Seta W. Wiertz Awarded for Outstanding Humanitarian Works and Youth Empowerment

Seta Withgodep Wiertz is the Executive Director of Withgodep Foundation and A Better World Organisation. His late father was visually impaired yet a humanitarian, reason why he easily fitted in his shoes to continue his legacy. Since from childhood, Seta has been helping others materially, financially, morally and physically especially the underprivileged, the elderly, the sick and orphans.

After his many years of continuous humanitarian activities, he was on Saturday 14 2024 presented the Golden Awards Certificate of Excellence in the category of Best Humanitarian Organisation. Fah Elvis Tayong is the president of the organising committee of the award that's been running for five years now. 

Seta Withgodep Wiertz with his Award

In tracing how it all started, he said "What pushed us into the awards proper is the fact that we felt as media persons being the mirror to the society and having  been lambasting on the government for wrong doings, at the end we realised in as much as there are wrong doings, there are also right doings. We decided that while we are hitting hard and going, we should also be appreciative when it is good"

To have selected Withgodep Foundation as winner out of the other nominees in the category of Best Civil Society Organisation wasn't an easy decision to take. How then did the jury come to this conclusion? Elvis answered that "What makes Withgodep Foundation to be above the other three contesters is the fact that though the others were media inclined, comparing their activities, his were far in terms of impact and practical work coupled with the fact that the other organisations had moved out of their zones during this crisis period while Withgodep Foundation  remained at their base here in Mbengwi where their impact is greatly felt"

Family Photo

The event to hand over the certificate of excellence to the laureate took place at Abi Fall Resort where Seta doubles as manager. While conferring a badge on his chest, Bih Malvis Chickmana, representative of the award committee in Momo division said "I want to use this opportunity to tell him that the good heart you have towards humanity, may the Almighty continue to be with you and empower you wherever you are."

Present were friends, family members and colleagues of the laureate some of who used the opportunity to also recognise his role model lifestyle especially when it comes to helping others. Tata Valery said "I have learnt a whole lot of skills from Mr. Seta even without him knowing. What I got from him, words cannot say Thank You. I have taken up  various leadership positions in church, in my community thanks to the things I have learnt from him, to be humanitarian."

Seta and his Biological Family Members

To Tangyi Chantal, Seta is doing a great job reason why she has only positive observations to make concerning everything he's been doing. Her views were corroborated by Wanye Julius who started by saying "Seta is someone who forgives even the devil, someone that's generous to a fault until some persons have now taken it as a weakness to play over him, someone that doesn't get angry for up to two minutes no matter the crime the person has commited. He's always smiling, very down to earth and treats everyone equally."

Speaking directly to Seta, Julius said "I've come to learn a lot from you; to put what will benefit others first and I pray I'll keep learning to be a good person too just like you are." Khan Marshall Choh is one time president of Mbengwi Driver's Union and has been closed to Seta for years often running driving errands for him. He told Seta "Congratulations sir, I am very pleased to have a son like you. We are proud of you. You instead made me to be humble. I'm a hard man, very very hard but I changed to be humble because I envied your lifestyle."

Attendees at Ceremony 

At the end of the event, the awardee dedicated the special recognition he was recieving to all who've helped him this while realise his dreams. Hear him "this award is not just for me. I am unable to do one bit of what you're awarding me for doing without the rest of the people who collaborate with me, who have helped me to be who I am and who I still want to be." He will go on to cite such persons beginning with God, his late grandparents, his late father and stepfather, his mother and step mother, brothers, sisters, wife, children and friends. 

Seta Withgodep Wiertz apart from being a humanitarian is also an artist, a diplomat and a leader. He runs A Better World Children's Home in Ka'ajik, Bome where over a hundred motherless and or fatherless kids have been properly raised with at least four of them now out of the country, at least four already recruited into the public service of Cameroon and many are currently pursuing their education. The living standards of the children and structural organisation of the home (he doesn't like calling it Orphanage) are top notch.

Fah Elvis Tayong, 

It should be recalled that before recieving the Golden Award, Seta had on 30th October 2024 also recieved Cameroon Youth Award in the category of Leadership and Service to Empower Young People. Organised by Mountain Hub in partnership with UNDP and the German cooperation GIZ, the award ceremony took place at the Yaounde Conference Centre in the presence of Cameroon's Minister of Youth Affairs and Civic Education, the German and U.S ambassadors to Cameroon and other high ranking dignitaries.

Mbemi Fon Returns to Palace

H.H.R Mbabit H. Tangwan and Some Subjects in front of the Mbemi Palace 

The month of December again came to the limelight in the life of H.R.H Fon Mbabit H. Tangwan. It was on Thursday 12 December 2024 that the traditional leader of Mbemi stepped foot back in his palace, 4 years after he ran away. Before reaching his Mbemi village, Fon Mbabit first passed through the Mbengwi palace then to the Njindom palace, the Guneku palace and finally his own palace.

Coming home at a time when Meta sons and daughters were also planning to hold the 2024 annual general meeting of their development association known as MECUDA in Guneku, the Fon used the opportunity to tour round seeing the level of preparedness key amongst which was the bulldozing of roads. 

Fon of Mbemi and Fon of Njindom

Bulldozer Opening Up Roads in the Medig Zone

While in the Guneku palace, Fon Mbabit communed with students of Momo Educational Development Program in Health Sciences and Technology, MEDPHISATG. In addressing them with words of encouragement, he said "We thank the Fon of Guneku most especially for making this learning facility available to us to serve this zone"

Upon leaving Guneku, the Fon toured several quarters of Mbemi, meeting some of his notables and subjects right in their homes and communing with them. He also visited some projects realised in his village like a newly constructed bridge by the Mbengwi Council linking Mbemi to Njindom. He also visited Presbyterian Church Mbemi Congregation to ascertain the level of realisation of their ceiling project. 

Fon Mbabit Infront of the Guneku Palace Gate

The Fon with Students of MEDPIHSATG

Mbemi has a nursery and primary school functioning in the church yard with over 50 pupils. He went round visiting the pupils and teachers in their various classrooms encouraging them to take education serious. He also gave some financial motivation to the staff of the school to boost their morals. He was received in the church yard by the pastor of the congregation, Rev. Che Jackeus.

Having come face to face with realities in his village, the Fon ended in the palace where he held a consultation meeting with some notables and quarterheads for updates on how affairs have been unfolding in his absence. He had the maiden opportunity to see for himself the level at which his palace renovation project sponsored by the royal family, his subjects and well wishers has reached and was impressed with the distance covered. 

The Fon Inspecting the Level of Execution of P.C Mbemi Ceiling Project

The Fon Communing with Pupils of the Nursery & Primary School in Mbemi

To express his satisfaction, he poured ancestral blessings on the main contractor, Fongom Elvis Teghen by offering him the opportunity to drink palm wine from the royal cup of the Mbemi people. This was preceded by a presentation of the Fon to the ancestors of the village by some notables and kingmakers at a special shrine in the palace, calling on them to recieve him back with love after abandoning them though not out of his own making. Some rites were performed by pouring libation at the shrine. It is believed it is for the ancestors to also drink and commune with them that are still alive.

Asah Celestine Akem is a native of Mbemi. He told us "We feel very excited welcoming our Fon after this while. He left unexpected due to the severity of the crisis which all of us knew. He had this opportunity to come back to the palace and the visit took us by surprise. We hope that he has come to stay nomatter the fact that he is engaged in other life saving duties."

The Fon Blessing the Contractor of the New Mbemi Palace Under Construction 

The New Mbemi Palace Under Construction

Asked to make an evaluation of his tour, Fon Mbabit H. Tangwan started by first extending a vote of thanks to the Mbengwi Council for the bridge and the Minister of Supreme State Audit for her constant motherly care and support to see into it that such projects reach the ground and are effectively executed for the benefit of the population.

In a special word of appreciation to his subjects worldwide, Fon Mbabit said "I want to thank Mbemi sons and daughters worldwide for supporting us realise major projects back home. We had a fundraiser in Limbe for the construction of a new palace in the village and work is ongoing. I thank them for the electricity extension project they've been championing and the school children they've been supporting with scholarships so that they aren't left behind. I'm proud of you all."

The Fon Inspecting a Newly Constructed Bridge by the Mbengwi Council Linking Mbemi to Njindom

The Fon Communing with One of his Notables 

13 December 2020 is a day the Fon of Mbemi village in Mbengwi will never forget. To the villagers, it was an abomination. On this day non state armed fighters locally known as Amba Boys kidnapped him together with his colleague, the Fon of Wumnembug, a neighbouring village to Mbemi. They underwent days of severe torture while in captivity. 

This was during a politically sensitive period as the 9th February 2020 municipal and legislative elections were imminent. The Fon of Mbemi was accused of meddling into politics as his name appeared on the list of potential C.P.D.M councilors to run the affairs of the Mbengwi council while the Fon of Wumnembug was accused of interacting with the military.

Both were later released about 3 days after and immediately they absconded their palaces for safety. It will not be long for the Fon of Wumnembug to return to his palace and went about with his daily routines. As for that of Mbemi, based on the severity of what he faced and the trauma, his stay away took years.

Culturally, it is believed nomatter what, a Fon is never to be punished for whatever wrong doing worst of it to be kidnapped, molested and tortured by rogues. Certainly this could be why it didn't take long thereafter for all fighters that were involved in the act to start falling one after the other in battle certainly as repercussion for rough handling a traditional leader that is believed to incarnate supernatural powers conferred on him by his subjects and colleagues  at coronation. 

The situation of the Anglophone Crisis in Mbengwi that caused him to flee later de-escalated. The Fon started revisiting Mbengwi once in a while but will end only in the central municipality that's well secured and not dare descend to his Mbemi for once beaten, twice shy and once beaten by a snake, even a worm becomes so scary. 

Mbemi, Guneku, Njindom, Nyen, Wumnembug etc that used to be very risky villages where "Amba Boys" were very much present gradually  regained normalcy following a heavy military crackdown on the fighters. Some were killed, others escaped and today the area is completely free of any fighter.

Nyamkah Rubby Excels in Masters Defence

Nyamkah Rubby Tangyi Recieving a Congratulatory Handshake from the Jury

When the three man jury from the University of Bamenda made up of Pr. Mbetiji Mbetiji as President, Dr. Fon Fielding as Supervisor and Dr. Kameni Gerard as Examiner sat on Thursday November 7th 2024 in CCAST Hall 2 to listen to Nyamkah Rubby Tangyi defend his Masters thesis in law on the protection of traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources under Cameroonian law, they saw him fit to be awarded an excellent grade.

Speaking to Mbengwi Online at the end of the defence, Nyamkah Rubby expressed deep appreciations to all for their unwavering kindness, guidance, support and encouragement throughout his post graduate studies. "The jury's recognition my research as exceptional is a testament to the power of collective efforts" he added.

In our findings on the relevance of his topic, we realised that tradirional knowledge is crucial to the livelihoods of indigenous communities and it's protection is essential for preserving cultural heritage and promoting sustainable development. However, the exploitation of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledges poses a substantial threat to these communities.

Rubby and his Supervisor, Dr. Fon Fielding 

When we asked what societal problem is his research solving, Rubby said "The problem my research addresses is the inadequate protection of traditional knowledge under Cameroonian law, leading to its misappropriation and exploitation. This results in the loss of cultural identity, economic benefits and potential health benefits from genetic resources."

He furthered that the lack of effective protection hinders the contribution of traditional knowledge to national development. "My research aims to bridge this knowledge gap by examining the existing legal framework and proposing recommendations for effective protection" he added.

In the thesis, through critical analysis of the Cameroonian law, international agreements and comparative studies, key challenges and opportunities for reforms were identified thereby contributing to informing policy decision and promoting community based initiatives to safeguard traditional knowledge.

 

As such, it is expected that indigenous communities benefit from their traditional knowledge and genetic resources, promoting equitable development and cultural preservation. By addressing these, Rubby aims to make a positive impact on the lives of Cameroonians and contribute to the global discussion on intellectual rights and traditional knowledge.

Nyamkah Rubby Tangyi is an administrative assistant in the University of Bamenda, an esquire sworn into the Cameroon Bar on September 25th 2024 and at thesame time he is the divisional president of the Cameroon National Youth Council for Momo and a dedicated member of the Christian Men Fellowship of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon. He's been a strong advocate for youth involvement in politics and taking up leadership positions.

The Role of Some Mayors in Under Developing Momo Division Scrutinized at Follow up Meeting

The Role of Some Mayors in Under Developing Momo Division Scrutinized at Follow up Meeting

It has been revealed that mayors, also known as voteholders have been contributing whether knowingly or unknowingly to the underdevelopment of Momo Division. This was made at the 3rd quarterly follow up meeting for the evaluation of physical and financial execution of projects funded from the public investment budget in the division. 

The meeting that took place in the conference hall of the divisional delegation of MINEPAT on Thursday October 17 2024 was chaired by the committee's president, Hon. Injoh Foo Ngang Prodencia, M.P for Momo East Constituency in the presence of the supervisory authority, the Senior Divisional Officer of Momo represented by his second assistant, Mbi Edwin Tabe and other technical service heads.

Road Grader Carrying Out Rehabilitation Works on a Road in Mbengwi

Rehabilitation in MbengwiDuring the projects evaluation session, it was realised the division is still lagging far behind as even some projects awarded since 2022 like the digging of four boreholes in different communities in Ngie subdivision are yet to be executed. Members wondered allowed why such projects will be launched in an area whose topography is rather suitable for gravitational water supply scheme than borehole and how a contractor will quickly bid for the contract, win it only to turn around and start complaining of insecurity and poor roads. 

It's same thing in other divisions where some mayors chose areas they themselves know are red zones in terms security, award contracts there knowing fully well contractors will tender in their bids and the winner will often be ready with justifications of why work can't start yet while complaining, they never relent their efforts to do everything possible to go clear the complete or partial money for the contract from the state treasury. 

Names of such contractors were cited during the meeting, their contacts gotten and the committee president, Hon. Injoh Foo Ngang Prodencia promised to strictly follow them up. She wondered allowed why such contractors are not invited to be part of such meetings. Ironically during the meeting, no mayor was present but for Mbengwi that sent its second deputy and this has been the case always, that the mayors of Andek, Njikwa, Batibo and Widikum hardly attend and seldom send a representative. 

 

Moulded Pavement Blocks for Road

 

The mandate of the mayors will be expiring soon and it'll not be surprising to see most of them still wanting to retain their offices, surely to continue absenting themselves from such crucial meetings where the development concerns of their municipalities are addressed. Municipal and legislative elections will come up in 2026 meaning between now and then, the concerned still have about three of such meetings to attend and probably tell their own side of the story.

As a way out of this quagmire, the committee members resolved to create a WhatsApp group that will encompass all contractors executing contracts in the division, heads of technical services and the rest of the follow up committee members to ensure virtual follow up even before such physical meetings and institute the spirit of positive competition within the contractors so that at the end, those who do good work are awarded more contracts and those who fail to deliver are dismissed. 

Geh Samuel is the Divisional Delegate of the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Regional Development MINEPAT Momo. To him, there's been a gradual improvement of projects realisation in the division since he came into office. He encouraged all to redouble their efforts in seeing that Momo doesn't keep occupying the bottom position when it comes to rankings per division at the regional level. 

A Just Graded Stretch of Road in Mbengwi

 

At press time, one of the biggest projects that will change the face of Mbengwi central subdivision is currently being realised. The project has to do with rehabilitating the stretch of road Checkpoint - Mbon Park Entrance - Africa Petroleum filling station with pavement blocks. Upon completion, visitors will be welcomed to Mbengwi by an exceptional (short) stretch of road. 

Combatting Insecurity in Acha-Tugi, the Magic Wand of Ngu Victor Teche

Ngu Victor Teche is a proud son of Njaah. Though resident in the nation's political capital Yaounde, he visits home frequently as need arises. Not even insecurity stemming from the ongoing but de-escalating Anglophone Crisis has ever deterred him from constantly going back to the land of his ancestors, his birthplace. He doesn't just visit home for the sake of it but usually to sow a seed, put smiles on the faces of his mothers, fathers, youths and children back in his community. For quite sometime now, he's been distinguishing himself from the rest as one that's done more humanitarian outreaches to his people. 

Though still in his early 40s and not so much well to do financially compared to others, Ngu Victor Teche believes in where there's a will to give, there'll always be a means and that giving is not in the quantity or amount but rather, the desire. It is for this reason that he paid a special visit to the Presbyterian General Hospital Acha-Tugi on Friday September 27th 2024 to make a donation.

Founded in 1963 by the Basel Mission, the health complex that's over 50 years old today has somehow outlived its hey days. From managerial crisis to the Anglophone Crisis and the increasing establishment of other Acha annexes in other parts of the country, the mother health centre of the now Presbyterian Church in Cameroon is  according to analysts, a shadow of itself. It is in this hospital that Ngu Victor Teche was born some 41 years ago. This is why he saw need to go back to where he was safely delivered and say thank you in kind.

The humanitarian visit saw the august guest donating materials to the hospital ranging from mopers to buckets, trash cans, toilet tissues, powder and liquid soap, water boilers, vuvuzelas, security cameras and general installation of security bulbs around the hospital premises.

One of the Surveillance Cameras Donated by Ngu Victor Teche to Acha-Tugi Hospital 

Family Photo at Donation Ceremony 

While presenting these items to the hospital authorities, Ngu Victor called for reflection on the need to have an association of babies born and patients treated at the hospital. He also cautioned that his gesture is not to be used for political gains because it doesn't only benefit the people from Njaah where he comes from neither Acha-Tugi but all sick persons, pregnant and nursing mothers from far and near. He regretted that unfortunately, some persons will want to use such a gesture of his to engage in political rhetorics that will instead further divide the people of the area from the already visible cracks.

"Just imagine if we took a break off these scuffles and engage in meaningful development in our various villages then two years later we take a look back and see the wonderful metamorphosis of how our villages have been transformed. I am sure we are going to be marvelled by the development therein." These were his words as he tactfully addressed the long standing generational dispute between the people of Njaah against those of Acha-Tugi over land, boundary and chieftaincy. 

In appreciation of his donation, a letter from Dr. Nyaah Fidelis, Health Services Secretary of the PCC was read out to the hearing of all by the administrator of the hospital. In the letter, the secretary told the illustrious son of Njaah that "We have followed very keenly your benevolent gesture in supporting the healing ministry of the church by improving on the lighting system of the hospital to ensure security to the church's property, patients and staff of the facility, providing sanitary tools to improve hygiene and sanitation of the hospital."

In continuation, Fidelis in the letter told Victor "I have been directed by the Moderator of the PCC to appreciate all the efforts you are putting to support the mission of the church in the Meta presbytery particularly in Acha-Tugi hospital." Demonstrations were later done on how to make proper use of the vuvuzelas in case of danger so as to alert the rest of the villagers to come out and look into the security concern at stake. 

Beneficiary Population Present to Recieve the Donation

Trash Cans, Buckets, Moppers, Vuvuzelas, Toilet Rolls, Water Boilers Etc

Fobang Roland Achu is a close friend Teche Victor. When Mbengwi Online cornered him at the end of the handing over ceremony to comment, he said "I want to thank him for this wonderful gesture and the innitiative he has in mind to bring ex babies born and patients treated in Acha together so they could support the hospital." Talking about the staff of the hospital, Roland opined that "These guys are sacrificing a lot at this material moment. These are the people that the church should look into their situation and motivate them for being resilient during these trying times."

Just like Fobang Roland, Mami Ayong Felicia Amuyen, a native of the area expressed joy with the donation from Victor and the commitment of the hospital staff in attending to patients. She further encouraged patients from far and near to be confident in visiting Acha-Tugi hospital for consultation and treatment. She wished the hospital grows back to regain it's lost glories. 

In a one on one with the philanthropist at the end of the handing over exercise, Teche Victor Ngu started by telling us what motivated him to do this donation. Hear him; "I reflected why I hadn't done something before now but since there's time for everything, today I had to come with these items and handover. For me, giving back to this hospital where I was born 41 years ago, I feel proud because hospitals are social centres where you have people who are suffering. My motivation comes from the fact that I have always been sharing from my childhood upbringing and I feel happy when people are happy."

He encouraged everyone to endeavour to inculcate the spirit of sharing in them. To him, "If you have a thousand Francs and can't share with someone and your hoping to share when you'll have one million, you'll never still do so." When we of Mbengwi Online gave him room to make any special plea to the public, this is what he said; "I know we have well to do mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters. I'm not giving because I have much. I don't even have anything compared to what others have. I'm calling on them not to abandon this hospital. Most of us have passed through the corridors of this hospital by being born or being treated here, not only Meta people but people from Oshie, Ngie, Njikwa, Batibo, the Mbororos and beyond. I know some have done so before but let's go ahead with this because it's very important to save a human life. The items have brought great relief to the patients here."

Praying for God's Blessings on the Items

Items Donated 

He ended by beckoning on the mayor of the Mbengwi council to lend some support to the hospital that's now a shadow of itself as most people even wonder if it's still functional though the doctor confirmed it is in full gear.

Coincidentally, just barely two days after donating the items to help beef up security in Acha Tugi, two thieves were arrested in the area on Monday morning breaking Tuesday. The gang of 4 had attacked a man in the neighborhood in an attempt to seize money from him. He resisted the robbers and was well beaten, wounded. An alarm was raised by blowing the vuvuzelas and the vigilant population came out in their numbers and went after the thieves. Two were caught while two escaped. 

While being interrogated, one of the thieves confessed they are the ones that have been carrying out most of the attacks on individuals in Mbengwi subdivision. Shockingly, he confessed that they're the ones that attacked and killed a popular business man in Mbengwi known as John Corner Bend some months back in his Njinibi village residence. The criminals were later handed by the population to forces of law and order for justice to take its course. 

Professor Njoh Oliver is the President General of the Meta Cultural and Development Association MECUDA. Having heard of recent happenings in the clan pertaining to insecurity he's not been indifferent to being worried. In a follow up address to the Meta people after the recent arrest of the two killer thieves, the P.G said "I am not very much happy given the prevailing onslaught of killings, maiming and thefts orchestrated on our people throughout the clan and all fingers are pointing at young men of Mbororo extraction from our communities. Within this past year and just a couple of months ago, cases of gruesome killings and kidnaps have been circulating from Munam, Zang Tabi, Fringyeng, Kob, Njinibi, Acha-Tugi and others that may not have had a wider publicity"

He will further sound a warning bell for all to sit up and act to contain with immediate effect the increasing rate of insecurity in the clan. In his words, "The time to be pleading for support for MECUDA to tackle these issues, for the Fons who are also sleeping on clan issues, for those elites who are only elites for themselves, for selfish politicians, for idlers whose ambition is to get out fathers and people at each others throat is over.  Noise should stop in Meta for action."

New Cold Store at Sanyere Opened by Ngu Victor Teche

Donation of Back to School Support Material to Students and Pupils by Ngu Victor Teche 

Family Photo at Donation of Back to School Support

Before the recent donation of security and hygiene gadgets to the Acha-Tugi hospital that culminated to the arrest of two thieves in the area, Ngu Victor Teche had in the month of August opened the first cold store at Sanyere, a renowned road junction linking Mbengwi to Njikwa and Ngie Subdivisions. Through the cold store, frozen fish and other goods of basic necessity have been brought closer to the population to improve on their livelihood. 

The establishment of the cold store was preceded by the provision of didactic materials like books, pens, bags to hundreds of pupils and students in Acha-Tugi Tugi to prepare them for back to school in the 2024/2025 academic year. Giving back to his community has been part and parcel of Victor's lifestyle and he's not stopping any moment soon. Instead, as days go buy he keeps increasing his scope of outreach.

Meyi Eborobod (Women of Peace) Change the Lives of Two Vulnerable Girls in Mbengwi

Meyi Eborobod is the name of a social group of Meta women drawn from all walks of life. Founded in 2005 by its vision bearer Mrs. Fonso Pauline who served as pioneer president, the group started with 8 members and 19 years after, that is as of this 2024, its membership now stands at 102 women with Dr. Mrs. Tah Monunde Mercy as current president.  

Meyi Eborobod sets out to promote and enhance the economic potential of members, respect for one another and friendly co-existence among the Meta Women, educate and enhance the knowledge and skills of members through lectures, workshops, seminars and create, develop a spirit of solidarity and mutual assistance amongst members in times of joy and sadness.

Aishia Fatou  Recieving Her Material & Financial Support 

Keng Rachael Recieving Her Material & Financial Support 

From time to time, the group also reaches out to members of the community who are less privileged and provide assistance where need be in community projects to improve on the image/welfare of the Meta Woman.

With Bamenda being its stronghold where monthly meetings are held, her membership spreads across other regions and abroad. Quite often than not, the women also visit, share and pray at orphanages and underprivileged persons in society, pay courtesy visits to their fathers/leaders like the Fons (in and out of Mbengwi) and their patrons.

On Friday 27 September 2024, some members of the group were in Mbengwi for the realisation of an activity. In the year 2022, Meyi Eborobod identified two vulnerable girls in Mbengwi; Keng Rachael and Aishia Fatou and resolved to empower them. The duo were enrolled in two different workshops in Mbengwi, one for tailoring and the other for hairdressing where they undertook a two and half year training. Their apprenticeship fees were paid by the group during which they were also entitled to some allowances for their upkeep. 

Family Picture Infront of Mbengwi Council Hall

Family Picture with the Mayor in his Office

Upon completion, Meyi Eborobod came back and "settled" the girls to start life. The handing over of equipment and finance to the two girls that marked their graduation ceremony took place in the Mbengwi Council hall, witnessed by the mayor, Ndangsa Kennedy Akam, parents, friends and family members of the graduates, their mistresses and other personalities.

When Mbengwi Online wanted to know from the president of the group, Dr. Mrs. Tah Monunde Mercy how much was spent on each of the girls, her response was "They are our children. I just wish to find out from you, do you calculate how much you spend on your children when you send them to school? We however paid their fees for two and a half years, provided materials for training used during their study and gave them allowances for their upkeep. At the end of their training, during the graduation ceremony, Meyi Eborobod provided each of them with enough equipment and finances that will enable them to effectively start their own shops."

The story of what Məyi Əbɔrəbɔd did to Keng Rachael and Aishia Fatou is one that will continue to be told from generation to generation. When almost all hope was lost and faced with the challenges of the Anglophone Crisis that's been leaving mostly young girls vulnerable to ills like juvenile delinquency at times in a bit to cater for their basic needs, this group of Meta women stepped in to rescue the two girls from falling prey to such by empowering them economically. 

To the group's president, the girls are expected and have been told to settle down and become independent and responsible in no distant time and why not be able to also train others in their respective disciplines. As for what next Meyi Eborobod will be engaging in after this, Dr. Mercy said "We usually have a yearly plan of activities and with the means available we will be able to decide on what activity to undertake. The year is coming to an end and during our next session we will come up with what next to do."

Meyi Eborobod attends to both boys and girls of all ages who are less privileged. They work in collaboration with the Divisional Delegation of Social Affairs, Momo and the Community/Social Workers to identify these children. The president at the end of the graduation/"settlement" ceremony used the opportunity to extend special thanks to all Meyi Eborobod members for raising the finances that enabled the group to handle all their projects/activities so far. "We are thankful to the two trainers at Mbon market who were patient with the girls and taught them the skills" she added. 

In continuation, she went on to say "We also thank our patrons who some years ago during our 10th Anniversary celebration supported us financially. We are grateful to the Lord Mayor, First and Second Deputy Mayors of the Mbengwi Council for offering us space at the council for the graduation ceremony and also providing separate sheds at Mbon Market for the two girls to occupy for a year without paying rents as they begin."

Lastly, she ended by acknowledging the assistance given to them by the Divisional Delegate of Social Affairs and the Community/Social Worker for Mbengwi. At moment, plans are underway to establish a branch of Meyi Eborobod in Mbengwi. Those interested to belong can get to Madam Fonjong Doreen Anwi epouse Agwe who is first deputy mayor of the Mbengwi Council for further details or contact their president Dr. Mrs. Tah Monunde Mercy. 

Understanding the PCC and Elections

The Synod Office, Headquarters of the PCC, Buea

The Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC) has 31 presbyteries nationwide, excluding diaspora, with a membership of over 2 million Christians and over 600 pastors. It is the 7th highest employer in the country with a 25 billion balanced budget as of last year 2023. After every 5 years, elections are organised to restructure the governing organs of the church from congregational to synodal levels.

At the congregational level, the process starts with church groups/choirs, the session and elders. Later, the next stage is that of presbyteries where presbytery chairpersons, their vices, synod delegate etc are voted. After congregational elections, each congregation sends three representatives to the presbytery level to partake in the voting exercise there. After every presbytery elections, each presbytery sends three delegates to represent them at the synod elections. 

However not all positions are occupied through election. There are ex officio members like presbytery treasurers, presbytery secretaries and moderator's representative that are appointed and automatically become members of the presbytery Exco and or the synod. The PCC has at its top leadership the Moderator, the Synod Clerk and the Finance Officer. There are also those referred to as the first 4s of the church. They are the Moderator, the Synod Clerk, the Secretary of Committee of the Ministries and the Secretary of the Constitution Committee.

About 134 pastors from information gotten are qualified to run for the office of moderator or synod clerk this 2024. This on the basis that they're all ordained clergies, aged between 45 to 60 years, have uninterruptedly served as pastor for at least 15 years from date of their ordination, have never been disciplined by the church amongst other criterias. 

The PCC Elections are guided by the Holy Bible, the Constitution, Book of Orders, the Finance Order and the Election Manual which is in itself an except of the aforementioned  books. The PCC is self propagating, self governing and self financing. All these make the PCC an independent church operating on its threefold missions: to preach, to teach and to liberate God's militants through healing, economic empowerment and development. These are achieved through its Preaching (Churches), Teaching (Schools) and Healing and Development (Hospitals, Development and Training programmes and Economic Structures).

Under the mandate of Right Reverend Fonki Samuel, a PCC reserve account which never existed was created to ensure sustainability with a minimum deposit amount of at least 50 millions. This is to ensure the church is never broke and should at any point in the future the worse comes to the worst, this reserve will help rescue the church. According to information gotten, the reserve account of the PCC at the time Fonki is leaving office stands at close to 1 billion francs.

The Electoral Commission manages elections in the church. It is made up of Christians of right standing at the level of their congregation, presbytery and synod that must not be contesting for any position. Right Reverend Fonki refers to the elections period as "the 5th year curse of the church". It is always characterised by blackmail, character assassination, backstabbing, propaganda, sponsored media write ups, reports and at times physical confrontations. To reverend Numfor Godwin, Presbyterial Secretary for Boyo/Tubah presbytery doubling as the PCC Webmaster, "after all these, we always come back together as a church". To him, the church in general irrespective of denominations is "an association of convicted sinners". 

Church elections at times tend to look like political party elections. While many see this abnormally, Numfor thinks differently because to him, those who make up political parties as militants and politicians are same people who make up churches as Christians. However, this does not give room for disorder before, during and after the electoral process because in reality, church elections should be exceptional. It is for this reason that the PCC has a Social Media Code and Book of Orders from where every disciplinary decision meted on a Christian or pastor is drawn from. 

At a time when elections within the church are around again, in this social media era, a lot of write ups and voicenotes have been circulating online and will continue to, at times from anonymous sources and at times from reputable Christians, clergymen and women. One of the social media code not just for the PCC but generally is that whatever information you forward, share, you own it even if you're not the author. Elections will come and go, disciplinary sanctions will follow after and often the victims are aware of where they faltered but lay Christians will be quick to judge the decision taken and question its validity.

Those who master the organigram of the PCC understand that the church is structured in such a way that no institution or individual has overbearing powers over another. For example, the Financial Secretary is the authorised signature of the church's account and handles the payment of every worker of the church from cleaner to moderator. The Synod Clerk is the Chief of Staff of the PCC. The church has an audit team that is often on the field for checks and there are records of Christians and pastors that have been forced to pay back what they were found guilty of having misappropriated. Others are in jail for financial wrongdoings within the church. Even the moderator and Synod Clerk can be sanctioned if found wanting of violating the church's binding principle as stipulated in the various books. 

On the 12 of October 2024, presbytery meetings will be held a across all the 31 presbyteries of the church. The meetings will end with the election of new presbytery executives. Then in December, synod elections will take place. Fonki will be leaving office after successful serving two terms of 5 years each. He will be handing over the Pectoral Cross, the highest symbol of authority to his successor. 

Though eligible to still run for  Synod Clerk, he has made it clear his interest is to go back and serve as Pastor wherever he will be posted to work. He has seven more years before reaching retirement age. This is the first time a moderator will leave office and still continue his pastoral ministry for 7 more years. All of his predecessors left office at retirement age. It will be the first experience ever in the history of the PCC for a former moderator to go back and serve as a congregational pastor and become answerable to a presbytery secretary.

We were reliably informed that the church takes proper care of her retired moderators. Upon retirement, each is entitled to a car, a driver, a cook, a juicy monthly allowance plus other benefits. Rev. Fonki made history during his mandate and is about to again make history even after his mandate. It's a wait and see. We have noted that the current Synod Clerk, Rev. Miki Hans Abia has been tipped as top favourite successor of Fonki to head the PCC as next  moderator except otherwise. If it happens as such, he will serve just for a mandate of 5 years and go on retirement because age would've caught up with him.