climate Fund, developed countries should
indiscriminately contribute1.5% of their Gross Domestic Products (GDP) as
estimated by the World Bank. They should as well contribute the necessary
technology and finance to be able to compensate and transform Africa. But the
question remains how much money can be dispose that will be able to repair the
damage already done?
However, Hon. Awudu Mbaya concluded that PAPNC amongst other crusaders like the
East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), Inter-Parliamentary Committee of the
West African Economic and Monetary Union (IPC-ECOWAS), are the eyes of
Africa in Paris looking deep to ensure that the declarations arrived at in
Nairobi is not made a death letter.
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)
The 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference is held November 30 to
December 11 in Paris, France. The avowed goal of this conference is to
reach a comprehensive, binding agreement on climate change bringing together all the world’s nations. The main commitment period for the Kyoto Protocol
expired in 2012, and was extended to 2020. Scientists now believe that
the Kyoto commitments are not enough to turn the tide of climate change.
At the 2014 U.N. Climate Summit in New York, a lot of ground work was done in preparation for the 2015 Paris meeting, and there are high hopes for a brand new agreement.
A
successful agreement in Paris would have to be aimed at keeping the
rise in global average temperatures at or below 2 degrees Celsius above
the pre-industrial average. The necessity to reach such an agreement is
urgent. As the emissions of greenhouse gasescontinue to rise, our ability to keep global warming below critical thresholds is diminishing.
A new agreement will have to aggressively support the development of
renewable, carbon-neutral energy sources like wind and solar.
According to United Nations climate chief
Christiana Figueres, it is precisely this immense technological
challenge that should convince reluctant countries to enter a meaningful
agreement. Economic benefits will come from the development of
renewable energy, including economic growth, technology jobs, and
exports, she told the Associated Press.
While waiting after the slow pace of international diplomacy, here are some actions which anyone can take right now:
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)
