Ngum Jerome Installed to Succeed Self as Mayor of Elak-Oku

By Mohammadou Haruna 

Ngum Jerome, Mayor of Elak Oku council

The Senior Divisional Officer for Bui Division Nzeki Theophile was categorical in his installation speech by stating clearly that borrowed water cannot cook beans given that times are changing and the people of Elak Oku must adapt to it and as well admit reconciliation. Before commisioning Ngum Jerome and his four deputies, the SDO called on the population to stay off intoxication and give total support to the councilors as well as the council executive headed by Ngum Jerome. He also challenged the newly installed council executive to revamp clean up campaigns in Elak Oku adding that cleanliness is close to Godliness. One of the major challenges of the Elak Oku council, the SDO said is for the council to promote the white honey sector which has already had an international recognition.

Talking to this reporter after the installation rite, the mayor of Oku council Ngum Jerome said that his being

elected and installed as mayor of Elak Oku for the second time marks another historical step in the history of his municipality. According to Ngum Jerome, the election that result to their victory was highly competitive. “I therefore owe a duty to the entire Oku electorate and on my behalf, that of my deputies and councilors, I sincerely thank them for renewing their confidence on us”. He said he is also indebted to the entire election stakeholders in Bui for their respect of the electoral laws. He expressed gratitude to the entire population of Oku for voting him to the position of mayor emphasizing that “ thank you for reconducting me to this apparent admirable position even though with a lot of obstacle before it. Since to me I see a miracle in every obstacle, I promise you to be up to the task and to develop the entire Oku municipality, God being my helper”. 

Harping on modern politics and it present day challenges, Ngum Jerome said that “in modern politics, development is the main focus” yet in Oku some people still practices politics of blackmail, slandering, backbiting, lies telling and witch hunting. “I have the singular option to distance myself from that form and nature of politics”. He said he is a replica of modern politics and does not practice the 15^th century primitive politics full of negative tendencies. He said as a result, all hands must be on deck for progress, development and true democratic practices. In a rhetorical question, he

Ngum Jerom flanked by the SDO, DO, fon of Oku and deputies

asked whether there is any Oku man or woman, boy or girl, who does not like good roads, good structures, a clean environment , good and accessible health structures and educational establishments?, he asked. He argued that those who ate five loaves of bread yesterday in the dark and underdeveloped Oku must accept to eat one loaf today to permit Oku to see the tenets of modern civilization.

On the Internal and External Elite of Oku

Ngum Jerome said it is time for those in high positions to contribute significantly to the development of the municipality. Hear him: “regrettable, in the conduct of some internal and external elite of this tribe today, you are strong in the corridors of power, we expect you to fetch all forms of development projects and direct them to Oku, rather than come home regularly to misdirect people, let your positions be felt by the man power geometric growth in Oku. Permit me look at the internal and external elite in their eyes and in doing so, I would ask them whether confusion, lies telling, back biting and defamation is what is needed to bring roads to Oku”. He challenged the elite to look into the staffing situation of schools and health services because by so doing they would have contribute to changing lives in the municipality and not vice-versa.

On the Death of Councilor Sunju Idrssu Nyinchia:

Mayor Ngum Jerome lamented that the passing away of Councilor Sunju Idrissu  Nyinchia who was snatched by the cold hands of death in a ghastly motor accident along the Douala highway. With a sign of remorse sadness, he said he is conscious of the controversy over his colleague’s death. “We are all Oku and I am Oku just like those who made stories about me. I stand here to say that I would have desired that those who accused and made stories and even documents, very embarrassing documents against me would have been honest people. Oku tradition demands that if a person is accused of the brother’s death, his plea of guilt or innocent is taken over the corps and then the person is armed and buried. For those who accused, tried and convicted me in absentia, God and God alone knows the truth. And I must end here by wondering why the family of my regrettable fallen brother and the authorities acceptably charged with the maintenance of public peace and order has remained mute after several trips to sooth-sayers or “ngambe” people. Oku politicians of my era will not only drive but fly in planes. And the magic that my persecutors said I have, if I had such primitive magic, I will rather convert it to a useful one, such that I can lay on my bed and bring from Yaounde all development to Oku in a single day. I will not like to win any victory which will either me or my opponent.

On the development Challenges of Oku

Harping on the numerous development challenges of the municipality, Jerome Ngum emphasized that “the road to success is climbing and not descending. In climbing,” he added that one is “bound to work against the common force of gravity” reasons why he said that “those who have to work with me to develop Oku must all be ready to serve 24/24 and not to be masters” because “they will drive caterpillars in suits, carry building blocks daily on emergency and develop Oku out of the dark of yesteryears”. Accordingly, he disclosed that his present mandate is about action which entails that no stone will be left unturned and no lazy complaints will be accepted. Haven been elected and installed as the mayor of Elak Oku, Ngum Jerome says time for politics is over and it is time for all and sundry to join hands in order to make the Elak Oku municipality and enjoyable enviable place irrespective of their political leniency. “There is no CPDM bridge, no SDF hospital, and no UPC and or NUDP school. All the development is that of Oku for the industrious sons and daughters of “ Mnkong Moteh”. 

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Groundbreaking Installation Ceremony: Wache Francis Installed Mayor of Nkor

By Fai Cassian

Bui SDO Flanked by  DO Noni, Wache Francis and his two deputies,

Thousands gathered at the Nkor Municipal Grandstand on December 3, 2013 to witness the groundbreaking installation ceremony of the newly elected mayor of Nkor Council, Wache Francis. Before commissioning Wache Francis into his new function as mayor of Nkor Council, the Senior Divisional Officer for Bui Division, Nzeki Theophile expressed joy to the population of the municipality for the massive turn out. According to Nzeki Theophile, the massive turnout is not only a pointer to the fact that the entire community supports the incoming executive of the council but it also shows the importance they attach to the development of the municipality. To the SDO for the Bui, the installation rite is not far from the commissioning of an officer, the induction of a pastor, the enthronement of a fon and or the empowering of an administrator.  He also reiterated that the action of the mayor shall reflect the commitment of a militant of a noble cause.  Mr. Nzeki Theophile reminded Wache Francis and his deputies that irrespective of their rich and sound curricula vitae, the success over a decentralized structure is less a question of academic, professional and social background than that of a vision, determination and commitment. He told Wache Francis and his deputies that if their decisions to stand council executive were to make a name, aggrandize their complimentary cards and or make money for their families etc, so as to use all strategies to manipulate the population not to implement projects but gain confidence, they entire executive will go down the history of Noni as prominent mayor but not as nation builders.

But according to Mr. Nzeki, if Wache Francis and his team stand for development despite the controversies, the criticism, the blackmail and the inner cycle fighting which will surely occur, they will not only be great Noni Municipality builders, but their names will enter the record of Noni history for life. He challenged the entire executive and councilors to foster development efforts and that they should hang their political jackets and lore ahead to the development of the municipality as one. “In other words, you are henceforth the mayor of all citizens; weak, strong, poor and wealthy”.  He reminded Wache Francis that after 23 years of teaching at the Local Government Training Center-CEFAM, he (Wache) is starting a new adventure as mayor, whereby he is expected to make a quantitative jump from theory to practice, noting that after all, theory without practice is empty, sterile and practice without theory is blind. Nzeki Theophile ended his installation speech by calling on the population to collaborate with the council by paying their taxes. It should be noted that the 1^st Deputy Mayor is Mme Eveline Kinyuy Tatah while the 2^nd Deputy Mayor is Bambo Pius Kiney

Who Is Kongnyuy Francis Wache

Born on December 31, 1955 at Noni Nkor, Kongnyuy Francis Wache after a successful and brilliant primary education got admission into Bishop Rogan College Soppo-Buea where he obtained the GCE “O”Level in flying colours. The quest for more knowledge took him to CCAST Bambili where in 1993; he obtained the GCE “A” level. He later traveled to France at the Universite d’Avignon where he bagged a Language Proficiency Diploma. After the brilliant study in France, he came back to Cameroon and continued at the Yaounde University where he obtained a Bachelor Degree in Modern Letters in 1978. In 2008, he added the Pan African Institute for Development Diploma to his list of certificates and since 1978, he has been teaching at CEFAM. He is above all, an asset in the media world given that he is the Publisher of The Post Newspaper. (This is however a brief summary of the man Wache Francis) the new Mayor of Nkor Council in the North West Region.

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Elation at Sammy Mbgata Installation as Mayor

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Sammy Mbgatta Installed as Mayor of Misaje Council (ceremony in Pics

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Massive Boycott Recorded in Nwa at Mayor's Installation

By Fai Cassian

Ngomfe and Deputies facing the grandstand with no single soul behind them

If an installation rite is the measuring rot of a politician’s popularity, the mayor of Nwa Council would simply be described as one of the ostracized mayors in Donga Mantung Division of the North West Region of Cameroon. The turnout was scanty and the worst of all is that only about 20 CPDM militants were spotted in their outfit. Besides, the population of Nwa town failed to show at the grandstand. This notwithstanding, Dr. Ngomfe Loma-David Moloh on Friday November 28, succeeded self as mayor of Nwa with firm instructions to oversee the development of the oldest border municipality of Nwa amidst doubts from the populace. Before commissioning Dr. Ngomfe Loma-David Moloh and his four deputies into office, the Senior Divisional Officer for Donga Mantung Division Ngone Ndodemessape Bernard warned that the council is not an organ of any political party and that the council executive as well as the councilors should ensure that there is a collective effort in all the endeavours. Donga Mantung SDO also prescribed accountability and transparency in the management of council resources. Furthermore, SDO Ngone Ndodemesape Bernard also cautioned that in his capacity as supervisory authority, he would spare no effort to use legal and administrative measures to put sanity whenever the need arises.

In fact those who took the pains to travel to Nwa through the rocky Rom Rock went back home more confused than when they were going given the numerous intrigues observed. The picture of a sub division turned apart by intrigues, blackmail and back-biting was brought to lime-light through a welcome song by the CPDM choir. In their song the youth decried that Nwa is going down into the doldrums as the political elite(s) pass time fighting each others.  Besides that they also called on the elite(s) to always come back home and not stay in cities and forget about their plight. “We cry for the creation of the Mantung Division”, the youth voiced out desperately emphasizing that for lack of access roads, Nwa has been transformed into an Island on land.

Politics in Nwa, it should be noted has been transformed into a sinkhole for character assassination. Allegedly, Dr. Ngomfe Loma-David Moloh who was installed as mayor did not vote during the last September 30 Legislative/Municipal elections. He accused his political adversaries who are with him in the same party, the CPDM for the obnoxious act. The question many have been asking is whether the argument is tenable given that he was the mayor and even the ELECAM council could not have discovered that the mayor’s name wasn’t on the list? As to whether he voted without his name featuring in the register reminds another misery. Yet he allegedly caged the councilors for three days and he was voted mayor. As to whether he bought his way as it is rampant nationwide is another secret that could only be deciphered by a lie detector.  The massive boycott was indicative given that even sources at the labour office in Nkambe hinted that more than forty complains have been submitted by staff of the council for obnoxious dismissals and irregular termination of contracts. Even though Dr. Ngomfe succeeded himself at the helm of Nwa council, an atmosphere of unfamiliarity looms large. 

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Mayor Elect of Ndu Installed Amidst Sparkling Controversial Audit

SDO Ngone Ndodemesape flanked by Bunyui Emmanuel

By Fai Cassian Ndi

It is widely acknowledged that politics makes strange postmasters. This statement has not only been confirmed in Ndu Council but above all, it has been contextualized with the installation of Bunyui Emmanuel Yugap as the mayor of Ndu council. Bunyui Emmanuel Yugap, an educationist was on November 29, 2013 commissioned into office as the mayor of Ndu Council at a point in time that water is as scarce as dog tears in the municipality. In fact if water as they say is life, then Ndu town is actually lifeless. The expectation observed from the faces of thousands that poured at the Ndu grandstand to witness the installation rite were very high yet dark clouds hover as to whether Bunyui Emmanuel Yugap would fit into the shoes of his late father ( late Bunyui Jonathan, the workaholic mayor of Ndu) who left an indelible mark of greatness during his tenure of office. This is so because Bunyui Emmanuel upon taking over office is concentrating his energy and time waiting for a cooked-up controversial audit which pinpoints that in as much as the audit is not done, much will not be expected of him. The sparkling controversial audit The Eye is aware defeats council systems whereby periodic controls are planned and done in conformity with the regulations in force. Audits are not new in councils yet the much talk about audit of the Ndu council speaks volume at its primary intention. Councils are public institutions and the reason for an immediate audit in the Ndu council has had diversified interpretations. To some people, it is being cooked up to settle scores and on the other side a school of thought holds that this would be used as a truncate to flimsy excuses that the council is indebted to justify no work done in the future. However, The Eye is aware that teachers are smart people and obviously noted to be like the Japanese hand-breaks and full of the notion of one for all. That is why those who understand the rule of life teaches us that any momentary triumph gained through argument is a pyrrhic victory especially when it is much more powerful to get others to agree through actions without saying a word.  This is so because the mayor has been spotted severally in the office at late hours fidgeting over documents. This has recently become the talk of the town as he has also transformed himself into a driver. According to what we gathered, many who do not know him had quite often mistaken the mayor to be the driver given that he drives himself around and even out of town. Notwithstanding, allegedly Bunyui Emmanuel who was handpicked from the eight others who applied for the position of mayor for Ndu has joined the ranks of those who have been criticzing the outgone council executive and since a builder can only be judged on his manners and technics in putting up a wall, the song of desperado sounds large ahead the starter who from all indications is more concern in serving those who appointed him than those he is called up to serve-a suivre.

As the SDO for Donga Mantung Division rightly puts it “being installed as mayor is not a blank check” given that the time of reckoning will come and the supervisory authority will not accommodate any errors. To Ngone Ndodemesape Bernard, the installation rite is in pursuance of the last September 30, Municipal/Legislative elections. He congratulated the people of Ndu for their political maturity especially for the peace that reigned before, during and after elections.

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Summonses and Suspensions Threaten Media Environment in Cameroon Reporters Without Borders Say

Reporters Without Borders is concerned about the growing intransigence of the National Communication Council (CNC), Cameroon’s media regulator, and its president, Joseph Befe Ateba.

“The CNC has taken a clearly tougher line towards journalists and media in the past two months, which is reflected in the number of summonses it has issued and the suspensions it has ordered,” Reporters Without Borders said.

“It has acted with questionable good faith by repeatedly summoning journalists on dates when it knows they are not in the capital, and by raising matters during hearings that were not mentioned in the summons. We urge it not to exceed its powers by using threats, pressure and censorship.”

Reporters Without Borders added: “We also ask the CNC to be more transparent about the way it chooses the cases in which it intervenes and the way it deliberates, in order to dispel suspicion that it is acting arbitrarily.”

Benjamin Zebaze, publisher of the daily Ouest-Littoral, and Guibaï Gatama, publisher of the weekly L’œil du Sahel, were summoned to CNC headquarters in the capital, Yaoundé, on 28 October to respond to accusations of “breaches of professional ethics” brought by Befe Ateba himself and the head of the criminal investigation police, Martin Mbarga Nguele.

The complaint against Zebaze concerned a 10 October article about the CNC’s ban on reporting election trends. The complaint against Gatama, brought by the head of the criminal investigation police, concerned a 15 October article about clashes with the police at the Cameroun-Nigeria border.

Neither Zebaze nor Gatama were in Yaoundé that day and both had to be represented by an employee.

In the weeks leading to the 30 September parliamentary elections, the CNC had started using a harsher tone.

On 14 September, the CNC circulated an election coverage guide that listed all the sanctions to which journalists and media would be exposed if they were found guilty of violating professional ethics. “I will be very intransigent,” Befe Ateba said.

The CNC previously imposed harsh sanctions on several media and journalists on 5 September for their alleged “failure to respect the provisions of the law on social communication.”

The victims included the Chronicle and Guardian Post newspapers and their publishers, the L’Epervier and Radio Sky One, and Radio Satellite journalist Peguy Meyong. The harshest sanction was reserved for Radio Djacom FM, which was banned from broadcasting altogether.

Provision for the creation of a National Communication Council was included in a December 1990 law on social communication (Law No. 90/052), which defined it as a financially autonomous entity for media regulation and consultation.

The council did not however become fully operational until earlier this year, following decrees reorganizing it and appointing its members. The internal procedures governing how it operates remain unclear.

Cameroon is ranked 120th out of 179 countries in the latest Reporters Without Borders press freedom index.

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