Mbengwi Council Restores Order in the Mbon Market

Mbengwi Council Restores Order in the Mbon Market

In the course of the ongoing crisis, disorder reigned supreme in the Mbon market, one of the Mbengwi council's main income generation source. Amongst the many ills were nonpayment of rents, no leadership, disorganised positioning,  unhygienic practices just to name these few. 

Meeting Session in the Council Hall

Meeting Session in the Council Hall

Order has however been recently restored in the market following the holding of a crisis and familiarity meeting between the traders and the authorities of the Mbengwi Council, Saturday June 6th 2020 in the council hall. Ever since assuming office, Mayor Ndangsa Kennedy Akam and his first deputy Doreen Fonjong hadn't exchanged with the traders. The meeting thus provided  such a forum during which the mayor told the traders that"We have to discuss and resolve our problems within ourselves"

He also made it clear that during his mandate, he's resolved never to use forces of law and order to enforce his decisions reason why collaboration is vital especially as there's no school to become a mayor meaning tomorrow, any of the traders is qualified to occupy the office. Before doing a situational analysis of the market, the mayor disclosed that based on a prime ministerial text, the traders are exempted from paying certain taxes but not rents. 

Ndangsa Kennedy Akam, Mayor, Mbengwi Council Addressing the Traders

Amongst the challenges plaguing the market as decried by the traders themselves were overcrowding at the gate, non respect of opening and closing time, entering of cars and bikes into the market, non functional toilet and non organisation of the market into lines according to items sold. While the traders posed their worries, they were also made to understand that despite the crisis, they are still paying house rents to landlords where they live, individuals with private stores out of the market are still paying rents, so they shouldn't take advantage that because it's the council's market, no need paying rents. 

After debating on the various issues, the final resolutions arrived at were that: 

1. Before closing time at 5:30pm, a warning bell will be rung after which all the gates will be closed at once prohibiting any further entry while the sellers pack their goods in preparation to go home. 
2. The trader's union executive will get someone responsible for the toilet and all users will pay 50frs be it to pee or poo. The collection and management of the money will be their responsibility not the council's. 
3. Only fully loaded cars with goods or meat can exceptionally be allowed to enter the market and offload but the concerned trader must seek for permission from the market master. 
4. The council will have to reorganise the market according to items sold so that all tailors will have a line, same for butchers, "bayam-sellams", clothing, traders etc. 
5. As from the 7th of June, selling at the entry into the market is completely prohibited be them hawkers, fruit sellers etc while parking space for bikes waiting for passengers at the gate to transport shall be delimited. 
6. During clean up, all traders must actively take part in cleaning the entire market not just a potion. 
7. As from July, repaying of rents will resume and a decision on all arrears owed the council will be arrived at later by the council's executive.

   

   Anye Collins, Newly Elected President, Mbengwi Tader's Union

   

Tekoh Marie, Newly Elected Vice President

Mayor Ndangsa hammered hard on the issue of rents most especially as council workers are being owed three months salary. "By paying your rents, you tend to work harder because it's a compulsory financial responsibility" he told the traders. After having exhausted the deliberations, elections were then conducted to have an executive that will liaise between the council and the traders for a mandate of two years renewable once with the following voted:

President - Anye Collins

Vice President - Tekoh Marie

Minutes Secretary - Anim Sonia

Financial Secretary - Teghen Henry

Treasurer - Njim John

Discipline Master - Ndanjong Thomas

Sanitation Mistress - Tifuh Florence

Advisers - Fomumbod Belinda 

                  - Mobit Grace 

                  - Tah Samuel

Sheds at the Mbon market are given out at 3000frs per month yet for many years now, many of these traders haven't been paying. With order restored, the disorder that reigned is expected to be history from now henceforth. The council promised to assist the traders during the holding of their maiden general meeting. In addition, they were promised the council hall, it's chairs and sound system free of charge anytime the traders deem it necessarily to hold meetings or end of year party.

The EXCO

Defence Forces Saluted for Tact in Recapturing Bafut

Defence Forces Saluted for Tact in Recapturing Bafut

State forces currently engaged in combatting non state armed groups in Bafut sub division in Mezam division, North West region of Cameroon have been saluted for their bravery, tact and strict respect of International Humanitarian Laws, war principles and mission instructions from hierarchy as the operation to recapture the sub division from the grip of the fighters that had made it their stronghold continues. 

General Nka Valère (L) & General Ekongwese Divine (after him) congratulating the Troops

The defence and security forces were congratulated by General Nka Valère and Ekongwese Divine of the Joint 5th Military Region and 5th Gendarmerie Region respectively on Tuesday June 2nd 2020 during a visit to the Bafut airport to ascertain the successes and challenges of the squad. Reporting on the outcome of the mission, Colonel Matiang Charles Alain that's been leading the combined team of soldiers in Bafut presented a positive balance sheet to the two generals.

He said "Our Operation Free Bafut took place in two phases with the first targeting camp leaders and their boys in Acheni, Akosia and Nchum where we destroyed a local arms fabrication warehouse. During the second phase we targeted Upper Bafut from Nforya, Agyati, Nsani right to Mile 30 in Lower Bafut through nocturnal attacks during which we neutralised some of the fighters." Col. Matiang Charles Alain, commander of the 51st Motorised Infantry Batallion added that after seeing the success of the first operation, work was lessened during the second phase as most communities opted to offer information and guides from the population to voluntarily assist the men in uniform in the hunt for the fighters. 

Colonel Matiang Charles Alain (in front) presenting the "booty" to his bosses

He ended with a presentation of recovered items that included dane guns, locally made pistols and canons, chopped iron rods, bolts and nuts used in loading the canons, a human skull, a generator, motor batteries, weed, cartridges, bikes and cars amongst which was a Bafut council bike, tricycle and tipper which the fighters had seized. There was also a 30 seaters school bus that was donated by the Parents Teacher's Association of a secondary school in Bafut, a land cruiser jeep, a Carina E matriculated NW 1254 E, another matriculated LT 170 EJ and another matriculated NW 599 Ak. A herd of seized/stolen cattle that had become part of the wealth of an "Amba General" was also recovered. All of these items the colonel assured will be handed back to their rightful owners upon identification.

While appreciating the forces for the success of Operation Free Bafut Phase 2 after the first one that was executed about a month ago, General Nka Valère first extended a congratulatory message to them from the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in Charge of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo and the Commander in Chief of the Arm Force, President Paul Biya. "As you know, despite this success story, there's still much work to be done; that of restoring peace and security in the entire region as prescribed by the Head of State through the cleansing of Boyo, Bui, Menchum etc" said the general. He went on to define "Amba Boys" (non state armed fighters) as thieves, criminals, terrorists who go about seizing and confiscating cars, bikes, extorting money and other properties from the population.

Recovered Bikes & Cars

The soldiers were cautioned to guard against their latest enemy, COVID-19 through the compulsory wearing of face masks and hand washing  among other measures. General Ekongwese Divine on his part revealed that the population in the North West and South West regions had always been in fear, reason why they hadn't been collaborating with the military but now that they've started collaborating, things are getting better. "We want to congratulate the population for supporting us in our mission to take care of their security" he said. "We are happy that the population of the North West and particularly that of Bafut at home and abroad are adhering to the fact that we need security and peace in order for us to have development." he ended. 

The raid in Acheni took the men in uniform to the residence of the most wanted "General Alhaji", having Ngwa Seidou as real name where they got hold of his two daughters; one aged 20 and the other about 6. They weren't harmed and are being taken proper care of by the military. After narrating what transpired that they ended up finding themselves in a military barrack, the elder daughter said "They give us food, water and everything that we need"

The two daughters of "General Alhaji"

Their stay at the 501 airbase will be short lived as measures are already being put in place to get them back into society with absolute security to ensure they are not harmed. The two army generals assured that their welfare will be taken proper care of. The presentation of the outcome of the two operations in Bafut to the press came few days after some improvised explosive devices mounted by the armed fighters were dismantled, bags of marijuana seized and a recovered car handed back to its rightful owner, all of this done by the military.

Cameroon's Prison Conditions Favourable for COVID-19

Cameroon's Prison Conditions Favourable for COVID-19

One of the groups most vulnerable to the outbreak of COVID-19 are those deprived of their liberty via incarceration in prisons and detention centres. An inmate gets  in contact with other detainees, prison staff and visitors. In addition, the prison environment is conducive breeding ground for diseases because generally, they are often poorly lit, poorly ventilated, poorly supplied with drinking water and overcrowded. Inmates do not always have a balanced diet thus weakening their immune system.

Infection with COVID-19 exposes the diverse population of detained men, women, children, the elderly, people with disabilities, people infected with HIV or tuberculosis and other sick people to numerous violations of human rights especially the right to life and the right to health. 

Despite the commutation and the remission of sentences in favor of certain prisoners who have been definitively sentenced, subject of Decree No. 2020/193 of April 15, 2020 signed by the President of the Republic, Cameroon's prisons remain have remained overcrowded.  

At the Yaoundé central prison, there were around 3,180 detainees on that date, three times more than its capacity. In the Far North, the main prison at Maroua originally designed for 350 detainees currently has over 1,300. The main prison in Buea with an original capacity of 700 prisoners currently has around 1,100 prisoners. The situation is not very bright at the Douala Central Prison which has around 2,750 detainees although it was designed to accommodate 800 people. These are statistics from human rights organisations operating in Cameroon. 

In this regard, the National Commission for Human Rights and Freedoms (NCHRF) sort and obtained from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in partnership with the United Nations Center for Human Rights and Democracy in Central Africa (CNDHD-AC) and the Cameroon National Youth Council (CNYC), significant material support to be made available to prison authorities as part of the response to COVID-19.

These equipment for six prisons (Bamenda, Buea, Douala, Maroua, Mbalmayo and Yaoundé) consisted of hand washing devices, soaps, detergents, hydro alcoholic gel, bleach, latex gloves, masks, backpack sprayers and coveralls.

The consignment destined for the Bamenda Central Prison arrived on Friday May 29 2020 and was received by the regional penitentiary administration for onward distribution to the inmates.

Water Crisis & COVID-19 in Mbengwi, Danger for Women & Girls

Water Crisis & COVID-19 in Mbengwi, Danger for Women & Girls

The phenomenon of dry and empty taps in Mbengwi, chief town of Momo division in the North West region of Cameroon is nothing new. Users used to cope with the situation but following the global outbreak of COVID-19 with at least four cases already reported in the municipality plus one death, a woman, the current absence of pipe borne water for weeks now poses a great threat most especially to women and girls. 

Broken Pipe that resulted to the water crisis

Water, according to medical sources effectively prevents COVID-19 when used in running mode to wash hands with soap. Now that there's no water, almost all tap buckets installed at strategic locations by the council, the government, village development associations and other organisations are empty and no one seems to care. With the current crisis, the locals barely yearn for water to drink and care less about hand washing. This poses a great health threat because conditions become favourable for COVID-19 to easily spread. 

Anyang Melanie, resident in Mile 18 Mbengwi is a single mother of one. Recently, she sustained a knee fracture as she slid and fell en route to search water from a nearby quarter. She's now compelled to stay at home for weeks till the fractured knee gets better. At the same time, she has her four year old  son to cater for. If water was flowing from the tap in the compound where she lives, she won't have found herself in such a predicament. 

Njweng Claris, also resident in Mile 18 Mbengwi runs a mobile money kiosk at the Mbon motor park. Asked how she's now coping with the water crisis, she said "It's not easy. At times I spend a day without bathing and this makes me feel uncomfortable especially when in public and hearing that corona is around, I'm so scared." Most restaurants in Mbengwi have continued to operate amidst the water crisis leaving consumers pondering over where these restaurateurs get water from to cook food and serve customers to drink.  

With the absence of pipe borne water for weeks now in the municipality, home users have resorted to other sources like wells, springs, rainfall and rivers who's quality is often doubtful considering that the standardised qualities of good water for drinking are no taste, colour and smell. Women and girls highly need water more than men and boys because they cook, wash dresses, dry clean, bathe the children and for their own personal hygiene considering that they ought to wash themselves at least twice a day. 

The current water crisis in Mbengwi stems from a broken pipe somewhere in Njindom village that transports untreated water from the main source in Guneku village to the treatment centre in Wumngang from where the ready for consumption precious liquid is then sent to households. This is the umpteenth time the pipe is being broken at the very spot and usually by heavy duty trucks that trample on it as it's completely exposed in the middle of the road. 

Those affected are the population of Mbengwi central town because inhabitants in the outskirt villages depend on their community water whose supply is always uninterrupted. The CamWater office in Mbengwi had been shutdown for years now because of the ongoing Anglophone Crisis and so no official could be gotten to comment on the water crisis.

Little Known Mbengbu Prides Self in Sustaining Her Culture & Dev't

Little Known Mbengbu Prides Self in Sustaining Her Culture & Dev't

Follow me as I take u to Mbengbu land where the locals have refused to put on hold their developmental strides and cultural identify on the rationale of the ongoing Anglophone Crisis recently worsened by the outbreak of COVID-19.

These are the people of Mbengbu/Upper Wumnebit

Mami Nung Deborah Demonstration How they Used to Catch Tadpoles and Fishes

Since 2016, most if not all village development associations in Meta, Mbengwi have stopped holding their usual annual general meetings on the basis that home is unsecured. Most leaders and key members of these associations live in urban towns and being soft targets for non state armed groups who often prey on such well to do elites for ransom, many now dread stepping foot back home. Even the Meta Cultural and Development Association (MECUDA) is on hibernation mode. 

These associations have home branches but unfortunately, most exist in oblivion. Villagers prefer gathering as Christians in churches, mourners at funerals or traders in the markets than seat down as seekers of development in their village. Whenever they rally in their palaces or community halls, it is often to benefit from the distribution of aide either sent by organisations or their external sons and daughters. A.G.Ms thus become a thing of those outside.

These are the Newly Bought Plastic Chairs that were being Celebrated

Pa Ticha Celestine, Demonstrating how he Blew this Whistle to Communicate with his Hunting Dogs 

This however hasn't been the case with the people of Mbengbu. Existing as an outskirt quarter under Njindom village in Lower Medig zone of the Meta clan in Mbengwi Central Subdivision, Mbengbu has Upper Wumnebit as lone and closest neighbour. Wumnebit is herseld an autonomous village but because of the closeness of some of  her people to Mbengbu, though under two separate chiefdoms with long constituted development associations, the duo in April 2016 decided to form a Mbengbu/Upper Wumnebit Development Association (MUWDA)

In the beginning, sons and daughters of these two areas used to return home from Bamenda, Kumba, Kribi, Douala etc for their A.G.M and to reunite with family. However, when the ongoing Anglophone Crisis escalated in 2018 into an armed conflict, they stopped coming. This didn't in any way deter those resident home from continuing to march on with the vision based on the foundation that had been laid. The membership attendance and financial contributions dropped drastically but the remaining villagers never put on hold their activities. As their hands had been put on the plough, they resolved never to look back, never to let the crisis or corona stop them from reaching their destination.

Meeting Session

Blowing Flutes

Their 2020 AGM was thus held on Easter Saturday after which they embarked on realising a plastic chairs acquisition project with their past little drops of financial contributions that were already making an ocean. Before, the association had acquired 19 plastic chairs and recently resolved to step up the number to 60. After successfully obtaining the new chairs, they held an exceptional meeting to celebrate. 

It was on Monday May 11th 2020 that the old mothers, fathers, children and few youths rallied to reap the fruits of their labour. They spoke only their vernacular, Meta, ate only traditional dishes like water fufu and erro, corn fufu and ndole, achu and yellow soup, porridge cocoyams and drank palm wine. In addition, they brought out traditional artifacts they used in the days of old for exhibition. 

Porridge Cocoyams/Plantains, Traditional Meal of the Meta People

Koki, Achu, Water Fufu and Corn Fufu Wrapped in Plantain Leaves

The management of Rainbow Radio, the lone community radio station in Mbengwi took advantage of the gathering to embark on an off air sensitisation of the population on COVID-19 preventive techniques through its Chief of Programs, Fongoh Primus Ayeh himself being a son of the area and president of the association. After the sensitisation, some fortunate persons that responded to quizzes on the pandemic were offered Rainbow Radio branded personal hand sanitisers while facemasks still from the management of the station were offered to all present. 

Amongst the exhibited artifacts of the Mbengbu/Upper Wumnebit people were traditional tree climbing ropes, flutes, fish catching nets, calabashes, wooden bowls, plates, baskets, walking sticks, drinking cups, horns and lots more. Some of the exhibitors took time to explain how some of the items were made and used, this to the great admiration of those who were seeing the items for their first time. 

Rainbow Radio Branded Personal Hand Sanitiser and Facemasks that were Distributed

Exhibited Wooden Bowls

Ndikara Lawrence is one of the villagers. As a youth, he was amazed with the items and said, "I'm very shocked because I never knew such things do exist. Based on what I've seen today, I'm keeping them in my mind to live to tell my grand children so that they too can tell others. Really, Mbengbu/Upper Wumnebit is the place to be" For the sake of posterity, he proposed that a museum be constructed in the area to preserve the items for the next generation. 

A majority of sons and daughters from this little known community labour in rubber and cocoa plantations in the South and South West regions of Cameroon. Just a handful live in urban settings and not up to four abroad. Mbengbu has so far produced a retired police officer, a Presbyterian Pastor and a journalist, this reporter. The older generation based on their mentality didn't value higher education probably as a result of poverty or mindset. As such, their girl children grew to get married while the boys could only do unskilled labour. 

Reporter & Grandpa in the  Raffia Bush Tapping Palm Wine for the Occasion

Exhibited Calabashes

Today, these unfortunate ones are correcting the mistake by sending their children to school. If not of the ongoing Anglophone crisis whose main inadmissible fallout has been the shutting down of schools thus living the children of Mbengbu/Upper Wumnebit stranded, they would've been advancing academically. 

Over 90% of the villagers are either the very old or too young. Upon attainment of a reasonable age, most youths here travel out for greener pastures, better life or quality education. The Njindom Cultural and Development Association (NJICUDA) had extended pipe born water to Mbengbu but differences in reasoning between the two fons (that of Njindom and Wumnebit) has all this while hampered the intended extension of the very pipe born water to Upper Wumnebit. While the duo seemingly clash on ownership of the people, the people themselves have resolved that development shall remain their binding force while each each person knows to which palace he/she pays allegiance.

Villagers Aware of COVID-19 Pandemic, Wash Hands for Prevention

Climbing Rope

Traditional Fruits

Pa Sobah Cornelius Demonstrating How He Used to Smoke His Long Pipe

That the Population of Mbengwi Thanked Biya for the COVID-19 Gift?

That the Population of Mbengwi Thanked Biya for the COVID-19 Gift?

"The population of Mbengwi subdivision say a big thank you to H.E Paul Biya for the gift to combat COVID-19." This was the banner message as the Mbengwi municipal authorities and government soldiers paraded the street to the Senior Divisional Officers office with a motorcade on Thursday May 14 2020.

The Gift

Faced with the ongoing global response to tackle the novel COVID-19 pandemic, Cameroon's head of state, Paul Biya set aside over a billion francs CFA worth material assistance to help contain the propagation of the killer disease. The national distribution of the items has been ongoing in all regions, divisions and most sub divisions. May 14th was thus the turn of Mbengwi to receive her own share. 

It was at the esplanade of the S.D.O's office that the beneficiaries gathered. Prior to the donation, a couple of speeches marked part of the ceremony. Firstly, it was the mayor of the Mbengwi Council, Ndangsa Kennedy Akam that mounted the rostrum for an address in which he said "We say a big thank you to our president of the republic and tell him that we the people of Mbengwi are today very happy because of what he's done for us, he's considered us, he has us at heart to fight the disease. If things can leave all the way from Yaoundé and come to us here in Mbengwi, it means that he also considers us, he knows that the Meta people are existing." 

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He further encouraged the population to appreciate the cheerful giver by putting the items into proper use. "It is usually said the patient looks for the doctor but now that the doctor has come to meet us to combat the disease, the ball is now in our own court to fight against it and ensure COVID-19 completely gets out of Mbengwi" said Ndangsa.

On display and as presented by the Mbengwi Divisional Officer, Sakwe Jarvis as content of the gift were hundreds of (tap) buckets, sanitisers, cartons of soap and face masks. The District Medical Officer of the Mbengwi District Hospital, Dr. Ewu David used the occasion to reiterate the need for proper hand washing, mask wearing, physical distancing and other W.H.O prescribed preventive measures. 

Sakwe Jarvis Esapa, D.O of Mbengwi presenting the Gift

Mayor Ndangsa Kennedy Akam

"We are still struggling to recover from corona just when another illness known as bovine anthrax has hit us. More than 600 cattle have died in Mbengwi because of the disease and any consumption of such infected beef poses a health risk for the consumer." Dr. Ewu made the warning after revealing that four cases of COVID-19 have been discovered in Mbengwi and referred to Bamenda in addition to which an outbreak of a disease that kills mostly cows and humans too has been announced. 

He prohibited the locals from eating beef during this period. However, at the Mbon market just like in the suburbs, nothing has changed. Beef is still being highly sold, bought and consumed in restaurants and in homes. Many are those who've not heard of anything as such.

Dr. Ewu David, D.M.O, Mbengwi District Hospital 

Fouda Etaba Nicaise is the Momo Senior Divisional Officer. He insisted that though it was the turn of Mbengwi,     all the five subdivisions in Momo will receive the same special presidential gift. Concerning the beneficiaries present, he revealed that they were a  representation of the entire municipality as many sectors have been targeted to benefit. According to him, this wasn't the first time the head of state has been with the people of Momo division to sustain and protect them. "After humanitarian gifts, today we have a special gift to fight against COVID-19" Fouda told the beneficiaries.

He ended by calling for a collective and inclusive approach to stop the spread of the disease, terrorism and school shutdown. In his own words,  "The main way  to say thanks to the head of state is to collectively fight against terrorism, for the education of our children and to implement the hygienic and distancing measures prescribed by the government."

Fouda Etaba Nicaise, Momo S.D.O

The items were donated to health units, palaces, churches, individuals and other institutions. The distribution exercise came weeks after the Meta Cultural and Development Association (MECUDA) in partnership with the Fobang Foundation founded by H.R.H Prof. Wilfred Mbacham also shared anti COVID-19 kits to all the villages that make up the Meta clan.

BeLA Fortifies Media Practitioners on Mainstreaming Gender in Reporting COVID-19

BeLA Fortifies  Media Practitioners  on Mainstreaming Gender in Reporting COVID-19

They were 30 in number; media practitioners drawn from the various divisions of the NW region that attended a one day training on mainstreaming gender in their reporting of COVID-19 taking into consideration the specific needs of women and girls. 

Workshop Participants 

Meeting on Wednesday May 13 2020 at Mondial Hotel Bamenda,  the journalists (radio, TV, print, bloggers and local language broadcasters) were fortified on addressing and leveraging on the unique needs of women and girls especially  the vulnerable, disabled and minority on their unique  needs during this pandemic.

Welcoming participants at the one day workshop, Madam Yekpu Eleen Ndze, Founder/C.E.O of BeLA told attendees that "We are here today because of the novel COVID-19 pandemic, to look at its devastating consequences to humanity, the impact it has on women and girls, the need for us to respond to the pandemic individually and collectively and lastly because of the need for a gender sensitive response of the media to the pandemic."

Family Photo

While schooling the media persons on the need to mainstream gender in their reporting of COVID-19, Madam Obah Rosaline Akweba speaking as facilitator revealed that many experts point to studies which show that women are likely to suffer disproportionately from the consequences of the pandemic and its aftermath most especially as 75% of the global healthcare workers are women.  

These women are also largely the main care givers in their own homes and the most likely to be responsible for nursing children and elders who are ill or quarantined. This thus makes them very vulnerable because epidemics and pandemics have proven to have harmful effects on not only the health, safety and wellbeing of women but also on their education, food security, and livelihoods yet this is often overlooked or downgraded during times of crisis.

Madam Yekpu Eleen Ndze, Founder/C.E.O of BeLA 

Appreciating the brain behind the event, Mr. Wirba Hassan, NW regional delegate of Women's Empowerment and the Family said "We are thanking BeLA for this initiative because women and girls are particularly a sensitive target population and we think that it is important that specific messages and information should be delivered to them so that they know how to respond to the pandemic especially women living with disabilities and internally displaced women."

The event organiser, in collaboration with the regional delegations of public health and that of women's empowerment and the family chose to use the media for this campaign because according to Mr. Hassan,  "The media practitioners are seen as the window to the NW thus able to send this information right to the grassroots using different languages and media so that the women in Ako, Misaje, Widikum can get this information"

Workshop Facilitators 

In a bit to ensure continuity and encourage the trained journalists to meet up with BeLA's expectations from them, the association has launched a competition for the best COVID-19 reports that mainstream  gender. Laureates shall be awarded financial prizes at the end of a one month evaluation period. 

BeLA is a not-for-profit organisation created in 2017 with headquarters at Foncha Street, Bamenda that works to promote and protect human rights especially those of women and youths using education, capacity development and sports to rescue, transform and empower people to build better and safer communities.

Mbengwi: Workers Shocked as Boss Awards them Flat Screen TVs

Mbengwi: Workers Shocked as Boss Awards them Flat Screen TVs

"Big Boys Don't Cry" sang the legendary reggae star, Lucky Dube of blessed memory but I just saw big boys crying.

Tears of joy rolling down the cheeks of the awarder and awardees  watered the floor of the  Redeemed Christian Church of God, Mile 17 Mbengwi, Saturday May 16th 2020 during the maiden edition of the Bertrand's Excellence Awards (BEA). 

Awarder & Awardees Pose for a Pic with their TVs

Presented by Mustard Seed Group of Companies, Department of Estate, Construction and Building Materials, the Annual Employees Award, 2018 2019 edition saw the C.E.O of the company, Abongwa Bertrand recognising the contributions of his workers to the growth of his company. Contrary to most awards that end with winners receiving nothing more than a certificate and statue, BEA (Bertrand's Excellence Awards) was exceptional. 

Taking place in Mbengwi, chief town of Momo Division at a time when the ongoing Anglophone Crisis is still persisting, the event rekindled hope in the minds of pessimists and sent across the strong message that there are still a thousand reasons to celebrate, a thousand reasons to do what one plans to do and not wait for when things will be fine because as motivational speakers will always say, the best time to do it is now and the best person to do it is you. There's no best time. Every time is good time.

Company Banner

Mustard Seed Group of Companies has workers ranging from blocks moulders to builders, plumbers, carpenters, electricians, drivers and engineers. From the old uneducated father that moulds blocks to the intellectual brains that draw building plans within the company, all were awarded.

Shu Emmanuel Fuh is the award winning manager of the company. In expressing his feelings to Mbengwi Online, he said "I was given a flat screen TV and it came to me as a surprise because I never expected such. I was indeed overwhelmed with joy when my name was called. With this, I promise to do my best to see that the company grows to achieve the vision of its founder."

Abongwa Bertrand, C.E.O, Mustard Seed Group of Companies

Same joy was shared by Ndiyun Clinton, a builder in the company. He also backed home a flat screen TV and in his words, "This award has shown me that in life, youths must not always expect immediate reward for every work they do for as the Lord says, it can be delayed not denied"

Mufu Daniel, the company's driver had been dreaming of one day buying a flat screen TV and it came to him on a platter of gold without him spending any franc. He couldn't hide his emotions as he burst into tears on stage when he was called up to his award. 

Cross Section of Attendees 

Apart from the 7 flat screen TVs, other items awarded included an i5 laptop, about 20 fabrics, spirit level, spades, cutlasses, medals and a recognition certificate, all amounting to the tune of about 2 million. Abongwa Bertrand, the Chief Executive Officer of the company has promised that a second edition of the award will take place next year and still in Mbengwi.

MECUDA Organised Anti COVID-19 Campaign Rally, Who Reaped the Fruits?

MECUDA Organised Anti COVID-19 Campaign Rally, Who Reaped the Fruits?

Faced with the current global pandemic and in answering the W.H.O call for all to jointly combat the killer disease, the Meta Cultural and Development Association (MECUDA) decided to organise a Meta Anti COVID-19 Response Challenge dubbed METACREC. The response plan saw concerned Meta sons and daughters from round the globe contributing funds and materials as individuals or groups to collectively bar COVID-19 from entering Meta land.

Mbon Motor Park, Launching Ground

On Thursday May 7th, the campaign was launched at the Mbon motor park, Mile 18 Mbengwi where buckets and bowls for hand washing, sanitisers, face masks and cartons of soap were on display before the watchful eyes of the population. Unfortunately, though not a showoff exercise,  tongues have been wagging online and offline within the Meta people at home and abroad as to who should take the credit for the "success" of the event.

Welcoming the population to the ceremonial ground, the mayor of the Mbengwi council, Ndangsa Kennedy Akam explained that "The main essence why we are out here today is to ensure that since initially the campaign has been centred only in Mbengwi urban, this time around, we will extend our tentacles to the interior villages for the message to be felt there too." He also thanked the people for the great turn out in number and challenged them to act as transmitters of the COVID-19 campaign message.

Ndangsa Kennedy Akam, Mayor, Mbengwi Council

The national President General of MECUDA, Ayaba David Ado would have been present on the event ground but unfortunately, he was suspiciously absent. It was rumoured and later on confirmed that while on his way to Mbengwi from Kumba for the event, he was kidnapped by a non state armed group somewhere in Mamfe. The news was however kept secret till after the successful grand launching and underground negotiations engaged after which good news was then broken that he had been freed.

It was for this reason that the home coordinator of the association, Mbanwi Stephen Anjeh had to address the crowd during the speech making sessions on behalf of the association during which he reiterated the message of prevention and offered a motion of thanks to the Fobang Foundation, the project executor and all other persons or groups that contributed to its successful realisation. 

Mbanwi Stephen Anjeh, MECUDA Home Coordinator, Personal Representative of the National P.G, Ayaba David

The METACREC launch presented a good opportunity for the new Member of Parliament for Momo East Constituency, Mbengwi, Hon. Injoh Foo Ngang Prodencia to "steal" the show and publicly address her constituents for the first time and "seize" the opportunity to launch her back to school campaign. Hear her, "Our subdivision has suffered enormously with children not going to school for more than three years today." She  challenged MECUDA to also mobilise efforts to ensure children in Meta land regain their classrooms when schools resume. 

To set the pace, she took a pledge that "I, as the parliamentarian have pledged to register the first five pupils and students in all the schools in my constituency. I shall be responsible for their registration fees" She added that Minister Mbah Acha Rose of Supreme State Audit, a daughter of the soil shall be supporting this initiative through the provision of basic school needs, didactic materials and award of prizes to pupils and students that distinguished themselves in their performances in the course of the academic year.

Hon. Injoh Foo Ngang Prodencia, M.P, Momo East Constituency

Note be taken that registration fees is different from school fees. Most if not all parents can afford registration fees for their kids but a majority can't afford school fees. Thus, the M.Ps pledge would've been worth the salt had it been she talked of school fees not registration fees. When the new Mbengwi Council Mayor took office, he promised to prioritise effective school resumption in his municipality. The new M.P for Momo East Constituency, Mbengwi has also joined the back to school campaign together with the minister. The population now awaits the fulfilment of their promises.

The METACREC launching ceremony was presided at by the Divisional Officer for Mbengwi, Sakwe Jarvis Esapa. In his keynote address, he thanked the brains behind the project in the following words, "Gone are those days when we lived on promises. We can see uncountable numbers of buckets, face masks, sanitisers which they've sacrificed their finances to see that not only should our health be prevented but restored. On this note, I say thank you to MECUDA."

D.O of Mbengwi, Sakwe Jarvis Esapa & other Officials Being Interviewed by the Press

Since he that works hard is often assigned more work, based on the success of the anti COVID-19 campaign, the D.O told MECUDA that, "I also charge this same association to come out with an anti terrorists plan to see how our sons and daughters in the bushes could come out and surrender their weapons because neither are they are  doing good to us, the community nor the development of Mbengwi which I think must have gone to some degree but for the crisis." He also regretted the neglect some persons are giving to the pandemic which to him stems from the effect of the Anglophone crisis. "It is a challenge which we all know the difficulties and hardship we have been facing. That is why some people are minimising the corona virus as a result of the fact that we've undergone and are still undergoing a crisis" said Esapa. 

Taking the lead in the mobilisation of funds and drafting of the project implementation modalities has been His Royal Highness Professor Wilfred Mbacham, traditional ruler of Funam village cum titular of public health biotechnology. Prior to the launching ceremony, some 12 experts of Meta origin including the professor held a teleconference at the end of which they resolved that in addition to the donations, an oxygen canister and a nanometre shall be offered to the Mbengwi district hospital while some medics will be provided Personal Protection Equipments (PPE) like gloves, face shield, shoe cover, suit etc.

Personal Protective Equipments (PPE) for Medics in Mbengwi

Sample PPE Suit

Spearheading ground works prior to, during and after the launching ceremony was the head of the coordination committee, Tebe Beatrice. Talking to the press at the end of the launching, she explained that the action plan of distributing the items is being put in place by the Fobang Foundation. Moreover, she disclosed that the decentralized health service system that provides healthcare at door steps of households will visit them for more education and distribution. "We have seen how people are wearing masks in various forms. We've seen how people wash hands very poorly and so no matter how you demonstrate it in public, it is important to take it to the doorsteps of every individual" she added. 

H.R.H Prof. Wilfred Mbacham, Founder, Fobang Foundation, Executor of METACREC

Tebe Beatrice, Head of Coordination Committee

At press time churches, palaces, village development association presidents from across the entire clan have been trooping the Mbengwi Council premise to carry their kits to their various communities. The trained volunteers and health workers too have also been criss crossing the villages too with the messages they were taught to pass across and items to distribute. Of recent, the NW governor, Adolph Lele Lafrique through an official communiqué attested that a suspected and later confirmed COVID-19 case was discovered in Mbengwi but is currently  undergoing treatment in Bamenda.