My People are Not Goods that Can Be Bought- Hon. Awudu Mbaya Cyprian

Hon. Awudu Mbaya , the SDF Member of Parliament for Nkambe Central cum Quaestor at the National Assembly has declared that the moment of truth has come. Hon. Awudu Mbaya who is also Shadow Cabinet Minister for Water, Mines and Energy in the Social Democratic Front-SDF made the statement on Monday, January 22, 2013 at the Nkambe Community Hall while addressing local party officials in a strategic meeting aimed at buttressing biometric registration. In cautioning local party officials on the ongoing political scramble in Nkambe Central, Hon. Awudu Mbaya warned that “ no one should register and give out his/her receipt to anyone in exchange of money or whatsoever”. He reiterated that Nkambe people are not goods that can be bought with money. “However if you make yourself banana, monkey go chop you”. Hon. Awudu Mbaya added. Harping on the political scramble in Nkambe Central, Hon. Awudu Mbaya said that those who think money can buy everything are on the wrong side of democracy and that time has come for the truth prevail. “The moment has come to show power of the truth, not to tell lies or to fight but rather a real moment for us to denounce bad things”.  He reminded his party colleagues that the patches of tar in Nkambe town that is still visible today was done as far back as 1959 during the era of KNDP (Former West Cameroon) whereas they are people who have been ministers and even own more than 200 caterpillars who could have added the road. Yet nothing was done. “Let that person tell us what he did when he was minister”. According to Hon. Awudu Mbaya there are plans to clean off the names of some SDF militants from the electoral list in Yaounde.

However, Hon. Awudu Mbaya summed up his stewardship just in three words. To him, he has been serviceable, available and productive both in his constituency, national level and at the international level.    The meeting which was summoned to empower local party officials on how to sensitize the population to register massively using the biometric registration ended with each zonal chairperson giving out the level of registration in each village. From field reports registration stands as follows as of Monday, January 22, 2013, Nkambe 4110, Tabenken 1981, Binka 1694, Wat 1330, Mbot 983, Njap 885, Bih 636, Kungi 493, Sah 246, Mbot II 257, Bomansoh 172, Chup 107, Mbaah 108, Kup 107, Mbanka 107, Nwangri 79……..

On his part Mangoh Jones Tankoh, Mayor of Nkambe said the SDF cannot build the Council Chamber and allow a different party to use it. The SDF, he told councilors should work relentlessly to make sure that they win in the upcoming elections. He said the Nkambe Council in the past years has constructed over 38 classrooms, water schemes and many others. He said time is coming for the Nkambe council to present it achievements to the population.

It should be recalled that the meeting took place ahead of the visit of SDF National Chairman Ni John Fru Ndi who will storm Nkambe to rekindle registration. Ni John Fru Ndi is expected in Misaje on January 27, he will move to Ako, Tabenken, Nkambe, Lus and conclude his tour of Donga Mantung Division at Ndu before moving to Bui Division.



When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

Striking Students Call on President Biya to Rescue UBa

The student body issued a clarion call yesterday January 21, 2013 calling on the Head of State, President Paul Biya to rescue the University of Bamenda from collapsing. The body known as Movement for peace, unity and against the Decentralization of UBa in their clarion call condemned the Prefectoral Order signed by the Senior Divisional Officer for Mezam, Ngele Nguele setting up a commission to move the Chancellery of the University from the main campus to Bamendakwe. In the release, the student body also stated that “we say no to the destruction move of the Vice Chancellor which is out to partition and destabilize the smooth function of the university”.  They are accusing Prof. Tafah Edward of masterminding the moves and manipulating the Minister of Higher Education. More so, they also decried tribalism and corruption as well as occultism and witch craft practices in the university.  They warned that if their grievances are not addressed with immediate effect, they shall all move to the street calling on the sacking of the Vice Chancellor Prof. Tafah Edward.

It is not surprising that since Monday, January 08, 2013 most of the University workers have been gathering in groups discussing these developments. All efforts by this reporter to get to Prof. Educat Tafah Edward could not yield any fruits. However, as it is, a fragile peace exists in the University as many of the academics and other affiliated staff are worried about the level of injustice and ethnic chauvinism either manipulated or not.

It should be recalled that in a speech presented by Fon Awemo 11 of Bambili to the SDO for Mezam during his maiden tour in which he did not hide his emotions, he told the SDO, Nguele Nguele Felix, that the Head of State President Paul Biya, created the University of Bamenda with Bambili as its legitimate seat. He questioned why the Chancellery of the University of Bamenda (UBa) is planned to be set up rather at Bamendankwe, Bamenda 1 Sub-Division, as he has been reliably intimated.

According to Fon Awemo, the Chancellery is the heart of any University and must be located at the seat of the University. Beside, he disclosed that his Fondom, Bambili, and other neighbouring villages of Tubah have already allocated over 1000 hectares of land for the extension of the University. The said land is far more than the land owned by any of the state universities of Cameroon. Moreover, the fons of Tubah said they were ready to add more land if came to that.  

Confirming the rumour, the SDO disclosed that he saw a file to that effect on his table two days after his installation as the new SDO for Mezam. He promised to go through the file before deciding on what to do.

In spite of the SDO’s response, the Tubah elite were overheard cursing the Vice Chancellor of UBa, Professor Educat Edward Tafa, as the architect of the plans to locate the University’s chancellery at Bamendankwe. Some of the elite including the Fons of Tubah intimated this reporter how the Vice Chancellor openly hates Tubah elite including the fons.

They cited the case where Tubah Fons wrote to Prof. Educat Tafa indicating their plans to accord him a reception when he was just appointed as the pioneer Vice Chancellor to UBa. Hear them; “Professor Educat snubbed our request saying that he had no time for such an occasion because of his busy schedule”. They regretted that a week after, the same Educat received his Momo fons in his residence in Bamenda III during which his fons gave him a traditional title.

Visibly incensed, the Tubah elite said all the support staff of UBa hail from Educat’s village, Oshie, in Ngie, Momo Division, even though the youths of Tubah applied long ago before his appointment.

It was because of the show of hatred to their land that the Tubah elite intimated that they had no choice than to form a union dubbed, Tubah Union for Peace, Progress and Prosperity (TUP³) to fight for their rights shortly after the installation of Prof Educat. Former Minister Abety has also been accused of masterminding the problems at the University of Bamenda yet many have asked whether students are so dull that Abety could manipulate them to the point that they go down the street?

However, if the chancellery is constructed some 20km away, it won’t be within the trekking distance and it would be difficult for students to use some of the services attached to the chancellery. The University they say is like a one-stop shop and transferring the chancellery away from the main campus will defeat that notion. But what are the reasons of transferring the university chancellery. Notwithstanding confidential sources hinted that the SDO for Mezam recently signed a Prefectoral Order appointing members of the committee for the inspection of the site to construct the Chancellery and the Vice Chancellor’s Residence at Bamendankwe. Prefectoral Order No 03 o/E.29/712/S2 of January 8, 2013 setting a site Board Commission for the selection of a parcel of land for the construction of the Chancellery and Residence of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Bamenda appoints the SDO of Mezam or his representative as Chairman. it also appoints the Divisional Chief of state lands as secretary, while other members include: The Divisional Officer for Bamenda I, The Divisional Delegate of state property, Divisional Delegate of Housing and Urban Development, Vice Chancellor, Divisional Chief of Service for Surveys, the Mayor of Bamenda I, the Fon of Bamendakwe and two notables

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

Fire for Fire at University of Bamenda, Sudents, Population Go on Rampage

 The University of Bamenda where Prof. Edward Educkat Tafah is Vice Chancellor is on fire. Students, guardians and the population of Bambili in Mezam Division of the North West Region took to the street today, January 21, 2013 to express their grievances on recent happenings. As hinted in our previous news story, the student body is aghast with the Vice Chancellor for obnoxious plans to transfer the Chancellery out of the University Campus. Barely two days after the Vice Chancellor moved the convocation ceremony to the Bamenda Congress Hall, students as well as Tubah elites are on strike to sound a warning signal to Yaounde and the Biya regime that Prof. Edukat should be stopped before he destroys the newly created University of Bamenda. Besides, it is alleged the entire institution has been "Oshied'" and transformed into a sinkhole for character assassination where everyone is oblige to pay like apes for nuts. Further more, allegations are rife at that Prof. Edukat has made self " the Alpha and Omega" where even he goes as far as doing meager jobs such as hiring of the congress hall which he allegedly did it himself. 

The students and the entire population of Bambili are aghast that by transferring the Chancellery to Bamendakwe(some 24km away) from the main Campus is just like a suicide.

However, the SDO for Mezam Mr. Nguele Nguele who on January 8, 2013 signed the controversial Prefectoral Order appointing members of the Committee to inspect the site for the construction of the Chancellery and Vice Chancellor's Resident at Bamendakwe has summoned a crisis meeting. Confidential sources hinted that the problem is hot potato in the hands of the Mezam administration.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

Job Opportunity: UK based NGO Recriuting Research Assistants to Work in Cameroon

Research Assistants Needed

CAME Women and girls development organisation based in London invites qualified research University students interested in a new ambitious and innovating research project aimed at strengthening farming skills and entrepreneurial skills of women in Limbe, Bamenda and Bui. The purpose of this research is:

To assess the causes and dynamics of female poverty based on data sets from a national study conducted in Cameroon in varying geographical and economic zones with different economic activities and population size. To collect qualitative data and quantitative data and also from focus group discussions with women and participatory rapid assessment methodologies which will be used to capture the dynamics of poverty among rural women to highlight the dimensions of poverty, and the processes of impoverishment and priorities as perceived by women themselves as they focus on their realities, needs, constraints and priorities. To identify and document the meaning of poverty as understood and described by women themselves

 The research will also look at both short term and long term interventions which can contribute to strengthening farming skills and entrepreneurial skills of women in the region. The research will take place from February to May 2013, and should start by the end of January.

How to apply:

Applicants should sent their CVs by e-mail in English by January 30th 2013 to this addresse:cawogido@yahoo.co.uk

Preference will be given to researchers based in the Limbe, and Bamenda.

 Please contact CENDEP Limbe and Positive Vision Bamenda for further information and details

Duties & Responsibilities

This post entails providing research and administrative support for the research project implemented by CAME Women and Girls Development Organisation, Positive Vision and CENDEP.

This post is funded in part by COMIC Relief grant, and will involve work on project as well as more general duties. Funding is currently available for one year, with the possibility of extension dependent on success of current grant. It is a part-time post and may be worked as two whole days or several half days, by arrangement. The successful candidate will be supervised by Eric in CENDEP Limbe and Diana in Positive Vision Bamenda, and provide general support, which will include research tasks, and administrative tasks as detailed below.

Key Requirements

Research-based tasks are likely to include:

• Searching for and retrieving relevant readings from libraries and online sources

• Compiling bibliographies, and maintaining an Endnote database

• Drafting summaries of readings

• Searching for, retrieving, and analysing information online sources

• Assistance with data entry

• Retrieval, analysis and presentation of quantitative data

• Writing up notes from research interviews

• Coding and storing interview notes

Administrative tasks are likely to include:

• Assisting with the organisation of research interviews and occasional other meetings

• Support with e-mail and other correspondence

• Proofreading and correcting draft papers

• Creating and editing PowerPoint presentations

The post holder may be required to undertake other duties broadly in line with the above key responsibilities. The pattern of work will vary from week to week.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

New Workbook Goes Operation within CamCCul, Credit Unions

The reorganization of Credit Unions within the CamCCUL Network kick-starts today Monday 21. 2013. Even though some anti-democratic leaders have been raising storm in the tea-cup, the harmonization process according to what we gathered is gathering steam nationwide. The harmonization process confidential sources hinted begins in Kumba Town Cooperative Credit Union and over 180 credit unions will do same in conformity with the new workbook recently adopted on December 29, 2012 by CamCCUL General Assembly.  Here below is the road-map adopted by the entire network.

(The Extraordinary General Meeting of CAMCCUL LTD. Holding At Pastoral Centre, Bamenda on 29^th Day of December 2012, And Having Discussed and Deliberated on Various Issues Featuring on the Agenda, Hereby Adopts the Following Resolutions)

1) The CamCCUL network hereby congratulates the Supervisory Authorities H.E the Minister of Finance, and other relevant Ministries like MINATD, MINADER and MINJUSTICE for their guidance so far in the harmonization process

2) The final count of options for the mandate and term of office for elected officials of Credit Unions in the CamCCUL network was officially done. One hundred and ninety-seven (197) out of 199 Credit Unions successfully conducted the vote and the following results obtained;

a) On the issue of mandate of elected officials 159 credit unions voted for three years renewable twice, which represents 80.7% total voters (197) and 38 credit unions voted for three years renewable once representing 19.3%.

b) On the conditions of eligibility of elected officials, that is, whether all existing mandates should come to zero and fresh elections organized for everybody or not, 171 credit unions voted for YES representing 86.8% of the voters while 26 credit unions voted for NO representing 13.2%.

The General Assembly not having registered any contest or protest of the results from any Authorities or Credit Union hereby unanimously validate the results as obtained in the field.

Hence the new mandate in the CamCCUL network is three years renewable twice and all are eligible for elections.

3) Consequently the Extraordinary General meeting ratifies the majority position that the duration of mandate for elected officials stands at 3 years renewable twice and that all existing mandates should come to zero. This decision takes effect from the 1^st day of January 2013 in a non retrospective manner.

These decisions are hereby inserted in the CamCCUL Articles of Association and Credit Union Model Byelaws which are hereby unanimously adopted.

4) Considering this final position adopted today in accordance to the directives of the Minister of Finance, the CamCCUL Management is hereby mandated to come up with clear modalities and a calendar for total harmonization of Credit Union byelaws in line with the adopted majority position, follow by elective Annual General Assemblies in the said Credit Unions.

5) CamCCUL management is hereby mandated to come up with practical modalities for the implementation of these byelaws of the Credit Unions especially as to its registration with the competent authorities and the modalities for the election of new Board and other elected officials of Credit.

6) Management should ensure that the implementation of election modalities should take into consideration continuity in management, that is, the fluid running of the Credit Unions.

7) CamCCUL shall conduct elections for various Credit Union officials. The elections of Board Members of CamCCUL shall be conducted during the next Annual General Meeting of CamCCUL under the supervision of the MINFI. This procedure at the level of CamCCUL Board is considered as a transitional measure. Subsequent elections into CamCCUL Board shall follow normal CamCCUL rules and regulations.

8) The Credit Unions of the CamCCUL network respect the solidarity that exist in the network and vehemently condemn any acts that will destabilize and fragment the network thus allowing infiltrators to destroy our solidarity and strength. Any further attempts by whosoever to destabilize the network shall be severely dealt with.

9) Due to the disruption of our network activities by issues of comprehension of the OHADA law on Cooperatives and mandate of elected officials of the CamCCUL network, issues which are of primordial importance to our survival, like the taxation problems, delinquency, the stability of our Bank (UBC PLC) have not been given the required attention by CamCCUL network. CamCCUL Management is therefore mandated to concentrate its efforts henceforth to resolving the pressing issues of the network and ensuring the stability of our bank.

10) The Board and Management of CamCCUL are hereby mandated to take all necessary measures for the smooth execution of these resolutions. It should in particular organize the continuation of the harmonization process in the entire network.

Sign:

Teku Collins  &   Rabe Gaston

Secretaries

Guietang Bernard & Nteuge Joseph

Scrutineers    

Chapter Representatives

Chapter	Name of Delegate	Signature	Chapter	Name of Delegate	Signature
Bamenda	Mbaku Henry K.		Douala	Mme Tchatath Lec-Pron
Fundong	Wulba Jacob Tim		Fako	Tansie Joseph
Kumbo	Jaff Sylvanus D		Kumba	Anyambod John Mboh
Nkambe	Ndi Nsanwe Anthony		Mamfe	Nkemnge Aloysius
Bafoussam	Tatinou Felix		Garoua	Chi Clement

Musa Shey Nfor

President of CamCCUL

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa