At 25 Anniversary: Bamenda II Council Salutes H.E Ni John Fru Ndi, SDF National Chairman

  Silver Jubilee Goodwill Message

Your Excellency, on this Solemn Occasion marking 25 years of Struggle for Democracy, Freedom of Speech, Civil Liberty and Good Governance by the Social Democratic Front-SDF;

Councilors, Staff and the living forces of Bamenda II Municipality would like to add their Voices to millions of others to wish you and the entire SDF Party Hierarchy a Happy Silver Jubilee. 

Your Excellency, the knack you have demonstrated to ensue good governance and credible electoral system couple with justice based democracy during these years of struggle have stood the taste of time and commanded international recognition;

We are very grateful that we are celebrating this Silver Jubilee after your Great Honour by Africa Focus for promoting peace in Cameroon. We hail the National Chairman’s commitment to peace, concord and harmony. 

Your Excellency, since the official launching of the SDF on May 26, 1990, your being there at the helm of our Great Party has guaranteed peace, freedom of expression, the improvement in Human rights and democracy. SDF has matured steadily over the years towards fulfilling its stated visions of Power to the People and Equal Opportunity. SDF has successfully contributed in the fight against Corruption, Embezzlement and Inertia in this Country. 

As we celebrate our Silver Jubilee, we are confident that the SDF will grow from strength to strength.

We wish you Good Health, God guidance and Pray that God gives you more years to celebrate at the helm of our Great Party. Once more Happy Silver Jubilee Your Excellency

Balick Awah Fidelis

Mayor Bamenda II Sub Divisional Council

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SDF Silver Jubilee: Jakiri Council Congratulates H.E. Ni John Fru Ndi, National Chairman of the SDF

May 26, 2015 Marks 25 Years since the Social Democratic Front-SDF was launched. Twenty-five years of the Struggle for Democracy, Freedom of Speech, Good Governance and Civil Liberty in Cameroon. Twenty-five years of uncountable achievements and successes. Twenty-five years of peace and of intense struggle for an Independent Electoral body.
Your Excellency, in 25 years, you have steers the SDF with maturity and foresight and scored many unforgettable victories, nationally and internationally. The most recent being the Peace Award you received from Africa Focus in the United States of America.
On this solemn occasion, Jakiri Council applauds your efforts to maintain the SDF steam as leading opposition party in Cameroon. On behalf of SDF electoral district, sympathizers, councilors and executive as well as the living forces of my municipality, we warmly congratulate you and wish you happy Anniversary.

May the Almighty God Reward You with many More Years, Wisdom and foresight as You stir the ship of this Great Party, SDF to a safer shore.

Once more Happy Silver Jubilee Mr. Chairman

Jaff Romanus

Mayor of Jakiri Council

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Silver Jubilee Message from Hon. Esther Ngala to H.E Ni John Fru Ndi

                                               Silver Jubilee Message to H.E Ni John Fru Ndi, SDF National Chairman

 Your Excellency;

• Aware of your ideals and attachment to Peace which you propounded when the SDF was launched on May 26, 1990;

• Conscious of the fact that on May 26, 2015, we will be celebrating 25 years of continued existence of the Social Democratic Front;

• Considering your relentless efforts to expose corrupt practices, embezzlement and inertia in public sphere;

• Encouraged by your continuous struggle for democracy, good governance and social justice;

• Inspired by your strides in ensuring peace; democratic practices within the SDF;

• Appreciative of your leadership qualities at the helm of our Great Party, SDF;

I, Hon. Esther Ngala on behalf of the living forces of Donga Mantung Centre as well as Ndu Electoral District say Congratulation to H.E Ni John Fru Ndi, Chairman of the Social Democratic Front. 

Once More Happy Silver Jubilee Your Excellency!

May God Almighty Grant you and Your family Mr. Chairman long live and Blessing.


Hon. Esther Ngala
MP Donga Mantung Centre Constituency

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

SDF at 25: Here are the 10 Personalities the SDF Can Count On

Cameroon’s political landscape shook to its roots on May 26, 1990, when the most unexpected happened. The earth-shaking occurrence was the official launching of the Social Democratic Front-SDF in Bamenda by Ni John Fru Ndi (and in Yaounde by students of the then Yaounde University). The most priced and valued possession of it all was that six innocent young citizens were killed in Bamenda. Over 2000 armed soldiers stormed the city of Bamenda in an attempt to disrupt the historic event but Ni John Fru Ndi took the most enduring epithet and courage to launch the political party against all the odds. As SDF clocks 25, here below are the 10 Personalities the SDF can Count on.




Ni John Fru Ndi: The Man of May 26.

Indeed, May 26, 1990 remains a memorable day and date in the psyche of many Cameroonians as the day that a new page in the history of Cameroon saw the light of day. It was historic given that hopes and fears intermingled nationwide. Expectations were fever pitched as Ni John Fru Ndi (Pa Ebibi) took courage to official launch the SDF. His comportment, humility, thoughts and vision of democratic nation gave all and sundry the reason to sing Alleluia. Ni John Fru Ndi took the bull by the horns to display some signs; no one ever took note of. Take off was not smooth given the military presence in the city of Bamenda but he took the ride on the bumpy road to launch the struggle for democracy and good governance. 25 years down the lane, Fru Ndi remains the most courageous politician Cameroon has ever produced in recent times. One amazing thing happened on that day as that majority of Cameroonians joined the SDF to start asking for their rights. When the founding fathers conceived of the Social Democratic Front (SDF) as a party with an exclusive agenda, Ni John Fru Ndi whom many described as the “common book seller” was courageous enough to launch the SDF amidst military presence. Ni John Fru suddenly became the symbol of “Change”, “Democracy, Civil Liberty and Freedom of Speech. Papa Power as they would henceforth call him was symbiotic of the political struggle in Cameroon. As the SDF celebrates 25 years of struggle, Ni John Fru remains the indomitable and a man on whom Cameroonians can rely on.


Hon. Joseph Mbah Ndam

He is Vice President at the National Assembly and he is on his fourth mandate as MP on SDF ticket. Hon. Mbah Ndam was assigned the laudable task to reconcile all disgruntled SDF militants during this Silver Jubilee. Talking to journalists a week ago in Bamenda, Joseph Mbah Ndam said the assignment landed on him by NEC is on a good footing but added that the process could be extended after May 26, 2015.
Hon. Mbah Ndam started his rise to fame in the SDF as legal adviser. He plays a very primordial role. More so, it was Mbah Ndam and Hon. Yoyo who drafted a new constitution for the SDF for the party to meet present day challenges. What is however more fascinating about his loyalty to the SDF hierarchy is that Honorable Joseph Mbah Ndam is one of the closest and most trustworthy aids to John Fru Ndi. And this has to be pointed out clearly. Even though it has been discovered that, there is no loyalty amongst politicians within and without the same party, Hon. Mbah Ndam has been different. From Parliamentary Group leader, Hon. Mbah Ndam rose to the position of Vice Speaker at the National Assembly. 
Even though he wields and enjoys a lot of power, he had never been drunk with power given that Joseph Mbah Ndam has been faithful to John Fru Ndi in a manner that is both beyond belief and praiseworthy. This quality marks out Joseph Mbah Ndam. He has been a member of National Executive Council (NEC) of his party since 1991. Hon. Mbah Ndam has contributed enormously to the growth of the SDF for the past 25 years. He is a shoulder Fru Ndi and the SDF should continue to lean on.

Hon. Awudu Mbaya

Hon. Awudu Mbaya Cyprian, is MP for Donga Mantung Centre constituency who doubles as Questor at the National Assembly, and is also General Coordinator of the Silver Jubilee of the SDF. He is on his fourth mandate at the National Assembly. Besides that Hon. Awudu is also the Executive Coordinator of the Pan African Parliamentarians on Climate Change. He was elected into the National Assembly in 1997. He served asbureau Secretary before being elected as Questor N0 2. Hon Awudu Mbaya is buoyant politician who started his rise for fame in politics in Douala. Being a successful businessman, and CEO of CAMITEX, Hon. Awudu Mbaya is the most practical politician the Wimbum people have produced in the last decades. He has served the SDF in various capacities, Shadow Cabinet Minister of Mines, Water and Energy and was recently appointed Shadow Cabinet Minister for Foreign Affairs. The fact that NEC trusted him to the point that he was catapulted to the General Coordinator of the 2015 Silver Jubilee is indicative of his trappings. The massive mobilization in Yaounde during May 20 march-pass was indicative of the fact that Hon Awudu is not a man to pigeon-hole with.  One good thing about Hon. Awudu is that he is a good public speaker, lobbyist and has the political thoroughness that is very rare in many politicians. He has been consistent in party politics since insertion. He remains a reliable shoulder on whom the SDF and SDF Chieftain should lean on.

Hon. Joshua Osih Nambangi

He is Member of Parliament and Vice National Chairman of the SDF. Osih is young, energetic and very intelligent. From the above analysis he is a force to reckon with when it comes to striking a consensus in favour of the SDF. This very courageous NEC member is on his first mandate at the National Assembly, where is holds the position of Vice Group President. An aeronautic expert by profession, Osih is one of those who would pitch camp with the SDF at a very young age. Since then, he has never had a second thought on his political choice. Thanks to his humility and courage, hard work and determination he emerged victorious at the last Legislative elections. He is a source of inspiration to many youths. Those who underestimated him given his age have always held their mouths in wonders whenever they have the opportunity to listen to him. He has a good mastery of issues. Talent as they say must never be buried. God has condemned this in very strong terms in the parable of the talents. If Osih remained in the world of aeronautics like most of his contemporaries, the world including the SDF would have missed his exceptional talent. The fact that the SDF decided to vote him Vice National Chairman bears testimony to his ingenuity. He is a pillar on whom Ni John Fru Ndi could lean comfortably

 Njong Fonyuy Donatus

Njong Fonyuy Donatus is the mayor of Kumbo Council. He became mayor in 1996 and was appointed and reappointed by President Biya as one of the board members of FECOM (council bank) though an opposition mayor. Njong is on his fourth mandate as mayor of Kumbo and his remained committed to SDF ideologies. He is a practical socialist in his entire political sphere. He is one of those who successfully planted the SDF in Bui Division. Talk about mayors whose trappings have won national and international reputations, one is one of them. He is also a member of NEC and had contributed enormously to the growth of the party. Njong joined the SDF when he was young and is one of the few politicians who still believe that the SDF has brought change to the political landscape and still has a lot to offer. In Bui Division, he is popularly known and a heavy weight too.
Born on March 4, 1958  was exiled from Kumbo during the political upheavals in the early 1990s to Mua (GHS Mua). While in Mua, the political forces did not want him and was moved to Nkambe.
In 1996, he was elected Councillor of Kumbo Urban Council and the councillors elected him Mayor. Njong has an attachment for democracy and freedom reasons why he had remained a true militant of the Social Democratic Front. He is a shoulder on which SDF can lean on.

 Hon. Jean Michel Nitcheu

 He is a Member of Parliament in Littoral and a vibrant militant of the Social Democratic Front. Some years ago, Hon. Jean Michel Nitcheu took the courage to declare his assets in accordance to the famous Article 66 on the declaration of assets by public and elected officials. What many do not know about this political kingpin is that he fused his political party into SDF which had since been acknowledged with him been elected and reelected SDF regional chair of the SDF. Nitcheu is indomitable in Douala. This is a fact. He served as SDF assistant Parliamentary group leader. Not only is he rich but above all, allegedly he is one of those provided the SDF a printing press which now operates in Bamenda. He is extremely powerful yet respects party hierarchy. He is a member of NEC. He understands more than most politicians that the SDF is a populist movement and has a lot to offer. From the above analysis, Hon. Nintcheu is a man on whose shoulder the SDF and Chairman Ni John Fru Ndi lean on

 Hon. Joseph Lukong Bandzem
Hon. Joseph Banadzem is a gentleman  and an unassuming politician who is down to earth. Hon. Banadzem is soft-spoken and is always ready to learn in conformity with the philosophy of Socrates which states that “the only thing that I know is that I know nothing”. Of course, Hon. Banadzem knows many things given that he was University lecturer before being a career politician.
He is SDF Parliamentary Group leader and member of NEC. In his capacity as SDF Parliamentary Group leader, Hon Banadzem has been up to the task in coordinating and ensuring party discipline among his peers. He is one of the finest political strategists that the SDF can price itself of after 25 years in the struggle to instill democracy and freedom of speech in Cameroon. His militancy for the SDF has remained constantly stable as he does not look elsewhere. Get him out of bed anything and be sure to get the first thing out of his mouth about the struggle the SDF has engaged in for the past years and what they have achieved. At this solemn occasion of the Silver Jubilee of the SDF party, Hon. Banadzem is a shoulder on which the SDF and its National Chairman can rely on.

 Joseph Atekwana
Pa Atekwana is dieheart SDFand a man who waxes in his own self confidence and political matured in his thoughts. Joseph Atekwana is the man who planted the Social Democratic Front in the Centre and South Regions during the 90s. During that period, Atekwana was a whole agenda at security meetings in Yaounde. Tortured, molested and arrested arbitrary, he did not chicken out but stayed to the ideals of the party. During the 1992 Convention of the SDF at the Mankon Catholic Hall, he was elected into NEC. Since then, his loyalty to the ideals of the party has remained unshakable.
Being a devoted militant, he has served the SDF for the past 25 years in various capacities. He is currently the treasurer of the party and one of the kingpins. SDF finances have been a big area under discussion. Yet Atekwana has been up to the task. He is just what supporters’ say is creating self-control within the party. The finance law even provides subsidy to cover operating costs of legally recognized political parties, especially to those of them that control councils and parliamentary seats. But during the last NEC, Pa Atekwana disclosed to journalists that the SDF only receives a meager 220 million FCFA each year as subvention. He said at times, the funds come very late.
What is however so interesting about Pa Atekwana is that he is soft spoken, tolerable and is a convinced social democrat

 Hon. Esther Ngala
She is a female political dynamo, queen mother of SDF politics and a woman emancipator. She is MP for Donga Mantung Centre (Ndu) and is on her second mandate in Parliament. Hon. Esther Ngala Ntala entered into record books when in 2007 she became the first female MP to win Parliamentary elections on SDF ticket and the first from the North West Region. She is a member of the regional bureau of the SDF and has held the position of treasurer for several years. At the National Assembly, she is also a head of a Parliamentary Commission. She is a formidable rallying force given that she had proven her worth was President of the Wimbum women in Bamenda with a membership of more than 7000. She has the changed the face of politics in her role as woman emancipator. She is a soothing woman that can cough all the shocks of good governance as she has never kept her ever prying eye off the ideologies of the SDF. She is bedrock and an uncontested SDF iron lady par excellence. The exceptional trappings of Hon. Esther Ngala have already been known from the above account. As SDF clocks 25, She is a reliable pillar Ni John Fru and the SDF can lean on

Hon. Njong Evaristus
Njong hails from Boyo in the North West Region and he is on his second mandate at the National Assembly. He is the North West Regional chairman of the SDF and also Secretary of the SDF Parliamentary Group. Hon. Njong Evaristus is a refined public speaker and unlike most of his peers, he understands the role of the Press in a democratic process. This is another positive aspect of Hon. Njong reasons why he is a source of inspiration to many young Cameroonians who want to take up a political career. As SDF commemorates 25 years of continued existence and the solemn ceremony is billed for Bamenda, one of the key speakers would surely be Hon. Njong Evaristus given his position as regional chair. He is therefore a political baobab and a shoulder for the SDF to lean on.

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SDF AT 25: Why they Celebrated

 On May 26, the SDF was not only celebrating that it has moved the strongest democratic barriers and survive the storm but that it has moved a long way along with its objectives as a populist front. To say that the SDF has at least achieved its objective is a fact. But like any other populist movement that depends on verbs and not actions, the party has also recorded some ups and downs, trials and tribulations. Yet SDF hierarchy succeeded in steering the ship out of the difficulty zones to a safer zone from being swallowed by the CPDM machinery. The overall indictors have proven that Ni John Fru stood the taste of time. “Papa Power” as Fru Ndi was commonly called out of the blue became the symbol of change in Cameroon and “father of democracy”. From May 1990 to date, 25 years down the drain, the SDF stood firm to its ideals and maintained its position as leading opposition party in the country. The SDF has always emerged second in all elections it has participated. To sum it all, the SDF will be celebrating the following:

Civil Liberty, Freedom of Speech and Democracy

Before May 26, 2015, Cameroonians knew nothing about civil liberty and or freedom of speech. That is why Albert Mukong was arrested alongside Yondo Black and a host of others to holding illegal meetings. When Dr. Eyoh Ndumbe, Dr. Tata Mentan, Beatrice Annembom Monju , Ntemfac Ofege, Charlie Ndichia , Sam Nuvela Fonken and others were arrested on May 8, 1990 after their Cameroon Calling program which propagated the creation of a democratic party, they were arrested and detained. Anglo/Bamilike students invaded the campus of ASMAC and succeeded in causing their release. Cameroonians defeated the fear of death even with the threats of Auto Defense, Manda Fils and Forchive agents. Even though in 25 years the SDF has not been able to take over power, it has contributed enormously to civil liberty. Cameroonians now free to create associations, NGOs and political parties. The SDF has given room for the creation of more than 300 political parties. The outcome has been that the Biya regime was obliged to swallow the bitter piles by accepting democracy which guarantees civil liberty. It is no more news that the SDF brought about and enhanced the freedom of speech. Hundreds of radio stations, TV channels and newspapers as well as online publications now operate in the country.
The simple fact the SDF participated in majority of elections in the country has helped in enhancing democratic process. Within the SDF democracy is always put to test as elections are conducted with transparent ballot boxes. The single list system was also tested during the last party elections within the party. When the SDF advocated for an independent electoral body, its persistence led to the creation of ELECAM which Ni John Fru Ndi’s party still doubts its open-mindedness and independence.

Disclosure of Corruption and Embezzlement

 When the SDF cried out loudly that some government officials were highly involved in corrupt practices and have been siphoning state funds into private pockets, the Biya regime asked for evidences. Not long, Cameroon won the detrimental corruption trophy 3 times. The international community acknowledged the efforts of the leading opposition party to join in the crusade to pressurize the Biya regime to engage in the fight. If government had given an ear to the worries of the SDF, the state of finances would not have degenerated that much. The case of Mouchipou Seidou, the then Minister of Post and Telecommunication abound high. SDF MPs exposed the corrupt practices in that Ministry and the outcome was the arrest of Mouchipou. Since then, Biya took the fight against corruption more serious. Biya was obliged to created parallel anti-corruption structure like CONAC to check corruption leading to the arrest of over 200 high profile government ministers, MPs, Mayor and high profile functionaries.

Good Governance /Transparent Use of Parliamentary Grants

It is thanks to the SDF that Cameroonians knew that MPs were always given a certain amount of money known as micro project grants every year to carry out small projects in their constituencies. Before then, the amount was spent in bars, bars and restaurants as well as night clubs in major cities. SDF MPs did not only expose its existence, they went as far creating micro project committees to manage the funds. The use of micro grant is one of the measuring rots the population uses nowadays to evaluate their representatives. So, retaining a parliamentary seat or winning is also determined by how these funds were used and or how the funds would be used. It ignited good governance at local levels given that elected officials are obliged to give an account of their stewardship. At the level of the councils, some SDF mayors in the likes of Njong Donatus, Tosam Bernard, Balick Awah Fidelis, late Bunyui Jonathan and Mangoh Jones Tanko proved to be exemplary in fostering development efforts.
It was until the SDF took over management of the councils that Cameroonians knew that councils are supposed to organize Public Hearings to explain to the population their plan of action and realization, income and expenditures.

Reconciliation

When President Biya met Ni John Fru in Bamenda face-face for the first time, those who thought that the two political rivals could never see eye to eye were taken aback. This is however a true picturesque of all what transpired within the past 25 years. If Paul Biya and Fru Ndi could sit on same table and talk what more of those who left the SDF due to misunderstanding? That is why the SDF wants to use these 25 years to heal past wounds. Implicitly, the SDF Silver Jubilee will give room for a new take off. The reconciliation committee headed by Hon. Mbah Ndam has a heavy task to bring back the likes of Akonte, Asonganyi, Ntemfack Ofege, etc. Popular opinion holds that if the hand of fellowship the SDF is extending is genuine, the party will emerge to be stronger than before after the celebrations.

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

SCNC Declares Independence on May 20

 A handful of SCNC activists belonging to a group known as the Revolutionary Council or so, gathered at Ndamukong Street in Bamenda on May 20, to listen to a certain declaration which they said is to restore the independence of the Southern Cameroons. After  singing  the Anthem of Southern Cameroons, the seven followers who showed up at the declaration ceremony, were also handed copies of the said Anthem on CDs to share to passer-bys. The Southern Cameroons flag was also raised. This to them was already an achievement. “How can seven people declare the independence of a nation?” one man who refused the CD asked.
However, the nifty gritty and significant about the declaration of the restoration of the nationhood of Southern Cameroons was that it was read by a certain Evangelist Ngwa Aaron Ndeh M. In the opening statement, he declared that “ the spirit of the lord is upon” him to “bring good news to the oppressed and proclaim freedom to the captives, to proclaim the release of the chained and bring peace to the unprotected in our Father Land-the Federal Republic of Southern Cameroons”. He claimed that for close to 21 years today, President Biya has ignored local and international calls to dialogue with Southern Cameroonians, notably the SCNC and SCAPO as called for in Communication 266/2003 by the African Court of Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) Banjul. Evangelist Ngwa Aaron in his declaration also added that “La Republic” has refused to honour international calls to withdraw from Southern Cameroons. “To intensify his grip on us, Anglophone schools are flooded with Francophone youths”, some he added enter such schools without writing professional exams as required”. In a 31 points justification, Evangelist Ngwa Aaron rambled on some issues ranging from French language been prescribed in North West courts, electoral fraude and corruption, falsification of ages for youths to vote, unemployment, poverty, banditry, feymania,  poorly translated questions that were handed to Anglophone candidates during the police entrance exam, as some of the ills that have chopped the economy. He however claimed that the basic salary in Southern Cameroons remains 80.000 FCFA per month and would be effective as of July 2015. How that one is going to happen, he was mute. He jumped into the two maps handed to President Biya by the United Nations emphasizing that it “clearly shows that we are one but two”. To him, the daily transfer of money from Bamenda to Bafoussam and Limbe to Douala is a calculated act to kill the economy of Southern Cameroons. He pointed out that “the private Bill on water for political reasons was rejected by the foolish majority of parliamentarians recently adding that even the high cost of fuel remains a cause for concern. He also added that Nfor Ngala Nfor and six others were arrested in Buea without an arrest warrant and arrest charge. In his concluding statement, Evangelist Ngwa Aaron thanked Kofi Anan “for his untiring efforts and Banki Moon for passing sleepless nights see Southern Cameroonians totally liberated from the pangs of their oppressors. By this statement therefore, I declare the independence of Southern Cameroons restored.” Impressionists are of the opinion that this is a joke of the century

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SDF at 25: Of Democratic Struggle, Good Governance and Gov’t Watchdog

Fru Ndi

If we go by Benjamin Disraeli’s  pronouncement that “no government can long be secure without a formidable opposition”, we will clearly see the role the Social Democratic Front-SDF has played in reshaping democracy, governance and freedom of expression  in Cameroon for the past 25 years. This has been proved true and fully valid for the health and efficiency of the 25 years struggle for democracy, civil liberty and freedom of expression. The SDF as the main opposition party represents an alternative government (Shadow Government), and has been responsible for challenging the policies of the government and producing different  alternatives where appropriate. Since we operate party democracy in Cameroon, it means wherever there is a government of a political party there is expected to be an opposition. However, it would appear that talking about opposition in Cameroon only refers to the Social Democratic Front. In every state there is a government and a supposed opposition. But do you know one apart from the SDF? Your guess is as good as mine.
We all agree that the opposition apart from the fact that their intention is to takeover power through the ballot box, should as well be the people’s watchdog to keep the government on its toes and forcing it to follow the right path. For 25 years, the SDF has played the oversight role by ensuring that government actions are in the best interest of the people. The role of opposition in a democracy is much more creative and crucial rather than opposition for the sake of opposition. The fact that for the past 25 years the SDF has maintained its leading position in exposing the weaknesses in government policies and remain a vigilant watchdog over the action and inaction of the Biya regime is an inalienable and essential part of democratic process.
For 25 years, the SDF has constantly questioned the government, reasons why government has remained answerable to the public most of the time. The question lingering on is whether the SDF has been good enough in ensuring this task. Was it launched only with the view to becoming an alternative government?  The problem is that for 25 years, the SDF has reshuffled its Shadow cabinet just twice or almost thrice. This is where they goofed which to me is a natural factor and a pity given that politicians themselves have proven to be typical prostitutes. They change like chameleons. Some of them change colours to suit their needs and circumstances. If you look critically at the opposition parties (over 300) they are mostly created by people who decamped from this or that party when they believe they have been sidelined and or could not get their desires. This is the type of our bane of politics. There are water-like politicians who do not believe in anything except themselves and what they will gain. It is therefore very important for an opposition party like the SDF to demonstrate its democratic credentials. That is why at 25, the SDF should start thinking of revisiting its alternative policies. After 25 years, the SDF should not continuously prepare itself for the future role of remaining the people’s watchdog. Up to now, Impressionists continue to wonder why the SDF could not join government. When a government collapses like was the case in Egypt, a vibrant opposition would prepare the role of ruling following its alternative policies. We all know and believe that change is constant and it comes when properly articulated. So the question the SDF should give concrete answers to is: what is the opposition policy that they will use in challenging the Biya led government whose machinery is to crush. The way Cameroon operates multiparty politics on papers is however what makes the SDF to feel comfortable as leading opposition in Cameroon. This is likely because whether individuals decamp from SDF to CPDM, NUDP to UPC etc etc, the compound that is formed remains the same when broken down. It is therefore very imperative for the SDF to outline what and how they intend to change this status quo because my observation is that whether in councils, Parliament or Senate, politicians all think the same way. Albert Einstein said “the world as we have created is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking”.

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

Hon. Awudu, Hon. Esther Ngala, others Visit the Magnificient Edifice to Host Nkambe Cathedral (PhotoNews)

 

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

Thousands Join Hon. Awudu at Thanksgiving, Over FCA 3 Million Raised to Support Cathedral Project (PhotoNews)

 

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

Thousands Join Hon. Awudu at Thanksgiving, Over FCA 3 Million Raised to Support Cathedral Project

There was euphoria at the Nkambe Catholic Church where more than three thousand people joined Hon. Awudu Mbaya Cyprian at Thanksgiving. The Thanksgiving which was intended to support the construction of the Nkambe Catholic has been described by Impressionists as one of the highest crowd pulling church event ever organized in Donga Mantung Division in the North West Region of Cameroon. The most interesting part of it all is that at the end of the Thanksgiving exercise, a total sum of FCFA 3,079,515 and a cow estimated at about FCFA 300.000 was donated to support the construction of the Nkambe Catholic Church (Cathedral).

Addressing Christians at the groundbreaking event, Hon. Awudu Mbaya said that Thanksgiving is a moment of showing gratitude to God “for our lives” as well as the nation(Cameroon), region( North West), Division(Donga Mantung), Sub Division(Nkambe) and our respective families”. Quoting Psams 136:6, he said says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” He continued that that “it is very important for people remain thankful because God is worthy of our thanksgiving. It is only right to credit Him for “every good and perfect gift” He gives (James 1:17). When we are thankful, our focus moves off selfish desires. Expressing thankfulness according to Hon. Awudu Mbaya “helps us remember that God is in control”. Thankfulness, he continued “is not only appropriate; it is actually healthy and beneficial to humanity because what the people will give will help to enhance the construction of the Nkambe Cathedral project.

He added that Thanksgiving reminds us of the bigger picture, that we belong to God, and that we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3). In his concluding statement, Hon. Awudu thanked the population for the massive turnout and appealed that they should all support him, with whatever they brought so that at the end of it all, “we should build a cathedral. God is one, Jesus did not chose a church, He did what He did for all, the poor, the rich, children, adults, the healthy and the sick. All my people support me, I have prayed that God should forgive any person that offended me or I had offended as well. Let us open a new page for Christ”, he concluded.

On his part, Rev. Dr. Kushui-Soli Ngah said the project is not only a construction project but the House of God. At the end of the Thanksgiving, Hon. Awudu Mbaya who was flanked by Hon. Esther Ngala Ntala visited the project site. At the project site, the visitors were flattered by the level of work and how it is advancing. The church project is expected to have approximately 2000 seats. At completion, it would be one of the biggest in the North West Region. Christians are hoping that if all go as plan, they would celebrate the 2015 Christmas in the building.

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

Of Exclusive French Sign Directives in Ayaba Hotel and the Abuse of Bilingualism

Few weeks ago, Anglophone lawyers met in Bamenda to decry the fact that they were told to make their submissions in the North West and South West Regions (courts) exclusively in French. At the end of the conference, a memo was addressed to government in which they (the lawyers) expressed their disgust over the attempt to assimilate Anglophones. Another incident that took the Anglophone community aback was the poor translation of police exam questions into slippery English, which public opinion held that it was a well calculated move to eliminate Anglophone candidates. Furthermore, for years now, the Anglophone community has been crying helplessly that all transfers and appointments are only read on the national station in exclusively French and that Francophone teachers are being deployed to teach in the North West and South West Regions a language they have little or no mastery. The Cameroon Teachers Trade Union-CATTU and TAC have decried it to no avail.

Hon. Awudu Mbaya Cyprian, Member of Parliament for Donga Mantung Centre and Questor at the National Assembly went on rampage a forth night ago at the Ayaba Hotel where he pulled off signs directives that were exclusively in French. The Member of Parliament we gathered started asking the management of Ayaba to place sign directive in both French and English as far back as 2013. Every time he lodged in the hotel, he would remind management of it. At one time, the Director of Ayaba, Doume Zacharie is said to have promised that he will make sure that the bilingual nature of the country is respected when renovation works will be carried out. On May 27, the MP discovered that work was over but the sign directives were still hanging there and exclusively in French. When he sorted from the Director why he had not done what he promised, Doume Zacharie is quoted to have said that he (Doume) met them like that and has no other option than to allow the sign directives in one language. Taken aback by the reply from the Director, Hon Awudu took time to remove some of the sign directives. He even promised that he would destroy any signpost in a public place that is written exclusively in one language. Using only one language, he said is a violation of the Constitution. Access to information he said is a right that all Cameroonians should enjoy. He said in Ayaba you can only imagine things around you because the word swimming pool is boldly written as piscine, toilet as toilettes, exit as sortir, suggestion box as boite de suggestions, lifter/elevator as ascensceur etc.. Hon. Awudu Mbaya said at the time he was removing the sign directives that he laid hands on if the staff decided to squeeze the life out of him, he would have died a honourable death and for a cause.

It should be recalled that when Bernard Njonga cried out on corruption in the Ministry of Agriculture, he was arrested and detained. Not long, the Special Criminal Court called him up as witness for the state. “Some of the embezzlers have been picked up and are actually in prison. Ayaba Hotel in Bamenda has been suffocating in silence. Hon. Awudu has just lashed out the last stroke that will expose the obnoxious practices in this structure”, another staff who preferred not to be named told us. “Costumers have been complaining especially those who do not read French and Management has always given a deaf ear to it. I do not understand why whereas we claim that our role is to satisfy their needs”, she concluded.

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

Silver Jubilee of the SDF: A Show of Political Strength in Nkambe (PhotoNews)

 

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

Silver Jubilee of the SDF: A Show of Political Strength in Nkambe (PhotoNews1)

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