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Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Donga Mantung Suffocating Under the Pangs of Yaounde Elite(s)

Thomas Hobbes, the 17th Century English philosopher in his classical works “Lorianthan” wrote that whenever personal interest goes above general interest, there is bound to be hatred and victimization. In such a situation Hobbes wrote “where everyone is enemy to every person, there is no place for growth because the fruit thereof is uncertain and consequently no culture of the earth, no room for changes, nastiness and worst of all, fear, poverty, character assassination and life is short”. Hobbes who at the time of the writing was against the notion of absolute power vested in some individuals believed that self-centeredness makes man morally corrupt. Therefore once man becomes an element of destruction, it is the responsibility of the state to intervene to curb the salvage instincts in order to prevent the community from chaotic behaviors and a war of all against all. It is not yet clear whether the present maneuverings by  Donga Mantung CPDM elite based in Yaounde qualifies Donga Mantung a perfect Hobbesian state of nature but it is probably the closest description to it that exist in Cameroon.
They move together yet they are suspicious of everyone. They make believe to be friends in public but sworn enemies from within because everyone is always ready to plot the other even though they all come from Yaounde. They are the Yaounde elite(s) of the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement-CPDM.
During the 3rd Ordinary Congress of the CPDM, President Biya told Cameroonians that the party needed new impetus and at the end of the Congress new members were elected while some were appointed into the Central Committee of the CPDM. Dead members were also appointed while invalid and unpopular ones were also replaced.
Late Hon. SN Tamfu was moved from the prestigious position of member of the Poliburo to Honorary member. He was replaced by Regina Mundi not of Donga Mantung extraction anyway. When Hon. Tamfu was Poliburo member, these people did not see it importance yet when Regina Mundi was in Nkambe to supervise the evaluation of voters’ registration in the division, the same hawks booked for audiences to talk to her. It was strange indeed but demonstrated how stupid Donga Mantung politicians are.
The long-forgotten militants who had the opportunity to make forth their weight in politics and did not were all looking forth for an opportunity to bounce back into politics. In compliance with this open policy of the President of the CPDM, Paul Biya; Donga Mantung Division elite based in Yaounde patient dog-like were looking forward to have a fair share of the national cake. And in the final analysis, Donga Mantung came to lime-light with four of its sons catapulted into the Central Committee. Shey Jones Yembe, Ngafeeson Emmanuel, Njikong Yeriwa Stephen and Kobo Godlove were then propelled.
Remember, two Parliamentary seats Ako/Misaje, Nwa and three councils (Nwa, Misaje and Ako) in the Division are CPDM governed. Whether both opportunities have been squandered or not could only be judged from what share of the national cake is given to Donga Mantung Division. Ever since Hon. Tamfu passed away, these Yaounde elite have been trying to kill the dream of the creation of the Far North West Region. Some of them are at the forefront advocating that Misaje should be carved out and attached to Oku, Noni and Bum to create a new Division.
Since politics is the art of inventing an apparatus whose use is not known before hand, the appointment or election of Central Committee members saw the entry of forgotten politicians into the stage. Many have interpreted the act as provocative and a scheme that has transformed Donga Mantung Division into a quiescent volcano ahead of the 2013 Municipals and Legislative Elections. Impressionist had long defined this situation as ostracized courses. Allegations are rife that the manner at which Yaounde elite are tousling with cars into the Division is becoming a course for concern. The most pathetic thing is that when they last came, it is alleged they brought in Rt. Hon. Simon Achidi Achu who came to impose a senatorial candidate on the people of Donga Mantung Division. They play the role of Section Presidents in defiance to party text and party recommendations that the section President is the boss at the grass root. It is even alleged that one of them who claims Dr. Fuh Calistus is his God-father came to Ndu and moved directly into the field without the knowledge of local party officials, and when he was quizzed, he said he was designated by Dr. Fuh Calistus as Parliamentary candidate. More so, The Eye is aware that some of these Yaounde elite(s) were heard saying that they have suffered for the party and some young men just appeared to from no way and are becoming more popular as if the CPDM is part of their family property.
 As head of the Central Committee Campaign team on voters registration to Donga Mantung Division Dr. Fuh Calistus left an indelible mark when he overhauled the problems of registration in Ndu and Nwa where he also failed woefully to reconcile the differences between elected officials there. But since we must look into the past for the future, and that charity begins at home and justice next door, political pundits have been asking why he (Dr. Fuh Calistus) could not reconcile himself with his own mayor Nkenda Simon Sunde.
No right politician would mock at those who he needs to cajole to have votes. CPDM militants from Ako are reported to have vowed and gnashed their teeth they had nothing and would not accept to be humiliated. Yet Dr. Fuh Calistus Gentry is very convinced that he will win elections in Ako from one single area (Kuta).  Whether true or not, every politician has ambitions and one of them is to be appointed. Since it is legitimate for anyone to aspire, it would not be an exaggeration as it is alleged; some of them have been tipped to replace Yang Philemon at the Star Building and they need to do everything to win elections.
When judged from capability, it is clear that for a long time Donga Mantung Division has been suffering from lack of effective and efficient representation. Most often the wrong persons have been preferred to represent these people. As President Biya recently announced the birth of Greater Realization, transforming Donga Mantung Division into a construction site would certainly be a very difficult task for Paul Biya reasons why the people are worried. Of late, we gathered that some Donga Mantung elite(s) in the diaspora also gathered to raise funds in order to support the opposition parties in the upcoming local elections. Whether it is nature’s axe or fate? Yet, the decisions they took as far as Donga Mantung politics is concern would set a tougher ground for the 2013 elections in Donga Mantung Division. They decried that the present state of nature has made Donga Mantung political elite to behave like hapless lackeys because their kind of politics never pay them off. Think of the Hon. Tamfu, Hon. Kwalar, Hon. Voh, and you name the rest. The fluid of unawareness, inconsistency and lack of consideration for others vein flow. Why and how such things continuously happen in Donga Mantung Division could only be deciphered by a psychologist or perhaps historian who in the quest to understand the state of nature in Donga Mantung Division could help the new breed of politicians. Notwithstanding, one of these Yaounde Elite whose name I have just forgotten took his colleagues aback when he asked journalists to leave the meeting hall in Nkambe. If not of the timely intervention of Rt. Hon. Achidi Achu who told the journalists to stay, the unexpected would have happened. As if that was not enough, he reminded journalists that they were not invited. However, what we know about him is that he claims the position of charge de mission, whether it means what. If the work of charge de mission is to write down minutes, then he should be given a different tag name giving that at every gathering he always likes to play the role of a master of ceremony (mc). So when do our charge de mission take down minutes? That is the question many have been asking. Besides, we are aware that this man whose name my memory cannot retain is known to be a Japanese hand-break by nature. He even drives himself from Yaounde to Nkambe whereas those of lower standard with cars are chauffeur driven. It is no more secret that his ways and manners have always made others to describe likened him to the Pharisee who being unable to enter heaven, stood at the gateway to block others. We are yet to uncover whether such manners are masterminded to drag into the mud the aspirations of the young dynamic politicians who they are affair of. However this is not our main concern for now, we are not only going to enter into the cupboards of these Yaounde old guards of the CPDM, it is a promise that we will pull off their drawers as well to make out whether they have built or they have destroyed. Even though public opinion holds that some did not even developed themselves or their families, the fact that some of their brothers and sisters are among the have-not makes shame a blissful act for a pitiful number.
From this critical finding psychoanalysis, what Donga Mantung is sure to benefit from Dr. Fuh Calistus Gentry and his team of Yaounde elite is a ton load of dashed hopes and nothing else giving that many of them who have the possibilities of providing the needs of the population did just nothing. It is even pathetic that some of them come to the Division driving their own cars as if to recruit just a single driver would make other families billionaires. Some of them have proven that nobody is better where interest is superlative. Yet many are hopefully looking at the young ones like Dr. Tanya Vincent, Adamu Musa and other home based like Gerard Ngala, Abdou Borno Kamfon, Ngi Christopher, Sammy Mbgatta and Backbuin David to reverse the trends. Someone even made a remark at the Nkambe Community Hall that if the above mentioned persons were the only militants of the CPDM in the Division, they will move mountains. Hitherto they are always overshadowed by the old guards who have nothing to offer.

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

Hon Awudu Gives Red Carpet Treatment to Okada Riders

The SDF Member of Parliament has congratulated motorbike riders in Nkambe Central for their efforts in easing the movement of people into most enclaved part of the Division. Speaking to motorbike in a heavily attended occasion that took place on Friday February 8, 2013 at the Millennium Star Hotel in Nkambe,  Hon. Awudu Mbaya Cyprian reminded the riders that their role in the transport section can never be underestimated. He emphasized on the numerous challenges of their profession as well as their civic responsibilities and the contribution they have been making in building the nation. He recalled how he (Hon. Awudu Mbaya) supported them with over 1000 helmets and advised them to always wear them for their safety. He also promised that he will make sure that he provides another consignment of helmet for the safety of the passengers they carry. On the ongoing registration of electoral voters using the biometric system, Hon. Awudu Mbaya reminded them that those who have not yet registered should do so. He also called on those without identity cards to benefit from the largess of the Head of State to for free issuance of identity cards to also go to the nearest identification post to obtain in identity card. “It is your personal document and you should use this opportunity offered by President Paul Biya” he added. Hon. Awudu Mbaya also told them not to give out their receipts to anybody when they register because it is unlawful. He said when the time for campaign shall come; he will give them his message as well as stewardship. “You voted me as your Representative and when that time shall come, I will tell you all what I have done for this municipality. However this is not a speech meeting ceremony, I called you here to eat and drink with me”, he concluded.
On his part Mangoh Jones Tanko, the Mayor of Nkambe expressed his wish for all the riders to acquire minimum documents for their bikes as well as identity cards for themselves. Magoh Jones Tanko further explained to them their role in the municipality. “You are the eyes and ears of this municipality and I congratulate you all for that”.  Harping on the importance of registering and voting, Mangoh Jones Tanko said that the riders that when you don’t register and vote, you give the opportunity to the few who vote to decide for you. He said the Nkambe Council in its endeavours to professionalize and do away with quakes in the commercial motorbike sector also bought jackets which were shared to the riders. This project, he said has help to put some sanity in the sector. 
The leader of the motorbike riders thanked the MP for his contribution in sustaining their activities and added that they (the okada riders) will always be behind him. “We are very grateful for this hand of fellowship. In fact let me again thank you for always having us in mind” he reiterated. Susung Oliver told the MP that nothing can change them and that even climate change can never change their position “because we voted you”. He also lamented the rampant theft of motorbikes in Nkambe and added that some of them (okada riders) have forced out of business by thieves. He also reassured the Mayor and MP that they will always work with them for the wellbeing of the municipality.
One speaker who also caught our attention was Madame Mary Awudu. In her message to the riders, the wife of the Member of Parliament commonly known as “Mami Mary” cautioned the youths against violence and the quest for easy money. As the mother of the house, she invited the riders to eat and drink with her family. There was merrymaking, singing and dancing late into the night at the Mbaya Night club. It should be recalled that for more than 10 years now, Hon. Awudu Mbaya has made it a tradition to always invite this young boys who help in transporting people from one village to another to commune with him.



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

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Background of Pope Benedict's Resignation

 Courtsy
The Catholic Church is nothing if not a repository of tradition. Pope Benedict XVI may have shocked the world and shocked his church by announcing his resignation Monday, but we can be sure that the decision was not sudden, nor on impulse.
The Roman Catholic Church, when it comes to official actions, all but regulate when one is allowed to breathe in, and breathe out.  An act as sensational and stunning as Pope Benedict’s resignation is infinitely more to be governed by microscopic level probes into precedent and Canon Law.
Canon law of the Catholic Church is the oldest functioning legal system in the Western world. It evolved over the course of the millennia, originally scattered throughout thousands of papal and diocesan decrees, decisions, and commentaries.
Pope Pius X commissioned their codification in 1903, which was completed yielding 2,414 canons by 1917.  In 1983, John Paul II approved about 20 years of new work that finally resulted in the 1752 canons that continue to be guide Roman Catholic decisions to this day.
As a legal system, canon law is concerned with protecting the smooth order of the society that it serves, in this case the Roman Catholic Church. We can be sure that Pope Benedict's Monday surprise was as deeply lawyered as any decision ever made in the Catholic Church.
For me, this resignation was a great act. We are treated as eye-witnesses to an historic moment of religious movement and courage at is best.  Non-religious media with scurry around with blood hounds sniffing in the dark corners of power, or medical journals.  But for the Holy Father himself, the wellspring of his decision is about the interplay of his physical, mental and spiritual condition, his Papal responsibilities, and his range of options as dictated by Canon Law.
The context of this decision is the history of the Papacy, and the state and future of Roman Catholicism in our world today.
In the past 1000 years, only four Popes prior to Benedict XVI have resigned office;  Benedict IX in 1045, Gregory VI (Benedict IX's uncle) a year later in 1046, Celestine V in 1294, and Gregory XII in 1415.
From these, 3 of them occur in the midst of shenanigans and disorder, including two of them while the church suffered dysfunction so severe as to have rival claimants to the Papacy.
Only Celestine V comes close, if we are to trust the history books, to resigning with integrity and honorable purposes.  According to a report in the Guardian, Celestine V explained that his resignation was out of “the desire for humility, for a purer life, for a stainless conscience, the deficiencies of his own physical strength, his ignorance, the perverseness of the people, and his longing for the tranquility of his former life.”
He went on to become a hermit.
Though this Pope has strong critics, like every public figure in this current fractious, peevish age, I  place this Pope's resignation in the tradition most close to Celestine V, but in fact higher.  Pope Celestine V served only 5 months in office before assessing himself ill-suited to its burdens.  Benedict XVI however, stood valiantly in the throes of a horrible time to accept this mission, and did so until the very last moments when he feels he no longer with enough stamina and fortitude to do justice to the mission.
Benedict XVI agreed to follow in the footsteps of one of the greatest and most charismatic religious figures in recent memory, Pope John Paul II, a person who was blessed not only with great personal gifts, but also with the chance to lead in a dramatic time in history, concurrent with the evident fall of militant atheism.  Following a great figure is never welcome nor easy.
Secondly Benedict XVI agreed to accept the leadership of a church knee deep in vile and horrid perversion, compounded by confused and borderline evil management of the sins by which it became infected.  Again an assignment unwelcome to a monstrous degree, yet Benedict XVI was willing to accept.
Celestine V's resignation though not in scandal and disorder was more for personal preservation.  Benedict XVI's resignation however, is for the sake of his Church.  This is where the nobleness of this announcement lies.
By meeting the limitations of age and decline publicly, and head on, Pope Benedict XVI has taken a courageous, monumental step for the modernization and progressive development of his community of faith.

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

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Mayor Gets Red Feather for Defying Myth

The Mayor of Nwa Council in the North West Region has received a red feather for being the first person to step into Mbaat and Manang villages with a vehicle.  Dr. Ngomfe Loma –David took the population of the two villages aback when on January 12, 2013, he stormed the villages not trekking on foot as had been the case in the past but by vehicle.  As the Nwa Council Toyota Hilux drove into Manang village, Dr. Ngomfe Loma David and his team were received at the entrance of the village by masquerades and a keyed up population. Echoes about the arrival of a vehicle took the two villages like wild fire.
And in less than 20 minutes, the population gathered at the Manang Fon’s palace to share in the joy. Singing there was ago-go and dancing too. Those who could have the opportunity to express their joy in speeches did it in songs.  It was total euphoria as the population sang and danced in ecstasy of the great happening. The population poured panegyric on the mayor calling on God to grant him power energy, wisdom and good health so that he could bring more development to the area. The population was celebrating unaware of the fact that the mayor also brought along good news for them. There was an explosion of happiness when Dr. Ngomfe disclosed that he will make sure that the road to the area is perfectly done and that in the next few months the population shall also have access to potable water.
The fon of Manang could not hide his emotions when the news was made public. He described Dr. Ngomfe as a development luminary and added that those who have never had the opportunity to travel out of the village have seen a car for their first time thanks to the exploits of Dr. Ngomfe. He saluted all the efforts by the mayor in fostering development initiatives in the municipality. ”. In an exhaustive mode of joy, the Fon held a meeting with members of the traditional council and unanimously agreed that the mayor of Nwa should be given a traditional title for all what he has done for the municipality in a very short time. In that light Dr. Ngomfe Loma-David was coroneted with the title of “Tamanji” meaning Father of Roses.  Apart from giving him a title, the population also promised to register massively in order to make their own little contribution in choosing their councilors who would represent them as well as their Member of Parliament in the upcoming local elections.
Dr. Ngomfe and his team drove round the two villages, where for centuries now no vehicle had never ever moved on their soil. It turned out to be another adventure full of exploits and excitement as the people jubilated. “In fact we have lost many lives here because even the motorbikes could ride on the road, now that cars have started moving on them, we can easily take anyone who is sick to hospital” Pa John Mbi told this reporter. The admiration was tremendous and colourful. By the time he was leaving the area gave him and his team a standing ovation and gave their blessings to the man of hope.
Talking to this reporter, Dr. Ngomfe Loma David said the journey to the two villages was strenuous but at the same time motivating. He added that when he was elected mayor, he understood that where the road passes development follows reasons why the opening of rural roads was top on the list of council projects. But since the council could not afford enough funds to construct the road, he moved round the villages and brainstormed with the population on a way forward. The people he said if they had the necessary hand tools they could do the work themselves. “We then decided to support the communities financially and with materials. And I am happy that the community development spirit is still alive here”. He disclosed that after Mbaat and Manang, Nwa council intends to take another exploit by linking Adere by road. Adere, he emphasized is endowed with many unexploited potentials such as the water-fall which can generate electricity supply for the entire country but unfortunately, it has no access road.



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

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Viettel Pleadges 6,300 Direct and Indirect Jobs

Vietnam’s Viettel the third mobile operation network to operate in Cameroon has announced that it one of its priorities will be to connect all schools in the country. It a public statement this week, Viettel officials also said that at launch, the new mobile network would cover at least 81 percent of the population especially in rural areas with communication deficiency. According to the statement, Viettel also announced that its services would be 20% lesser than others. Considering that the high cost of some mobile services, mobile phones still remain a luxury in Cameroon. As a matter of fact, this statement has ignited a lot of hope in farmers who could not afford a mobile phone due to high prices.
More so, Viettel also “pledged to create some 6,300 direct and indirect jobs.”
It is aired that this week, Jean Pierre Biyiti Bi Essam, the Minister of Telecommunication, Viettel’s CEO and deputy CEO, Ho Viet Hung and Nguyen Khan Duy, discussed the company’s plans to co-ordinate its fiber rollout with Camtel.
Public opinion however holds that the coming of this new company is timely and that it will go a long way to foster development and a healthy atmosphere of competition. Analysts are also of the opinion that no matter the taxes levied on telecommunications in Cameroon Viettel will still succeed.  Many have agued that they are delighted that the competition will compel Orange and its wife MTN to surely reduce cost too to a level that will benefit the rural poor. Welcome Viettel!!

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