U.S Election: Ben Carson Endorses Donald Trump

American business tycoon and Republican Party presidential candidate hopeful, Donald Trump has been backed by his former rival, Ben Carson to become president of America.

                                           Ben Carson and Donald Trump

Ben Carson and Donald Trump

 Retired neurosurgeon, Ben Carson formally endorsed Donald Trump's presidential bid Friday, praising the real estate mogul saying he wants "the voice of the people to be heard."

"He's actually a very intelligent man who cares deeply about America," Carson said at a press conference at the  Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Forida."There's two different Donald Trumps. There's the one you see on stage and the one that's very cerebral, sits there and considers things very carefully."

Carson said he and Trump had reconciled after having several spats while both were presidential candidates.

"We buried the hatchet," the retired neurosurgeon said. "We moved on because it's not about me. It's not about Mr. Trump. This is about America."

Carson also used the opportunity to call on the Republican Party — as Trump has been doing in recent days — to unify around whoever the leading candidate and "let the political process to play out."

"What I've been seeing recently is political operatives ... once again trying to assert themselves and trying to thwart the will of the people," Carson said. "I find that to be an extraordinarily dangerous place right now.

News of the endorsement broke Thursday, and the real estate mogul confirmed Carson's support during a GOP debate hosted by CNN.

"Having his support, really, it just adds total credence to what I'm trying to do and to what we're all trying to do,"Trump said at the news conference, introducing Carson.

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

It's Either We Have Biafra Flag Raised or I'm Lowered in the Grave - Nnamdi Kanu's Words Before Arrest

A video has been obtained of Radio Biafra director, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu's last words before his arrest by the Department of State Security (DSS) in a Lagos hotel few months ago.

Nnamdi Kanu after one of his court appearances in Abuja

 Before he was arrested by the officials of the Department of State Security Service (DSS) in a Lagos hotel when he visited the country few months ago, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, made some shocking statement through his Radio Biafra which was broadcasted to his supporters.

 In a video obtained of Nnamdi Kanu’s last words before his arrest, the director of Radio Biafra was heard talking about the struggle for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and why they would not surrender in their struggle. 

 The clip obtained by Igbere TV news also had the pro-Biafra leader say: "It is either we have the flag of Biafra raised up or I am lowered into the grave," a sign that the struggle for the independence of Biafra is far from over as the protesters are insisting on seceding from Nigeria. 

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

Nigerian Actress, Ibinabo Fiberesima Slammed 5 Years Imprisonment

Popular actress, Ibinabo Fiberesima was today Friday, March 11, 2016 sentenced to 5 years imprisonment by Justice Deborah Oluwayemi. Ibinabo was visibly apprehensive throughout the proceeding and burst into tears immediately the judgment was delivered.

Ibinabo Fiberesima

 

The Court of Appeal Lagos Division on Friday dismissed an appeal filed by ex beauty queen, Ibinabo Fiberesima challenging a Lagos High Court judgement which sentenced her to serve five years in prison for the death of one Dr. Giwa Suraj.

The Nation reports that the embattled president of the Actors' Guild of Nigeria (AGN) was sentenced by Justice Deborah Oluwayemi for reckless driving which caused the death of Suraj in an auto accident along the Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos.

Recall that about 10 years ago, the actress drove recklessly, causing the death of one Giwa Suraj in an auto accident along the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos.

Suraj was a staff of a Lagos state hospital before the incident.

Speaking on the judgement, her lawyer, Nnaemeka Amaechina, said it would be challenged at the Supreme Court adding that a Notice of Appeal had been filed already.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command had in 2005 charged Fiberesima to an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court on a two-count charge of dangerous and reckless driving along the Lekki- Epe Expressway, Lagos which resulted in the death of Suraj.

She was awarded a N100, 000 fine by the Court, but this decision was tested at the High Court by the Lagos State Government.

At the High Court, Justice Oluwayemi set aside the option of N100, 000 fine imposed and sentenced Fiberesima to five years imprisonment for dangerous and reckless driving.

She held that the trial Magistrate exercised judicial recklessness when he gave the convict an option of N100, 000 fine and this did not serve the purpose of justice.  She subsequently ordered that the N100, 000 should be returned to Fiberesima.

The court added that Section 28 of the Road Traffic Law clearly provides that where a reckless and dangerous driving has caused the death of a person, the accused person shall be guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment of seven years.

Dissatisfied, Fiberesima in her amended appellant brief filed by her lawyer, Nnaemeka Amaechina before the Court of Appeal urged the court to set aside the five year sentence and restore the decision of the Magistrate Court.

Amaechina had argued that the Magistrate’s Court exercised its discretion properly and there was no ground to review it by the high court.

He submitted that by virtue of the Notice of Increased in Jurisdiction of Magistrates, No. 7 of 2006, the trial Magistrate could only impose a maximum of 7 years imprisonment or N100, 000.00 fine.

He added that N100, 000.00 fine is the maximum limit the trial Magistrate can impose as fine and that was what it imposed on the appellant.

In her response, counsel to Lagos State, Rotimi Odutola (Mrs.) argued that the law creating the offence of dangerous driving causing death has provided for a term of imprisonment as punishment for anyone convicted under section 28 hence the trial Magistrate ought not to exercise such arbitrary discretion to impose N100.000.00 as fine.

Odutola further submitted that the children of the deceased have been permanently deprived of the "measureless contributions" of their father to their lives as a result of his death caused by the appellant.

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

Wow! Read What the Commonwealth is Saying About President Buhari's Leadership in Africa

The Royal Commonwealth Society has reacted to the leadership role which President Muhammadu Buhari is playing in Africa and among African leaders.

 he Royal Commonwealth Society, Nigeria has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his leadership role and efforts in uniting African leaders. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Vice President of the association, Mr Abdullahi Faruk, stated this at the 2016 Commonwealth Day Celebration on Thursday in Abuja.Faruk said the Commonwealth appreciates Buhari for his dogged determination to put Nigeria on the right track, for his leadership role in the continent and ensure better relation with leaders.

“The Royal Commonwealth Society would like to appreciate him for his dogged determination to put Nigeria in the right shape. We also commend him for uniting the African countries and making the continent a better place to live.

“We in the Royal Commonwealth regard him as the most popular President in Africa,” Faruk said.

 He explained that the Commonwealth promotes democracy, good governance, mass literacy, sustainable growth, human rights, and eradication of poverty, HIV/AIDS and armed conflicts.

 According to him, the organisation also seeks to address the challenges associated with the climate change, migration and education. Faruk noted that the association comprised of 53 member countries, spreading through all the continents of the world. He said the over 2.2 billion population of the organisation’s member countries, second only to the UN, represents all aspects of global diversity and 30 per cent of world’s population.

 He explained that the 2016 theme: “An Inclusive Commonwealth” referred to the values of tolerance, respect and understanding as well as equity and fairness enshrined in the Commonwealth’s charter.

 Faruk added that the richness of the Commonwealth was further demonstrated as a family of nations in which each member is valued equally and has an equal voice.

 He called on Nigerians to embrace peace irrespective of their socio-political and ethnic affiliations, saying that the Commonwealth regarded all people as one family under God.

 In her message to the occasion, Queen Elizabeth 11 of England said the essential ingredient of belonging to the Commonwealth was the willingness to share, to exchange and to act for the common good. The message was read by Mrs Amina Zakari, National Commissioner of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and an awardee of the 2015 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta. “By including others, drawing on collective insights, knowledge and resources, and thinking and working together, we lay the foundations of a harmonious and progressive society.

“The greater the diversity of those included in such a shared enterprise, the greater the gains.

“Each of us has cause to celebrate the sense of belonging expressed in our 2016 theme: `An Inclusive Commonwealth’,” she said.

 The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, represented by Reps. Nnenna Ukeje- Elendu, Chairperson House Committee Foreign Affairs, was honoured with the Commonwealth Ambassador’s Award for distinguishing himself in the course of democracy. 

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

What Issa Tchiroma Said About Detained Corrupt State Officials (Full Text)

 Here below is the full text of Minister Issa Tchiroma's Press presentation of March 10, 2016 on former state officials who have been arrested, charged and or detained for corruption charges. The Minister of Communication made the below statement during a Press Conference with journalists in Yaounde.

Dear Journalists,

I wish you all a warm welcome to this exchange which aims at enlightening national and international public

opinion on a topical issue, which, if we go by the interest it raises here and there, deserves our focus.

I am referring here to the issue on judicial procedures involving some prominent personalities, be they senior State Officials or persons from the business world, within the framework of the fight against corruption and embezzlement of public funds led by the Head of State.

Yet, the intensification of this vast movement to clean up economic slowdowns faced with the imperative to protect public wealth nurses in some minds, the idea that this is actually a mere maneuver of political purge designed to keep hypothetical competitors of the incumbent Head of State out of the race for supreme power.

In other words, they are of the opinion that the lawsuits filed against the said senior officials, under the pretext of common law procedures, are skilful manipulations aiming to destroy some political elites originating from inside the ruling government.

As I just said, some media have made it to be a topical issue.

It can be noticed that such media are just the relay of an opinion embodied here and there by groups of activists from civil society organizations, or from some of the persons involved in the cases, who took the option to take the floor in order to attempt to distort the facts and show up as unfortunate victims of a well-orchestrated political plot.

You therefore understand, Dear Journalists, that in this context, our meeting today is welcomed as an obvious necessity.

Actually, the issue at stake for the Government is to clarify things in order to avoid any confusion in the minds of one another, faced with a situation which is seemingly a maneuver of some people who hope to draw some profit from such misinformation campaign and to discredit our judiciary.

I would like to reaffirm that the commitment of the President of the Republic, His Excellency Paul BIYA, for a merciless fight against corruption and other forms of mismanagement of public funds is not new. This is a long time commitment that can be traced as far back as his accession to supreme magistracy on November 06, 1982.

And since then, the Head of State’s leitmotiv has steadily been that of rigour and moralization.

In one of his speeches, just to cite one case among several others, the Head of State stood once against the scourge of embezzlement of public funds in the following terms and I quote: “As far as public morals and especially the serious issue of embezzlement of public funds is concerned, (…) obvious results have been obtained with regard to the fight against corruption and the embezzlement of public funds. However, I am aware that there is still much to be done in this area. Be it known, (…) that I am fully determined to eliminate this scourge and to step up the fight against corruption without complacency, discrimination and irrespective of the social standing or political leaning of those found guilty”, end of quote.

It is therefore mindful of this determination of the Head of State, guarantor of the Institutions of the Republic, that undifferentiated legal proceedings were initiated against various defendants, but at no time has it been a question of targeting anyone, neither because of their political leaning nor because of their social standing and let alone any cause related to their opinions.

A simple synoptic view of major cases in this vast operation is sufficient to evidence the diversity of the sectors concerned and consequently the personalities who are currently either defendants or already convicted.

I will mention, of course without being exhaustive, the real estate sector, the shipyards sector, the port and airport sectors, the banking and public finance sectors, the public sector involved in the financing of regional and local authorities, the education and health sector, oil, mining industries, public works, agribusiness, aviation and air transport, postal services, telecommunications and broadcasting.

How then can one think, in such a context of plurality of areas and litigations, prosecution subjects, that there is a homing process, aiming for a reason other than protecting public wealth and punishing those found guilty of offenses related thereto?

For some time now, we have been hearing of persecution or political prisoners, under the cover of ordinary legal proceedings.

The only thing we need to know, is that the defendants are simply held accountable for the management of public funds entrusted to them for the execution of specific tasks and missions for the sake of general interest.

What political persecution are they referring to, whereas we can all see clearly that political competition is free in our country, and the rules of the said competition are known by all.

President Paul BIYA has always had political challengers; and this testifies to the vitality and respect for democracy and the Rule of law in our country.

This can be illustrated by the number of candidates who all vied against him for supreme magistracy during the last presidential election in 2011. They were 23 in total, to be precise, some of whom had just resigned from President BIYA’s own political party, though continuing to sit as people’s representative under the banner of that same party.

Can anyone tell us who among those challengers has ever been troubled or deprived of liberty, just because of vying for presidency against President Paul BIYA?

The more so, the number of challengers has kept increasing since the last presidential election, including some self-resigned members of Government who have created political parties and are now outright opponents to President Paul BIYA’s political family.

You will easily bear with me that none of them has been troubled for this reason.

Moreover, it should be recalled that the by-laws of the political party to which the President of the Republic belongs make of him the candidate of the party to the presidential election, in his capacity as National President of the said party. In other words, so long as President Paul BIYA will remain the National President of his party, his candidacy to the presidential election can be validly challenged by none. This is therefore not a topic to debate. Consequently, it cannot give way to any sort of witch hunt grounded on power conquest ambitions.

Concerning the over forty procedures already processed or being processed before the competent courts for major facts of misappropriation of public funds, it has, until now, never been possible to give any indication of assimilation or even supposed rapprochement with the political ambitions of the defendants or those sentenced.

And even for the proceedings still pending, which, as it seems, are the subject of growing impatience for some people involved and their die-heart supporters, it is always possible to make the same demonstration that there is no mix between justice and politics; that the accusations or suspicions against the defendants have nothing to do with politics, but are grounded only in the imperative of protecting public fortune.

We could well prove it here, for those cases still pending in court. But we could not do it without breaking the rules applicable to the secrecy of procedures or comments on ongoing court cases.

Let those who, by their agitation, think they can substitute themselves to justice or force its course, venture into such exercise ... at their own risk and peril, of course!

As for us, Cameroonians, all concerned with the best interests of our Nation and confident in the integrity and independence of the justice of our country, we will continue to lend our full support to the President of the Republic, His Excellency Paul BIYA, in this relentless fight he is leading against the squandering of public property and illegal privatization to the benefit of individuals, and therefore to the detriment of the community.

Thank you for your kind attention.

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

Fear and Apprehension as Total Eclipse Plunges Parts of Asia into Darkness

It was prayers, fear and cheers as total eclipse plunged parts of Asia into total darkness in one of the rarest astronomical phenomenon of our time. 

People gazed at the sky in wonder and cheered while others knelt in prayer as a total eclipse of the sun unfolded over Indonesia on Wednesday, briefly plunging cities into darkness and startling wildlife.

The rare astronomical phenomenon was witnessed along a narrow path that stretched across 12 Indonesian provinces encompassing three time zones and about 40 million people. A partial eclipse was visible in other parts of the Indonesian archipelago, a swath of Asia and in northern Australia.

Thousands of eclipse-chasers flocked to Indonesia from abroad and the government, which has been the promoting the event for more than a year, forecast a substantial tourism boost. Some tour groups chartered ships to view the eclipse, which began in the Indian Ocean and ended in the Pacific, at sea. A dozen Americans joined a commercial flight from Anchorage, Alaska to Honolulu because its flight path would rendezvous with an eclipse sweet spot north of Hawaii.

Thousands of men, women and children gathered in Sigi Biromaru, a hilltop town of Indonesia's Central Sulawesi province, shouted and clapped as the sun transformed into a dark orb for more than two minutes. Hundreds of others prayed at nearby mosques.

"The sun totally disappeared. How amazing this sunny morning suddenly changed to dark," said Junaz Amir, a Sigi resident who witnessed the eclipse with his family using special glasses that protect eyes.

In Ternate, one of the last cities in the eclipse's path, some residents said they were viewing it by looking at the reflected image in bowls of water. Experts say the total eclipse can be viewed with the naked eye but specific filters should be used during its partial phases to avoid permanent damage to the retina.

Most eclipses are partial but when the moon is close enough to the Earth, the sun is completely eclipsed by the moon's shadow and only a spectacular ring of rays known as the corona is visible.

The last time a total eclipse occurred over Indonesia was in 1988. Unfounded fears and misinformation caused panic, with people papering windows and keeping children indoors.

Cloudy skies in parts of Indonesia dampened the spectacle for some. In Palembang, a Sumatran city of more than 1.4 million, thousands of residents from mothers carrying infants to old men gathered at its landmark Ampera bridge from well before dawn. But the total eclipse was only briefly visible if at all.

"Too bad we cannot see when the total solar eclipse occurred, but the dark atmosphere when it happened made us feel happy," said Palembang resident Martha Sembiring.

There was also disappointment for a group of six eclipse chasers who traveled from Canada and the U.S. to Kalimantan. "Unfortunately we got nothing because we had rain showers and solid cloud," said optometrist Ralph Chou who was hoping to see his 19th total solar eclipse.

Chou, a Canadian who helped develop the international standards for eclipse filters, said there were still impressive effects of light and darkness and birds appeared confused and disorientated by dark falling again after dawn.

The previous total solar eclipse was in March last year and was best viewed on Norway's Svalbard islands near the North Pole. The next total eclipse will occur in August 2017 and be visible over a slice of North America. The entire eclipse, which began with the first patch of darkness appearing on the edge of the sun, lasted about three hours.

For the viewer, the length of time the sun was totally eclipsed depended on their location along the path. On land the durations were mostly between 1 and 3 minutes.

In the capital Jakarta, thousands of residents packed a planetarium at a downtown park where officials distributed about 4,000 filtered viewing glasses that quickly ran out. The eclipse, which from the vantage point of Jakarta produced an impressive crescent, was also streamed on monitors around the planetarium.

Scientists from NASA and Indonesia's aerospace agency observed the eclipse from Maba in the Maluku islands.

AP

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

GBHS Misaje Lab Department Goes Operational, Mayor Sammy Mgbata Applauded for the Timely Support

Sammy Mgbata handing lab equipment to Afomboh Vincent

There was euphoria and fanfare at Government Bilingual High School Misaje in Donga Mantung Division of the North West Region as the the science department goes functional . On March 9, 2016, the mayor of Misaje council Councilor Sammy Mgbata Nfornkemba storm the school campus with council goodies. The mayor and his entourage were received by the Principal of GBHS Misaje, management staff and the entire school body. 

Addressing the school administration, staff and students, the mayor said that the Misaje council in its mission to promote and encourage science and technology could not stay indifferent to make the significant gesture that will go a long way to produce future scientists. Before handing the equipment equipment worth over FCFA 4 million to the Principal of GBHS Afomboh Vincent Fonguh, Mayor Sammy Mbgata promised that his administration will leave no stone un-turn to make sure that the school has a befitting lab. He also used the  opportunity to officially launch the science department of the school. 

In his welcome speech, the Principal of GBHS Misaje Afomboh Vincent applauded Misaje council for the gift that will go a long way to ease the suffering of students of the entire sub Division who had no other place to continue study except move to GBHS Nkambe. "Mr. Mayor, your good deeds to us will be remembered for life. The Almighty God will remember your children because you have taken care of the cries of the poor like us. Students from the entire Sub Division and its environs will be grateful to you and will no longer suffer to go to Nkambe and else where to study science subjects."

 Afomboh Vincent also used the opportunity to frowned at rumour mongers who went wild a week ago castigating the mayor. Hear him " When the Almighty God programmed to liberate us with the Mayor’s timely intervention, enemies of progress went on the rampage to stop this great move by tarnishing his image vis a vis the school. Rumours were programmed one week ago by our enemies claiming that the Lord Mayor was destroying our female students. However, proper investigations by the Principal and his collaborators have realised nothing against the Mayor. The Lord Mayor remains our father forever and he will continue to help us. On behalf of the students and teachers, we are pleading on the Lord Mayor to forgive them and to understand that only a ripe mango tree receives stones from bad boys. A barren mango tree is peaceful, but the Lord Mayor is a ripe mango tree. I dismissed the rumours as baseless and warned anybody trying to use my students as steeping stones to accomplish their wicked schemes; the next attempt will not go unpunished by the laws of our beloved country, Cameroon."

In fact, it should be recalled that GBHS Misaje was created in 1997 and it went operational that same year. It was upgraded from Government secondary school to High school in in 2009 and in 2011 the school witnessed another transformation into a Government Bilingual High School.  Since then, it has been functioning without the Science Department at the Second Cycle due to many problems. The greatest of the difficulties was the lack of a Science Laboratory.  It is worth mentioning that Donga Mantung Division has only two schools with functioning laboratories, namely GBHS Nkambe and GBHS Ndu. With the support, GBHS Misaje is the third Government High School to operate a science laboratory. The construction and equipment of a science laboratory according to Afomboh Vincent is very expensive, reason why only few schools have functioning science departments in the second cycle.

Sammy Mgbata Nfornkemba

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

Congratulation Letter to My Sisters After Women's Day-The Courageous Celebrities to Celebrate (Letter No 2)

March 8th came and passed, and celebrations marking the 105th anniversary of International Women's Day, have been committed to history. Some women honored the fight for gender equality and rallied around each other as women. Activists and gender advocates took pledges while some woman whose own world begins and ends around them were got in the cycle of semi-madness of the "kaba" showdown. 

In Cameroon, they are millions of women who have moved above this "semi madness" to becoming Role Models to millions of young girls. But to end this year's event, I am pleading on my keyboard to write on Four Women who for their outstanding bravery deserve to be recognized. In my first letter to some 21 sisters, I looked at what they have been doing very extraordinarily but this second letter is about four women who have proven to be rare species in society. I may not know some of them by their names but i am aware of their bravery in creating the unexpected.

Dear sisters, your role in reshaping society is one of the greatest challenges of our andriod generation. In this retreat, i commend your efforts.  In fact we are in an era that trends can alter with a hashstag as fast as the heartbeat. Nothing is worth celebrating than your achievements in this world where some men continue to to think and believe that their place is next to God.  There is something you all share in common, and that thing is that you are all warriors and continue to inspire some of us. There is one woman I always like to quote. She once challenged inspirational ladies like you to always "do one thing daily that scares you". I have decided to write this second letter to four of you because I just discovered that you did not just echoed that call to arm but did just that. Your actions and deeds have proven that this decade is the best time to be a woman. From what you have done, I am convinced women’s history is more than the sum of its outstanding players: Rosa Parks, Susan B. Anthony, Sacagawea, Helen Keller, Amelia Earhart, Mother Teresa, Princess Diana, others.  Mahatma Ghandi dismissed the issue of women being weaker sex when he said “To call woman the weaker sex is a libel; it is man's injustice to woman. If by strength is meant brute strength, then, indeed, is woman less brute than man. If by strength is meant moral power, then woman is immeasurably man's superior. Has she not greater intuition, is she not more self-sacrificing, has she not greater powers of endurance, has she not greater courage? Without her, man could not be. If nonviolence is the law of our being, the future is with woman. Who can make a more effective appeal to the heart than woman?"

I am today morning adding you in my own lister because you did excel in the little things you do daily and you are the extras above the millions reduced to footnotes than headlines, so to mix metaphors. Your bravery in tackling societal issues, challenging the unchallenged and reshaping lives is what has made the four of you the most formidable women of all the women in action. The good example that you stand tall to represent is a kind with gripping stories and surprising twists. I can confidently say, you are Cecelia Penifader, 700 years later. You are the Mothers of Courage. Kudos to all the dynamic women.

Meet the brave women

Female Soldiers at War Front

I may not call them by their names and to be candid, I cannot pretend to say I know them by their names. One thing is certain, that this is the appropriate moment to honour these brave/patriotic women who have put their safety on the line to protect lives in our country. I therefore salute them, I salute them for their indomitable spirit that knows no gender. By your courage and bravery women's history is now Cameroon history, women's history in Cameroon military is history and women history in the fight against Boko Haram is history written in Gold. They may be known as the weaker sex but in the battle to flush out Boko Haram from our territory, they stand equal with their male counterparts. Fearless, pretty and bold, the female hunters of our military fear neither man nor woman. To them, the common enemy is not their gender but Boko Haram. They were congratulated by state officials on Women's day and the more reason we need to honored them for being too stronger and and too far bold. You are no less a woman for your boldness and you are respected, honoured and remembered for wearing this modest dress, for protecting your beloved country and YOU ARE THE FUTURE OF "MAN". 

Nathalie Koah is a woman I would surely describe as 'the most sensational woman anyone ever saw.' Yet, despite her fight against the male domination that landed her to popularity and fame, Rosa Parks' fight is hers too. She became "la star" when she took her battle to the doorsteps of a radio station in Yaounde. Then the city got fever. Everybody wanted to see who she is, and how see looks like. It was her courage to break out of the box that became the talk of the city yet she thought out of the box with firmness. Nothing can knock down this lady of courage from her standpoint. 

To understand Nathalie is to understand her pains. But that doesn’t make her a victim of her own suffering-quite the contrary. The saga with the famous football star gave her the tools in which to paint her inner truth. Her own "woman's world" is captured in her book "Revenge Porn" that exalted the feminine qualities of endurance and truth as she perceived it to be, realities of human relationship, cruelty nature of the good, the bad and the best, and whatever. And I would go on to say never before has a woman put such agonized tone to tell her own side of the story. It is about courage and bravery to be a whistle blower. She took the courage to blow her own trumpet owing to the fact that if she doesn't others will do it for her and maybe very wrongly. Her words are fearless because they paint the conflicting realities of female experience in a "man's world". In some respects to defend her "dignity" as a woman "sex faible"  which has turned out to be both the rose petal and the thorn in the flesh of those who commit them and those who would prefer to die in agony.

Ngum Braunhilda Attangeur is a woman with extra abilities. She is one of the courageous women who

uses the social media to reshape society. While other women use the social media mostly to share selfies and fashion posts, Braun Hill as she is popularly known is doing extraordinarily in breaking the news. When I came across her posts on facebook, I was immediately blown away by her style of writing and the power of her words. Ngum is just pure light on the social media, a "Mamarazi" information pack where others check constantly to get the latest "scoops" in Cameroon and around the world. As a matter of fact, everything about her writing style, from the strength in the posts and messages to the images used to accompany them tells you that her timeline has beaten the works of "News Agencies". Although there is a huge number of women on the social media, there is an urgent need to celebrate the likes of Ngum Braunhilda who are more outspoken, louder and courageous. Come to think of the threats and intimidation from social guards, especially those who perceive that  a post or comment touches their interest, she takes the risk to tell the story as it should be told. Even if it is to criticise women madness, she does it in a way that teaches society. The thrilling manner in which she comments on her posts just confirmed at this age and time that a woman can bring to a specific issue that sometimes, men are not able to. Beside her is (Angie Forbin) who are likely paving the way for next generation of fearless women in the social media and journalism. Bonne fete Madame. 

Igbokwe Manka'a Mercy Ulomachi Shu, she was a born Cameroonian and now Nigerian by married. Currently based in Nigeria. Having set her sights on becoming a woman emancipator, she founded Inspireme where she is the Chief Executive Officer in 2011 in the South West Region or Cameroon- Buea. Her guiding courage to: Innovate-Initiate-Inspire.

Manka'a was courageously enough to set up a platform that focuses on empowering and inspiring African youths with a keen interest in women for community impact. Then came the groundbreaking imspireme|Pageant which runs the Miss Diligent African Pageant. Miss Diligent African has been organised in Cameroon twice, once in Tanzania and prospects toward running the project in Nigeria are high. Grooming and empowering girls with great values, who can create impact and contribute positively in bringing sustainable development in their different communities around Africa is a risky venture that no weaker sex could have dared. Yet Igbokwe Manka'a Mercy Ulomachi does it with so much dexterity. In fact, Manka'a is a reflection of progress that is needed to celebrate the courage of women who  play an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities respectively. She continues to inspire generations that thinking globally to act locally is a worthwhile venture that demands courage and bravery. Through her efforts, young African could aspire to becoming role models in the future. Happy Women's Day Madame.

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

International women’s day: The difference from Akeh

Choves Loh flanked by the beneficiaries 

The 2016 edition of the international Women’s day is now history and the impression is that institutional seminars, conferences, debates and talk shows dominated activities ahead of the day proper when match pasts by women was domineering

While we get away with another impression that it was all about talk…talk and talk, speeches and speeches that do not impact on the personal development of women, there was a more original approach to celebrate the event in far away, Akeh village, Boyo division.

Choves Loh, Journalist, Chief of SOPECAM Bamenda and an elite of Akeh went putting smiles on the faces of aging great grand mothers and mothers of Akeh. These are women who did not need any extravaganza for celebrations on their day. All they need is kerosene, salt, palm oil, savon and good health.

It was against this backdrop that, Choves Loh choose to dress virtually all the elderly women of Akeh with new “Kabas” . In collaboration with staff of the Akeh CBC Health Center, the women also benefitted from a health campaign during which they enjoyed free consultation and treatment for Hypertension and diabetes while Akeh women who travelled from Bamenda for the event, made available salt, palm oil and kerosene for their kitchens. That was the difference from Akeh where the personal development of women took central stage with Choves Loh to thank.

Ahead of the International day of Women, Choves Loh also funded the rehabilitation of collapsing, make shift bridges in Akeh. It was a rare moment during which Akeh youths played a front role in the mobilization of local expertise in the community to ease traffic over the bridges that appeared to be a death trap for the several Commercial motorcycles and a few vehicles that cross the bridges.

HRH Fon Mbah III 

FREE HEALTH CAMPAIGN

Choves is also rehabilitating bridges 

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

There are Saboteurs in My Government - President Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari says there are some persons in his administration who are not '100 percent loyal' to his government.

President Buhari in Dubai

 Speaking in an interview with Al Jazeera during his recent trip to Qatar, President Muhammadu Buhari says there are some persons in his administration who are not '100 percent loyal' to his government, adding that the controversies surrounding the 2016 budget as unfortunate and that those responsible for the embarrassment will not go unpunished. 

 When asked if he meant there were those sabotaging his government, he replied: "Certainly!." He added that those who want to be fair to his government will appreciate the effort made in cutting the cost of governance. 

 He said, "I will like people to assess Nigeria, especially this government on where we found ourselves. When we came in, we found out that there were 42 ministries and we found out that the economy could not take 42, so we reduced it to 24. We also removed 21 permanent secretaries.

 "People who want to be fair to us to sit and reflect, from the president to the ministers to the permanent secretaries were all taken over after eight successive governments of those who are now in the opposition. So, we cannot assume that all of them are 100 percent loyal to this government." 

 The president Buhari also spoke on the current state of the economy, saying not even the International Monetary Fund (IMF) could convince him to devalue the naira. 

"If devaluing the naira is against our national interest, why can’t we go against the IMF advice?" he asked. 

 Buhari said even though some of the policies of the Organising of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) do not favour Nigeria at the moment, the country would not pull out of the organisation. 

 "OPEC as an organisation has to be mindful of economic conditions in each member country because that will influence that country’s ability to go along with OPEC decisions.

We were unable to diversify our economy, hence we are much more disadvantaged by the lower oil prices and OPEC may try to help us out but really, it’s basically our own fault. 

"It’s not under my leadership that Nigeria will pull out of OPEC. We will make the necessary sacrifice to remain in OPEC."

 

Click here to watch President Buhari's Al Jazeerah interview.

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

Watch the Epic Moment Furious Robert Mugabe Threatens to Punch Interviewer for Asking About His Retirement Plans

The President of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe was put on a tight rope after he was asked to name his successor and he nearly lost his cool threatening to punch the interviewer. 

President of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe

 

A local newsman incurred the wrath of 92-year-old president of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe by asking him about his retirement plans. The answer was just as epic as the question.

 In an extraordinary on-air outburst broadcast on state television, the controversial leader took exception to the presenter's questions about his future.

When asked about grooming a potential successor, Mugabe responded: "Why? I'm still here? Why do you want a successor?

"Do you want me to floor you with a punch for you to feel I'm still there?"

 The crew behind the camera can be heard laughing, and Mugabe himself cackles to suggest it was all a joke.

 Mugabe has led Zimbabwe since its formation in 1980 from the remains of white-ruled Rhodesia and has said he is not yet ready to step down. His people live in abject poverty while the elite enjoy extravagant lifestyle.

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

Genevieve Nnaji is All Smiles as She Shows Off Her Award at the AMVCA (Photos)

Screen goddess, Genevieve Nnaji could not hide her smiles as she received her award at the just concluded 2016 AMVCA Awards held in Lagos.

Chinny Onwuegbenu, Genevieve Nnaji and Chichi Nwoko shows off their trophy at 2016 AMVCA 

 

Nollywood actress, Genevieve Nnaji was all smiles at the 2016 AMVCA as she alongside Chinny Onwugbenu and Chichi Nwoko collected the Best Movie (Western Africa) for the film – “Road To Yesterday”.

 

 

The actress took to Instagram to show off the award and her fabulous dress to the show.

 

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

That Groundbreaking Speech of Ta Nformi Christopher Fomunyoh The Guardian Post Man of the Year

I am extremely pleased to be here today, as the recipient of the “2015 Man of the Year” Award launched by the highly reputable Guardian Post Newspaper, and now in its second decade of existence.

I am deeply honoured by this exceptional recognition and truly humbled that the jury arrived at its decision unanimously. I am also honoured reading through the pedigree of previous recipients -- a current Head of State, Sultans and Fons, Governors and Ambassadors -- and therefore feel very fortunate to be among the selected few onto whom this distinction has been bestowed.

I very much want to thank members of the jury for their wisdom in discerning where some may see and not perceive. I want to thank profusely, and from the bottom of my heart, the Guardian Post for its audacity in launching this award which, more than any immediate material benefits, raises the bar on all recipients who should strive to be better citizens, and positive and powerful contributors to a better humanity.

Some of you may remember that the late John Fitzgerald Kennedy, prior to becoming president to the United States of America, wrote a book on “Profiles in Courage” in which he recognized the powerful impact of people that stood up for what was right and just even when other immediate pressures and short term gains stood in their path. There is no doubt in my mind that the Guardian Post in giving me today’s award, stands high on that pedestal; because no one can argue that the trends of the day seem to reward not the thoughtfulness, vision and humanistic ability to be each other’s keeper, but rather the act of positioning one’s self for some immediate and short term gains, no matter the likely devastating consequences for our country and its future. I thank you for your forthrightness and your professionalism; as well as your big efforts towards a more perfect and accessible media in our beloved country. Your social engagement help shine the spotlight on what works and what needs to be changed or improved upon in our society, hence raising the bar of good conduct and visionary leadership on all of us, be it at the national, regional and local levels or even internationally.

I am exceptionally touched that you decided to organize this year’s award ceremony in the historic city of Buea. No right minded Cameroonian can ignore the unique position that Buea occupies, and ever will occupy in the life story of this country and its millions of inhabitants. From the pre-modern times of the so-called “discovery of Africa” through the German era and the years of being a protectorate, through reunification and today’s Cameroon; Buea has, and ever will remain a corner stone of our national edifice. It is also the rock upon which Cameroon must build its resilience and fortitude going forward. The symbolism cannot be lost on anyone. And the word must go forth loud and clear from a top Mount Cameroon to all Cameroonians that this ‘Son of the soil’ in receiving this award and the relevant attributes this day, is acutely aware that the bar is being raised; just as he is aware of the high expectations of his fellow compatriots that he does more for our dear fatherland. And make no mistake, I can say here today, unequivocally to my 22 million fellow compatriots, that I will always strive to meet and surpass or exceed their expectations.

Yes, having a Harvard University degree is great; having a PH.D is intellectually stimulating. Helping other African countries strengthen their democratic governance is admirable and rewarding for the pan-Africanist that I am. But nothing, none of that is as fulfilling as being able to serve your own people and being able give back abundantly to your community. That is why this particular award touches a special place in my heart. That is why I am also very proud that in the delegation that accompanied me to receive this award are brothers and sisters from all 10 (ten) regions of our country, travelling by air, by train and by road to be here to bear witness to this historic event. I thank them profusely and acknowledge their support and encouragement as well as that of the staff of the Fomunyoh Foundation, without which none of the humanitarian actions and philanthropic deeds of the Foundation would have happened.

We also are having these celebrations of leadership, humanitarianism, and philanthropy at a pretty tough 

time for our country as we fight extremists jihadists of Boko Haram in the Far-Northern region. Boko Haram is destroying the lives and livelihoods of our fellow country men and women, innocent civilians, soldiers and our children alike. In this fight against Boko Haram that ought to be the centrality of our political and governance focus, our soldiers, the members of the Armed Force (military & Gendarmerie) and the police and other relevant services, including citizen protection committees are demonstrating their valour and bravery and professionalism on a daily basis. These brothers and sisters in uniform are the ultimate leaders and philanthropists of our time; because, without any hesitation, they put their lives on the line, and some have paid the ultimate price, so the rest of us can live and enjoy our livelihood. It is truly to them that Awards like this should be dedicated, and it is to them that I feel I hold this award in proxy. In the days ahead, I will be asking my lawyers to study the feasibility of creating a special scholarship fund that can provide additional educational, mentoring and financial assistance to those children of school age whose principal bread winner (dad or mom) is one of our fallen heroes in the fight against Boko Haram. The Fomunyoh Foundation is very open to collaborating with other entities or individuals that are engaged in a similar endeavour. We must reassure these unexpected orphans and widows that we are a grateful nation and will never forget.

Please let us now observe one minute of silence as we remember all the victims of Boko Hara, and in honour of our brave men and women who have fallen while protecting our fatherland.

We also are holding this ceremony this March 4th, 2016, four days to March 8th, 2016, the International Women’s day, and I can tell you that there aren’t as many philanthropists out there around the world than you would find among our mothers and grandmothers, our sisters, daughters, nieces, aunts and cousins. As I have criss-crossed various parts of our country, I have met incredible women with wonderful uplifting experiences of philanthropy, goodness, kindness and humanity to share.

I still remember very fondly now late Mrs Marie France, a grandmother who first trained as a reverend sister and later left sisterhood to run an orphanage for close to 100 (one hundred) children in Bertoua, in the East region. Despite her failing health, Marie France obtained permission from her doctors in Yaoundé to leave her sick bed to host me in her home with those beautiful children last November and to share with me her life story and commitment to humanity through those children. Sadly, Mrs. Marie France passed away early this year.

I think of Dr. Djibrilla Fatima Sidiki, who is based in Maroua in the Far North region and who, rather than seek to sit behind an office desk like some PH.Ds, is actually out and about at the grassroots, organizing women in rural areas across the Grand North and giving them new skills and opportunities to improve their lives. 

I think of Commy Mussa, a young journalist and social activist based in Bamenda, who, rather than stick solely to her pen, is working to build the capacity of women local councillors in Nkambe, Donga Mantung Division of the North West Region.

I see in action, Mrs Leocadia Mandeng, a single mom from the Ocean Division of the South Region, striving to succeed as a business entrepreneur nationally and in our sub-region, so she can pay her children through school while at the same time looking after the children of other people less privileged than she is.

I learned first-hand the work of Mrs. Dzebong Octavie, president to the ‘‘Association Ngong’’ du Nde in the Western region which mobilizes market women and enhances their capacity to sustain themselves economically, financially and socially. Mrs Dzebong attended my book launch in Bafoussam in November 2014 and said she also wanted to be part of the conversation about our country’s future.

I think of Ms Nakinti Besumbu, a young journalist from Ndian Division in the South West region who, despite the challenges of funding, runs an initiative called ‘Rescue Women’ to train girl children in information technology and new skills that can make them more successful citizens.

I also know first hand the efforts of Mrs Ikollo Jacqueline, Queen of Bonedale, Douala in the Littoral region, who is a geologist by training and who, rather than go make money working for big oil companies, is spending time organizing women within Sawa communities and in chiefdoms in other parts of the country.

And I also think of the young, dynamic, hardworking Grace Sil from Yaoundé in the Centre region who trained in Europe in very specialized skills and returned home hoping to find opportunities to serve her country. She and many of her generation hope and aspire to a better future for this country that my generation has a civic responsibility to provide. 

These are ordinary women doing extraordinary things and succeeding, oftentimes through very challenging circumstances. These women of all age groups, from all regions of our country are but a small prism though which to see the abundance of positive energy and exceptional potential, the philanthropy and kindheartedness of the Cameroonian woman. I, therefore, seize this opportunity, on behalf of the Fomunyoh Foundation and in my personal capacity, to say thank you; congratulations, and to wish our Cameroonian 

mothers, grandmothers, wives, daughters, nieces, aunts and cousins, a happy International Women’s Day, March 8, 2016.

Let me close where I started, by thanking Guardian Post for the recognition and award; and you all Distinguished ladies and Gentlemen for your physical presence here today (which means very much to me) and for your time and attention.

Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh

President

The Fomunyoh Foundation

www.tffcam.org

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

What You Need to Know about Ta Nformi Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh: The Guardian Post Man of The Year 2015

By Mokon Njouny Nelson

Ta Nformi Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh

Born in Guzang – Batibo, Momo Division, North West Cameroon, Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh is the founder and president of The Fomunyoh Foundation (www.tffcam.org), a non-profit organization that works to promote democracy, social and humanitarian causes in Cameroon. Since its launch in 1999, the Foundation organizes workshops to raise citizen awareness and strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations and journalists.

The Foundation has also conducted activities in partnership with development associations such as the women of Bonadale, Douala in the Littoral region, and the traditional Fondom of Foto-Dschang in the Western region. It has donated books to many municipal councils and academic institutions in eight out of Cameroon ten (10) Regions. The North West Region, Maroua in the Far North, Mayo Oulou still in the Far North, Garoua in the North and Ngoundere in the Adamawa as well as in the capital city of Yaounde, in the Center Region. The East Region has also benefited from this largess; three secondary schools in Bertoua, the Bertoua Linguistic Center as well as the Catholic University of Bertoua. Two schools in Abong Mbang have also been beneficiaries. In the Center Region, four academic institutions in the city of Yaounde, the nations’ capital and have been sponsoring Youth activities in Monatele and Monabo in the Likie Division of the Center Regions. The Foundation also runs a community radio station in Bamenda and a public library of over 20,000 books.

Besides the donation of such academic treasures, the Foundation has also been very concerned with the less privileged. To this effect, in has made donations to orphanages and widow organizations in Maroua in the Far North, Bertoua in the East and Guzang in the North West Region. 

On the international scene, Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh is currently senior associate and regional director for Central and West Africa at the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI). He has organized and advised international election observation missions to Benin, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Madagascar, Mali, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

He has also designed and supervised country specific democracy support programs with civic organizations, political parties and legislative bodies in Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Liberia, Mali, Madagascar, Niger, Nigeria, The Gambia, Senegal and Togo. 

In the course of his work, Dr. Fomunyoh interacts regularly with heads of state and government, cabinet ministers, elected officials and political and 

civic leaders. He recently designed and helped launch the African Statesmen Initiative (ASI), a program aimed at facilitating political transitions in Africa by encouraging former Heads of State to stay engaged in humanitarian issues, conflict mediation, public health and other key sectors of human development on the continent. On several occasions, Dr. Fomunyoh has testified on African issues before various committees of the United States Congress.

As an expert on democratization in Africa, Dr. Fomunyoh makes frequently guest appearances on major media networks including CNN, BBC, NewsHour, Voice of America, and Radio France Internationale; and provides interviews for major national and international newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Washington Post, Washington Times, Le Monde and International Herald Tribune. He has published articles in academic journals on African politics and governance. 

Dr. Fomunyoh has traveled extensively in Africa, Europe and North America, and is perfectly bilingual in English and French. He holds a Licence en Droit from Yaoundé University in Cameroon, a Master’s Degree (LL.M.) in International Law from Harvard Law School; and a Ph.D. in Political Science from Boston University. Dr. Fomunyoh is an adjunct faculty at the African Center for Strategic Studies and a former adjunct professor of African Politics and Government at Georgetown University. 

This is in brief is the man, Dr Christopher Fomunyoh, The 2015 Guardian Post Man of the Year.

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