Wache Francis Performing Njang Dances with Populace at Noni Unity Cup Football Final (in pics 3)

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

Fanfare at Noni Unity Cup Final (fanfare in pics)

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

The Fanfare at Noni Unity Cup Football Final (in Pics)

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

Wache Pulls Thousands at Noni Unity Cup (Event in Pics 1)

Arrival of Laasin supporters

Mayor Wache sitting at the Grandstand (Trophy) 

SG of Nkor Council

Traditional rulers present

Spectators 

Players on the pitch 

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

After Spending 367 Days in Office: Wache Francis Faces the Press, Empowers Councilors (Twin Event in Pics)

Mayor Wache Francis flanked by his two Deputies and councilors 

Wache Francis flanked by his Deputies

Wache Francis flanked by journalists 

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

Mama Mboutchouang, née Ndongo Mengolo Rosette Marie Laid to Rest

The mother of Cameroon's First Lady has been laid to rest. Mama Mboutchouang née Ndongo Mengolo Rosette Marie (Mama Rosette) has been laid to rest in Mvomeka. Hundred of thousands are said to have travel to Mvomeka to pay their last respect to the workaholic mayor of Bangou. Mama Rosette left an indelible mark of greatness in Bangou council as mayor. Here below are the pictures of yesterday's funeral service. 

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

Sarepta Is Surging After Good News For Its Ebola Treatment

REUTERS/Frederick Murphy/CDC/Handout

Some of the ultrastructural morphology displayed by an Ebola virus virion is revealed in this undated handout colorized transmission electron micrograph obtained by Reuters on Aug. 1.

Sarepta Therapeutics could become an even bigger part of the Ebola trade.

On Thursday, the company announced that two studies involving its Ebola treatment candidates, "demonstrated no clinical or toxicologic safety concerns with the company's drug candidates for the treatment of Ebola."

In premarket trade on Friday, shares of Sarepta — which has a market cap a bit over $900 million — were soaring, gaining as much as 11%. 

In a statement, Michael Wong, senior medical director at Sarepta said: "We believe these promising early clinical safety results, coupled with the strong safety and efficacy data generated from animal studies for all four PMO compounds, reinforce the use of our PMOplus ® chemistry platform to pursue potential treatments for deadly infectious diseases such as Ebola and Marburg."

The results of the study  are set to be published in the November issue of the  American Society  for Microbiology's journal " Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy."

Sarepta is engaged in the development of treatments for rare and infectious diseases and has been part of the "Ebola trade" that has taken place since the summer and includes stocks like Tekmira Pharmaceuticals and BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, as well as the protective-gear-makers Lakeland Industries and Alpha Pro Tech.

Back in July, shares of Sarepta plunged after results from a trial involving the company's drug  eteplirsen for the treatment of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy disappointed. 

Year-to-date, Sarepta shares are up about 9%, and just this week the stock was up 18% before Friday's premarket gains.

Here's Thursday's full release from Sarepta:

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 16, 2014-- Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc. (SRPT), a developer of innovative RNA-based therapeutics, today announced the publication of results from two single ascending-dose studies that demonstrated no clinical or toxicologic safety concerns with the company's drug candidates for the treatment of Ebola and Marburg virus, respectively. The study results are to be published in the November issue of the American Society for Microbiology's journal, Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy and are available online at dx.doi.org/10.1128/AAC.03442-14.

AVI-6002 for the treatment of Ebola is a combination therapy of two phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs AVI-7537 and AVI-7539), which target the viral matrix proteins VP24 and VP35, respectively. AVI-6003 for the treatment of Marburg is a combination therapy of two PMOs, (AVI-7287 and AVI-7288), which target the viral proteins VP24 and NP, respectively. These drug candidates use Sarepta's advanced and proprietary PMOplus®chemistry, which is also the basis of the company's clinical-stage influenza drug candidate, AVI-7100. Results from previous viral challenge studies of AVI-6002 and AVI-6003 in non-human primates demonstrated prevention of disease development and death following exposure to Ebola or Marburg virus. Subsequent animal studies demonstrated that for each combination therapy, only one oligomer contributed to efficacy, and therefore, the lead drug candidates for Ebola and Marburg have since become the single compounds AVI-7537 and AVI-7288.

"We believe these promising early clinical safety results, coupled with the strong safety and efficacy data generated from animal studies for all four PMO compounds, reinforce the use of our PMOplus® chemistry platform to pursue potential treatments for deadly infectious diseases such as Ebola and Marburg," said Michael Wong, senior medical director, infectious diseases at Sarepta Therapeutics. "We are particularly encouraged to see results such as these in the healthy human volunteers to what we have learned to be the effective agents, AVI-7537 and AVI-7288. These compounds have protected up to 80-100 percent of the non-human primates to Ebola and Marburg virus challenge infections, respectively."

The two Phase I clinical studies were randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials designed to characterize the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of single doses of intravenous formulations of AVI-6002 or AVI-6003 in healthy adult volunteers. In each study, 30 subjects were enrolled in six cohorts receiving up to 9 mg/kg of the combination drug candidates (4 active:1 placebo per cohort) for a total of 60 subjects. Results showed the compounds to be well-tolerated with no dose limiting level demonstrated. No clinically significant or dose-dependent effects were observed at any of the safety endpoints evaluated. The safety and pharmacokinetics of the four PMOplus® compounds comprising the two combination therapies were similar, regardless of the target RNA sequence.

A previously reported Phase I MAD study of AVI-7288 for the treatment of Marburg found no clinically significant or dose-dependent effects on any of the safety endpoints evaluated when tested at up to 16 mg/kg/day for 14 days in healthy adult volunteers. The results of these clinical studies add to a growing body of evidence supporting the safety of Sarepta's PMO-based chemistry platform across a broad range of disease targets.

This work was conducted under contract with the Joint Product Management Office of BioDefense Therapeutics (BD-Tx).

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

Nigeria, Boko Haram reach ceasefire deal, kidnapped girls to go free, official says

CNN) -- The Nigerian government has reached a ceasefire agreement with the Islamist terror group Boko Haram that includes the release of more than 200 kidnapped schoolgirls, a Nigerian presidential spokesman said Friday.

The agreement was reached Thursday night after a month of negotiations with representatives of the group, said Hassan Tukur, principal secretary to Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan.

"We have agreed on the release of the Chibok schoolgirls, and we expect to conclude on that at our next meeting with the group's representative next week in Chad," Tukur said.

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

Governance: At Public Hearing Fundong Mayor Gets 8 on 10 from Populace

After spending 367 days in office as mayor of Fundong Council, Awoh Ndang Denis has broken records to give an account of his stewardship. The local governance meeting dubbed “Public Hearing” which was massively attended by people from all walks of life took at the ABASSAKOM Hall in Fundong. As the moderator of the event Choves Loh puts it: Public communication is generally absent in most council set ups in Cameroon whereas it is very important in the drive and achievement of local development as an instrument in good governance.

Awoh Ndang Denis in Blue suit and the Moderator Choves Loh

To impressionists, October 16, 2014 marked the opening of a new chapter in Fundong council’s communication which is very crucial in setting records straight, checking rumours and misinformation. As hundreds stormed the meeting hall to listen to their mayor gives a vivid account of his one year in office, expectations were also high at that the forum will create a permanent bridge to enhance interaction between the council and the population. Facing the population has been one of the major problems in councils in Cameroon given the corrupt nature of some elected officials. Fundong Council mayor took the challenge to tell the people who elected him into office what he has been doing and his vision for the municipality. 

When Awoh Denis Ndang moved to the rostrum to present his activities, he revealed that when he took over office, the Fundong council had FCFA 53.000.000 unpaid bills, an overdraft of FCFA 12. 000.000, FCFA 19.000.000 unpaid salary to staff and FCFA 15.000.000 unpaid taxes. Yet he has cleared almost ¾ of the debts in one year but regretted that revenue that is located locally is very insignificant and that the council is working towards its improvement.  Even though he met a heavily indebted council, he did not fold his arms.

Harping on his major realizations, Fundong Mayor said that his first action was to carryout feasibility studies on some projects which have been forwarded to PNDP and FEICOM for funding.

However, Awoh Ndang Denis disclosed that waste management in town was one of his preoccupations. “We were able to acquire 20 trash cans to the tune of FCFA 1.2 millions and place them on strategic positions in town”, he continued. The council he announced also acquired two tricycles to transport waste in Fundong town. In the domain of hygiene and sanitation, the mayor said that a sanitation office was created in the council since he met none and that within one year; he was able to provide the town of Fundong with a public modern toilet constructed which cost the council some FCFA 4 million.  

In order to give a facelift to the Divisional Headquarters, the mayor said some major streets were graded to the tune of FCFA 8 million. “We also carried out some minor repairs at the Funding Grandstand and extended water into the main market with a public stand tap”.

Awoh Ndang Denis Talking to Journalists

On the controversy that surrounded the non-reception of the Fundong Council Hall, the mayor revealed that the issue has been laid to rest. “To solve the problem, FEICOM instructed us to create a new contract giving all the stakeholders their pride of place”.

In the domain of education, Awoh Ndang Denis disclosed that in order to provide a suitable learning environment to students in rural areas, the council donated solar lamps to GSS Adok and also recruited two teachers. “With the support of Tom shoes, we provided shoes to some school which students used for 11 February 2014”. And FCFA 2.5 million was also used in the acquisition of text book for teachers with support from PNDP. The council he revealed also paid school fees to 15 young trainees, donated bundles of zinc to GSS Melin and GS Bomam. He also noted with satisfaction that during the summer holidays 127 students were recruited for holiday jobs in view of supporting them at back to school. While he is currently making a tour of the municipality to distribute scholarships to meritorious students and the underprivileged estimated at FCFA 3 million.  In order to amplify the minimum package to schools which the mayor says it is too small, the Fundong council he revealed added a supplement of FCFA 1million to give more impetus to it. “We also decided to put to use our council forest, we are actually fabricating 160 benches with wood from our forest to share to needy schools in the municipality and we also acquired textbooks for Primary Six pupils to the tune of FCFA 1.2 million with the support of our two senators” he added.

In its fight against rabies, the council he said also bought 200 vaccines to enable the vaccination of dogs.

In the domain of ICTs, the council also installed internet services to improve access to information technology for youths. Besides that the mayor also told the population that the council also allocated the sum of FCFA 20.000 monthly allowance to the Boyo Community Radio to sustain its functionality.

“I met a council where all the documents were typed in a public secretariat in town and to me, it is unfair. We tried to equip our offices to the tune of 10.7 million”.

Considering the fact that the Fundong council depends mainly on agricultural activities to generate revenue, the mayor said that the council bought 30.000 coffee seedlings and distributed them to farmers to boost the sector.

Need to move within the municipality, 127 holiday makers and the process of handing scholarship to the tune of 3 million. Minimum package is very small and we put in close to a million as supplement.

Mayor Awoh Ndang Denis also said that the Fundong council also partnered with AES SONEL to create a 5000 seedlings eucalyptus plantation in Fundong.  Extended water to the funding market and rehabilitated the meat sales slab.

“We tiled the meat sales slab to the tune of 4.1and we reinforced the cattle market. Fabricated 120 benches and we need 160 benches.” And in the domain of farms to market roads, he cited the clearing of road sides, the ongoing corrections on the Alim-Mbam road and the FCFA 13.8 million from the Ministry of Public Works to work on the Ajung-Fundong road.

In his conclusion, Awoh Ndang Denis said as mayor he wants to make the difference through governance. He said one of his main preoccupations is to disenclave the municipality. He told the story of his trip to Mbenka which he has to pass through four other sub Divisions and two Divisions to get enter into his own municipality. We spend over five hours trekking including 40 minutes in a canoe. “I need to do something to link these five villages that are cut off from us”, he ended.

Worries

Even though the population applauded and gave him a tick for his level headedness to organize the first ever public hearing, some of the worries raised included amongst others his collaboration with SDF councilors. More so, they population also wanted to know what happened to the FCFA 5 million from MINFOF to plant trees in the municipality. I his reaction, Awoh Ndang Denis said he is working with everybody and not a group of people. “I am the mayor of Fundong council”. On the financial mishaps, he replied that he is not an auditor but exploded that he discovered that the funds meant for tree planting were withdrawn from the bank in September which to him is not normal. “I have seen reports that a million was used for fire tracing but if we have proof that the trees were planted there is no problem. You know that since I took over the council, we had many court cases and I have seen that it is a waste of resources and time. I have negotiated for the withdrawal of the majority and I am sure next time I will tell you all the cases have been withdrawn.

On whether he will leave the council with debts as he met it, Ndang said his dream is to level a free of debt council.

In rating the mayor’s performance, social critic Gwain Colbert Fulai said that the mayor touched almost every sector, with education, hygiene and sanitation, roads and farming taking a larger proportion while the health sector was completely ignore. The mayor received an 80% positive note for his realizations and vision for the municipality. 

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

Governance: Fundong Mayor Faces Populace in Public Hearing (Event in Pictures)

The Mayor of Fundong Ndang Denis Awoh (Blue suit) and the Moderator Choves Loh with mic

Oum II Joseph (SDO for Boyo) flanked by Entourage

Fundong Council Legal Retainer

Public 

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

Capitol Higher Institute of Science and Beauty Therapies Announces New Training Programmes

Ngala Edward: CEO of Capitol 

One of the foremost professional training institutions in Cameroon based in Bamenda has been applauded for its training program. In a Press briefing with journalists ahead of the 2014/2015 academic year, the Chief Executive Officer Ngala Edward disclosed that Capitol Higher Institute of Health Sciences and Beauty Therapies will continue to maintain the high standards this year 2014/2015. He disclosed that a new campus will also go operation at Mile VII Mankon to ensure successes.

Harping on the training programmes of the institution, Ngala Edward disclosed that he is proud that Capitol has been able to train experts in make-ups, manicure, pedicure and facial treatments that are exercising their professionalism in the field. To this he added that with the trained experts the transmissions of diseases have reduced. He appealed to those who are doing the same without any formal training to come to Capitol for refresher courses. He also told journalists that Capitol doesn’t only offer Higher National Diplomas at the end of the training but that they also offer Higher Professional Diplomas-HPD in the various fields of specialization and perfection.

It should be noted that since 2008 that Government authorized the institution to offer HND and HPD programmes, Capitol has distinguished self with outstanding results. That is why the institution offers international programmes like the United States’ NCLEX Examinations and the United Kingdom’s National Health Service Standards Product. Capitol, he emphasized is making the difference given that the institution also offers integrated Bilingual training system and has developed a workable programme that boasts professional teaching staff. Ngala Edward also announced to the thunderous applauds of the students that his institution has signed a performance contract with some health institutions to supply skilled health personnel. Other speakers included the Director of the HND and HPD programmes Dr. Mfumtu Daniel. 

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

Dr. Ndonwie Peter: Symbol of CPDM Political Endurance in NW

Dr. Ndonwie Peter: The pragmatic politician you're hearing of

Indian philosopher, PR Sarkar, developed a new science of society that was neither solely past-oriented nor present oriented. Sarkar’s goal was to embark on a balanced institutional art whereby silenced voices are given room to be heard and out of sight structures given the opening to be known. That theory brought to limelight those who have been doing great things silently. The unsung heroes and or silence achievers are people who think and act for the betterment of society. 
They are the good grains of the future on which society can rely on in order to face the numerous emerging challenges. History, they say is sprinkled with the legacies of the few unique and courageous individuals. They are the few believe in collective efforts and not personal aggrandizement. When comparing their personality qualities, the first thing that appear is that there are many reoccurring characteristics such as courage, farsighted, creative, passion for work and strong willpower. In the Cameroon political landscape, and precisely in the North West Region, one of such personalities who has distinguished himself as a silent achiever  is Dr. Ndonwie Peter. 
What makes him different from others is that he is a multifaceted and energetic politician who is an upright development expert. Whenever I get the statement that a hero is never known in his area, I always think of Dr. Ndonwie as the only hero who has defeated that notion to be loved and cherished by his people. This is so because Dr. Ndonwie Peter has demonstrated that each village, town and region can give and assert its own political development. This he has implemented successfully in his Nkwen village and in Bamenda town. This was the challenge Dr. Ndonwie Peter took last September 19, to turn tables in Nkwen in favour of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement-CPDM. To him, politics gives way for people to reflect and articulate on what development might mean through collective authentic efforts. In other words, articulate an alternative development standard in which the evolution of popular life is not to be distorted and abused for personal interest. 
And as a great apostle of President Paul Biya, he was apt to tell the people that the dream of achieving sustainable development can only be fruitful if the people of Nkwen support the ruling party. In fact, impressionists always say that all human beings are born politicians but only the most result-oriented like Dr. Ndonwie Peter can make politics an interesting game of ideologies. Making politics and development bed-mates is one of his childhood dreams. There is no gainsaying that without him in Nkwen-Bamenda, the CPDM would have been a shadow of itself. Many have often likened him to Farfre in the Mayor of Casterbridge due to the fact that everything he touches prospers reasons why he is said to be the only hero that is known in his home-town. As a highly structured gentleman, Dr. Ndonwie Peter does not only talk theories but put everything he says into action. If we go by Plato’s definition of a philanthropist, no one individual has demonstrated such a breathtaking ability to face human limitation, to cater for all what is robbed of the common man and then march beyond it into a life that knows no restriction like Dr. Ndonwie.  As a politician, Dr. Ndonwie Peter falls within the ranks of those who happily give others and partake in their problems. Some say he is a Good Samaritan; others say he is a perfect philanthropist while a majority sees him as an astute politician with a human face. Those who were in Bamenda during the heat of the "ghost town" would agree that he is one of those who stepped in to stop the looting and destruction of property by vandals. 

The Man

Dr. Ndonwie Peter was born in 1968 in Nkwen-Bamenda in the Mezam Division of the North West Region of Cameroon. He holds a Master Degree in Humanitarian Studies from University of Liverpool ( School of Tropical Medicine) and PhD in Business and Management from University of South Central (Los Angeles) USA. At International level he is working as a development consultant and is the Program Director of Pan African Organisation for Research and Protection of Violence on Women and Children in Ghana. From 2010, 2011 and 2012 Dr. Ndonwie Peter won numerous awards for his work. He received the ‘’Best Social Entrepreneur’’ award for promoting the rights of children in Northern Ghana from a Swedish Organisation (Reach for Change) and Tigo Ghana, an award that has supported his work with more than $75,000 for the past three years. As researcher, he is also a refined writer of many story books in his credit and development publications. This is so because has spent more than 18 years studying and working in development related programs in Cameroon, United Kingdom, Germany, Israel, Ghana and other countries. He is married with children. 

The Astute Politician

Dr. Ndonwei

Ndonwie Peter started militating in the CDPM party when he was still very young. His political prowess caught the admiration of his peers and he was voted YCPDM Section President for Mezam I from 2000- 2006. In 2006, when he left the country for a Master Degree program in Humanitarian Studies at Liverpool University UK, he handed the baton of command to his other young colleague. 
His leadership qualities started showing up when he was YCPDM Sub-Section President for the Nkwen and YCPDM Branch President of Alhalie Branch in Nkwen. Ndonwei Peter contributed much to bring back the love of CPDM among the people of Bamenda and North West Region at large. 
He worked tirelessly with CPDM bigwigs like Professor Peter Abety, Minister John Niba Ngu, Rt Hon. Achidi Achu, Pa Atia, Fon Angwafo of Mankon, Professor Ephraim Ngwafor, Matoya Cletus, Zacheuse Forjidam and other important personalities in the 90's to bring back CPDM into NWR during the days of multiparty politics.

It was under his leadership as the Sub-section president of Nkwen that the first ever CPDM Presidential, Legislative and Municipal election campaign were organised in Nkwen Motor Park which was a no go area for CPDM. In those days it was very difficult for people to wear CPDM gadgets in Bamenda town, yet as leader of the CPDM Party Police in Nkwen, he was courageous enough to wear CPDM gadgets and move with them around town. While he was in-charge of Nkwen, Cletus Matoya was in charge of Mankon in that same capacity. 

Together with Professor Abety Peter and other youths under his leadership, he adopted non-violence political strategy which dismantled all road blocks by  SDF vandals and the coalition of opposition leaders in Bamenda and NWR. During the famous ‘’Ghost Town’’, he worked hard for it not to succeed. Besides, he is on record as the only courageous CPDM militant who to witnessed the “Black Wednesday” event of the SDF and reported to his party hierachy.  As the first son of Nkwen to rise to the position of the YCPDM Section

Dr. Ndonwie leads delegation to hand gifts to Fon of Nkwen

President in Mezam I Bamenda, he was also among those selected as Councilors for CPDM list during the Municipal Election in the then Bamenda Urban Council with Able Ndeh as list leader given that he (Abel Ndeh) was the CPDM Section President.

Despite the fact that he has been out of the country for 8 years working in International Development, he doesn't miss any CPDM event or make significant contribution. During the last Senatorial elections Dr. Ndonwie supported Mezam I with FCFA 100,000 and was personally present to work for his party to win. During Youth Day celebrations,(11 February) and National Day celebrations (20^th May) he is always back home to support CPDM militants of Nkwen and Bamenda to celebrate these important days in the life of the country. Above all, every time he contributes at least FCFA 200.000 to support the printing of gadgets and drinks for militants after match-pass.

Though (Dr. Ndonwie Peter’s) name was not on CPDM council list for Bamenda III during the last Municipal and Legislative elections, he still returned to Cameroon to support the CPDM campaign team in Bamenda. He offered his vehicle and other logistic including financial support of 250,000 FRS make sure that his party activities go on smoothly. Even though the results favoured the CPDM, his presence in Nkwen and Bamenda III enabled his party to improve its performance on the ground moving from a meager 1000 votes to over 5000.

Recently Dr. Ndonwie Peter joined Fon Azehfor III of Nkwen to turn tables in favour of the CPDM so that before next coming elections in Cameroon, the CPDM will be at the forefront and could win Bamenda III Council as well as the lone Parliamentary seat for Bamenda/Bali Constituency. He donated more than FCFA 1000,000 towards the realisation the program which took place on the 19^th Sept 2014 at Nkwen palace plaza in the present of all important personalities of the Region. 15 fons (traditional rulers) and elite of Nkwen and Mezam attended the groundbreaking event. Worthy to note that all CPDM party T-Shirts with the inscription NEW DAWN FOR NKWEN AND  BAMENDA III were printed by him with the support of his family. 

Sports Promoter

In the domain of Sport and Leisure, Ndonwie Peter has also left an indelible mark of greatness. He was the only son of Nkwen who successfully organised and sponsored an inter-quarter football and handball tournament in his area on the banner of the CPDM (CPDM CUP Competition) including a Mini Mountain Race up Nta-beh-sheh hill.  He was courageously enough to cough out over FCFA 500,000 to finance the competition each time it was organised.

It should be recalled that when the government of Cameroon created the Gendarmerie Brigade Research in Bamenda at Mile 4 Nkwen, Dr. Ndonwie Peter donate a Peugeot 405 to that Brigade Research to facilitate its intervention on the ground. Apart from this donation, he always gave out his Toyota 4X4 Hilux to the Brigade Commander to facilitate his movements in town

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

Fight Against Terrorism, Ebola: NW Women Pray for Peace, Unity, Security and Health

Regina Mundi: Coordinator of the Organizing Committee

An inter-faith prayer service for peace, unity, security and health took place at the Bamenda Congress hall with over 5.000 women in attendance. The women who were from different religious denominations and different political backgrounds gathered today September 13, 2014 hand in hand to call for God’s mercy to shower peace, unity, security and good health on the Cameroon and the world. Also present at the inter-faith prayer for peace was the chief executive of the Region, Governor Adolph Lele Lafrique.

In a landmark speech, the chairperson of the coordinating Committee, Mrs. Regina Mundi expressed gratitude to the thousands of women and the head of the religious bodies for their presence and participation in the solemn event. She also thanked the traditional rulers who by virtue of their function ensure the peace and stability of their land through cultural mores and traditional religious practices. She noted that “in 2013 the UN Security council demonstrated renewed determination to put women at the center of all efforts to resolve conflict and promote peace”. She also added that women have to stand up to decry any action that goes contrary to peace and the wellbeing of mankind. “And so we have come here today as wives, mothers, sisters and daughters to join and raise one definite voice from one heart. Hands all linked, we have come to proclaim ourselves as one body from our region, one nation, one people”.  While appreciating President Paul Biya’s leadership as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, Mrs. Regina Mundi also congratulated the forces for the sacrifices they make to keep the borders secured. “We raise them to the mercy throne of God. We commend all leaders of the world to the light of God’s wisdom for the continued assurance of world peace, order and prosperity”. She added that perhaps the time for the commendation would not have been more appropriate than now given that it is in these days that “we observed with the anguished hearts of mothers and grieving sisters that some of our own children, our own very brothers and sisters and our neighbours are hurting. And whether they are hurting others or are being hurt is not a thing we can be indifferent to”.

Mrs. Regina Mundi cried out that “we denounce all cultural and religious causes of terrorism. We are taken aback by the human heartlessness and cruelty which is like a divine visitation the Lord God himself can stop”. Quoting from the Biblical 2 Chronicles 7:13-14, which the Lord Himself states that: When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people.

If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

She continued that the current atmosphere of insecurity starts up great fear for the future, but “evil” she continued “doesn’t and cannot have the final word in human affairs”. To Regina Mundi, the women of the North West have come to invoke the Lord to forgive and heal the land especially at this point in time that Ebola virus is threatening humanity on the heels of HIV/AIDS as well as the rising rate of maternal mortality. All of which are becoming causes of very grievous concern. “And we are confident that He will hear our prayer as He tells his Prophet Mohammed; when my servants ask thee (O Mohammed) concerning me, tell them I am indeed closer to them. I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls upon me” (Qur’an 2:186). She used the opportunity to call on everyone to instill the culture of peace and security, vital principles of mutual respect and tolerance, respect of law, respect for rights of others and the respect for the laws of the land. In her conclusion, Regina Mundi said the women of the North West hand in hand have risen as one woman to cry for God for his peace, “his peace that can be sustained for generations to come”. Adding that God should continue to bless and protect President Paul Biya and those with whom he governs the nation, including all leaders, be they political, religious, academic, socio-cultural or simply respectable opinion leaders.

On her part the regional delegate of Women Affairs and the Family, Judith Abong called God’s miraculous intervention for peace to continue to rein in Cameroon. She also appreciated government efforts in fostering peace and security.

For over four hours, the women prayed for peace with the intervention of the pastors, Rev. Fathers and Imams. The prayer ended with a symbolic fundraising. 


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

We Are All Eric Thomas Duncan

By Boh Herbert 

Liberian-born Eric Thomas Duncan died early Wednesday in a Texas hospital. He has become the first Ebola patient to have lost his life in the USA.

Mr. Duncan fought to the last, medical staff testified. But, alas, he lost his battle to the deadly Ebola virus, which has now killed over 4,000 people and sickened more than 8,000 others in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

In even less than the eleven short days he was in America, Mr. Duncan became the Face of Ebola in the United States. We saw his image so frequently on the TV sets in our living rooms that we have all become Duncan. You are not alone in feeling like you know Mr. Duncan even more than you really did.

With thousands dead already, one more Ebola victim is obviously one death too many. Unlike the 4,000+ Africans who have died from this pandemic, it seems a lot more than one person died when Mr. Duncan took his last breathe at that Texas hospital. Our worst fears of Ebola have now played out and have been amplified by how quickly the virus claimed Mr. Duncan's life.

Eric Duncan

Even without knowing him, millions prayed, wished and even expected Mr. Duncan to survive. His death dashed our hopes that we will win the battle against Ebola fast enough for more of us to feel we are back in charge - not Ebola. His quick passing dashed hopes, raised in millions of Africans, Americans and others around the world that he became "the very lucky one" just by making it to the USA.

More out of frustration than anything else, some have suggested that Mr. Duncan might have survived longer if he stayed on and sought healthcare in Liberia. It does not help that a recently published survey in 46 states of the USA concluded that 85 percent of nurses say they are not ready to deal with Ebola. It adds to the nervous feeling of hopelessness. Alas, even the USA may be unable to delay or turn back the clock of death that the Ebola virus sets off in each of its victims.

It has not helped that accounts from Mr. Duncan's family have suggested that he did not get the same level of care one would have been given if they were white - not black; if they were American - not Liberian; if they had health insurance; if they were not accused by some, including their own president and threatened by the legal system in Texas, for reportedly traveling to the USA despite knowing - the claim goes - that he was already infected.

How presumptuous!

Beyond the stupidity of some of these accusations, what the world must come quickly to terms with is to admit that Mr. Duncan's travel to the USA shattered - nay, buried - the belief that borders will suffice to keep rich countries safe from Ebola. His death buried the myth that America was ready and equal to any challenge an outbreak would throw at it.

While individuals like Mr. Duncan need to fill out paperwork, seeking prior authorization to visit foreign lands, the Ebola virus ain't applying for any visas. The virus ain't paying any airline fares to fly into any country of their choice. The First World has, hopefully, learned that it cannot neglect diseases in the so-called Third World because they will not kill only the poor.

Obviously, there are neither easy nor ready made solutions to tackle the pandemics of our time: HIV/AIDS, SARs, Ebola, etc. Like HIV/AIDS, the Ebola virus is proving that we will be safe only if we take more seriously that our common humanity is truly one race. We can be our brother's (Duncan's) keeper or we can live with the guilt of failing ourselves by failing our brother (Duncan), his family, and the peoples of Africa.

The West cannot be blamed for every of our shortcomings, though. More than a decade since the violent conflicts ended in these Mano River Union countries, failure to build adequate healthcare infrastructure means pandemics like Ebola will first get worse before they get better. Where, for God's sake, have these and other African governments been when they were expected to provide healthcare as a basic service to their citizens?

Unlike the criminals in power in many African countries and the foreign governments and institutions which help maintain them in charge, Mr. Duncan will be remembered for the last good deeds he performed. He risked and finally lost his life because he offered help to a pregnant teenager in Liberia who was turned away from a hospital and later died from Ebola. How could anyone possibly blame him for doing that? He came to the USA to reunite with his kids - one of them born in a refugee camp in Ghana where he fled during Liberia's bloody civil war. He came to meet up with and marry his fiancée and love of his life. This is a dream you and I would drop everything else we are doing to pursue. He showed up at the hospital once he felt sick, despite not having insurance, and returned when he felt worse. What else could he have done?

Blaming America on this is wrong, too. To date, the USA has pledged to spend the most money ($750 million) and to deploy the largest group of workers (4,000 soldiers) to help build the infrastructure needed to contain the virus. With fear spreading in Texas ahead of any virus spread, we witnessed the amazing people of Dallas who received and cared for Mr. Duncan and his family, including six health workers considered alongside his four close family members as the top ten "at risk" persons. We saw officials ride with his family to a new home, away from public glare. A Christian offered his family a place in the inn. Many continue to show them love. We have them in our thoughts and prayers as we struggle against our own worst fears to keep hope alive in the face of the deadly Ebola virus. In that fight - which must begin in every country long before the first case of Ebola is confirmed - we are all Eric Thomas Duncan.

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

Ebola: "Fight the disease, not the victims" Rev. Jesse Jackson Says

 By Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr.

Rev. Jesse Jackson with Duncan's mother

The spread of the deadly Ebola virus in Africa is a global health emergency. Countries around the world must join together to mobilize the resources, build the isolation units, supply the needed medicine, doctors, nurses and support personnel needed to isolate and treat those afflicted, track down and monitor those who might have been in contact, and stop the epidemic.
The toll of the victims of the epidemic — centered in the West African countries of Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone — is rising. The World Health Organization now reports over 7,400 confirmed or likely cases, and 3,431 deaths. On Sept. 23, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that without a more robust response, as many as 1.4 million cases could erupt in Liberia and Sierra Leone by January 20.
The virus is deadly, but not particularly infectious. It spreads only from direct contact from the bodily fluids — sweat, blood, vomit — of someone infected after the fever and other symptoms have occurred. Sadly, the incubation period — the time after someone is infected but before symptoms appear — lasts a week and sometimes as long as three weeks. People can travel long distances unaware that they are carrying the disease. This poses a challenge for health officials who must make the public aware so that they are cautious, without spreading panic. It also means that the entire world has a stake in countering this lethal epidemic.
The disease can be stopped. An American victim, undiagnosed, carried the disease into crowded Lagos, Nigeria. More people live in Lagos than in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone combined. A vigorous response — investigating all in contact with the patient, monitoring them, and isolating those who showed symptoms — cleared the virus with only eight deaths. Nigeria had the public health and governmental capacity to respond. But in West Africa, civil wars and chronic poverty have disrupted already meager local health systems. Doctors are scarce; health workers had no experience with the disease.
As Nigeria shows, we need mobilization, not panic, particularly with the chilling news that a Liberian, Thomas E. Duncan, tested positive for the disease in Dallas, the first case diagnosed in this country.
Duncan, now in critical condition, traveled to the U.S. without being aware that he was infected. However, he did come into direct contact with a woman while in Liberia, and he failed to report the truth on an airport health questionnaire. When he contracted a fever, he went to the hospital but was sent him home without proper testing. When his symptoms grew worse, he was taken back to the hospital and isolated. Public health authorities have mobilized, identifying and monitoring all those who might have had contact with him. CDC officials fanned out in the hospital and in his neighborhood to investigate. Happily, as pediatrician Matt Karwowski reported to the Washington Post, “there was no resistance from anyone whatsoever ... At every single door, people welcomed us in ... They were also fearful, but not of us.” The CDC teams have been working 18 hours a day.
This epidemic is a human disaster. It will devastate not only its victims, but also millions more as economies freeze up, schools close, tourism dries up, and fear spreads. In this country, some will use the epidemic to fan racial divides or to posture on immigration. President Obama is already criticized for providing military assistance to build hospital units and transport necessary equipment and medicine in Liberia. Some treat Duncan more as a criminal than a patient, due to his failing to report the truth. His family reports that even those who have been cleared are now shunned in their community.
In Jesus’ time, lepers were treated as unclean, sowing fear and hatred. On one of his last nights, Jesus stayed at the home of Simon the Leper. He showed that we should be fighting the disease, not the person. That is a lesson we should remember in the days ahead of us." Keep Hope Alive! Love you guys.

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