The Euphoria that Saluted Hon. Abe at Abafum On Youth Day( Ceremony in Pics-Prt One)

The Member of Parliament for Ako/Misaje Special Constituecny has established history by doing the unexpected. He spent the National Youth Day with the youth of some border villages of Ako. Ceremony in pictures.

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

Have You Heard the News from Camer?(Part Three)

By Writam-Pen

Photo of the Week

Country people it is now certain that Popol and Chantou will storm Buea on February 20^th. Martin Belinga Eboutou, Popol’s chief “chinda” has confirmed in a communiqué today that Popol and Chantou will be in Buea to feast with Cameroonians and that the 50th anniversary celebration of reunification will start from February 19-21st. I am sure you will all watch Popol with admiration as he grabs his PHD in Political Science from UB. I hear the University Campus has been given a facelift in preparation for the event. You know Popol always spring surprises. You remember how he rejected some gifts in Bamenda during the 50^th Anniversary of the Armed Forces.

Buea, they say is set for the event and the local organizing committee has confirmed that 111 hotels of 2500 rooms have been identified, 18 parking spaces and the water capacity has been augmented from 3000 to 7000 m3. I wish the ceremony is postponed again for my people of Buea to benefit more lofty projects. Do you know that Popol coughed out FCFA 13.5 billion to sponsor reunification projects? I have spent two days pondering on what Popol tell Cameroonians when he finally comes to Buea? Will he declare the independence of Southern Cameroons as purported by Nfor Nfor and others or will he adhere to the idea of UN state of Cameroon as administered by Prof. Chia and co? I am sure you all heard about the explosive publication by Global Times (smoked screened as based in Nigeria) announcing that 16 States in Nigeria have decided to join the UN State of Cameroons. Could it be a scam by Prof. Chia and co to get my retired fathers of their hard earned currency that independence is at hand? Now that some of them were telling their supporters that Popol is afraid of coming to the Capital of the Southern Cameroons, what will they say now that the date has been announced? Do not ask me whether we are celebrating the 50^th or 53^rd anniversary. You know Popol talked of “le cinquantenaire” meaning that the celebration could extend to 59^th. Oh poor Anglos who cannot translate well. They dubbed us with their poor translation. You know Popol too is of age. Can you imagine that Popol has chopped 81 Xmas but still looks very young. Popol celebrated his 81^st Birth Day last February 13. 13 February 1933 to 13 February 2014 clocks Popol 81years.

You know, Popol will be coming to Buea with his shoulders very high. I hope you have heard what he unleashed to the Cameroonian youth? I mean the promise to create 250.000 new jobs this year. I always feel that the politician is only afraid of the youth. You heard how Popol took time again to address the “achaba riders”. In Buea University students will sing halleluiah for the great promise. I hear job seekers have already started compiling documents. Popol is really a very serious man but he is surrounded by clowns and people who see nothing good in anything except it is in the form of bread. He knows when to act and when not to.

I hope you know the former 1^st Vice Chairman of the SDF who was also 3^rd Vice Speaker at the National Assembly. This man is a very smart man. At one time he brought tugs from Bafoussam to disrupt an SDF meeting in Bamenda. I remember how one of his former colleagues described him as a power monger. I mean Hon. Kwemo Pierre. Have you heard that the UMS of Kwemo Pierre is wet-nosing to enter into government? I am sure that is why he dumped the SDF to create his own party and finally grasped the Bafang council.

Teachers, teachers, and the teachers’ trade unions have declared zero classes come Monday. But classified sources say the SDOs have been assigned to intimidate head teachers and principles that if they dare, they will all be sacked. You know these teachers are what they are. Whenever I think of Cameroon teachers, I always think of late Simon Nkwenti. He did all he could for the welfare of teachers. May his Soul rest in Peace! You must have heard that our sister Ama Tutu Muna lost the son in a fatal motor accident in Yaounde. Fremy, will be laid to rest this Saturday February 15 at Ngyembu-Mbengwi. May His Soul Rest in Peace!

I hear Bafia is not joking to check child traficking. The population almost lynched three Iyobos for child trafficking on Feb, 7 at about 3:15pm.  In the West Region, Galim is in the news as the Brigade Commander allegedly tried to assassinate the Divisional Officer. They say the brouhaha erupted after the later was accused of drug trafficking. Oh poor Thierry Atangana! I hear it is now the the United Nation that has ordered that Mr. Thierry Atangana of French Nationality should be freed and sent to France. You know Popol makes as if he doesn't want to give an ear yet gave the green light for Haman Adama to be freed. 

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

At Last Biya Announces Reunification Celebration for February 20, 2014

By Fai Cassian Ndi

Speculations as to whether President Biya has nullified the reunification celebrations he announced for Buea in 2011 have come to null. Once again, Paul Biya has debunked bookmakers by taking them by bolt from the blue. This is so following a communiqué issued today February 14, by the Director of Civil Cabinet at the Presidency announcing that the Reunification Celebrations have been billed for February 19-21, 2014. The Director of Civil Cabinet at the Presidency, Martin Belinga Eboutou, further indicates that President Biya and wife Chantal Biya will be in Buea for the celebrations on Feb 20, 2014. Emotions are said to be at the peak in the South West Region following this release from the Presidency. Echoes from the South West Regional capital abound that local organizing committee is leaving no stone un-turn to ensure a hitch-free celebration.  Sources close to the chairman of the local organizing committee has confirmed that 111 hotels of 2500 rooms have been identified, 18 parking spaces and the water capacity has been augmented from 3000 to 7000 m3. In fact a school of thought holds that the ceremony should have been postponed again for Buea to benefit more lofty projects. The Presidency we gathered coughed out FCFA 13.5 billion to sponsor reunification projects?  It should be recalled that it was in 2011 that President Biya announced that the 50^th Anniversary of Reunification would take place in Buea but has ever since seal lips on the date. Last February 10, in his address to Cameroonian youth, he re-echoed that the event was would take place in few weeks. Wicked whispers had long seen the postponement as a failure. Yet expectations are rife at that President Biya will make some pronouncement on the union between the Southern Cameroons and La Republique in Buea. However, promoters and sympathizers of the UNO state of Cameroon and the Southern Cameroons National Council have been arguing that the former British Cameroon should be granted independence. This they have always argued is based on the gross marginalization of Anglophones. Another school of thought holds that Cameroonians should be celebrating 53rd Anniversary of Reunification and not 50th Anniversary. As usual, President Biya played the Maradona to take Cameroonians by surprise by announcing the date of the event on February 20th. Expectations are high as what President Biya will tell the Anglophones on the issue of national integration and the bi-cultural nature of the marriage between the Southern Cameroons and La Republic du Cameroun. 

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

Hon. Awudu's Tour of Youth Day Centres in Pics

The trip took the MP for Nkambe to Kungi, Njap, Chup, Wat, Nwangri, Mbot and Tabenken. Here below are the pictures.

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

Hon. Abe Michael Creates the Unexpected at National Youth Day Celebration

By Haruna Mohammadou on Special Assignment 

The Member of Parliament for the Ako/Misaje Special Constituency Hon. Abe Michael Ndra has created the unexpected by storming Abafum Youth Day Centre with Parliamentary goodies to commune with the youth. The euphoric arrival of  the MP and his entourage was an unimaginable historic event. At the entrance of Abafum, a mammoth crowd estimated at about 2000 headed by one of the illustrious sons Keyi Dickson were at hand to usher the MP to the ceremonial ground. The presence of some dignitaries from neigbouring Nigeria added more colour and meaning to the event. The presence of the representative of Chairman of the Kurmi Local Council who was flanked by the Chief of Bissola Chief Umarou and the Queen Mother portrayed the friendly nature of the neigbouring villages.

After the singing of the national anthem, Hon. Abe Michael took time to explain to the youth the message of the Head of State, President Paul Biya. This was due to the absence of a sound system. The was absolute silence except the sound of the little bird from the near-by forest. The march pass was colourful and splendid as what could never be said in speeches was literally expressed in songs. The lone nursery school, GNS Abafum kick-started the march pass and was followed by GS Abafum, GS Ekepio, GS Mpentaba and GS Akwancha. CPDM Youths, Achaba Boys and youth groups took their turn to showcase their strength and determination to foster national integration. After singing, dancing and sporting activities, the MP who was also the personal representative of the Divisional Officer dolled out encouraging prizes to the best arts. At the end of the ceremony, Hon. Abe Michael Ndra donated report cards to all the pupils of the five schools that make up the Abafum Youth Day Centre. 

Talking to this reporter Hon. Abe Michael said that decided to celebrate the 48th edition of this year's youth day in Abafum so as to inspire the youth. He said that it was another way of telling the people of the neigbouring villages to Nigeria that they are Cameroonians and the nation cares for them as well. He disclosed that he will make sure that pupils in these neigbouring villages are provided with good school infrastructure. Hon. Abe said when he visited Government School Ekepio on his way, he understood that there is an urgent need for classrooms for the schools.

On his part, the Fon of Abafum expressed joy on the creation of the Abafum Youth Day Centre. He said it has reduced the stress pupils use to undergo to get to the Buku Youth Day Centre which is about 10-11 km. 

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

Teachers' Trade Unions Announce Endless Strike

Press Release

TEACHERS’ TRADE UNIONS IN CAMEROON

TO ALL TEACHERS IN CAMEROON

A CALL FOR MOBILISATION

Comrades,

Dear colleagues,

After 24 months of negotiation within the ad-hoc committee put in place by the Prime Minister Head of

Government, to assess and propose solutions to the numerous problems of teachers, these negotiations led to several accords and elaborated several texts. These were submitted since April 2012 for signature to the

highest hierarchy. The Prime Minister has signed the text regulating the awards of academic distinctions to

teachers while the other texts are at the level of the presidency.

The most important among those waited are: the text to raise the index bar for the teaching corps, the

integration of Sports and Physical Education teachers as well as Youth and Sports animators into the

ministries of education, the integration of all contract teachers in Basic and Secondary Education, and

the text to raise the research and documentation allowances in the teaching corps.

With the intentional delay in signing the above texts, Teachers’ Trade Unions in Cameroon have

observed with dismay:

- The laxity of the Presidency of the Republic towards teachers’ problems and Education in Cameroon.

This is in sharp contrast to the Head of State’s habitual swiftness in solving the problems of other public

service corps.

- That government is exploiting the fact that teachers may not be able to mobilise to solve their problems.

The Teachers’ Trade Unions call on the teaching and administrative personnel of the teaching corps

to voice out their dissatisfaction. They are called to do so by:

1) Suspending work twice from the 17th to the 22nd of February 2014 and from April 28th to May 2nd

2014.

2) Withholding marks for the 4th, 5th and 6th sequential tests as well as other administrative documents.

Specific actions shall be taken at the appropriate moment with regards to official examinations

Dear Comrades, dear colleagues,

The solutions to our problems and above all to the problems of Education in our country, will depend upon

your massive response to this collective call

It is now or never!!!

One for All, All for One!!!

On behalf of teachers’ trade unions in Cameroon,

Fait à Yaoundé le 30 janvier 2014

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

Hon. Awudu's Largess Gets to Youth Day Centres, Ignites Hope in Youths

Hon. Awudu at Wat Youth Day Centre

The Member of Parliament for Donga Mantung Centre Constituency (Nkambe) who doubles as Quaestor at the National Assembly has donated prizes to youth centres in Nkambe Central to encourage excellence among youths. Apart from donating to the youths, the MP for Nkamb also dolled out financial support to members of the various organizing committees to enable them afford for entertainment after the laudable job. After attending the official ceremony at the Nkambe Grandstand, the Member of Parliament and his delegation paid a courtesy visit at the Kungi, Njap, Chup, Wanti, Nwangri, Mbot and Tabenken Youth Centres. Talking to journalists after the marathon tour of these centres, Hon. Awudu Mbaya said that he would have loved to visit all the centres but due to time constraint and the poor landscape, he had only to go to these areas. He also added that even though he was not physically present at Bih, Binka and Mayo-Binka, he assigned others to represent him. He also regretted that even though he got to Mbot and Tabenken late, he was ably represented in these areas.

At Chup Youth Day Centre

Harping on the importance of the celebration, Hon. Awudu Mbaya said that anyone that doesn't care about the future of the youths is building a foundation on sand. “Youths are the leaders of tomorrow”, he added. “The youths constitute the foundation on which a nation is built and it is my wish that they should be encouraged”, Hon. Awudu continued. He said that on all the prizes that he supported the various youth day centres with, there is a sticker on which he expresses his concern for the youths which read thus: Your Future Remains my Concern. He said he was marvel by the fact that notion of national integration was vivid in the songs and dance groups that were performed by youths. Hon. Awudu cited the case of GHS Mbuwarr where student staged a dance from Manyu. To him, these are actions that should be encouraged so that national integration becomes a practical reality. The only message to youths is that of hard work and determination. And that going to school and studying well is what will make them leaders of tomorrow. “We need people to replace us tomorrow. My message is that you should concentrate in studying well so that tomorrow some of you could be mayors, MPs, Ministers, Directors, teachers and why not the President of this country”? In his conclusion, he disclosed that the 48^th Youth Day celebration was a resounding success. Echoes from other centres he emphasized indicated that the event passed on hitch-free. It should be noted that Madam Mary Awudu who attended the event at Njap Youth Day Centre was the lone sponsor of the football encounter between GTTC Njap versus Njap village Boys. She also donated a lumpsum to the referee to enable him acquire a nice sport outfit.  

At the Kungi Youth Day Center, Nfor Emmanuel told this reporter that he is overwhelmed with the presence of the MP and the items that he has donated. In Chup Stephenie Mburli said she is feeling happy that she is going back home with a bucket donated by the MP. At the Wat Youth Day Centre Kimbi Wilson exploded that he is delighted that his centre was chosen by the MP.

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

Youth Day Celebration: Youths Threaten Strike Action For Being Ignored at Own Event

By Nfor Macbright 

Abanda Marcel CNYC President

Members of the Cameroon National Youth Council-CNYC were angered by the fact that the Donga Mantung Divisional and Nkambe Council Presidents were not allocated seats at the grandstand during their own event. Tempers flared when the over 400 CNYC members noticed that their executives were not seated. It is alleged that when a delegation of CNYC members contacted the protocol officer of the Senior Divisional Officer for Donga Mantung, he said CNYC was not on his list. Angered by the reply, the youths resolved to call for an immediate strike action to express their grievances. after agitating for over 45 minutes, Abanda Marcel, the Divisional President argued them that violence is the weapon of the weak and not the strong.  He said they should go for the march-pass and that the issue will be taken to the public court, the Press. Allegations are rife at that Abanda Marcel took over 28 minutes to convince the youths not to demonstrate or boycott given that majority wanted that they should stage a protest march. Speaking at a Press briefing in Nkambe, the Divisional President said that it is really pathetic that they should be sidelined in their own event. He said Youth Day is purely day reserve for them and not administrators. Abanda Marcel also told journalists for over four years, the Cameroon National Youth Council has always played a primordial role during youth days. He revealed that “we have worked with two Senior Divisional Officers and one Divisional Delegate for youth affairs without hitches” yet the present SDO, Ngone Ndodemesape Bernard and the Divisional Delegate for Youth Affairs Nfor Mary, believe that we have barely nothing to offer”. He continued that CNYC was part of the organization Committee and was not part of the management committee of the event. “In the past, we use to receive a token from the SDO’s office or say Committee to mobilize youths and youth groups to take active part, but this year, we were ignored”. Abanda Marcel also lamented that even the Junior Parliamentarian for Nkambe had no seat at the Grandstand. “Why is it that the administration is making thing difficult for us?” Some of the youths we gathered had vowed that they would prefer to join the Southern Cameroons National Youth Council-SCNC than the Cameroon National Youth Council to be tormented. “Why is this neglect only taking place in Nkambe” he wondered. Echoes from Nwa, Misaje, Ako and Ndu indicated that CNYC executives were given seats at the grandstand. At the level of the region, our sources also confirmed that the regional President for North West represented the interest of the youth at the grandstand. It should be recalled that in the days of Nseki Theophile, the Divisional President of CNYC Donga Mantung Division was part of his entourage. However, dark clouds loom large as to whether CNYC Donga Mantung Division will not go incomatoes given that majority of the youths have vowed to quit and seek solace somewhere else. “Youth day is our day and we will not continue to fold our arms to watch how every time the little privileges we have a taken away from us. We do not understand why on women day, leaders of women networks are given the pride of place and on Youth Day, we cannot also have the same treatment. In fact I realized that we were being treated like outsiders during our own event but as a leader i had to ensure that there was no boycott or strike action as many of our members preferred”, one member told this reporter after the briefing. 

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