40th Anniversary Message from Ndu Council to H.E President Paul Biya

Well Done, Mr. President! Happy 40th Anniversary

Your 40 years at the helm of this great nation have been characterized by peace, unity, social dialogue, freedom for Cameroonians, and greatly achieved through the improvement in Human rights and democracy. Added to these, is sound economic policy, improvement in our education systems, with emphasis on bilingualism and a commitment for advancement of our democratic structures.

Your foreign policy crowns it all with spectacular events like Cameroon’s admission into the Commonwealth and Francophonie, each, being a prestigious comity of nations. We need not emphasize your skilful handling of the Bakassi crisis. The Ndu municipality joins you wholeheartedly to celebrate your 40th anniversary at the helm of state, praying God to give you and family, many more years at the helm of the state and more wisdom to continue piloting state affairs.

·    considering your policy of bringing administration closer to the people through the decentralization process with creation of Regional Councils;

On behalf the living forces of Ndu municipality, I, Abdou Borno Kanfon, Mayor of Ndu Council would like to express our encouragement to you as Cameroonians celebrate your 40 years in power. We wish you Good Health, God guidance and Pray He gives you more years to celebrate at the helm of this nation. 

Once more Happy Anniversary Mr. President.

40th Anniversary: Here is the Message from CAMTEL to H.E President Biya

Message from CAMTEL

Ending deadly Anglophone conflict : Points to Ponder @Canada Round of Talks

The Colbert Factor : 

Ending deadly Anglophone conflict : Points to Ponder @Canada Round of Talks

As the various 'Ambazpnian Interim Governments' continue to fight each other over who is legitimate enough be invited to the Canadian round of talks ; and, as they dévelop one sophisticated argument over another on Canada's neutrality in facilitating the talks that could go a long way to end the deadly Anglophone conflict, we @TheColbertFactor prefer to proffer suggestions to those who have the power to influence government of Cameroon delegation to the Canadian conference.

If we were to be invited to the talks, we would have jumped on the idea to tell Canadian, Cameroon authorities and all the factions running the show supposedly on our behalf out there that as they wine and dine in their comfort zones, streets in disputed territories are being painted on a daily basis with blood, pain and suffering. We would remind them that those living in the two English-speaking regions are 'living and partly living'. That youths in the former Southern Cameroons are self-immolating themselves over a conflict that could have been avoided, in tje first place.

If we were invited to Canada, we would have been telling participants to the conference that since the neutral position and ambiguous language employed by the UN with regards to self-determination through secession is evident in the 1992 Agenda for Peace Report, where the UN Secretary General stated : 'The United Nations has not closed its doors. Yet, if every ethnic, religious or linguistic group claimed statehood, there would be no limit to fragmentation ; and peace, security and economic well-being for all would become ever more difficult to archieve', we should for now concentrate our efforts at gunning for internal self determination. 

This could be done simply by uploading the content of federalism, confederalism and indépendance into the Special Status granted the two English-speaking regions of Cameroon by the 2019 law. Now that from all indications, government is overwhelmingly beginning to be insisting on the content and not the container, can the federalists, confederationists and independentists not begin to dare or challenge government to upload the federal, confederal or internal autonomy contents into the Special Status, since the name of the container government seems to be comfortable with is, Special Status?

Can these three schools of thought that have emerged since the outbreak of the conflict, that is; federalists, confederationists, and independentists not draw inspiration from the special status success stories we have around the world that has nothing to admire from a federation? 

Rather than spending tons of energy on labels and names, (what's in a name ? That which we call a rose can smell as such), could those currents not be used in forging out from Yaounde authorities a Special Status of the likes of Quebec in Canada, Aland Islands in Finland, Svalbard in Norway, Cook Islands in New Zealands, Heligoland in Germany, Barbuda in Antigua and Barbuda, Greenland in Denmark, New Caledonia and Corsica in France, Kurdish Regional Government in Iraq, Sardinia, Sicily, Campione d'Italia and others in Italy, New Mexico in Mexico, Chechnya and others in Russia, Zanzibar in Tanzania, Northern Ireland, British Virgin Islands and others in the United Kingdom, Puerto Rico and Northern Mariana Islands in the United States of America, Torres Strait Islands in Austrialia, Hong Kong in China, or Jammu and Kasmir in India. 

As demonstrated in truimphant detail @TheColbertFactor Part I, that it behooves on government more than anyone else, to deliver on their Special Status option for a solution to the ragging Angloohone conflict, the surest way government can ensure Cameroon continues to remain one and indivisible would be in making the two English speaking regions autonomous special status regions of the likes of Jammu and Kashmir in India.

In that way, Chief Dr. Dion Ngute and his Follow-Up Committee members would be beginning to understand the real meaning of John Locke's tabula rasa theory of the minds ability and freedom to author its soul to the exclusion of the basic identity of the human species which cannot be altered.

What with proposals galore for the internal workings of the Special Status Regions, ranging from those put forth by the Working Group on the Special Status, Prof Dorothy Njeuma's concerns, Cardinal Tumi's AGC Recommendations, the SDF's proposed Federal Constitution, the Simon Munzu-Anyangwe-Elad 1993 proposed Federal Constitution, the 1961 Federal Constitution, and above all, the proposed draft Constitution for the Federal Republic of Ambazonia.

Could there be a better way for Yaounde authorities to proof to the world that they are taking all views into consideration for the building of a new Cameroon that President Paul Biya announced on December 31, 2019, than factoring in the draft Ambazonian constitution, which is a sum-total of their views, in building a veritable autonomous Special Status for the North West and South West Regions? 

That could be another way for government of Cameroon to signal its readiness for genuine and inclusive dialogue, given that no political science theory exist to the fact that one dialogue, however major it could be, has ever completely resolved an ideological and armed conflict in the world. And just like Quebecois attend 'Le Jeux de la francophonie' with a Quebecois-only football team (not Canadian national team), could such arrangements not be made in Cameroon to enable Anglophones attend Commonwealth games with Anglophone-only football team, not Cameroon national team as has obtained in the past.

*Colbert Gwain is digital space citizen/native, author, radio host and content creator @TheColbertFactor

WAIT! BEFORE YOU GO about your daily activities, ask yourself: How likely is it that the content you just consumed would have been created by a different news outlet if The Colbert Factor hadn't done it?

The Colbert Factor is committed to being a citizen-owned meduim void of private/corporate or government interests, and freely challenging the boundaries of conventional thinking. We work to fruitify your understanding of the fact that the 'barrel of the pen is far mightier than the barrel of the gun' ? 

There's no gainsaying the fact that the kind of content we create not only helps in putting the right information in the hands of many, but is also necessary for democracy. It emboldens you to uphold your freedoms and inalienable rights. Every story we publish aims to change the world by bringing injustice to light.

In such challenging times as we live in, a truth-seeking and informative local news organization like The Colbert Factor is essential. It's a solution-oriented, non-profit content creation medium. But, truth be told : it's not an easy, cheap or profitable task. We don't have paid adverts and we are independent of private and government interests. 

You can help us continue creating more investigative, balanced, fair, reliable, credible and educative content, by donating your widow's mite through MTN momo number: 677852476. Information not delivered today because you delayed in supporting this project may cause us millions in repairing the damage tomorrow.

Just donate right now...And you would be contributing to a free press.

Nkambe Wins CFA 20 Million in Cleanest Town Competition

The workaholic mayor of Nkambe council, Musa Shey Nfor received the cheque of FCFA 20.000.000. This is following the publication of the competition in Bertoua to mark World Habitat Day. Worthy to note that Nkambe town was ranked 10th cleanest Town in Cameroon out of over 350 towns and cities. 
Weekly clean up campaigns are regular exercise ever since Musa Shey Nfor became mayor. From cleaning the streets, to gutters, water channels and filling of potholes, inhabitants of Nkambe have it on their menu that it is a day for cleaning. Musa Shey Nfor made it a duty to move round the town to supervise the cleaning exercise. In addition, the mayor of Nkambe also included the greening of the town in his agenda of cleanliness. The collection of plastic waste from landfills and planting of trees has been top on his agenda. Moreso, he took the challenge to demarcate all the water sources in the town and in a year, Musa Shey Nfor restored water in a town that the taps went dry since 1997. He brought in waste cans that were installed in strategic positions especially markets and parks. He has equally installed solar street lights in all strategic places in Nkambe town. The most interesting thing is that has been able to mobilize the population of the town to be conscious of the fact that cleanliness is a priority. And everyone in the town see it that way

Hon. Agho Oliver Bags Master Degree in Flying Colours

Hon Agho Oliver Bamenju, Member of Parliament, MP, of the Bafut/Tubah Constituency graduating among the top world class citizens from Tohoku University, Japan. Tohoku University is one of the leading Universities  in Japan.  Hon Agho Oliver's graduation flies the flag of Cameroon high in Japan, thus making Cameroonians in general and his constituents in particular proud of his strides.
Hon Agho Oliver was on a Japanese/African Global Leadership  and Sustainable Development Goals scholarship Program.
He won the final selection of the scholarship scheme in 2019 and began studying in the Tohoku University in 2020.
It is worthy to recall that Hon AGHO Oliver is one of the youngest and most pro-active Member of Parliament in Cameroon. His studies in Tohoku University, Japan, focused on Good Governance and Sustainable Development.
Prior to his trip to Japan for further studies, he had been on all fronts in Cameroon and his Constituency where he has been very closed to the people in alleviating poverty and fighting the issue of the scarcity of potable water. In 2021, Hon Agho Oliver attended the Massacusetts Water Youth Summit hosted by Foundation for a Green Future

(Courtesy of The Reporter newspapers)

Thousands Pay Last Homage to Mama Alice Gwei

All roads were today leading to Binka village in Nkambe Central, where thousands gathered to pay their last respect to Mama Mukar Alice Gwei(MAG). From Nkambe District Hospital to the Nkambe Baptist Church, thousands gathered on the streets of Nkambe town to pay their last respect, to a mother, grand mother and the heroin of generosity. From politicians to buyam sellam, truck pushers, okada riders, farmers, traditional rulers, administrators, everyone was there. What a big way to say goodbye to a mother, who was mother of all. Almost everyone had a story to tell about Mama MAG. How she impacted their lives. 
From the preacher, to the mayor of Nkambe, Musa Shey Nfor, Mama Mukar Alice Gwei, lived an exemplary life. 
Militants of Donga Mantung 1, section of the CPDM were present in their numbers to equally pay their last respect to one of the devoted militant. They were led by their leader, Hon. Gerard Ngala who doubles as Member of Parliament for Nkambe Central. 
Thousands came from far and near to join H.E Shey Jones to celebrate the lifetime.of her mother who has left an indelible mark of greatness as the mother of all the children of Donga Mantung Division. 

Landslide Hits Ring road Renders Ndu- Nkambe Road impassable

The state of nature of the stretch of the ring road from Nkambe to Ndu has been rendered impassable. This is so following the heavy down pour of the rains these days. Movement by cars and heavy duty vehicles from Nkambe to other parts of the North West through Ndu have come to a standstill. The landslide occured at Mbot around the Tabenken junction. 
Traveling from Nkambe to Ndu is a nightmare. These days transport fare from Nkambe to Ndu is FCFA
 3000 as compared to FCFA 1,500. For the past months, drivers plying the ring road have expressed disgust over the poor state of the road. Even though the Nkambe council and the drivers union have tried repairing the bad spots, the situation is very pathetic as of now. Years ago, the road was diverted on this very spot but front wheel drive vehicles had difficulties using the new road.  Prospects are high that an immediate solution would remedy the nightmare. 

Caught on Camera at the Yaounde Sports Complex

PhotoNews
Celebrating the Life of Ma Mukar Alice GWEI (MAG)

Celebrating the Life of Ma Mukar Alice GWEI (MAG)

Photo News from Yaounde Sports Complex

Thousands Storm Yaounde Sports Complex to Celebrate the Life of Ma Mukar Alice GWEI (MAG)

Thousands have gathered at the Yaounde Sports Complex to celebrate the life of Ma Mukar Alice GWEI (MAG), mother of H.E Shey Jones Yembe. 

Ma Mukar Alice GWEI (MAG) was born in 1940 in Mbaka – BINKA. She was the first child of the traditional ruler of Mbaka - BINKA, FAI Nyakwansah. were she a boy, she would have succeeded her father.

She married her husband Pa Shey Joseph GWEI in 1959, her husband who had just completed primary school in 1955 barely four (4) years after. They were both so young that her father did not approve of the marriage and would only accept the dowry after the birth of their first son. Her father would then name this first son Yembe which means that her husband’s family will see that son but will not have the son because he will belong to her own family. She followed her husband to Nkambe 11 km away from Binka where they both established petty trading with income that the husband had earned as a Population Census Officer and a loan from his own father. She evolved from there to be very enterprising and at some point, she and the husband were the wealthiest in the community before being overthrown by other businesspeople. This she did simultaneously with farm work and being a dedicated housewife and mother.

She had 3 children: Jones Yembe, Aaron Nfor and Rose Muntah. Her husband died in 2007 

and followed by the death of her daughter Rose Muntah in May 2018 and her son Aaron Nfor who died in April 2022. She has 11 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. It should be noted that apart from her biological off springs like stated above, she was a mother to several children whom she raised and brought up. She was a baptized Baptist Church Christian and a member of the BINJU Baptist Church Nkambe for several years and would later transfer to Nkambe Baptist Church as this was closer to her home. She was a member of the Cameroon Baptist Convention Women’s Union. It should be noted that she offered several thanksgivings for her life especially towards the end in the Nkambe Baptist Church, and always mentioned how important it was to do a thanksgiving while you are alive for your life than for others offering a thanksgiving in your memory when you are gone. And she was so fond of her Pastors and would courageously be telling how she wanted to be buried by the church when she died. She put a lot of emphasis about having friends and the importance of family. It is true that some of herfriends had preceded her, but she has also left a lot of friends and family to mourn her and who will absolutely miss her and her generosity in deeds and words. For record purposes, she belonged to several women’s groups, Njangis (some of which have been taking place in her home for more than 60 years), church groups and earlier in domestic science groups where she interacted with people from different cultural backgrounds and thereby improved tremendously on her cooking skills to become one of the best cooks in town. This can be testified by the several of her friends,the children and their friends, the grand children and their friends who have tasted her food. Anyway, there was food on her table every day and there was no day that someone else did not eat her food. She was very polite, soft spoken and respectful but also very brave, very courageous, very bold and firm, all ingredients that made her to be very honest, full of integrity and ready to face the truth all the time without fear nor favour. It was known that, if she saw a snake in her farm or else, she would follow it and would sometimes hold it by the tail before killing it. Some neighbours would sometimes call her to help them kill a snake when they were afraid, her husband would call her too though! She was also very funny and could throw the best jokes even in difficult circumstances. It was lovable being around her, What a Woman!

Mama was diagnosed with breast cancer at the Yaoundé Reference hospital in 2005 (17 years ago) where they followed with an operation immediately. The cancer will come back several times and since thenthere has been several other operations. In 2016, an American Doctor specialized in Cancer gave her just 6 months to live but by her faith, she would live for another 6 years. On Sunday, the 4th of September 2022, she was feeling very weak and tired and was taken to the Nkambe District Hospital at6pm. The Doctor diagnosed that she was anaemic and immediately asked for blood to be donated and a few minutes thereafter, there were more than enough people to donate blood and after analysis of the blood donated, two donors’ blood group matched that of mama and was safe or void of any diseases.

She immediately received blood transfusion that evening and the next morning Monday 5th September 2022, she was doing extremely well and asked that they make her a video in which she was sending greetings to her only surviving son and reassuring him that everything was okay. Later that evening as they will be giving her the second dose of blood, she became very restless. On Tuesday 6th September 2022, when the nurses were struggling to put her on oxygen after seeing deteriorating situation, she softly and gently asked them not to bother and asked them if she has not tried and need to go and rest. She died that Tuesday 6th September 2022 at 6:30am.

Farewell Ma until we meet again, to part no more.

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

Ta Shey Frank Football for Peace Doles out 7 Trophies in One Week

 The 3rd edition of Ta Shey Frank Football for Peace has been played this year in three different localities in Nkambe Central, notably Konchep, Mbot and Nkambe with 32 football teams participating. The community peace building which is an initiative of Franklin Ndzi Nformi, commonly known as Shey Frank has reached out to thousands in villages of Donga Mantung Division using football to preach peacebuilding. 

It is often said that sustainable development doesn't only needs political governance, but needs to find spaces and platforms that bring people together under a common goal. The love people have shown in supporting Ta Shey Frank Football for Peace activities make it a social phenomenon. The Fon of Konchep described his efforts in lighting communities as action that deserves followers, especially as it Engages the youth. He said  values such as fairness and respect can only be inculcated society if they are many of the likes of Ta Shey  Frank  to build a culture of peace. The Fon of Konchep made this great remark a fortnight ago during the football finals which took place under the patronage of the Divisional Officer for Nkambe Central, Ngida Lawrence Che. 

Young Stars, Red Devils Win in Konchep

In Konchep, 14 teams participated in the tournament. 6 in the female category which was baptisted Mafor Yaah Achidi Judith Cup and 8 teams in the male category. In the female category Young Stars trashed King Football Club, 2 goals to 1, to take home the trophy. Pascaline Yaah, the captain of Young Star, said she thought female football was only in the city but was overwhelmed that it has reached their village. She expressed gratitude to the councilor for Konchep, Ntumfon Franklin Ndzi Nformi for encouraging women and building peace. In the male category Red Devils crushed Abdou FC, 1 goal to zero to grasp this year's cup. 

Two Trophies, Lamps Light Mbot 

In Mbot,  Ntumfon Franklin Ndzi Nformi optimized the football finals by donating lamps to the eldest persons in the community. Before handing the lamps to the selected beneficiaries, he said the lighting lamps should bring forth peace for the betterment of society and everyone. In the football pitch and after 90 minutes of play, the Banana Lioness held down Rocky FC, 3 goals to zero to win the first edition of the female cup. In the male category, Young Stars outsmarted Rock FC, 2 goals to zero to take home the trophy. Before leaving Mbot for Nkambe, Ntumfon Franklin Ndzi Nformi called on the population of Mbot to send their kids to school. He prescribed the notion of peace to everyone. 

Le Bamileke FC, Millennium FC, Young Stars.Win U20, U17 and U12 

Last Friday, the euphoria that started in Konchep rounded up in Nkambe with three trophies on the line. A total of 19 teams registered and participated in the three months tournament. In the U-12 category, Young Stars of Ngwayuh defeated BOCOM FC, 3 goals to 1 after post penalty kicks. Momentum started when the encounter between Millennium FC and UNESCO FC. At the final blast of the whistle, Millennium FC matched over UNESCO FC, by trashing them 3 goals to zero. In the U-20 category, Millennium Youth FC suffered humiliating defeat from Le Bamileke FC during penalty shootout. In two days, three football finals were played and three trophies  doled out with cash prizes. 

Message of Peace

For 3 years now, devoted his time in sponsoring the football for peace tournaments in Nkambe. Last year, the football for peace extended from being only played in Nkambe town to Konchep village and this year, Mbot village joined the bandwagon. The spillover impact of the programme is much more than tremendous in communities. What a better way to build peace, and what a wonderful idea of molding a generation void of violence. Regardless of age, gender or ethnicity, football is enjoyed by all; its reach is unrivaled. 

Speaking in Nkambe to journalists after the last trophy was handed, Ntumfon Franklin Ndzi Nformi heartily extended a message of appreciation and thanks to H. E Shey Jones Yembe, Mafor Achidi Judith, Hon. Gerard Ngala and Musa Shey Nfor for their timely support to build the football nursery in Donga Mantung Division. He said that, although, sport promotes universal values that transcend language and culture, "We can use it as a tool to improve the welfare of youths by teaching them the basics of life, such as the importance of peace, education, obidience, teamwork, leadership, humility, tenacity, and determination".  He added that a child who knows the importance of peace will never go astray. He continued that communities can use football to shine a light on social issues and reshape society. 

Musa Shey Nfor Gets Outstanding Success with Mayor's Inclusive Sports for Health Programme

The Nkambe Mayor's Inclusive Sports for Health (MISH) has ended on a positive note with thousands reached during the two long programme. There was fanfare and trumpet blasts at the Nkambe municipal stadium on Saturday September 3, where an estimated 15,000 people gathered to usher in MISH splendid activities. From 9 am, sounds of drumbeats, vuvuzelas and the gongs could be heard echoing on the hills of GBHS Nkambe, down to the valleys of Tabenken, Njap and Bongom before sending back the echoes into the rocky hills of Nwangri, Wat and Chup. Eventhough the event was happening during the heart of the harvest season, the crowd at the Nkambe municipal stadium proved to it that many people had to forgo going to farm to commune with mayor Musa Shey Nfor. 
Those who were previledged to attend the final day of MISH went back home more convinced than when they were going that Musa Shey Nfor, mayor of Nkambe himself is a savvy sassy inclusive innovator. The idea of onboarding horse race, cycling race for people living with disabilities as well as the male and female football tournament was saluted by all and sundry. Sports is unifying factor and has proven beyond reasonable doubts to rekindle hopes. 



Valorising local partnership
One aspect that made the Nkambe Mayor's Inclusive Sports For Health an outstanding success was his ability to valorize local partners in development. In order to boost the health of the population, the programme in collaboration with the Nkambe health district and the CBC health service jointly organize free eye screening and check ups. Hundreds were given medical treatment at absolutely no franc. To Pa Nyanshi, who benefited from the outdoor free medical services, the initiative was so laudable. Besides, the Nkambe council equally used the opportunity to demonstrate it's knack in local fund raising. Cameroon Telecommunication, CAMTEL was also present to grease the programme. Co-sponsoring was visible with H.E Shey Jones Yembe, Hon. Gerard Ngala and Talla Nji Godlove  and more 100 cheerful givers lining up to support the initiative. More so, the mayor also used the tournament to call on each and everyone to send their kids to school. Mayor Musa Shey Nfor also distributed school items to children to make sure that there is 100% school resumption in his council areas



Football Final
The football tournament was the peak of the event with over 30 teams participating. The teams came from Nkambe zone, Njap zone, Tabenken zone and Bih zone. Notwithstanding the fact that there was a football team from Ako sub Division.
On Saturday, Mansoh United that washed-washed Baraki FC in the semi finals clashed with Blue Stars FC that eliminated Formation Sango in the semi finals. This was a clash of the Titans as both teams have walked majestically to the finals eliminating some of the toughest. But since in a football tournament, there is always a loser and a winner, Blue Stars FC defeated Mansoh FC, 2 goals to zero to win the first edition of MISH
(photo credit: Gwei Amos)

Alhilal Wins Minister Fuh Calistus' 5 million Trophy

The football clash between Alhilal of Misaje and Brothers Football Club of Nkanchi was one of the biggest crowd puller of the year. The euphoria and drumbeats from supporters of both teams could be heard echoing into the valleys of Dumbu, Chunghe, and the hills of Bebe and Kibo. After 90 minutes of play, Alhilal of Misaje Hausa quarter trashed Brothers FC of Nkanchi, 2 goals to 1, to take home the trophy. 

The sports tournament that has been running in Misaje SubDivision which was single handedly sponsored by Minister Prof Fuh Calistus to the tune of 5 million FCFA, finally came to a close on Sunday September 4,2022, with ALhilal of Misaje lifting the trophy with a cash prize of 700.000frs in full view of a mammoth cheering crowd. The vision bearer of the just ended tournament who is the sponsor is to ensure that Misaje builds a third Division Team. 

 With 42 selected players from across the length and breath of Misaje Sub Division, the momentum to create a third Division Team has picked up steam. 

The Divisional officer of Misaje, Frutoma Martin who officiated at the finals said Misaje is a place to be thanks to the peace the people enjoy which to him is a pull factor to the many good things happenings in the Subdivision. He lauded the sponsor of the tournament Minister Prof Fuh Calistus for the love he has for his people and working relentlessly to develop the subdivision both in infrastructure and human resource. 

Promoting sports is new gold mine in the country and encouraging a people to harvest from this goldmine which in other words is likened to the national cake is laudable. The first Deputy Mayor of Misaje Gregory Kiloh Ngeh reiterated the need to have every youth on board and that the council shall ensure that the endeavors of the Minister is materialized on the ground. 

On his part the organizing committee chairman Austin Tamfuh said though amateurs in sports business they were able to lay the ground works towards creating a third Division Team in the subdivision.

Colbert Factor: Get your knees off our children's education

The Colbert Factor:

 Get your knees off our children's education

When Muteff community in Fundong Subdivision of Boyo Division of the North West Region opted for school boycott in the 70s as part of the strategy to achieve autonomy from mainland Abuh, they knew it was after all just going to be only an ad hoc move, not a permanent one. That's why one year after, they were quick to take their knees off the necks of the hundreds of children who had forcefully been withdrawn from the main school in Abuh and allowed to continue schooling in Muteff, even as the struggle intensified. And that's definitely the reason why it is the children that went to school in Muteff at that time that are providing informed leadership and development initiatives to that emblematic community today. That, to the Muteff spirit, is the meaning of independence.

Although the immediate cause of the brutal decision by Muteff parents to withdraw their children from CBC school Abuh was Abuh authorities' refusal to allow for a junior primary school in Muteff (where children could mature before crossing over to complete at Abuh main school since the river running through the two communities used to sweep away little children going to school each time it overflowed its banks); the remote cause of the conflict had been the reluctance by mainland Abuh to okay the construction of a bridge over that river linking Muteff to Abuh. Interestingly, (and instead of using that natural dividing feature to be the symbol of division between the two communities), the very first sign of Muteff community's determination and resolve to be independent of Abuh traditional leadership was to construct the bridge over the river Ngwah that rather facilitated movement between the two warring communities. That, to the Muteff spirit, was the meaning of independence.

Judging at that very early stage that independence for independence sake was meaningless (without assurance of continuity in quality human resources as children were already out of school for a whole year), Muteff community leaders resolved education could not wait. All parents and community influencers were charged to make sure not only those who were withdrawn from school in Abuh but this time around, everyone of school-going age in Muteff go back to school.

 It was a simple but efficient household-to- household, rooftop-to-rooftop, and finally neighborhood-to-neighborhood strategy of fishing out children to occupy the classrooms. That's how it came about that every child born in the 60s and 70s in Muteff village had at least, a First School Leaving Certificate, FSLC. That, to the Muteff spirit, was the meaning of independence. They were quick to discern even at that early stage that the education of their children was the most powerful tool towards achieving independence.

And come to think of the fact that the Muteff parents I am writing about today, were stack illiterates. Yet, rather than using me and other children in the village as the collateral damage for their struggle, (however genuine their grievances were), they gave us all the protection and encourageant we needed to go to school. They knew the conditions were not the best. Yet, something within them told them the education of their children couldn't wait. Fast-forward to 2016 and counting...in the North West and South West regions of Cameroon or former native West Cameroon. Your guess is as good as mine.

Suffice to state that just like the white police officer who knelt on George Flyod's neck bringing untold shame to the United States of America on May 25, 2020, the leadership of the struggle for autonomy for the two English-speaking regions of Cameroon has been kneeling on the necks of children of school-going age on GZ for far-too-long. 

No one doubts the fact that the struggle for self-determination is a right enshrined in regional and international charters and instruments. Yet, no one too should doubt the fact that such a right must not be fostered by violating the rights of children to go to school, however we perceive the school system to be (as it has been tested and proven that even the dullest sermon can still take one to Heaven. So too with education).

No one doubts the fact that a better future could be built through autonomy or self determination. Yet, no one should doubt the fact that education is the best tool in building a better world. We can only rise up against violence and oppression through education. It is quite embarrassing to note that even Palestine with its internecine history of warfare has one of the highest primary school attendance rates. 

As the 2022/2023 school year resumes in the days ahead, the one big question each and everyone of us should ask is : How long can we wait to see schools resume even in the most remote communities of the North West and South West regions ? Have we waited for too long ? Did we assume that being apologetically patient is a virtue ? 

Was it not Nelson Mandela who said 'Education is the most powerful tool you can use to change the world' ? Did the activists not use the fact that they were educated to identify the fact that we were marginalized and being exploited ? Must we now not all join in reversing the situation by being unapologetically impatient and investing in the education of our most-valued assets- our children ? How much longer can children in remote communities of the two English-speaking regions of the country wait to be given the opportunity to enjoy a safe learning environment, develop to their full potential and learn the skills needed for their future ? 

Schools have been persistently attacked, girls and boys severely abused, dying and losing their homes and loved ones, and an estimated 1.2 m of primary-age children out of school in the restive regions. If we have to make our children more creative and better critical thinkers, we have to give them the opportunity to be educated. And that opportunity is now.

Activists both at home and abroad could do well NOW by leveraging their strength and control over communities in making sure no child is left behind as schools resume this year. They could redirect their rooftop by rooftop, household by household and neighborhood by neighborhood strategy in making sure no child of school going age stays away from school. As well as ensure their safety and those of teachers. That would be real show of strength as they would have succeeded where Yaounde authorities failed. That would reverse the current mass exodus of our future valued assets in future struggles to francophone regions, with all the attendant consequences.

As the autonomy whiles in coming, we should at least encourage all our children to attend their individual independences by going to school. In that way would not be behaving like the famous Yindo Tangeh in Muteff, who, knowing that there were two 'crydies' in two different quarters in Muteff, thought he could play smart and benefit from the sharing of goat meat from the 'chong' traditional fraternities in the two distant ceremonies. Rather than patiently wait and collect his share in the first ceremony, he rushed down to the second ceremony. By the time he was arriving there, the fraternity had just finished sharing the booty. He turned and rushed back to the first compound only to realize that immediately he left, the goat meat sharing started. He only had his eyes to feed on the traces of blood from the slaughtering of the many goods in the two ceremonies. Recall goat meat was and had remained a delicacy in village communities. Imagine how Yindo Tangeh could curse himself and everyone else in that community that day. 

And even as @TheColbertFactor we weep for education that used to be the biggest industry and income-earner in Bamenda prio to 2016 (in much the same way Jeremiah (confer chapter 16 : 14-17) the weeping prophet, wept for Jérusalem and Israel-that were great centres of attraction but soon became a pile of ruin, like Bamenda today) ; we invite you to ponder over the words of Malala Yousafzai, Oprah Winfrey, Mario Montesari and Barack Obama, below : 

Malala Yousafzai : 'One book, one pen, one child and one teacher can change the world'

Oprah Winfrey : 'Education is the key to unlocking the world, a passport to freedom'

Maria Montesori : 'The greatest gift we can give our children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence'

Barack Obama : 'In a global economy, where the most valuable skill you can sell is knowledge, education is no longer just a pathway to opportunity, it is a prerequisite'.

Now ! Think for a moment before you go about your daily activities : If the author of this article you just enjoyed was denied the opportunity of going to school just because Muteff felt marginalized by Abuh, who would have pieced together this stuff for you ? 

You can support The Colbert Factor reach out to children in Muteff and other communities in Fundong Subdivision with Malala's plea for one book, one pen, one child and one teacher strategy. Just consider doing it now, and the world would only be a better place. Remember any other thing can be taken away from you, not your education. 

Just consider supporting this worthwhile investment today by sending your widow's mite to MTN number: 677852476

And you would have fulfilled God's will that 'whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, thou you do unto me,

Back2School: Hon. Naomi Donates to Students, Pupils and Communities

Hon. Mbongyor Naomi Ngando, the Member of Parliament for Donga Mantung II  constituency (Ndu) has donated school items and farm and tools to students, pupils and farmers in Mbotih area( Ndu East). There was euphoria at Ntumbaw on Thursday August 18, 2022 when the delegation led by Hon. Naomi storm the ceremonial ground at GHS when the MP and her delegation arrived with parliamentary goodies. 

500 school bags, 440 hoes, 7 cartoons of books, 5 cartoons of soap, cartons of pens, pencils, calculators and math sets are items that have been handed by the Member of Parliament for Ndu Honourable Mbongnyor Naomi Ngando to pupils/students and farmers of Ndu East. Present among other dignitaries to witnessing the transparent handing over exercise was HRH Fon Mohammed Nfor, His Royal Highness the Fon of Ntumbaw village. 

Beneficiaries of Hon. Mbongyor Naomi Ngando's Parliamentary goodies came from Ntumbaw, Sehn, Mangu, Nseh Makop, Njirong, Ngulu, Ngvu, Ngarbuh, Sop villages as well as from the Fulani community. Over a thousand turned out for this event. Addressing beneficiaries, dignitaries and the population during the ceremony, Hon. Naomi called on each and every household to make sure that they send their children to school as school resumes next month. She used the opportunity to preach peace, mutual coexistence and national unity. 

Before leaving Ntumbaw, Hon. Naomi promised to take the back to school advocacy to the entire sub Division to make sure that in September, no child stays back home. "Education is the key to the world" she reminded the population. Hussien Isa, one of the beneficiaries of school didactic materials expressed gratitude to the MP for the timely support. " God should bless her and continue to guide her in her efforts to foster development", he concluded. Mami Dorothy Nuh said she was so elated for the farm tools. 

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