Dumbu Ranch's Beautiful Landscape on Camera (Pics)

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What took Prime Minister Yang to SODEPA Ranch Dumbu

The Prime Minister stormed Dumbu at about 10:30 am today November 7, 2014 and was greeted by masquerades and dance groups. Prime Minister Philemon Yang who was flanked by the wife Dr. Mrs Linda Yang as well as Dr. Fuh Calistus Gentry, Secretary of State for Mines, Industries and Technological Development visited the cattle production centre, the artificial insemination section and the grazing fields. In every section, the Prime Minister was very inquisitive to know the stage of the Dumbu Cattle Ranch. From every indication, the Prime Minister observed that the 38.000 hectares of land reserved for the ranch is being underutilized. With a cattle population above 8.000 or so, the ranch can host more than 30.000 cattle. The August guests were received by Dr. Bessong Willington, Director of the Dumbu-Jakiri SODEPA Ranch.  

Expectations are high at that the Prime Minister’s visit could change things positively at the Dumbu Ranch which is the lone cattle Ranch in Anglophone Cameroon. However, it is alleged that Philemon Yang’s visit may push government to create some recreational facilities at the Dumbu Ranch to boost tourism activities. The creation of a Golf Court we were hinted is high on the agenda. This is so because with the creation of Kimbi-Fungom National Park that shares common boundary with the ranch, it could attract a lot of tourists. Another classified source hinted that government may likely construct a four star hotel in the area to serve the purpose.

It should be recalled that SODEPA Ranch Dumbu was greatly affected by the economic crisis of the 1980s. Nevertheless, the corporation was restructured, as privatisation and outright liquidation was ruled out.  With 38.000 hectares capable of containing over 10.000 heads of cattle only about 8.000 heads of cattle with above 130 workers. Created in the 1970s to take care of animal production with slaughterhouses as components of the project to be constructed in the ten provincial headquarters, the Dumbu Ranch with a branch in Jakiri in Bui Division is the lone ranch West of the Mungo. During the past years the ranch has faced challenges such as the theft of the animals, hunting and killing of the animals, farmer-grazier conflicts, burning of pastures and frequent attacks by some wild animals. In far of areas like Majarandi, buffalos are a threat to the animals. 

PM Yang in discussion with Dr. Fuh Calistus Gentry, and Fon of Dumbu

PM in a chat with Dr. Fuh Calistus

PM Yang shakes hand with Dr. Bessong Willington, Director of the Ranch

Dr. Calistus concerting with his private secretary Lon Ernest

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Fanfare and Jubilation in Misaje at President Biya's 32 Years in Power

 Here below are some of the excited moments caught on camera at the Misaje Grandstand as thousands gathered to commemorate President Biya's 32 years in power as President of Cameroon.

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Second Cycle Maize Will Increase Farmers’ Income Says Ncham George, Divisional Delegate of Agriculture

The Divisional Delegate of Agriculture and Rural Development for Donga Mantung Division, Ncham George has declared that cycle maize farming is now a reality in Donga Mantung Division of the Northwest Region. Talking to journalists after visiting the pilot farmers who benefitted from this innovative programme, Mr. Ncham George “the crops were performing very well”.  He said 1 ton of ATP Maize seed was distributed alongside inputs to ensure that the yield is perfect. Even though the second cycle maize is new in Donga Mantung Mantung Division, the delegate of Agriculture however confirmed that prospects are high that it will go a long way to be an additional source of income to farmers. “Out of the 200 pilot farmers, only some few farmers in Ako Sub Division recorded misfortune due to flood which caused some plantlets to develop the maize strip virus”.

Harping on threats by farmers to spray their crops with insecticides to prevent stray animals, the delegate called on animal breeders to control their animals. He used the opportunity to express gratitude to the mayors of Donga Mantung Division for taking the challenge to control stray animals. “I want to tell you that we cannot accept such practices, because I have seen situations where some farmers have suffered. I remember how a farmer sprayed his tomatoes with a very dangerous chemical and it killed some animals”. He advised that farmers should control their animals. He also added that this success story has ignited the delegation of Agriculture to increase its demand for maize seed from 1 ton to 2 tons for the next planting season. 

Ncham George also revealed that Donga Mantung is a blessed Division with a varied micro climate. “If you need the mid, low and high attitude there are all available. For example, the mid like the Misaje, Sabongari and Mfumte areas offers opportunities for large scale farms of sugar cane, maize, groundnut, soybeans. In the low areas like Ako, there is available land and favourable climatic conditions for large cocoa and palm plantations as well as maize farms. In the high attitudes of Nkambe and Ndu, the possibilities of establishing tea plantations like (CTE Ndu) are very favourable, rish potatoes, beans and maize as well”. He lamented that even though with these potentials begging for investors, youths of the Division continue to move to other areas to work in plantations.  Both robusta and Arabica coffee he added is doing well and also asking for investors to step. “We can do plantations of palms, coffee, cocoa, sugar cane etc”.Even though Donga Mantung has all the potentials, youths still travel out to work in plantations in some far off areas. This, he concluded is due to the fact that much has not been invested into the sector. He concluded that any investor would make huge benefits given that there is a ready market.

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32nd Anniversary of President Biya’s Ascension to Power: Misaje Confirms Loyalty

 By FC Ndi

There was ecstasy and trumpet blast in the four centres in Misaje Sub Division where supporters of President Paul Biya gathered to commemorate the 32 years of President Biya as head of State of Cameroon. From Dumbu, to Kidung down to Chunghe and Misaje the population demonstrated that what could not be said in speeches can be transmitted in songs. The chief celebrant, Dr. Fuh Calistus Gentry, Secretary of State for Mines, Industries and Technological Development who was flanked by the Divisional Officer for Misaje,

Minister Fuh Calistus Talking to the Press

the Mayor, Alternate Member of Parliament and others who were conspicuously buried in the crowd moved from one celebration centre to another to commune with the people.

It was a moment of joy and communion as could be observed from the massive turnout.  In his keynote speeches in all the four centres, Minister Fuh Calistus Gentry dueled on the 32 years of peace, economic stability and development progress Cameroonians have enjoyed. He told the crowd of CPDM militants and sympathizers that the marriage between Misaje and President Paul Biya will last forever. To Minister Fuh Calistus, the CPDM in Misaje is a social forum and not a political party. He narrated how due to the love the people have for President Paul Biya, Misaje in 1996 was the lone flag bearer of the CPDM in Donga Mantung Division. And that during the 2007 Municipal and Legislative elections, the CPDM won with a 50+4 score (when he Minister Calistus was Parliamentary candidate) and in the last September 30, 2013 elections the CPDM won with a crushing majority of 65%. He described President Biya as a senior statesman who has proven his worth in handling issues. He cited the villages that were given back to Cameroon in Nwa sub Division in the Donga Mantung Division as part of the Green Tree Accord as the symbol of the dexterity in which President Biya handled the Bakassi crisis.

Minister Fuh Calistus addressing the crowd

Harping on why Misaje Sub Division will remain loyal to President Boya and the ruling CPDM, Minister Fuh Calistus reminded the population that President Paul Biya himself created Misaje Sub Division, “so he is our father”.  He echoed that after the next Parliamentary session, the population will be shocked at what the President Paul Biya will offer them in terms of development. He said that the creation of the Kimbi-Fungom National Park is part of the developmental programmes aimed at disenclaving Misaje Sub Division. As border sub Division, he cautioned the population to be vigilant and serve as the eye and ears of the administration. On some of the achievements and projects earmarked for the Sub Division, Minister Fuh Calistus talked elaborately on the 30 million FCFA for the construction of rural roads, and the construction of the road Kedung to Akweto that has been awarded and several other bridges. He also announced that a total sum of 150 million FCFA has been approved for the electrification of Misaje town and the planting of poles from Misaje to Nkambe will start soon with the sum of 30 million. He also announced that solar panels will be planted in Misaje and five other villages. In addition, he revealed that a youth center worth 150 million FCFA will be constructed at Mfume village.

Sammy Mbgata addressing the population

On his part, Sammy Mbgata Nforkemba, the Mayor of Misaje who doubles as Section President was categorical that the biggest legacy of President Biya’s 32 years in power is peace and development. To Sammy Mbgata, the peace that Cameroonians are enjoying is the greatest asset humanity needs for survival. “Without peace we cannot work in our farms and or have what to eat. I was thrilled when I listened to the head of state responding to journalists on the Boko Haram issue. He said that if Cameroon could fight “maquizards” then Boko Haram is nothing”. In his conclusion, the Mayor of Misaje council said that he will not waste time talking on the achievements of the council but that the population themselves are witnesses to the numerous projects. “We will have time to take stock of council activities”, he concluded.

While at the Misaje Grandstand, which was the last lap of the tour of the centres, a Motion of Support and Encouragement was issued to express gratitude to President Paul Biya for appointing Yang Philemon Prime Minister, Dr. Fuh Calistus Gentry Secretary of State and other North West Elite into Government.  

 


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The Euphoria That Saluted Nkambe Central DO, Mayor, NWACUDA National President for Promoting Development (news in pics)

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

NWACUDA Sets Standards in Community Development; Musa Shey Nfor Applauded

Right to Left: Mayor of Nkambe council, DO, NWACUDA President & 3rd Deputy

 The Education and Development meeting of the Nwangri Cultural and Development Association-NWACUDA took place today November 5, 2014 at Catholic School Ngwanri under the patronage of the Divisional Officer for Nkambe Central Abba Abdouraman and the mayor of Nkambe council, Ngabir Paul Bantar was described by impressionists as a new dawn to community development in Mbum land. Organized by the National Executive of NWACUDA headed by Musa Shey Nfor, sons and daughters of Nwangri village from far and near gathered to forge a new path for the development of their village. Also present to grease the ceremony was HRH the Fon of Nwangri, notables, members of the traditional council as well as branch Presidents of the Association who traveled from far off cities. In fact, everybody that matters was present.

Touched by the massive turnout and the community development spirit portrayed by the population, the Divisional Officer for Nkambe Central congratulated the population for their efforts to foster development. “I will someday say that I was part of this programme and the change started when I was present”, he told the population. Mr. Abba Abdouraman also reiterated that development is more sustainable when the population themselves take such an impressive engagement. He called on other villages of Mbum land to copy the good example from Nwangri village. The Divisional Officer ended his speech by donating a total sum of 30.000 FCFA as his personal support to the revamping of Catholic School Nwangri.

On his part the mayor of Nkambe, Ngabir Paul Bantar expressed gratitude to the National President of NWACUDA, Musa Shey Nfor who doubles as councilor for championing development initiatives in Ngwanri village. Ngabir Paul Bantar also told the people of Nwangri that time for politics had passed and now is time for work; calling on all and sundry to join the bandwagon for development. He said he is the mayor for all and the Nkambe council is for everybody given that development has neither color nor political party. He thanked the people of Nwangri for their efforts to revamp Catholic School Nwangri which was almost closed down for lack of pupils. There was euphoria and jubilation when the mayor of Nkambe, Mr. Ngabir Paul pulled out a total sum of 300.000 FCFA and handed to NWACUDA National President as part of council support to the school programme. Besides that the mayor also promised that the council will make sure pipe-borne water is extended into Nwangri village as soon as possible. Harping on some other development projects that will be executed by the council at Mbu-warr, the Mr. Ngabir Paul Bantar said that over 100 million FCFA will be pumped in projects. He cited the grading of the road from Mbot palace through Chup to Lassin, the construction of the Chup Health Centre, the construction of water by gravity at Ardo Ndemsa, (extension to Nwangri), the construction of bridges and market sheds. He revealed that the council will also give out small amount of money to councilors to execute small projects in their communities which are significant to upgrading lives. In his conclusion, Ngabir Paul Bantar also disclosed that the council also supported mission primary schools and lay private primary schools with minimum packages to sustain their efforts in molding young Cameroonians.

Musa Shey Nfor, NWACUDA National President on his part thanked everybody who took the pains to attend the groundbreaking education and development meeting especially the Divisional Officer for Nkambe Central, the Mayor, and 3rd Deputy Mayor Etc. He said the meeting was not a political gathering reason why no one was seen in any political outfit. He narrated how Catholic School Nwangri was almost closed down for lack of pupils and NWACUDA he said held a crisis meeting and decided to enroll 100 pupils. NWACUDA he said mobilized the total sum of 200.000 FCFA to ensure a smooth take off the academic year and “we also bought exercise books”. Majority of the children registered at Catholic School Nwangri according to Musa Shey Nfor a mostly orphans. When the school was hit by a wind disaster, Musa said he rushed to the Credit Union and borrowed money for the roofing of the school, adding that it would have been disastrous if the school was shutdown. He said the development association will not only focus on education but they are working towards playing the role of a development catalyst. He expressed joy and appreciation to all those who supported the education programme of the village. “By giving these kids the opportunity to go to school, we are building a solid foundation for humanity”, he added.  He lauded the population for their massive turnout and prayed on them to continue with the spirit of unity and development.

Massive attendance

The Fon of Nwangri thanked the special guests for taking off their duties to come and assist them. He congratulated the Divisional Officer for the good work he is doing to sustain development actions in Mbum land, and at the same time congratulating government for providing traditional rulers with stipends. The Fon of Nwangri instantly donated 50% of his salary in support of the school programme. Other speakers included Rev. Father Patrick, the school manager and the head teacher.

At the end of the day, over 400.000 FCFA was raised to support Catholic School Nwangri to stand tall on its feet. Talking to this reporter at the end of the event, Musa Shey Nfor said that he was flattered by the way the population responded. He said Catholic School Nwangri is a youth center and a prospective examination centre. Above all, it has trained many young Cameroonians, “so it is part of our history and part of our future” reason why the population did not want it to disappear.

It should be recalled that many of these mission schools where majority of the elite of Donga Mantung Division were educated have been closed. This is so due to the low intake and with the inadequate government subvention, it has become very difficult for the missions to run the schools. The lesson from Ngwanri is expected to have a multiplier impact in other villages where such schools have been closed. 

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