Bamenda: Where Every Minute Gives Birth to a New Hero

The North West Region is Bamenda, it has been said and proven. Whether from Boyo, Mezam, Menchum, Donga Mantung, Bui, Ngoketunjia or Momo Division, we are all known as the Bamenda people. Bamenda is a place where “heroes come to die” says Wamey Julius. But I will contextualize this statement by adding that Bamenda like America is a place where every minute of the day gives birth to a new hero. Mancho Bibixy, is the latest of the Bamenda heroes who through a Coffin Stand up comedy at the city chemist aroundabout expressed the plight of the Bamenda people.

From the dawn of time, the Bamenda people have distinguished themselves as pictograms of hard work, vigor and dotted with the willpower that historians find difficulties to comprehend when it comes to popular uprising. This strong spirited and collective commitment of the Bamenda people has over the years tolled to have what they have often been seen to be and tagged by others. In other words, the Bamenda man lives the life of a Spartan soldier who would prefer to die than to surrender. When Bob Marley said that truth is something that must be spoken even it means "speaking to die for it", he was surely talking of the likes of Bamenda people. A type of life that can only be compared to toad in a heating tube that keep adapting to the changing temperature until it finally gives off the ghost.

This month some of us lived the melody of city that keep changing to adapting temperatures. Where life and death are matters of seconds. A Baghdad scenario or some sort of a Western movie setting of radical extremes, or a place of violent behavior. But above all the Bamenda man is a pack of dexterousness, persistence, and warmth even when people have suffered, and or ready to. Of this, there can be tiny debate. However, some people have often impolitely taken the humble nature and this strong spirited willpower of the “Bamenda man” for granted and with negativism. “Je ne suis pas ton Bamenda” and or “come no go” have often being the reward from some people who out of ignorance, and more often than not think being humble or full of determination to fight a cause to its logical end is a misdemeanor. This is rather unfortunate given that this nation owes a debt of appreciation to the Bamenda man not only for being hard working, but more importantly for the collective commitment and enormous contribution in nation building. Come to think of Nanga, Bernard Folon, Yang Philemon, Ni John Fru Ndi and million other Bamenda men of character and conscience, there is nothing than to be proud to be a Bamenda man.

Being forward looking and receptive to change has landed the Bamenda man in a position of power and to have an unquestioned advantage over others.( Quelle dites les Bamenda?). This is how the Bamenda man has been able to grasp the most essential in perspective with both hands to serve as a measuring rot for this nation. Unlike others, the Bamenda man would burn the midnight candle to obtain the desire results, takes the risk that could in a few seconds set historical records ablaze yet kept the traditional values intact in today’s world of globalization. Although others had historical and geographical head over them, they overcame their handicap with a lot of determination and dynamism.

 For decades, Bamenda has had the good fortune to have produced individuals who on account of their peculiar gifts of values have contributed to the advancement of this country.

Ah! Bamenda! Home of all the heroes of yesteryears Albert Mukong, John Ngu Foncha, Jua, ST Muna, Bernard Folon, Ndeh Ntumazah, Prof Anomah Ngu, Nanga, just to name the few. In February 1983, President Paul Biya declared Bamenda as his second home. This is not a joking matter given that Paul Biya, John Fru Ndi, Francis Nkwain, SN Tamfu, JT Kangkolo, ST Muna, Foncha, Jua, Achidi Achu, Awudu Mbaya, JK Ntoi, Fuh Calistus Gentry, etc make up the Bamenda man. Oh my Bamenda, the second home of President Paul Biya.

 Political Giants

Bamenda still remains a focal point of what takes place in the country politically. What, however, defines a Bamenda man, at least within the present political environment, would be that both the ruling party (CPDM) and the main opposition party (SDF) were created in Bamenda. Bamenda is the heart of politics in Cameroon; it is its people that have made Bamenda the city of versions, the Bagdad of Cameroon where in a moment of civil strike makes you live a life through a perpetual fish bowl, the outside world only being reachable only through the boots of a soldier. It is hard to imagine what this kind of life is like unless you have lived it or lived amongst it. There is a lesson to be learned from the people of Bamenda – not just of extraordinary resilience and steadfastness, but also humility and respect. And that is the real story of life in Bamenda, my Bamenda.

The Land of Noble Birth

“Bamenda, the place where heroes go to die.” That is how Julius Wamey, the famous CRTV anchor, in an article titled in the same words, described the headquarters of the Northwest Region some years back. Francis Wache in one of his articles titled: NW Region: The Caesarean Womb Of CMR’s Democracy wrote that “the name ‘Bamenda’, has, over the years, come to represent the whole Region. With a hint of pride in their voices, natives of the Region, living ‘abroad’, would say they are from ‘Bamenda’ when, in reality, they are referring to Din, Akweto, Essimbi…‘Bamenda’, has, therefore, become generic- a reference to the whole Region”.   




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

Bamenda: The 21st Century Pitiless Spartan City

The North West Region is Bamenda, it has been said and proven. Whether from Boyo, Mezam, Menchum, Donga Mantung, Bui, Ngoketunjia or Momo Division, we are all known as the Bamenda people. Bamenda is a place where “heroes come to die” says Wamey Julius. But I will contextualize this statement by adding that Bamenda like America is a place where every minute of the day gives birth to a new hero. 

From the dawn of time, the Bamenda people have distinguished themselves as pictograms of hard work, vigor and dotted with the willpower that historians find difficulties to comprehend. This strong spirited and collective commitment of the Bamenda people has over the years tolled to have what they have often been seen to be and tagged by others. In other words, the Bamenda man lives the life of a Spartan soldier who would prefer to die than to surrender. When Bob Marley said that truth is something that must be spoken even it means "speaking to die for it", he was surely talking of the likes of Bamenda people. A type of life that can only be compared to toad in a heating tube that keep adapting to the changing temperature until it finally gives off the ghost.

This month some of us lived the melody of city that keep changing to adapting temperatures. Where life and death are matters of seconds. A Baghdad scenario or some sort of a Western movie setting of radical extremes, or a place of violent behavior. But above all the Bamenda man is a pack of dexterousness, persistence, and warmth even when people have suffered, and or ready to. Of this, there can be tiny debate. However, some people have often impolitely taken the humble nature and this strong spirited willpower of the “Bamenda man” for granted and with negativism. “Je ne suis pas ton Bamenda” and or “come no go” have often being the reward from some people who out of ignorance, and more often than not think being humble or full of determination to fight a cause to its logical end is a misdemeanor. This is rather unfortunate given that this nation owes a debt of appreciation to the Bamenda man not only for being hard working, but more importantly for the collective commitment and enormous contribution in nation building. Come to think of Nanga, Bernard Folon, Yang Philemon, Ni John Fru Ndi and million other Bamenda men of character and conscience, there is nothing than to be proud to be a Bamenda man.

Being forward looking and receptive to change has landed the Bamenda man in a position of power and to have an unquestioned advantage over others.( Quelle dites les Bamenda?). This is how the Bamenda man has been able to grasp the most essential in perspective with both hands to serve as a measuring rot for this nation. Unlike others, the Bamenda man would burn the midnight candle to obtain the desire results, takes the risk that could in a few seconds set historical records ablaze yet kept the traditional values intact in today’s world of globalization. Although others had historical and geographical head over them, they overcame their handicap with a lot of determination and dynamism.

 For decades, Bamenda has had the good fortune to have produced individuals who on account of their peculiar gifts of values have contributed to the advancement of this country.

Ah! Bamenda! Home of all the heroes of yesteryears Albert Mukong, John Ngu Foncha, Jua, ST Muna, Bernard Folon, Ndeh Ntumazah, Prof Anomah Ngu, Nanga, just to name the few. In February 1983, President Paul Biya declared Bamenda as his second home. This is not a joking matter given that Paul Biya, John Fru Ndi, Francis Nkwain, SN Tamfu, JT Kangkolo, ST Muna, Foncha, Jua, Achidi Achu, Awudu Mbaya, JK Ntoi, Fuh Calistus Gentry, etc make up the Bamenda man. Oh my Bamenda, the second home of President Paul Biya.

 Political Giants

Bamenda still remains a focal point of what takes place in the country politically. What, however, defines a Bamenda man, at least within the present political environment, would be that both the ruling party (CPDM) and the main opposition party (SDF) were created in Bamenda. Bamenda is the heart of politics in Cameroon; it is its people that have made Bamenda the city of versions, the Bagdad of Cameroon where in a moment of civil strike makes you live a life through a perpetual fish bowl, the outside world only being reachable only through the boots of a soldier. It is hard to imagine what this kind of life is like unless you have lived it or lived amongst it. There is a lesson to be learned from the people of Bamenda – not just of extraordinary resilience and steadfastness, but also humility and respect. And that is the real story of life in Bamenda, my Bamenda.

The Land of Noble Birth

“Bamenda, the place where heroes go to die.” That is how Julius Wamey, the famous CRTV anchor, in an article titled in the same words, described the headquarters of the Northwest Region some years back. Francis Wache in one of his articles titled: NW Region: The Caesarean Womb Of CMR’s Democracy wrote that “the name ‘Bamenda’, has, over the years, come to represent the whole Region. With a hint of pride in their voices, natives of the Region, living ‘abroad’, would say they are from ‘Bamenda’ when, in reality, they are referring to Din, Akweto, Essimbi…‘Bamenda’, has, therefore, become generic- a reference to the whole Region”.   



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

Dr Christopher Fomunyoh, shocked and dismayed by ongoing events in North-West and South-West Cameroon

November 23rd, 2016.

In the past few weeks, I have watched with utter dismay, anguish and sadness developments in North West
and South West Cameroon: notably, the demonstration by Common Law lawyers in Bamenda in October and on November 8; the demonstration by Common Law lawyers in Buea on November 10; and the teachers' strike that began on November 22, and is affecting institutions of academic learning from primary through secondary and higher education in both regions of the country. These events endanger the rule of law and education, which are two very sensitive pillars of our national fabric and human development. They also bring to the fore grievances that demonstrate the disaffection of a sizable segment of our population with the manner in which the Biya government approaches governance in these critical sectors.

These very unfortunate events have also exposed to the entire Cameroonian population as well as the international community the inability of the authorities to listen to the voices of citizens and to provide appropriate platforms for meaningful discourse and exchanges that must take place in every democratic society between citizens and those that govern. Democratic governance in the 21st century entails constant engagement with citizens, providing opportunities for their grievances to be addressed, and taking concrete measures to ensure that fellow compatriots feel a sense of belonging and ownership of resulting reforms. This is the only way to restore their dignity and foster responsible citizenship. By failing to address these grievances, the government has exposed its inability to govern in an inclusive and responsive manner.

As I have said in the past, the issues raised by Common Law lawyers and now teachers and parents in these two regions of the country deserve proper attention at he highest level of the State. These issues speak to the core values that enabled the establishment of the Fatherland to which we all belong. We cannot allow for that national fabric to be undermined by the government of the day. Sadly enough, these events also mirror recent strikes in Yaoundé and threats by the Union of francophone teachers to demonstrate in coming days. There is no doubt in my mind that a general malaise overshadows the current political environment in our country.

I therefore call on President Paul Biya to speak directly to the nation to calm fears and to take concrete steps to address the expressed grievances in the most just, equitable and timely manner. I also call on the government not to use force against innocent unarmed citizens who peacefully advocate for their rights.
The government should set up a special, broad based commission to attend to the grievances raised with regards to the educational sector. It is noteworthy that these issues raised by teachers, students and parents surpass the jurisdictions of the four cabinet ministries that now oversee educational matters in Cameroon - Ministry of Higher Education, Ministry of Secondary Education, Ministry of Basic Education and Ministry of Labor and Professional Training - none of which is headed by anyone educated in the Anglo-Saxon tradition. For a country that prides itself of adopting and strengthening its bicultural tradition, such a political set up does not lend itself to a proper understanding of the values that Anglophone teachers, student and parents seek to preserve.

At the same time, I call on lawyers, teachers, students and parents in the North West and South West regions to be patient and to remain open to dialogue, knowing that the vast majority of Cameroonians appreciate highly the values of fairness, justice and integrity that they seek to defend. It is only on the basis of these shared values that Cameroon will stay strong and united.

Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh
President
The Fomunyoh Foundation
www.tffcam.org

------------------------------------------------------------

23 Novembre 2016

Le Dr Christopher Fomunyoh, exprime son grand désarroi face aux événements en cours dans le Nord-Ouest et le Sud-Ouest du Cameroun

Au cours de ces dernières semaines, j’observe avec désarroi et tristesse les événements dans le Nord-Ouest et le Sud-Ouest du Cameroun, et notamment, les manifestations des avocats de droit commun à Bamenda au mois d’octobre et le 8 novembre ; les manifestations des avocats de droit commun à Buea le 10 Novembre ; et la grève des enseignants depuis le 22 novembre, qui affecte les établissements scolaires du primaire, du secondaire et du supérieur dans ces deux régions du pays. Ces événements perturbent l’accès à l’état de droit et au système éducatif, qui sont deux piliers essentiels de notre cohésion nationale et des droits de l’homme. Ils s’ajoutent à des doléances exprimées antérieurement et au sentiment de désaffection ressenti par une partie importante de notre population face au traitement avec lequel le gouvernement Biya gère les questions de gouvernance dans ces secteurs fondamentaux.

Ces événements malheureux viennent aussi démontrer à l’ensemble des Camerounais, comme à la communauté internationale, l’incapacité des autorités à entendre la voix de leurs concitoyens. Les autorités n’ont pas su créer un espace approprié à des discussions et échanges constructifs entre citoyens et gouvernants qui ont droit de cité dans toute société démocratique. Au 21e siècle, la gouvernance démocratique implique un lien permanent avec les citoyens, qui leur donne des occasions d’exprimer leurs revendications. Cette gouvernance suppose aussi des mesures concrètes pour que les citoyens puissent tous se reconnaître dans une même nation et s’approprient les réformes nécessaires. C’est le seul moyen pour l’Etat de rendre à chacun sa dignité et de promouvoir la responsabilité citoyenne. Faute de répondre aux attentes des citoyens, le gouvernement prouve son incapacité à diriger le pays d’une façon inclusive et responsable.

Comme je l’ai déjà souligné par le passé, les questions soulevées par les avocats de droit commun, et maintenant par les enseignants et les parents de ces deux régions méritent une attention pleine et entière au plus haut niveau de l’Etat. Ces questions expriment les valeurs fondamentales qui nous unissent dans cette patrie. Nous ne devons pas permettre que la cohésion nationale soit ainsi rabaissée par le gouvernement actuel. Assez tristement, ces événements font également écho aux récents mouvements sociaux à Yaoundé ainsi que les menaces de manifestations lancées par l’Union des enseignants francophones pour les prochains jours. Dans mon esprit, il ne fait aucun doute qu’un malaise généralisé risque d’entacher l’environnement politique actuel de notre pays.

J’en appelle donc au Président Paul Biya pour qu’il s’adresse directement à la nation afin d’apaiser les esprits et pour qu’il prenne des mesures concrètes pour répondre, de façon juste, équitable et rapide, aux doléances exprimées. J’appelle aussi le gouvernement à ne pas faire usage de la force contre des manifestants innocents et non armés qui défendent pacifiquement leurs droits. Le gouvernement doit mettre en place une commission spéciale élargie pour traiter les revendications. Il est évident que les questions soulevées par les enseignants dépassent de loin les compétences des cabinets ministériels chargés des question d’éducation dans notre pays - à savoir : le Ministère de l’Enseignement Supérieur, le Ministère des Enseignements Secondaires, le Ministère de l’Education de Base et le Ministère de l’Emploi et de la Formation Professionnelle – dont aucun n’est aujourd’hui tenu par une personnalité issue du système éducatif anglo-saxon. Alors que notre pays revendique fièrement son biculturalisme, une telle répartition des responsabilités politiques ne favorise pas une bonne compréhension des valeurs portées et défendues par les enseignants, élèves et parents anglophones.

En même temps, j’appelle les avocats, les enseignants, les parents et les élèves du Nord-Ouest et du Sud-Ouest à la patience et à rester ouverts au dialogue, sachant que la grande majorité des Camerounais défend et apprécie à leur juste mesure les valeurs de justice, d’équité et d’intégrité. C’est sur ce socle de valeurs que le Cameroun restera fort et uni

Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh
Président
The Fomunyoh Foundation
www.tffcam.org

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

Africa Women's Cup of Nations: Lioness into the Semi Finals

The Lionesses of Cameroon have crushed South Africa's Bayana Bayana to qualify for the semi finals of the 2016 Africa women cup of Nations.Geneviève Ngo Mbeleck scored the lone goal that has landed the Lionesses in the quarter finals. Today's win qualifies the Lionesses after they defeated Egypt in their first encounter. 
 The march had as officials:

• Referee : Aissata Ameyo Amegee
• 1st assistant : Idrissa Fanta Kone
• 2nd assistant : Mimisen Agatha Iyorhe

Geneviève Ngo Mbeleck

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

You Have Not Defeated Boko Haram - Atiku Tells Buhari

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has rubbished claims by President Muhammadu Buhari led government that it has defeated Boko Haram.

Former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar

 

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, on Saturday countered claims by the Nigerian government that it has defeated dreaded terrorist Boko Haram.

 

While speaking in Yola, the capital of Adamawa state at the 11th Founder’s Day Ceremony of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), the former vice president said claims by the Federal Government that it has defeated Boko Haram were untrue as the terrorist group is still strong and deadly. 

 

According to him, “the insurgents still occupy a specific geographical space,” Atiku said. He added, “they (Boko Haram) still retain the capacity for occasional deadly attacks. Many citizens in the zone still remain vulnerable and live in fear.”

 

It would be recalled that the Minister of information minister, Lai Mohammed had repeatedly claimed that Boko Haram had been defeated, and was no longer holding any territory in the country.

 

In fact, the President while speaking in the 2016 Independence Day speech on October 1, had insisted that Boko Haram was defeated in December 2015. But, latest onslaught by the group against the Nigerian military and serious of other suicide bombing by members of the sect indicates that the President and his Minister of information were just making bogus claims.

 

The former Vice-president further stated that the government "cannot say that the problem is over until every displaced person is able to return home, to the office, to the market, to the farm, and resume normal activities. 

 

“We cannot say it is over until we rebuild the schools, the churches, the hospitals, the markets, and the homes that had been destroyed. And we cannot say it’s over until the survivors of this insurgency receive the help they need, including psychological therapy to deal with the trauma that they have been through.

 

“I visited an IDP camp on Saturday and had the privilege of teaching a math class to some children. But the site of hundreds of children running around and unable to attend school was very gut wrenching. It still breaks my heart. So we cannot say the insurgency is over until all the displaced children return to their schools.

“And, as I indicated last year, it would not be enough for people to simply return to their pre-insurgency lives. We must do better than that otherwise we would only have papered over the wound without really treating it.

“People must return to something better, to hope, to improved schools, to improved economic opportunities, to freedom of worship and improved inter-religious harmony.”

 

Read Atiku’s full speech below.

 

Protocol

Let me join President Ensign and the MC in welcoming you to this year’s Founder’s Day ceremony of this university. It doesn’t feel that long ago when we broke ground here for what is to be the first private university in Northern Nigeria, and the first American university in Sub-Saharan Africa. Here we are today at the 11th Founder’s Day of this dream we the AUN.

Looking back and looking around, we have made tremendous progress. The little acorn is growing into a promising oak. But there’s a lot still left to be done. As you know, the work of building a great university never really finishes. A university is a living organism. It has to keep growing; it is continuously nourished. It becomes ever more complex but also integrated, more extended, and more interesting.

This past year has been particularly challenging for us and for the country. The country’s economy, which had remained weak, slid into a recession. There has been little public spending as the new government in Abuja and most state capitals try to figure out how to proceed with governance, just as oil production and revenues plummeted. And when citizens, including parents, have little income to spend, especially in the midst of uncertainty, the effect spreads to various sectors of the economy, including higher education.

But it was also a year that saw significant improvements in the security situation in the North East, our catchment area. The commitment of the Federal government and the state governments in this zone, as well as the support of the governments of our neighbouring countries of Cameroon, Chad and Niger, have pushed back against the violent insurgency and improved the security of citizens in the area. The improvement in the security situation also means that some internally displaced persons have been able to return to their homes and try to resume normal lives. I would like to specially acknowledge the efforts of our security forces in making these possible.

However, more still needs to be done to restore normalcy in this area. The insurgency remains. The insurgents still occupy a specific geographical space. They still retain the capacity for occasional deadly attacks. Many citizens in the zone still remain vulnerable and live in fear; and we cannot say that the problem is over until every displaced person is able to return home, to the office, to the market, to the farm, and resume normal activities. We cannot say it is over until we rebuild the schools, the churches, the hospitals, the markets, and the homes that had been destroyed. And we cannot say it’s over until the survivors of this insurgency receive the help they need, including psychological therapy to deal with the trauma that they have been through. I visited an IDP camp on Saturday and had the privilege of teaching a math class to some children. But the site of hundreds of children running around and unable to attend school was very gut wrenching. It still breaks my heart. So we cannot say the insurgency is over until all the displaced children return to their schools.

And, as I indicated last year, it would not be enough for people to simply return to their pre-insurgency lives. We must do better than that otherwise we would only have papered over the wound without really treating it. People must return to something better, to hope, to improved schools, to improved economic opportunities, to freedom of worship and improved inter-religious harmony. People must return to the realization that it is ok not only to be different but also to learn, including so-called Western education. You see, Western education really belongs to humanity since different parts of the world contributed to that which we now call Western education and culture. In any case, nobody says we must take everything that is associated with that culture; we can take that which helps us improve our societies while ignoring that which doesn’t.

And we must no longer wait for socio-economic and political problems to fester for a long time before we tackle them, the way we routinely wait for small potholes on our roads to develop into huge gullies and death-traps before we try to fix them, if at all. That should be a critical lesson of this insurgency.

So let us take immediate steps to put our people to work. Let’s fix our roads, bridges and schools and other infrastructure. Let us expand schooling in this zone and other parts of the country. Let’s expand enrolment, and hire and train highly qualified and motivated teachers who are paid well. Let’s resolve to strictly enforce the law that makes primary and secondary education free and compulsory in this country so that every child stays in school until at least the age of 18. Let us expand vocational training in addition to improving our universities and polytechnics. Let us expose our youth to entrepreneurship as part of their education, to help us to really create employment and grow the economy and incomes in a sustainable way. Germany seems to offer a great example on vocation training and apprenticeship. We may want to carefully study its system to see how we can adopt elements of it for our country, our people and our economy.

When we take these measures that expand educational and career opportunities for our young people, we give them hope; we give them positive things to aspire to. We must demonstrate to our youth that living is far better than dying. When we provide them these opportunities we are likely to see more of them receive the kinds of awards and honours that were bestowed on these outstanding people that were so honoured here today.

But we should not stop there. Citizens are not just about jobs and incomes. We have to take measures to facilitate citizen engagement, especially the youth. Our young people have to take greater interest in public affairs. And I am not just talking about voting in elections. They should be organized and participate in debates on public policy and community service. And as a country, we have to find ways to lift up those who need help, to give voice to the voiceless, to listen to the voices of those who feel marginalized and left behind, and find ways to address their concerns. The recent Brexit referendum in the UK and the November 8 Presidential election in the US hold important lessons for us. Being established and stable democracies they had peaceful outcomes. We may not be that lucky because of the fragility of our democratic and other public institutions.

To our students I say your handwork and sacrifices are worth it. You are among the privileged. So take full advantage of the opportunities you have. Education is an opportunity and remains the key that unlocks opportunities and opens new horizons. And in the contemporary world, those without education and requisite skills will have a harder time attaining social mobility. This is the world of big data, of coding, of genetic engineering, of 3D printing, of renewable energy, of artificial intelligence, of self-driving automobiles, of space tourism, of inter-connected devices (the internet of things), and of social diversity and inclusion. You have the opportunity to prepare and equip yourselves for that world so that you, your families and your country are not left behind.

I sincerely thank the leadership of this University under the tireless Dr Margee Ensign. I salute the faculty and staff, all of you that make this place work. Let me also thank the Board of Trustees, under the very smart and meticulous Akin Kekere-Ekun, for its work over the past year and the preceding years. We also owe a debt of gratitude to the state and federal governments for the improved security in the environment within which AUN operates. I congratulate those honoured here today. You are truly deserving of your awards.

Let’s all rededicate ourselves to improving this university, this dream, and this region and our country.

Thank you.

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

Prophet TB Joshua Gives Fresh Details Why His US Election Prediction Failed

Popular Nigerian pastor, T.B Joshua has said thousands of people who prayed on Donald Trump's behalf forced the prophecy to be reversed.

Prophet T.B Joshua

 

Prophet T.B Joshua, founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nation (SCOAN) has given new insight why his prophecy that Hillary Clinton would become the next president of the United States failed.

 

He gave the new reason on Sunday in front of his congregation members.

 

The clergy man who came under severe criticism following the defeat of Hillary Clinton by Donald Trump in the 2016 US Presidential election as people attacked him for 'giving a false prophecy', said fervent prayers and the number of people who begged God to change his heart, reversef the prophecy to favour Trump.

 

According to NewTelegraph, Joshua cited biblical reference where prayer altered a prophecy, and likened Trump shock victory to the prophecy of Jonah to the people of Nineveh which said that God would destroy Nineveh within 40 days; but was eventually averted because the inhabitants of the city offered fervent prayers to God.

 

He went further to present many emails which he said he received from some Americans confirming that his prophecy on the election spurred them to intense prayers and which God eventually granted. His words: “Thousands of people that heard my prophecy prayed to God, they fasted and prayed that God should change the prophecy.

That a prophecy is disclosed and it did not come to pass does not mean that it is not authentic.” The author of one of the mails which was read out to the congregation during the service commended Joshua saying: “Your word came and challenged us to pray.

"It was like the prophecy of Jonah when God told him that he would destroy the people of Nineveh. Thank you prophet, your word saved America, it was a warning, like the prophecy of Jonah when the people prayed, and God changed His mind.

Prophet, God hears your prayer. We prayed and fasted.” Confirming the power of prayer in prophetic utterances, Joshua said, “They know my antecedent that what I say always come to pass.

"As a result, they went to God in prayer. This is the power of prayer; it is not a crime to tell you. If you have doubt, look at the track record of the person that is talking. I said that the boat will be rocked, and there will be challenges. What else do you need? Let’s believe in the power of prayer. He added: “We have seen the outcome of the election in America. You will notice that it is all about the popular vote, the vote of the majority of Americans. In this case, we need the spirit of a prophet to recognize or to know a prophet.

Our levels are different. We are not on the same level. We might have great cathedrals, huge bells and all kinds of activities that are good by human standards; but human point of view is limited."

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

ANGLOPHONES: HOW READY?

Barrister Fon Gorgi Dinka was the first person to my knowledge who defied all odds and held himself out publicly in defence of the Anglophone cause. After publishing his book – The New Social Order – he called on the “Anglophone soldier” to take up arms against the President of the Republic whom he described as “going from illegalities to illegalities”. He spectacularly escaped from detention and fled to Calabar (Nigeria). Even as he relentlessly fought the Anglophone cause under the banner AMBAZONIA, the struggle under that banner has remained moribund internally…

AAC1 and AAC2 ended up submitting a memorandum (draft constitution”) to the President of the Republic in the early nineties. Elad, Anyangwe and Munzu subsequently took part in the Tripartite Talks, most probably in the name of Anglophones. Not only did the draft constitution end up fatally in the waste basket, but none of the Anglophones’ grievances as per the memorandum ever received any attention…

Eventually was the Southern Cameroons’ National Council – SCNC – born with the sole intent to press the case for dialogue. It took little time for Yaounde to send soldiers to brutalize innocent Southern Cameroonian citizen and secure the arrest and detention of SCNC leaders. Those who did not die in detention did take out a suit against Cameroun in the African Human Rights Commission at Banjul for physical injuries from torture and false imprisonment. The result was the Bunjul Ruling which has been lying in the “Pending tray” in Yaounde for upwards of two decades now…

At one point in time during the proceeding at Banjul, the members of SCNC who, it would appear, had sued Cameroun by themselves and on behalf of Southern Cameroonians, broke off to call themselves Southern Cameroons’ People Organization – SCAPO. Another faction later emerged in the Name of southern Cameroons’ Youth League - SCYL.

Due to leadership crisis from mistrust and unending bickering, every one of these groupings has lost steam in the recent past. In the end, there is little coordination at the national level, even less so at the international level. Professional and career groupings necessarily sprang up in defence of group interests. Prominent among them are teachers’ “unions” and recently Common Law lawyers…

The strategy of Yaounde has been to pretend to listen to such groups while favouring their multiplication so that they pose little threat… Yaounde appears to be out of wit now that a sense of common purpose is permeating the walls Yaounde has erected between the groups…

But the fear is that the expedient is ever transient. There is absolute need for coordination both nationally and internationally. The contemporary two groups, namely, the teachers and the lawyers, should select representatives, maybe five per group, to constitute the nucleus. The 10 or so will meet the soonest and co-opt a few other prominent Anglophones. They may choose a leader among themselves or operate for the time being in a collegiate manner.

This is most crucial and urgent! Yaounde tricksters could ridicule us before the world if they were forced by the present circumstances to invite us to talk very like replaying the scenario of Fumban 1961… Even if just to get Yaounde to that point, such a team seems to me indispensable!

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

Biya/CPDM at centre of lawyers’/teachers’ unrest!

 By Felix Teche Nyamusa, SDF 2018 presidential hopeful (pending primaries)

CPDM/Paul Biya has hugely wronged the lawyers, legal rationality in Cameroon - the judiciary here is unlike in democracies not independent. The executive (President Paul Biya) heads it (the judiciary) and judgment on litigations is dependent on Mr. President’s say! Further, there is an absurd crusade to suppress the common law integral of the country.

          The education program in practice here is hardly that which will ensure emancipation of the country from poverty

-         The country sorts for most times expatriates to head her institutions - the military, money organizations, hosted international sports rendezvous ….

The country has two historic sub educational systems - the Anglo-Saxon and the French oriented. That which is seriously cherished by most Cameroonians (Anglophone and Francophone) is the one bewilder vandalized by the CPDM government. President Paul Biya a Francophone from Mvom Meka sends his children to Anglo-Saxon education in foreign universities while many a Francophone floods English schools in Cameroon and neighbouring countries like Nigeria, Ghana - yet Biya government is confusing the English set up here!

-teaching Anglophone learners in French and broken English!

     The CPDM government executive usurps the powers of the other two arms of government - the legislature and judiciary. Thus running a one-man-show government. The CPDM (former CNU) had been ruling since independence 1960/196)-She indebts the country in a money launder spree - bribing to maintain her self in power. President Biya on seat for over 34years together with his ministers squander most of the nation’s resources out of the country – the uplifted treasures from our banks and land are stockpiled in foreign accounts, wasted in hotel rooms abroad, lavished on the foreign press for praise singing … . The president who has woefully failed to build a good country health treatment system orchestrates most well to do Cameroonians to go for the slightest ailment out of the country. Consequently majority Cameroonians who are grassroots now toil and meet untimely death in ill-equipped clinics/hospitals of the country.

     Our country blessed with human and natural resources (forest, minerals …) yet conditioned to remain one of the poorest on the globe with most of her citizenry hope pinned on immigrating to the Diaspora for gainful employment.

-         Cameroon’s towns(inter and intra) right up to her principal cities of Douala and Yaounde have no all seasons roads to say the least

-         Hydroelectricity power generation which is the country’s main large scale domestic and commercial energy source is epileptic despite having one of the biggest potential in Africa due to her hilly terrain! Biya manipulation of elections to remain in power through now ELECAM which is his party CPDM fan principally manned elections body. Here no political party or politician worth the salt dare jokes! So far election results in Cameroon are known before elections Day (manipulated to CPDM favour).

-         Fellow Cameroonians the deadly consequences of a bad leader remaining on seat for about four decades is clearly seen from Cameroon descend from a debt free country( Ahidjio days) to the heavily indebted poor , in secured country reign of the current Biya times. Comrades this should not continue! We have to, like neighbouring countries have done, support the lawyers and teachers  in Cameroon who have rightly taken the last constitutional resort - sustained strife to depose a dictator-All political parties, all civil society that want progress and development should stand up now and remove Biya and his unproductive party CPDM from their strangle hold of Cameroon

-         We have to lay a firm foundation, we have to pick the pieces of the country and build upon which a civilization worth emulating will spring - this is the fight to serve an intact Cameroon. Fellow compatriots we have to stand up now and arrange for good electoral rules, change the leadership of the country before 2018. Let to continue solo under CPDM/ Biya, the former Southern Cameroons will break again as former British Northern Cameroons did to join Nigeria!

-         Today fight is a struggle to maintain a prosperous united country from the recklessness of a terrorist president Paul Biya and his anti-people CPDM party!

-         Biya/CPDM had never won any genuine polls here and therefore hasn’t Cameroonians mandate! Thus cardinal among the deep rooted grievances of Cameroonians is the necessity to put in place an independent unanimously accepted electoral code and polls managing body not the CPDM ELECAM and separation of powers. What will stem all these wrongs in principle is for all consequential political parties and civil society, religious bodies , various trade unions and associations  etc to actively join in this rational last resort resolve of teachers and lawyers to immediately uproot the CPDM despotism as done in progressing African nations and the world over ! Bad roads, rigged elections, non respect of the constitution and agreed laws, epileptic electric supply, un-adapted school schemes to Cameroon/African needs …affect all Cameroonians irrespective of political leanings.

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

Nigeria Ranked Third Most Terrorised Nation in the World

Boko Haram has succeeded in putting Nigerian on a top position in the global list of terrorized countries in the world.

 

Nigeria is still ranked third among the countries in the world that have been worst hit by terror attacks, according to the 2016 Global Terrorism Index (GTI) report.
The GTI monitored and measured the impacts of terrorism in 163 countries, covering 99.7 per cent of the world’s population.
Nigeria had occupied the same position in last year’s ranking, and was ranked fourth in 2014. For 2016, Nigeria ranked behind Iraq and Afghanistan.
Pakistan, Syria, Yemen, Somalia and India are ranked fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth respectively, while Egypt and Libya are in the ninth and 10th position, in the latest ranking.
The report, released on Wednesday by the Institute for Economics and Peace, however indicates a 34 per cent decline in the number of people killed by the terrorist group, Boko Haram, in 2015 in Nigeria.
The total number of people killed by Boko Haram in 2015 was 4,095, down from the 6,136 in 2014, said the report which attributed the decline to the operation of the Nigerian military and the Joint Task Force in the north-east of the country.
According to the report, Nigeria also had a reduction in the number of people killed by Fulani militants (herdsmen). “There were 630 fewer deaths by these militias in 2015, a decrease of 50 per cent,” the report said.
This, according to the report, contributed to the overall 10 per cent drop in the number of deaths caused by terrorism globally. In fact, the report says Iraq and Nigeria had the largest reduction on deaths from terrorism from 2014 to 2015.
The gains made against Boko Haram by the Nigerian military, however became the pains of the country’s neighbours – Niger and Cameroon – as the terrorist group spilled over and created more deaths in the two countries than previously recorded.
“Niger recorded a devastating year with 11 terrorism deaths in 2014 rising to 649 in 2015. This is the largest proportional increase of any country and is due to the expansion of Boko Haram,” the report said.
Niger is now 16th in the latest ranking, compared to the 51st position it occupied in last year. The deteriorating terrorism attacks in Cameroon also moved it from 20th position it was in 2015 to 14th   in 2016.
ISIL, the Islamic militant group in Iraq, has now overtaken Boko Haram as the deadliest terrorist group in 2015, the report said.
The report said, “Despite the decrease in deaths from terrorism, Nigeria still experienced a high rate of violent deaths.
“In addition to terrorism victims, there were at least 4,422 battle-related deaths from the conflict between Boko Haram and the Nigerian Government in 2015, down from 8,233 in 2014.”
The report said on the average, Boko Haram killed 11 people per attack in Nigeria, and that the attacks were mainly targeted at civilians.
“Four out of five deaths from terrorism in Nigeria are civilians,” it said. “This is one of the highest targeting of civilians anywhere in the world.
“Whilst the majority of fatalities were caused by armed assaults with firearms and knives, there has been an increase in the use of bombings and explosions, a tactic Boko Haram has been increasingly using after receiving explosives training from al-Shabaab.
“In 2013, Boko Haram conducted 35 bombings which killed 107 people. In 2015 there were 156 bombings that killed 1,638. Nearly two thirds of the bombings in 2015 were suicide bombings, which on average killed ten people per attack,” the report said.
Out of 20 most fatal terrorist attacks in the world in 2015, according to the report, four occurred on the Nigerian soil, with Boko Haram being responsible for three. Fulani militants were responsible for one – where 95 people were killed in a single attack on March 15, 2015.
According to the report, the worst terrorist attack in Nigeria occurred on September 13, 2015 when Boko Haram killed 160 villagers in Kukuwa-Gari village by gunfire or drowning. A total of 174 people were killed in the attack, the report said.
The report put the global economic impact of terrorism at US$89.6 billion in 2015. Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) to developing economies such as Nigeria is directly affected by terrorist attacks, it said.
“Unlike ISIL, Boko Haram does not have a sophisticated financing structure,” says the report. “The primary revenue source for Boko Haram is kidnapping, ransom and extortion.”
The group is also said to rely on bank robberies, illegal mining, external donations, and drugs for its income which is said to be up to $25 million, annually.
The report put the total number of people killed in Nigeria by Boko Haram at 17,097 since 2000. The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has obviously achieved some successes in its war against terrorism, but the Boko Haram sect hasn’t been defeated yet, as repeatedly claimed by the Nigerian authorities.
The report explains the methodology used in developing the terrorism index.
“The GTI ranks 163 countries based on four indicators weighted over five years.

“The GTI score for a country in a given year is a based on a unique scoring system to account for the relative impact of incidents in the year.

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

What Nigerian Police Revealed About the 7-year-old Boy Burnt to Death for Stealing Garri will Shock You

The police has added a new twist to the story of the alleged little boy killed in Lagos State for allegedly trying to steal garri.

The alleged thief burnt to death in Lagos

 

A new report has emerged about the alleged 7-year-old boy who was beaten and burnt to death for attempting to steal garri in Lagos.

 According to new information by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Complaint Response Unit, Abayomi Shogunle, it has been revealed that the so-called thief was not a boy but a man who might be a member of a gang of armed robbers that terrorized residents of Orile area of Lagos. The body has now been deposited at the mortuary while investigation into the matter continues.

 However, a resident of the area who witnessed the whole incident has revealed more interesting details. The unnamed resident wrote: "That boy is part of a gang; they collect valuables from people and if you don't comply they stab you. It has nothing to do with garri. I'm not justifying jungle justice, just stating facts. He's not 7. He's 20 apparently. They killed someone like a month ago, he refused to drop his phone."

 

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