Salaries, Remuneration for Cameroon’s Mayors: Victim of Government Inertia or Call for Open Embezzlement?

By Martin-Luther Fon Yembe ( SG UCCC Donga Mantung Bureau)

It was President Paul Biya, who, on December 31, 2013 reproached and rebuked the Philemon Yang Government for being sick from a disease he baptized inertia.\! Maybe Mr. President did not know the magnitude of the illness. It is not just at the level of HIV but has transgressed to AIDS!! This is so when we examine what is happening/or not happening with the situation of remunerations for Mayors and their Deputies.

It was on September 16, 2016 that a Presidential Decree was signed by President Paul Biya granting a salary and some allowances to Government Delegates, Mayors and their Deputies as well as adjusting favorably the allowances for councilors. The Budget for 2016 was voted in November 2015, promulgated into law and many ministries are already executing it. The Minister of Territorial Administration was quick to tell Mayors that the Budget had already taken care of the salaries and that all is being done for this to be paid in the shortest time possible.

We are at the beginning of March 2016 and these Mayors and their deputies have not yet had even the allowances for electricity, water or telephone. The salary situation is now an inviolable issue left to the winds. Nobody cares; nobody says anything, not even the UCCC!

Going by the facts that these Mayors and Deputies have families, friends and political commitments to fulfill, as has been the tradition, and more so, given that they cannot access any single franc since they have to do so only when the Ministers in Yaoundé sign the deliberations of the Budget sessions of the various councils, long done in November 2015, it beats any one’s imagination why this has become another “progressive” promise!

In the present circumstance, a Mayor or Deputy has to keep the office going, his family going, his stomach going and his social connections going! Do you imagine what will NOT happen? What will NOT happen is that the Mayor will Not stop fulfilling these “indispensable” natural demands! How? By dipping his hands into some forbidden coffers!! Whose fault? The indolence and lethargy of the Yang Government!

It should be recalled that immediately the Presidential Decree was signed on September 16, the majority RDPC-controlled UCCC organized a Thank You trip to Yaoundé to say “THANK YOU PAPA PAUL BIYA!!”, and now that Papa Paul Biya knows he is dealing with weaklings who are all the same like these susceptible and gullible Camerounais, he had to wag his tail and on December 31, 2015, his message was “THANKS FOR RESILIENCE”!!

The conclusion one makes of all these is that the regime is bedeviled somehow! What does it cause a Minister to sign a deliberation of a council where all the council did was to fulfill the demands stated in the September 16, Presidential Decree, allocating the amounts as directed! Ever since this new dispensation was voted, the Municipal Treasurers cannot pay anything, not even the old scale of allowances to the mayors and Deputies until the Ministerial golden signature! Is this deliberate to push the Mayors misbehave so that Yaoundé finds an excuse to reverse the ongoing decentralization moves? Who benefits, and who loses!!! The state of Cameroon is at stake!!!

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

Of Cameroonian Intellectual and the Making of Public Intellectuals #IssueOfTheWeek

Thomas Sowell once said that "some of the biggest cases of mistaken identity are among intellectuals who have trouble remembering that they are not God.” But I will contextualize what Thomas said by adding that there are plenty of people who have spent alot of time thinking over nothing yet mock the assumed self importance that must surely accompany not only the willingness to be "public intellectuals", but also abuse the term "public intellectual". It is their ignorance and prejudices that is allowing false ideas and bad values to work. I may not be an expert in the Queen's language but this issue has come up lately over CRTV Debate Club. I am a good poet and i adore my critics. However, when an intellectuals transforms self to a songbird of a political order, it creates the disaster that may befell society. It may not only be to the type Cameroon has produced but to one who may go on a public space at the drum beats of a chorus to be viewed as a self-proclaimed expert. Society relies on their elite(s) to get things right but I am wondering whether in Cameroon we can rely on some intellectual elite because theirs is to get things wrong. (Abeg, I need one expert to help me. Probably the panelist who quoted me). Nevertheless, I think the figure of such a person should be one that is endowed with values that can describe and analyse situations and issues from this point of view inorder to proscribe what need to be done or for its realization to progress. What i am wondering is the meaning of what it is to be an intellectual and to do intellectual work. To me, the idea of having some thinkers in Cameroon today, or intellectuals has been proclaimed dead and done away with ever since some of them joined the chorus of social guards to defend the interest of x and or y. To cut the story short, I think the intellectual needs the promise of another in order to actualise the process of the struggle  and desire which produces the intellectual itself. So, the beginning of the end of the intellectual as someone puts it is already inhabited by the end.  

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

Bangolang Chieftaincy Palaver: Villagers Besiege NW Governor's Office

Some villagers from Bangolang in the Ngoketunjia Division of the North West Region have stormed North West Governor's office requesting for the release of their brothers, sisters, and parents who were arrested last week. The group which is mostly made up of youths have vowed that they will not leave the governor's office until their compatriots are released from detention. It should be recalled that on February 17, Bagolang village registered an unprecedented incident when some kingmakers attempted to dethrone their ruler Fon Chafah Isaac. During that incident, some elders and youths were also arrested including the allegedly enthroned new fon. 

On February 19, 2016, when North West Governor arrived the scene his vehicle was vandalized and it is  also alleged that those who were in support of Fon Chafah like the mayor of Babessi also saw their property vandalized. This incident has generated alot of debate on the social media as expressionists say the people could dethrone their fon while others say in the graffi tradition, the fon is enthroned for life. 

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

MTN Withdraws Suit Against Nigerian Communications Commission, Pays 50 Billion Naira

MTN has withdrawn its suit against the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and paid N50 billion towards an amicable resolution of the fine imposed on the telecoms giant.

MTN office

 According to a report on The Cable, telecommunications giant, MTN, has withdrawn its suit against the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and paid N50 billion towards an amicable resolution of the fine imposed on the telecoms giant. 

 It can be recalled that NCC fined MTN N1.04 trillion for failing to deactivate 5.1 million unregistered SIM cards and later reduced the amount to N780 billion after the first round of negotiations. However, MTN filed a suit as the December 31, 2015 deadline drew near, and later requested an out-of-court settlement. 

 At the federal high court in Lagos on Wednesday, the telecoms company withdrew the case in response to a request by the Nigerian authorities. The CEO of MTN Nigeria, Ferdi Moolman, said on the withdrawal: 

 

"This is a most encouraging development. It demonstrates a willingness and sincerity by both parties to work together towards a positive outcome."  MTN paid N50 billion to the federal government as a gesture of good faith and commitment to continued efforts towards an amicable resolution," according to the telecoms company."

Moolman further said: "We are hopeful at this stage. Along with the authorities, it is clear that we are collectively committed to working towards a solution that is of mutual benefit to all parties. Our industry in Nigeria is an incredibly important example of the remarkable progress in ICT particularly as a much needed catalyst for socio-economic growth and development at this time."

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

Nigerian Senator Faces Sack Over Certificate Forgery

A lawmaker of the red chambers representing Nassarawa state might be shown the exit doors by court injunction after strong allegations of certificate forgery is being deliberated upon.

Senator Suleiman Asonya Adokwe

 A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has been asked to remove Senator Suleiman Asonya Adokwe, representing Nasarawa South Senatorial District, for allegedly presenting a false certificates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for election, according to Daily Post.

Adokwe assumed office as a legislator in December 2015 after the court has removed Architect Salihu Hussaini Egyegbola.

Egyegbola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared winner of the senatorial election by INEC, a decision Adokwe contested at the election tribunal.

He lost at the tribunal, but won at the Court of Appeal, which in a December 10, 2015 judgment voided Egyegbola’s election and ordered INEC to return Adokwe as winner of the election for the Nasarawa South Senatorial District.

 The plaintiff, Mohammed Abubakar Ozegya, in the suit he filed through his lawyer, Mathew Burkaa, before the Federal High Court, Abuja, stated, in a supporting affidavit, that upon Adokwe’s assumption of office, he discovered from the Form CF001 he (Adokwe) submitted to INEC, that the Senator presented certificates bearing other people’s names.

Ozegya, who claimed to be an indigene of Nasarawa State, said he discovered, in the Form CF001CF001 (affidavit in support of personal particulars of person seeking election to the office or membership of the Senate) deposed to on December 16, 2014 at the High Court of Justice, Lafia, Nasarawa State, that the 1st defendant (Adokwe) “submitted the WAEC certificate of one Adokwe Solomon and primary school certificate of Sule Adokwai, purporting same to be his.

“It is a fact in the Nasarawa South Senatorial District that the certificate of one Adokwe Solomon and Sule Adokwai presented by the 1st defendant are certainly not his certificates

“It is even more surprising that the 2nd defendant allowed the 1st defendant to use the WAEC and primary School certificates of an unknown third party to contest election in the first place. By presenting the WAEC certificate of one one Adokwe Solomon and Sule Adokwai in his Form CF001, the 1st defendant is not fit to continue to occupy the seat in the national Assembly,” the plaintiff said.

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

Calls for President Biya to run spiteful of Cameroonians says NDI’s Chris Fomunyoh

By Ajong Mbapndah L (Courtesy of Pan African Visions)

The Cameroonian Youth remains a source of hope says Fomunyoh

For a country with the kind of potential and human resources that Cameroon has, calls for President Paul Biya to seek another term of office will be a setback for the democratization process says Dr Chris Fomunyoh, Senior Associate and Regional Director for Central and West Africa  at the National Democratic Institute-NDI.

In an Interview at his Washington,DC,Office after his most recent trip to Cameroon, Fomunyoh said after over thirty years in power and in his 80s, it will not serve the best interest of Cameroon if Biya bows in to the drum beats of partisan chorus for another term of office.

“In times of attacks from Boko Haram, at a time when the President has not set foot in the Grand North where the bulk of attacks are taking place, and at a time when there is no thought of making the next elections credible, soviet era calls for President Biya to run are spiteful of Cameroonians,” says Fomunyoh.

Lauding the Cameroonian military for the gallantry in the fight against Boko Haram, Fomunyoh was apprehensive of the effects that the war will have on people in the Grand North Region in the long term. The region was already underdeveloped and the impact of the war will linger around for a while,he said. Dwelling on the myriad of challenges facing Cameroon, Fomunyoh said the country needs the freest and most inclusive elections possible to avoid calamities that have befallen other African countries.

Paying a courtesy call to President Roch Marc Kabore of Burkina Faso, Dr Fomunyoh and the NDI have been very active in facilitating democratic change across Africa

The constitutional foundation of Cameroon is very fragile says Dr Fomunyoh, whose regular visits and engagement with people across the country continue to fuel speculations that he may be in for a Presidential run.  Though he did not confirm his Presidential ambitions, Dr Fomunyoh signaled his intent to remain actively engaged in the the quest for solutions to shape a better way forward for Cameroon.

In the interview which started with questions on developments in Burkina Faso and Nigeria, Dr Fomunyoh also discussed the growing terror threats across Africa and the role that former leaders can play after leaving office.

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

We will Dishonor You, If You Fail Us”: Mbum Fons of Donga Mantung Warned!

By Muni Bondi in Mbipgo

The Fons of Mbumland in Donga Mantung have been advised to remain honorable and do just the right thing as far AS THE LEADERSHIP OF North West Fon’s Union ( NOWEFU) is concerned. They were given this hard piece of advice at a Conference organized by the NOWEFU branch of Ndu Sub division on Monday, February 22 2016 at the palace of the Fon of Mbipgo.Addressing the over twenty Fons from across Mbumland including the Fons of Nkambe, Fon Ibrahim Jabfu, the Fon of Binka Fon Benchep and Fon Mbunwe, of Mbort, Shey Lontum Martin Luther Fon Yembe, First Deputy Mayor of Ndu Council, reminded the Chiefs that they are the natural custodians of Mbum culture and so should not be led by the nose to the detriment of Mbum values and culture, now an endangered specie. He wondered why it is only during the turn of Donga Mantung that the ongoing political manipulations and feet-dragging should be noticed.In order to stress his point, Martin Yembe warned the Fons that the population of Mbum sons and daughters in Bamenda are waiting to see what they will put up as a candidate from the division. Given that Donga Mantung has this singular chance to put up one of theirs who can stand straight and speak out for the entire people, it was thus incumbent for the Fons to stop being manipulated by those presently at the leadership of NOWEFU for their selfish purposes. He wondered why a Mbum Fon too cannot be appointed Senator, yet they sit waiting for a small time Fon from an obscure settlement to come and dictate things to them.On the culture, Yembe lamented the fact that some churches have invaded our culture and decaled war against it in the name of God! He referred them to the Epistles of Peter where God entreats all people to honor their kings and the institutions they incarnate. How comes some of our Fons are now turning their backs to the culture that makes the Fon what he is and by destroying some cultural artifacts and even turning the palaces into churches obliging all to be members…he wondered. On Politics, the Mayor regretted the fact that our Fons have become victims of political elite whose motto is POLITICS AT ALL COST! He narrated the shame and disgrace our Fons are plunging themselves into in the name of politics to the detriment of the people, the Mbumland and our future. Why, he questioned, can Donga Mantung Fons not emulate what is good, and also put up an Ultimatum to Yaoundé to get what they want, since they have failed to get them by being sycophants of the regime!!In order to drive home his point, Yembe purchased over twenty copies of the book: DRINKING THE GOSPEL IN AFRICAN CUPS, by Pastor Koyoh Nformi, and distributed to all the Fons present. Speaking earlier, the Fon of Ngarum, Fon Nganji III, current president of NOWEFU Ndu Branch insisted that the meeting is out to seek for peaqceful means to the resolution of conflicts and to ensure that they remain united in peace under existing laws. On his part, the President of Nkambe Central branch of NOWEFU, Fon Mbunwe III of Mbort CONFESSED THAT HE ADMIRED THE WONDERFUL ORGANIZATION OF THE Ndu Branch and promised to emulate and do same in Nkambe. He regretted that fact that the Land Laws in Cameroon deprives Fons, custodians of the original land of having nothing to do presently with existing land, yet it is the Divisional Officers, all strangers who will soon go, that have the leverage to decide on lands. As Mayor in charge of Education and Social Welfare, and Shey Lontum the Messenger, he is ready to carry on a crusade to educate Mbum people on the activities of our Fathers, the Fons, be they positive or negative…reason why they should stand up straight and do just what is expected of them, especially now as the entire North West awaits a formidable candidate for the Presidency of NOWEFU. Other issues raised included the preparations for the 2016 ECCUFORUM, the classification of Chiefs and Fons, and the call for the Fons to be vigilant .Closing the ceremony, the Assistant Divisional Officer for Ndu appreciated the high ;level of maturity that is manifest in the Union, calling on them to have mutual respect and uphold the laws of the state. He called for vigilance at this period that Cameroon is facing lots of external threats.Welcoming all to Mbipgo, the Fon of Mbipgo thanked the founding members of NPWEFU, reminding all that the coming March 2016 will make him one year on the throne, and he counts on the prayers and support of all . He narrated the historical roots of Mbipgo tracing them to the Tang family. He requested that Government assists them in the domain of teachers for the newly created GTC; the Health Centre and praised the cordial relationship that reigns between the SDF and CPDM in his village.The occasion ended in dancing, juju displays and feasting with a historic population turn out of over two thousand people.

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

Forthcoming Presidential Elections: A People's Call from the United States of America for President Biya

Militants of the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement-USA-CPDM grouped under the leadership of Patience Tamfu(Section President) have declared their unflinching support to President Paul ahead of the forthcoming Presidential elections in Cameroon. In a well-worded motion of Support, issued on February 17, 2016, USA-CPDM unanimously choose the President of the CPDM, as candidate. Here below is the Call from Uncle Sam's America...

Motion of Support 

To The Head of State, President of the Republic of Cameroon, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency President Paul Biya

Sitting in an Extra Ordinary CPDM USA Section Executive Conference, convened by the Section President Mrs. Patience Tamfu, and on behalf of our Subsections, Branches and Militants; we unanimously resolved to renwe our loyalty, to the CPDM party and to the National Chairman H.E Paul Biya, President of the Republic. 

* Acknowledging that peace and stability are vital pre-conditions for political growth and economic development;

* Inspired by the relentless fight in the war against boko haram terrorists; 

* Aware of the role the Government has played in offering meaningful solutions to pressing socio-political, economic and cultural challenges faced by Cameroonians;

* Recognizing the progress made so far in infrastructural development, which will facilitate free flow of commerce especially from farms to the markets;

* Encouraged that Cameroon is instituting new reforms and improvements in the private sector to lure more investments to Cameroon;

* Noting further the international community's increasing confidence in Cameroon's ability to foster innovation and progress based on its human values, the strength of its youth, its rich and abundant natural resources; 

We, militants of the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement Party in the United States of America (CPDM USA) this February 17th 2016 unanimously declare our unflinching support to President Paul Biya, National Chairman of our party as our chosen candidate in the forthcoming Presidential elections. 

Patience Tamfu
Section President
CPDM USA

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

Nollywood Veteran Actor, Festus Aguebor is No More

Nollywood has been thrown into a deep state of mourning following the demise of a veteran Nollywood actor known for starring in major thrilling movies.

Late Festus Aguebor

 Nigerian media few days ago of the tragic death of popular Igodo actor, Michael Odiachi, and now, Nollywood has experienced yet another great loss as veteran actor, Festus Aguebor, known for his white beards, has passed away.

 

Earlier today, ace producer, Fidelis Duker announced on Facebook the passing away of the actor who was popular for his roles in movies such as The King and I, Family Contract, Rituals and A Kiss from a Rose. He was also popular for his role as the grandpa in family series, Household.

 

May his soul R.I.P Amen!!!

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

Nigerian Government Penalizes Multichoice DStv for Consumer Rights Abuse

Nigerian has penalised MultiChoice Nigerian Ltd over strong allegations of abuse of consumers rights.

 The Consumer Protection Council has issued disciplinary orders to MultiChoice Nigerian Ltd following reported violation of consumer rights in the provision of its Digital Satellite Broadcast Television service.

This follows the conclusion of investigations into the allegations consumer rights abuse brought by the public. The council ordered the company to compensate its consumers for violation of their rights.

Some of the compensation are suspension of service when consumers are away; release of free-to-air channels, even when subscription expires; compensation across board to consumers for lost viewing time, introduction of local toll free lines; and reasonable equitable spread of popular sports channels, among others.

The company was also required to present written assurances in line with Section 10 of the Council’s enabling law that it will not engage in any conduct which is detrimental to the interest of consumers.

In the same vein, the company would for 18 months from the date of the order, subject its processes to the Council’s inspection to ensure compliance with the directives contained in the orders.

It said that all the orders, which have already been served on MultiChoice, are effective, not later than 90 days from their receipt.

The Council’s Director General, Mrs. Dupe Atoki, expressed optimism that compliance with these reforms would bring about a new dawn for Nigerian consumers.

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

Boko Haram Kingpin in Nigerian Military Dragnet?

Strong rumours have it that Abubakar Shekau of the dreaded Boko Haram sect may have been nabbed by Nigerian troops as an investigation is underway to confirm his identity.

 The Nigerian military has said it is yet to confirm the speculation over an arrest of Boko Haram kingpin popularly known as Bashir Sarkin Yanka, which, in Hausa, means Bashir the King of Slaughter and who had been acting as Abubakar Shekau in some videos on the social media, according to the Vanguard.

Local security volunteer group known as Civilian JTF in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State claimed that it had arrested the notorious Boko Haram kingpin. The arrested suspect was reported to have confessed to the Civilian JTF that he had acted as Boko Haram leader, Shekau, in some videos and was responsible for the death of his (Bashir’s) mother, two sisters and brother apart from engaging in mass slaughter.

However, spokesperson of Operation Lafiya Dole in the North-East, Air Commodore Dele Alonge, said the military could not confirm the arrest of the Shekau’s actor yet.

 He said the military had sustained its counter-insurgency operations where some terrorists had been eliminated and others apprehended in the North-East.

Alonge said: “As you are aware, the Nigerian military has succeeded in routing out terrorists from some of their hideouts in the North-East, and, in the process, some were eliminated and others had been arrested.

“We cannot at the moment provide the identities of those in our custody or in other places until after we have conducted thorough investigations,” he said.

Speaking further, he said the military arrested two suspects, Audu Umar and Hassan Umar for smuggling themselves among the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) brought from Pulka to Gwoza IDPs Camp in Borno State.

He said the male suspects who gave their names as Audu Umar and Hassan Umar were undergoing interrogation by the military and intelligence operatives.

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

North West Fons Union-NOWEFU: End of Time for Kaduna Mafia

By Fai Cassian Ndi

Truth is like a heavy load thrown into the sky that must finally fall down. When the elective General Assembly of the North West Fons Union-NOWEFU of February 18 flopped, that was when the heavy load that the Kaduna mafia had thrown into the sky protect their interest started falling down. Matters came to a head when North West Governor, on Friday summoned the Executive of NOWEFU ahead of the Nkambe elective AGM and ordered its suspension after observing the flaws in the constitution.  This was the last stroke to stop constitutional manipulations at NOWEFU which was intended to give Fon Teche, the outgoing President of NOWEFU, the post of Honorary President General as observed by analysts. 

The crux of the matter is that the revised constitution had created the post of Honorary President General (who should be a member of government or anyone ranking as such). As to what happened to the revised 2005 edition of the constitution of  union with which it was registered in 2006 (acknowledgment  receipt No 00100/E.29/111/vol.8/APPB remains another misery that only the Kaduna mafia can tell.  Yet when the leadership crisis resurfaced the Mezam SDO's office was in difficulties because it appeared NOWEFU had three different constitutions at the level of the administration. To cut the matter short, Fon Chafah took the matter to court, and in suit No HCMB/13/2015, the High Court of Mezam ruled that: the Senior Divisional Officer of Mezam who is even the Supervisory authority of the Union, call a general assembly of all the members to regularize the issue of their constitution and thereafter hand over to the new executive that shall be elected therefrom. The Nkambe elective General assembly was then convened based on that court ruling. The argument that elections were carried forward because Donga Mantung fons are not united is not tenable at all. Donga Mantung has helped in revealing the practices of the one-time Kaduna mafia that used to decide on who should be elected as President of NOWEFU. In article 1 of the Internal rules and regulations defining the duties and functions of the various officers of the union states that: The Honorary President General 

* Shall be the laison person between the union and the administration of the Republic

*Shall work closely with the executive Bureau of the Union

* Shall be a member of Government or assimilated as such

*Shall be a former Executive Bureau Member 

* Shall be elected by the General Assembly. 

Implicitly, only Fon Teche fulfills the third condition and wins to remain in power. What reason accounts for the creation of this position when during his own reign the post was not there? Will Donga Mantung accept this? Elite of Donga Mantung Division we gathered have vowed to unleash a can of worms of that post is not deleted. PM Yang sources say has summoned the outgoing executive to explain after the warning signals. 

The Fon Chafah, Fon Teche Wahala

Despite being best friends through thick and thin since the creation of the North West Fons Union-NOWEFU, it is now clear that Fon Chafah of Bangolang and Fon Teche Njei of Ngyenmuwa have fallen out. It has finally emerged that the duo (formerly ring leaders of the Kaduna mafia) as they used to call themselves have turned their backs. This was confirmed by a release issued recently by Fon Chafah rubbishing his former ally (Fon Teche).

What is however intriguing is that these former ring leaders of the Kaduna mafia tacitly claim ownership over NOWEFU. At the beginning, Fon Chafah fired an unguided missile towards Fon Teche. In a letter to former Mezam SDO Nguele Nguele Felix, which several quarters were copied titled “Truth and Facts which may be bitter but necessary for posterity” (he) Fon Chafah outline the following points against his former friend:

*“Senator Fon Teche Njei has never convened a single General Assembly or Executive meeting of NOWEFU since his election in 2012, thereby leading the association single handedly with demagogy, manipulation, division and misinformation. He has even summarily put aside his Secretary General, Fon Ndofoa Zofoa of Babungo.

*Being the first Third Class Fon with a very tiny population to head NOWEFU, he has systematically excluded all the First Class Fons and Second Class prominent of the region from the affairs of the association, so as to continuously manipulate a few fons who run after him.

*Clandestine trips to Yaounde to harass state officials for pecuniary gains and self aggrandizement are frequent under his leadership, thereby putting the once respected Fons of the region to ridicule and disgrace.

*A grand fundraising was organized by him soon after his election to complete a multi-purpose secretariat complex of NOWEFU built up to 80% under my presidency, no work has been done and no account rendered of the ten million FCFA collected for that purpose. In fact reliably sources hold that huge sums of money were collected by him and pocketed from prominent state personalities amongst which are the Secretary General and Assistant Secretary General at the Presidency, and the delegate general of the National Security.

*Politics being a game of numbers and results, it is on record that he has never won any election for the ruling CPDM where he is Senator and Central Committee member through appointment. His Batibo Constituency has been in the hands of the opposition since the inception of multi-party politics. His colleague in the senate, Fon Doh Gayonga of Bali proudly has his Bali council under the control of the CPDM. I equally proudly have all the two (2) parliamentary seats, the Senatorial seat and all the three councils in my Ngoketunjia constituency under the CPDM. That is what we call support for President Paul Biya, National Chairman of the ruling party and not empty noise and demagogy. CPDM is the winning party in my Fondom Bangolan.

In light of foregoing sir, I retreat you to take this moment of truth in good faith and to support us to re-establish legality of NOWEFU.

With the expiration of Fon Teche’s mandate on the 16^th of March 2015, he no longer has the locus standi to act on behalf of NOWEFU and any attempt by him to convene any meeting to modify our constitution shall be considered as null and void. Any administrative authority or persons treating with him in that capacity are no longer doing so in the interest of the North West Fons. The Advisory Council of NOWEFU shall be meeting very soon to chart a way forward for the association with a view to putting in place a transitional committee to organize elections for a new President General from any of the two gaining divisions”.

Fon Chafah also revealed that NOWEFU is a legal structure and was duly registered by the then Senior Divisional Officer for Mezam, Jules Marcelin Djaga. Fon Chafah Issac finds faults with Mezam Administration for asking Fon Teche to organize a general assembly to adopt a new constitution for NOWEFU, even though former Mezam SDO Nguele Nguele is said to have been wondering why NOWEFU had three different constitutions.

To Be Continued

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

Kumbo-Nkambe Stretch of the Bamenda Ring Road: A Calamity of the Biya Regime #IssueOfTheWeek

By Fai Cassian Ndi

I have heard people saying that by week end they will be traveling to Bamenda to stage a peaceful in support of President Biya's candidate for the upcoming Presidential Elections. This will perhaps be the second People's call from the North West Region. It is their democratic rights. That is the price of democracy. 

Paul Atanga Nji, Minister of Special Duties staged managed one of such a People's Call few weeks earlier. Since Northwesterners are what they are. They have planned one which will bring to Bamenda all the white collar poli(thief)cians of North West Region to sing a new chorus for the CPDM. This meeting is expected to bring to Bamenda CPDM bigwigs from all the Division including Donga Mantung and Menchum. How militants from these two Division will travel to Bamenda remains a great misery. This is so because if you have never seen where a car is tied in dust, board a car from Bamenda to Nkambe or Wum. I know some of us who have had the good fortune to leave the country to Europe, Asia or USA should be wondering what is really happening. Since I know some political gangsters who are hiding in the CPDM would say it is  forbidden to make critical judgment analysis on the neglect of the Bamenda Ring Road by the Biya regime and that making such a critical judgment is like writing  satanic verses that lead to divine sentence, i wish those from Menchum and Donga Mantung could be transported by air. But let the word go forth from this time and medium to friends and enemies of progress alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation that will talk than die in silence. That the people of Donga Mantung Division have been tempered with carelessness by the Biya government is an indisputable human rights abuse. Since 1948, the Bamenda man has reluctantly accepted the slow shame of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed to and which the nature of this country and the powers that be have imposed. In fact if a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it can never save the few who are rich. 

When government institutions were the pillars of moral value, any statement made publicly by the Head of state of this great nation Cameroon was never suspected to be an “April fool” kind of merrymaking. Any public pronouncement of the Head of State was considered by all and sundry as part of the Presidential largess that the President dishes out every time he visits any locality. Such a pronouncement was considered as a symbol of decorum because such promises were immediately followed up and realized within the shortest time possible. I remember my father once told me that President Biya once declared that he was personally going to supervise the construction of the Bamenda Ring road. Yet 24 years have come and past since he made that promise and the Bamenda Ring is still in patches like achaba tyres. Traveling from Kumbo to any part of Donga Mantung Division is not just a nightmare but demands a week of serious fasting and prayer because you never know when you will get to your destination. I do not know whether it is the influence of the Western culture that has transformed government institutions into negating its people or influence of politics that has made Head of States to forget what they say immediately it is done. However, anyone who would maladroitly sit on the fence to declare that the Bamenda Ring Road is not a necessity or a priority should be considered as being in a state of sin. Being a respecter of the institution that President Biya incarnates and the powers that he wields, the pressure suddenly became unbearable when I spent over 4 hours on the same spot along the Ndu-Nkambe stretch of the ring road. 

Even though there is a statement in the Bible which states that people should not pass round for judges on others, I believe it is often quoted out of context because the Bible still tells us that people should be judged if their acts are injurious. I am aware that this critical judgment analysis is badly needed. It is imperative because the Ring road is in tears again  and the bells of anguish are being heard signaling that Donga Mantung Division may cease to exist in the map of this country. I am also aware that this bit will offset many people but it is a fact. Even so, who is even going to twist my arm for speaking the truth? Is it not a democratic right for the people of Donga Mantung to have a good access road and even enjoy more as a border Division? 

 Calamity, calamity………… 

Notwithstanding, if anyone takes this judgment for an offense, believe me it is positive insults. And if today some of our leaders no more command the powers they use to exercise, it is because of the copious counterfeited promises they make. I recall a former Minister once asked me in Yaounde whether the Bamenda Ring road had any economic values. It pains and kills my imagination as well as the picture post-card I got from my father that they decided to unite with La Republique because of what was happening up the road. 50 years after reunification the situation of this road is more pathetic than before. When I look across the river and see the road network, I cry for my Fatherland. When I see politicians taking false oaths because they have their interest to protect and like Achidi Achu who after his appointment as Prime Minister declared that he was the Ring Road, I pity myself why I was born a Cameroonian. In fact I disagree with people who would say that it is the notion of personal aggrandizement that has pushed the Biya regime to loose sight of reality. And to me, it is some sort of a mental torture that is being exercise. 

The North West Region has had the privilege to produce two Prime Ministers but the notion that Biya appoints ministers to work for their people did not work. None of them created the unexpected like late Pefok who rejected a speech from the Yaounde cronies and doled out one from his pocket to tell President Biya what the Bamenda man thinks is like waiting for exhale. When Rt Hon. Achidi Achu was appointed Prime Minister, he told North Westerners that he was the ring road. It was a bitter pill but  we accepted and swallowed it. Yang Philemon also had the good fortune to be appointed Prime Minister and since charity begins at home and justice next door, work on the Kumbo –Nkambe Stretch of the ring road will end in Kumbo while a mini Ring Road linking Oku to Babungo, Noni and maybe Misaje will be tarred. 

 Anyone who has been on this road any of these days will agree that to travel to Donga Mantung Division, it demands serious fasting and prayers. No pregnant woman can travel on this road especially with the clouds of dust. The story of the ring road is not only that of pools of water, clouds of dust but the story that at this time of the year every small hill always make a name. It may sound ridiculous but the truth is that traveling from Bamenda to Donga Mantung or Menchum demands two sets of dresses, one for the dust and another to wear at the destination. I am sure the CPDM BIGWIGS will come along with more sets. 

The state of nature of the Bamenda Ring road has made it in such a way that it is the nature of the dust or mud that determines the transport fare. 

In case of any disaster as was the case of Lake Nyos, evacuation of victims will not just be be problem but would contribute to destroy lives that would have been saved. If we go by the popular saying that where the road passes development follows, then the people of Donga Mantung Division who rely on the Ring Road will never dream of any meaningful development. 

I wish I were eloquent to put down on paper the picture that comes to me from the restrained of anger and cough due to the dust on the ring road. I need not dwell upon the authenticated horrors of the Nazi internment camps and death chambers for Jews. That is not tragic but a kind of insane horror. It is the ring road which is tragic. The essence of tragedy is not the doing of evil by evil men but the doing of evil by good men, out of weakness, indecision, sloth, and the inability to act in accordance with what they know to be right.

The ring road, until its termination, presents the classic existential argument about the existence of God or a higher power: if he did and does exist, then the only natural choice is to become a disciple is to be in the CPDM; but if he did not, then there is no afterlife, then life is meaningless in this part of the country even if the entire region signs a People's Call for President Biya as NATURAL CANDIDATE. 

Hence, there is nothing to be done except to live every moment without a thought to the next. The state of nature of the Ring Road has made Donga Mantung an Island on land which makes them to feel and to be powerless to influence the life of society by which their own life is governed. Change can occur only by a great increase of participation and responsibility on the part of those who now are well fed and amused but are excluded from effective participation in political decisions or in the policies of the institutions and enterprises they work in. 

Today, thinking and feeling are more and more separated from each other, and this separation leads either to an almost schizophrenic intellectualism or to a neurotic, irrational emotionalism-THE PEOPLE'S CALL. Only if emotions and reason are brought together can man function in a way which makes life interesting and hence creates the possibility of a productive life. To put it briefly, what Donga Mantung people need is not speeches but a road that can make life more meaningful and bring back humanity from the wilderness closer to the people. 

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

Nigerian Professor Set to Receive America's Highest Honor for Scientists

A Nigerian genius professor has broken very much into the world of science and is now set to receive the U.S government's highest award for scientists.

 

Professor Deji Akinwande

 

Highly acclaimed professor, Deji Akinwande has been selected to receive a '2016 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE)' by President Barrack Obama, the United States government’s highest honor for scientists and engineers in the early stages of research.

 

Prof. Akinwande is an associate professor in electrical and computer engineering and the Jack Kilby/Texas Instruments Endowed Faculty Fellow in Computer Engineering in the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin.

 

He is among 106 recipients announced by the White House on Thursday. The winners, who will be honored at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., this spring, were selected for having research that is both innovative and beneficial to society. Prof. Akinwande is one of two PECASE recipients from The University of Texas at Austin. The other recipient is Prof. Keji Lai from the Department of Physics.

 

Now in its 20th year, the Presidential Early Career Awards are coordinated through the President’s Office of Science and Technology Policy, which selects winners “for their pursuit of innovative research at the frontiers of science and technology and their commitment to community service as demonstrated through scientific leadership, public education, or community outreach.”

 

Prof. Akinwande is known for his groundbreaking research on nanomaterials, sensors, devices and flexible technology. He is considered one of the top researchers in the world in the areas of graphene, silicon electronics and 2-D nanomaterials for use in flexible electronics. In 2015, Akinwande created the first transistor out of silicene, the world’s thinnest silicon material, and he is continuing to advance the capabilities of computer chips and other electronics.

 

Prof. Akinwande has been the recipient of several prestigious awards, including the Inaugural IEEE NANO “Geim and Novoselov Graphene Prize,” an IEEE Early Career Award in Nanotechnology, a National Science Foundation Career Award, an Army Research Office Young Investigator award, and a Young Investigator award from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.

 

Previously, Texas ECE professor Mattan Erez received the PECASE award in 2014 and Prof. Seth Bank received the PECASE award in 2009.

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

I Won't Devalue Naira - President Buhari Yet Again Rejects Devaluation of the Nation's Currency

President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated that his position not to approve further devaluation of the Naira, saying that Nigeria, which is not an exporting nation, would be worst hit if the Naira was devalued.

President Buhari with President of Sudan, H.E. Omar Al-Bashir and Prime Minister of Ethiopia, H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn at the Opening Panel- Presidential Roundtable of Business for Africa, Egypt and the World in Sharm El-Sheikh Egypt on 20th Feb 2016 

 

While contributing to a Presidential Panel Roundtable on Investment and Growth Opportunities at the opening session of the Africa 2016: Business for Africa, Egypt and the World at Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, President Muhammadu Buhari has again ruled out the possibility of his government devaluing the naira.

 The president said on Saturday that the priority of his administration was to ensure national food security before export of food products, adding that Nigeria being a mono-economy dependent on oil, and with a teeming unemployed youth population, the way out of the current slump in the global oil market, is for the administration to focus on agriculture and solid minerals development.

 "The land is there and we need machinery inputs, fertilizer and insecticides," he said.

 Reiterating his opposition to the devaluation of the naira, President Buhari said Nigeria cannot compete with developed countries which produce to compete among themselves, and can afford to devalue their local currencies.

 "Developed countries are competing among themselves and when they devalue they compete better and manufacture and export more. But we are not competing and exporting but importing everything including toothpicks. So, why should we devalue our currency?" the president asked.

 "We want to be more productive and self-sufficient in food and other basic things such as clothing. For our government, we like to encourage local production and efficiency."

 He added that those who have developed taste for foreign luxury goods should continue to pay for them rather pressure government to devalue the naira.

 President Buhari, who expressed optimism that Nigeria would get out of its current economic downturn, noted that another major problem militating against economic revival is the huge resources deployed towards fighting insurgency and international terrorism.

 He, however, commended the support being received from the international community in the administration’s fight against terrorism as well as cooperation in tracing looted funds stashed away in foreign countries.

 Responding to a question on his performance since he assumed office, the president said that his administration had been quite focused on three fundamental issues of securing the country, reviving the economy and stamping out corruption.

“The message on corruption has been driven home vividly and Nigerians are very acceptable to the message,” he said, adding that those accused of stealing public funds are cooperating by voluntarily providing useful information while investigations and prosecutions are ongoing.

Before departing Egypt, President Buhari and his Egyptian host, had a bilateral discussion on security, military cooperation, agriculture and solid minerals development.

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

We are Disorganised-President Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has finally admitted that Nigeria is in a state of disorganization and pressure as a result of falsely relying on mono-economic product. 

President Muhammadu Buhari

 

President Muhammadu Buhari has finally admitted that Nigeria is in a state of disorganization because of the rapid drop in oil price after his government had relied on mono-economic product. He made the disclosure on Tuesday.

According to a statement credited to his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President spoke while receiving a team of British members of Parliament led by Nigerian-born Hon. Chi Onwurah at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Buhari lamented the countries misfortune as the price of oil continues to drop and the sudden drop in the value of naira. He begged that all Nigerians home and abroad to join hands in rebuilding Nigeria.

“We are disorganised because we relied on mono-economic product for too long, and now that oil price is down, we have to go back to agriculture and solid minerals. Tin, columbite, cocoa, groundnut, and others, used to be the basis of our economy, but then, oil came, and everybody began to look for cheap money. Now, we need to start all over again,” the President reportedly told his guests.

Onwurah, who is the MP for Newcastle, said the team was in the country “to promote positive engagement between Nigeria and the UK, since we are stronger when we build on ties of the past.”

She gave the president the assurance that her team are in Nigerian to help support in anyway possible. She placed emphasis on promotion of trade and diversification of the economy. Onwurah came in the company of the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Paul Arkwright.

 

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

Senatorial Micro project: Donga Mantung Councils Want Own Share

By Shey Lontum in Nkambe

The Union of Cities and Councils of Cameroon, UCCC Donga Mantung Bureau has cried foul on the disbursement of the Senatorial Micro-Project grants for Donga Mantung. Discussing the issue at an end of year evaluation meeting in Nkambe last January 2016, the Mayors of Donga Mantung lamented the fact that since the death of their lone elected Senator, Yerima Jikong Stephen two years back, Donga Mantung has been deprived of the Micro-Project grants emanating from the Upper House.

The UCCC Bureau for Donga Mantung insists that the grants be directed to all the five Municipalities of Donga Mantung, Ako, Misaje, Nwa, Ndu and Nkambe to manage on behalf of the people. After all, they insinuated, it was thanks to these councils that Senator Jikong was elected after all. They hold that each Senator is granted fifteen million francs (15million) annually, and so for the past three years, they are demanding forty five million francs (45million), plus the one for 2016.

The Mayors regret that they have to be abandoned and forgotten so soon, coupled with the fact that they had lost their father, Chief Jikong. As orphans, they want their rightful dues and no more, no less. They recalled that when an MP of the lower House dies, the Micro-Project Grants for that area is given to the area through a process that is well managed. The Mayors took the case of late Hon. Chemo of Ako/Misaje who died in 2006 yet, his Micro-Project grants for that year was directed to the area through his party’s Group Leader. Why will the case of the Senator be different, they quizzed.

It should be recalled that Senator Jikong Stephen was elected by Councilors of Donga Mantung in February 2013 and NOT appointed by President Biya. He died in 2004, after barely functioning for a year. He had made a tour of four of the five Municipalities, except Ndu to thank the people and dish out some goodies. The Senators of North West had also paid a courtesy visit to Donga Mantung last 2015 and granted a meager 400,000 worth of bikes each to the five councils making a total of two million francs! If this is considered as part of the Micro Grant, then the UCCC Donga Mantung expects the balance of 43 million plus the pending one for 2016~

UCCC Donga Mantung has been holding regular meetings to discuss on issues harping on the welfare of the councils in the division. It is composed of Mr. Ngabir Paul Bantar, Mayor Nkambe as President; Martin Fon Yembe , 1st Deputy Mayor Ndu as Secretary General, Mr. Mgbata Mayor of Misaje who is the Treasurer, while Mayor Akio Augustin of Ako, Dr. Gomfe of Nwa and Bunyui of Ndu as members. The Bureau was elected in 2014, and it was installed into office in Nkambe by the SDO Donga Mantung, Ndone Ndodemessape Bernard.

 

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

Categorizing the SDF Militants (Part VI) SDF and SCNC Factor

At the launch of the SDF on May 26, 1990, lots of polemics and insinuations were raised. There was talk of the singing of the Nigerian National Anthem at the University of Yaoundé; there was talk of Biafran’s having joined in the queue in Yaoundé; there was talk of the chief launcher, Ni Ebibi having fled to neighboring Nigeria. Then there were diatribes being heaved on the adherents as they were tagged “Les ennemis dans la Maison”! and told to “ va aillleurs”! When the SDF program of Federalism was put forward, the regime’s cohorts termed it secessionist! Given that lots of Bamilikes identified with the philosophy and ideologies of the SDF, the CPDM regime rebaptized it an Anglo-Bami party!
It is a given that the SDF was created by an entire Anglophone corps, given the background traced right to the 1985 CNU/CPDM Congress in Bamenda where the New Social Order was blocked from being forwarded as a proposal for the peaceful coexistence of the “failing union”! Semengue himself had favored that proposal which was frustrated by a certain Pa Muna, we are reliably informed by Fon Gorji Dinka. This was all in an attempt to rescue a collapsing situation that was imminent, especially given the return to the pre-independence/reunification appellation of La Republique du Cameroun!
Who will deny the fact that the massive endorsement of an Anglophone candidate, Ni John Fru Ndi, as Cameroon’s President at the October 11 1992 polls frightened France and her allies in Yaoundé? The story has been written that the French President at the time had declared that “No Anglophone can be President in La Republique du Cameroun”!-
We all know that before the 1992 Presidential elections, there was no talk of an independent Southern Cameroons. In fact, there was just the Cameroon Anglophone Movement and the Free West Cameroon Movement by 1988. At the November 1991 Tripartite, the silhouette of a more formidable bloc was emerging that culminated in the All Anglophone Conference. Elad, Munzu, Itoe and Anyangwe were to seek ways of addressing the Anglophone problems in La Republique du Cameroun. Recall that SDF walked out of the Yaoundé talks and tension rose . So, all the while it was about how to neutralize the rising tension caused by the SDF!
The Emergence of SCNC: Befuddled SDF Militants
At Presidential polls of October 11, 1992, the SDF candidate won overwhelmingly in the South West and North West, as well as the West and Littoral…plus Yaoundé in the Centre. His victory, history has it, was stolen because he was a Southern Cameroonian. So, at AAC 1 in April of 1993, this issue was as well put on the table and the result was the Buea Peace Initiative. This was a peaceful translation of their frustration with the manner these Republicains were treating the Anglo-Saxons. No one paid heed and by 1994, the Bamenda Proclamation warned of an imminent shift of position radically if by a given time, their demands had not been addressed. As if to add pepper to injury, the regime, through the Ownon Commission slammed a hard one on Anglophones when it instead went ahead solo to come up with a Republican Constitution in 1996, throwing the proposals from AAC 1&2 to the dogs.
That is when the AAC was transformed into the SCNC and its new structures swept away most of the top SDF cadres and personalities like Nfor Ngala Nfor, Carlson Anyangwe, Ndoki Mukete etc. Behind the scene, hundreds of thousands became so frustrated, compounded by their failure to grasp seats in the 1996 Municipal elections or the 1997 Parliamentary elections! The SCNC became a safe haven for those who were seeking psychological sanctuary. Many kept swimming towards the independence bid and thus away from the main stream SDF. The SCNC leadership intoned a new song called Boycott of La Republique Elections! This led to a huge rise to political apathy in the Anglophone Regions, and so CPDm regained lost territory in especially Manyu, Bui, Donga Mantung, Menchum, Fako, and Ngoketunjia.
We know of top notches like Dr. Gumne Kevin Ngwang, Dr. Nfor Susungi; Dr. Luma Ngeka Martin Dr. Nfor Nfor; Barrister Sendze; Justice Nyo’ Wakai; and above all the great Albert Wumah Mukong who were all top NEC members who either slowed down their activities in the SDF or simply picked up more radical positions in the SCNC. Imagine how many militants followed them along!
We recall that each time the SDF Chieftain makes a positive statement in favor of Anglophones, the SDF graph rises, and this is the same thing when a top NEC member like Joshua Osih , Mbah Ndam Joseph and Awudu Mbya are heard openly making statements in defense of Anglophones!
Can SDF Still Exploit these SCNC-ed SDF Militants?
These pre-1993 SDF militants are still there, silently waiting for Godot and hoping! They are being told by Android Activists that Heaven is at hand and any participation in elections organized by La Republique du Cameroun tantamount to treachery, perfidy and therefore treason. They have been made to see their fellow combatants against a diabolic Yaoundé mimbo regime as “accomplices”! They have suddenly forgotten that it was the SDF that pulled down the wall of Jericho for the AAC1 and 2 to see the light of day! They have been intoxicated to forget so quickly that the BPI of AAC1 had called for a return to the Two State Federation.
With all these cacophonies and mystifications, these hundreds of thousands of SDF militants hardly register; rarely put on any SDF regalia and seldom attend SDF rallies, except the agenda has something to do with their Anglophone Problem. We recall that in 2004, when an Anglophone top journalist, Dr. Bob Forbin of The Herald newspaper came up with the idea of a Justice and Development Party to articulate the Anglophone problem openly and publicly, many SDF militants supported him (including this analyst and Christian Cardinal Tumi; Arch-Bishop Verdzekof etc), but when he declared he was gunning for La Republique’s Etoudi Palace, he was deserted like a plague! He has never recovered since then.
While blaming the SCNC for this organized disorder, we must also accuse some overzealous SDF officials who had made insinuations that gave the impression that the SDF is on the same side like the RDPC colonial cult group. How can one explain why an SDF MP of Momo, Batibo had to go on the air and tag the SCNC a secessionist group trying to destabilize the Republque? We recall that a one time Provincial Chairmaan of SDF for SW, Joshua Osih Nambangi had convened a Provincial meeting in Kumba on September 30, 2011 where he condemned the SCNC tagging them secessionist. He is quoted to have said that though the SDF recognizes the marginalization of the English speaking part of Cameroon, the party does not align with the secession of Anglophones. He ended up comparing the situation of marginalization of Anglophones with that of the East!
The point is that until SCNC adherents understand that it is only an SDF-led government that can soften the soil for the cultivation of the desired crops of freedom, the situation will keep growing bleaker. Someone has to be courageous enough to regalvanize these SCNC-ed SDF militants to rally forces with the people and knock down the wall of Jericho. They must start accepting the adage that the enemy of your enemy is your friend…even if just temporary! Because the biggest slap to your enemy is your success! We must not behave as if we do not know our enemy, for if you know your enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the results of a hundred battles…and the outcome will be certain.
*Martin-Luther Fon Yembe ( Shey Lontum) is a writer and he is working to publish these articles in a book soon. The views expressed here s his personal analyses.
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When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

President Biya's Message to the Youth at 50th Edition of National Youth Day

My dear young compatriots,

The celebration of the National Youth Day always affords me a singular opportunity to address you.

This year, we are celebrating the fiftieth edition of the Youth Day, which is proof that the entire nation has been paying constant attention to youths for half a century now.

It cannot be an overstatement to say that our youths constitute a major asset for the nation’s future. They are numerous and full of potential, dynamic and ambitious, conquering and creative.

In this regard, I wish to hail our young compatriots who have distinguished themselves lately through major innovations which are acknowledged by all. They took bold initiatives in the highly competitive domain of new information technologies and in many other domains such as agriculture.

They were not afraid. They were daring. Such has always been my recommendation to you. They were able to weather the deficiencies in our country which is still in the building process, and they have achieved the excellent results which we can all be proud of.

They are exemplars of personal patriotic commitment for our society. They deserve everyone’s support. May they serve as a source of inspiration for those who are still hesitating or dragging their feet!

My dear young compatriots,

Patriotism is a virtue that some people might wrongly consider outdated. Even today, it remains a mark of responsible and nobly asserted citizenship for the nation.

Regardless of your role in society, you should be patriotic to deserve well of the nation: the farmer on his farm, the pupil or student in their studies, the workman on his work site, the teacher in the classroom, the doctor or nurse at the hospital, the researcher in his laboratory, the civil servant in his office, the trader in his shop, the mechanic in his garage, the sweeper at his workplace, the transporter driving his vehicle.

We should each ply our trade with patriotic love. Only then will we become forces of progress for our country.

In this regard, take the example of our youths who are engaged at the war front. For the past two years, they have been protecting our country from the terrorist threat. They are sustained and driven by patriotic love, often to the point of sacrificing their lives.

Their behaviour is unlike that of some other youths who do everything possible to get recruited into the public service and then desert their duty stations while continuing to receive their salaries. They represent examples of what should not be done.

Some youths join the public service just to obtain a service number, as they are fond of saying. These do not deserve well of the nation.

The unbridled quest for easy profit and wealth is a road to perdition that should be shunned by the youths.

It is proper for our youths to be imbued with republican and civic values. These should form the basis of a genuine commitment on every front, be it security, economic, cultural or socio-political.

My dear young compatriots,

I am fully aware of the difficulties you are facing. I know your doubts and worries. I know especially that you have difficulty getting a job.

Our capacity to create decent jobs is constrained by external factors related to the global economic environment, coupled with some domestic red tape. Nevertheless, we are not giving up. Our efforts over the past few years are starting to pay off.

The imminent commissioning of major infrastructures and the ongoing Three-Year Emergency Plan should consolidate such gains.

In the medium term, the launching of the extensive industrialization programme which I outlined on 31 December last year should create many job opportunities.

The development of our agricultural sector will be accorded a prime place. In this regard, I urge you to truly revolutionize your mindset. The soil has never betrayed anyone. Do not be afraid to take the plunge and become the agricultural entrepreneurs that Cameroon needs. It is a noble and rewarding trade in the so-called real economy.

I therefore I urge the elders to shoulder their responsibility: it is proper to urge the youths to work the land and it is unwise to dissuade them from doing so.

It is equally important to set a good example for them: urban workers should also undertake activities in rural areas. Through their actions and those of the Government, we should make our villages more youth-friendly.

It is not a matter of waiting to amass substantial resources. It is, first and foremost, a matter of determination and commitment. In agriculture, a little often goes a long way.

There are many Government programmes designed to support rural development. Obtain information on such programmes. You should be able to make the most of them.

In addition, there is another domain which I know you of the so-called "Android" generation hold most dear, namely the development of the digital economy.

To each generation, its historic challenges for the nation’s future! I can say that one of the major challenges for our youths is to manage to keep abreast of the astounding phenomenon of the digital economy.

I urge the entire nation to resolutely mobilize and support the numerous initiatives undertaken by our youths in this area:

- The Government should systematically and effectively continue setting up appropriate infrastructure, but also cleaning up and properly regulating this key sector in the interest of the national economy and the development of youth employment.

- Public or private training institutions are called upon to fully play their role. They must identify the new trades and tailor their syllabuses accordingly.

- Large enterprises and other public and private entities should set the example by progressively carrying out their own digital switchover.

- Financial institutions definitely stand to benefit by developing specific programmes to support youth-initiated projects in this new economy.

It is through such collective commitment that we will be able to rise to the challenge of digital transition.

These two sectors, namely agriculture and digital economy, require us to continue with and step up the professionalization of our secondary education.

In higher education, the various stakeholders have been mobilized to progressively provide the job market with human resources that meet the new requirements.

Enterprises are not seeking out for just graduates, but a labour force that is well trained in specific trades and that is constantly adapted to global trends.

To meet this expectation, I am pleased to note that the Government has opened three Pilot Centres of Excellence in Douala, Limbe and Sangmelima, at the cost of about 21 billion, to provide retraining and skills upgrading for senior technicians and other skilled workers.

The economic integration of youths is thus a constant concern. Our actions will continue with greater momentum to enable our youths to make the most of the numerous programmes and projects that are underway or in the pipeline.

To that end, I have just given instructions for the launch of a three-year "Special Youth" plan worth CFAF 102 billion in total.

This plan should facilitate and accelerate the economic integration of our youths. We should all take a keen interest in it. In so doing, I believe, you will be demonstrating your “economic patriotism”.

Furthermore, I believe that you could reap much benefit from the good citizenship education programmes offered by the Civic Service Agency for Participation in Development.

This very timely initiative has already set up hundreds of local committees countrywide. You should sign on and enjoy its benefits.

My dear young compatriots,

I gave you a hint about it. The sky is gradually clearing up. The clouds are dispersing progressively.

I am aware that you, more than the other population segments, are affected by unemployment. I, however, urge you to look to the future with more confidence. Of course, we have not yet reached our goal, but we are making progress against all the odds.

More effort is definitely required from us to achieve stronger, more stable and more sustainable growth. We will undoubtedly continue to encounter obstacles along the way; however, it behoves us to overcome them resolutely and bravely with everyone’s participation.

I have just outlined all the benefits you can reap from working the land, from our new-found industrialization and also from the digital economy.

Thus, through your active participation, you are expected to inevitably and progressively take the nation’s future into your own hands, under the benevolent mentorship of the elders, in a properly organized blending of generations.

To that end, you should have faith in the future, despite the challenges.

Rest assured that I will spare no effort to support you in your determination to succeed.

Happy Youth Day to each and every one of you!

Long live Cameroon’s youths!

Long live Cameroon!

Yaounde, 10 February 2016


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

congratulations Ngie Didimus Tantoh

Nelson Mandela once said that " A good head and good heart are always a formidable combination. But when you add to that a literate tongue or pen, then you have something very special.”  This is perphaps one of the most inspirational quotes to sauce the success story of Ngie Didimus Tantoh who just graduated in flying colours with a Master Arts in International relations at the Eastern Mediterranean University in Turkey. Bravo Mon Frere. But nothing could capture this great achievement more than the lenses of Rudyard Kipling which could spice this. To Rudyard “if you can keep your head when all around you are losing theirs and if you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat the two the same, yours is earth and everything that is in it”.  There is no doubt that Kipling had in mind the success story of brilliant young boys who have stood the taste of time to accomplish their dreams like Ngie. Rudyard Kipling surely had this inspiration from the fact that education demands alot of sacrifices given that majority would tumble on the way and never get up. The few who succeed have to be encouraged.
If you are looking for someone who has been able to draw his knees up and had passed comfortable nights in the blanket far away from home to add a literate tongue and pen to his head, I know one. His name is Ngie Didimus Tantoh. His graduation on February 9, 2015 is a historical object. I feel he is going to be the most trusted expert. After spending years without pulling or hauling off his feet the blanket of books, Ngi Tantoh entered into records yesterday as he graduates with a Master Degree from one of the most prestigous educational institutions in Turkey. In fact nothing defines a workaholic than his dedication to accomplish something. After obtaining a degree at the Buea University in 2013, he has always admired Ph.D holders and he is now just a step to be one.  That he graduated in flying colours is not surprising to those who know of what stuff he is made. What is important about this young and talented young graduate is that his brain is a relic which makes him a webster. If we go by Albert Einstein's desctiption of a genius which is 1/10 inspiration and 9/10 perspiration, Ngie Didimus Tantoh is a genius. In this light, Didi stans out tall from th madding crowd for his story, if not the story of graduates who this generation could look up to as role models will remain incomplete. What inescapably catches your attention when you first meet this young lavender from Mbum land in Donga Mantung is his strive to always look back home. Being a youth emancipator of this generation, he knows too well what is good, attractive and inspiring. And truely it takes years of hard-work to smile. Take it for overconfidence and you are wrong. Bravo and Congratulations brother.



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

North West Fons Set to Elect New President in Nkambe

The elective General assembly of the North Fons Union will hold on February 20, 2016 in Nkambe. The decision to hand over power to Donga Mantung was reached at during an enlarge executive meeting that took place in Bamenda this weekend. Sources say the executive also endorsed the candidature of HRH Fon Ibrahim Japbfu Nfor, ruler of Nkambe as lone candidate for the position of General President. It should be recalled that HRH Fon Ibrahim Jabpfu Nfor has served NOWEFU in various capacities since creation. He served as Treasurer, Vice President and has also served as Divisional Coordinator for Donga Mantung. He is a former memebr of the House of Chiefs and is jampacked with experience in associative life and group dynamics.Given his experience and the wisdom, he was also endorsed by the Donga Mantung Fons Union as their lone candidate.
Classified sources hinted this reporter that the Nkambe Elective General Assembly will begin with an eceumical service and ends with the election of the President, Secretary General and Treasurer. The President General will be empowered to coopt a 50 man executive that will pilot the affairs of the union.








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

CAMWATER GM Sacked

The General Manager of CAMWATER William Sollo was fired today February 8, 2016 during an extraordianry board meeting. He was immediately replaced by Ondoua Akoa Alphonse Roger. It is not yet clear whether the sacked GM had committed management errors as is the case with several companies in the country.  Classified sources say what happened to Zacheuse Forjindam is likely to happen to William Sollo as he was immediately whisked off. It is alleged that he maybe heading to Kondengui.


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