GIDICom Intensifies #Act4Peace237 Campaign

GIDICom Intensifies #Act4Peace237 Campaign

GIDICOM, a Bamenda based digital rights organization seeking to bridge the globally existing digital divide by advocating for an inclusive and safe online content development and sharing plus equal access to the internet has intensified its recently launched online campaign dubbed #Act4Peace237

The campaign seeks to caution internet users to think twice about the impact before they like, comment or share a post on social media and same before they also post anything. To GIDICom, any post that will likely be harmful to others, violate their privacy, their rights and disturb community tranquility mustn't be published or disseminated.  

The Global Initiative for Digital Inclusion and Communication (GIDICom) launched the campaign in mid January 2020 and has also been carrying out physical activities in Bamenda to further pass on the message. On the 19th of January 2020, the organisation held a press conference with media persons in Bamenda as part of the activities for the #Acts4peace237 campaign which is a #DefyHateNow initiative geared at creating a #HateFree online and offline space. This was later followed by a fireside chat with women particularly those with special abilities to tell their stories.

Fireside Talk with Women

Madam Akah Roseline Obah, GIDICom's Communication and Gender expert says "Humanitarian agencies as well need to think of extending a hand to them as a special group of persons going through untold challenges as a result of the current crisis." The effects of the Anglophone crisis has buried so much hatred and pain in the minds of many and women are not exempted from this. Such pain and hatred has been manifested online and offline in hate speeches and violent attacks. Women have sometimes been the oppressor or the oppressed.

While moderating the session, she called on the women to engage in the discussions. She also urged them to begin by advocating peace in their small spheres of influence by solving little misunderstandings around their communities.  

Women during the chat shared their pain most of which included losing loved ones, property, teenage pregnancies, lack of home comfort, lack of assistance and  inability for persons living with disabilities to run when there is a shoot out. Women with special abilities frowned at all organizations carrying out humanitarian assistance and government for no one has done assessment needs for them and most explained that they have registered, struggled to even reach some of the distribution sites but collected no item. They live with this bitterness but thanked GIDICom for listening to them and as such they shall go back relieved.

Press Conference

At the end of the chat session Madam Pedmia Shatu, GIDICom's Executive Director applauded the efforts made by the women to come particularly at a time when there is insecurity.  She echoed that 15 women was a good number to have started with to monitor impact. "Their stories simply tell me and my team that we don't need to sleep but work double to see that we impact lives because these are just a few of such women going through trauma but I believe with God on our side, we shall hold on firm and bring the desired impact" Madam Shatu added.

The women left happy to have had a shoulder to lean on which is GIDICom through its #Act4Peace237 campaign under the banner of #DefyHateNow and promised to take small significant moves to do so in their various communities.

UDP Launches Campaigns in the N.W Region, Likens SDF MPs to Film Actors

UDP Launches Campaigns in the N.W Region, Likens SDF MPs to Film Actors

In the build up to the upcoming municipal and legislative elections scheduled for February 9 2020, the United Democratic Party (UDP) has said it will take part in the exercise. The declaration was made in Bamenda by the party's national chairman on Saturday January 25th 2020 during a ceremony to officially launch campaigns.

Bochong El Hadj Lawan Bako presented UDP as the people's alternative political party promoting justice for all and acting as voice of the voiceless.  He castigated the Social Democratic Front (SDF), an opposition party also taking part in the exercise for failing to deliver. Hear him, "We remember that the electorate advised these MPs to stay away from the parliamentary sessions in Yaounde as a measure to let the Yaounde authorities end the marginalisation of  Anglophobes in the face of the ongoing sociopolitical crisis rocking the North West and South West regions but regrettably, the SDF MPs snubbed the electorate and chose to become choristers as they went singing, beating drums, blowing whistles and dancing in parliament like film actors"

Bochong El Hadj Lawan Bako, UDP National Chairman

For reasons best known to the party, it shall go in only for the parliamentary seats. As such, the various candidates to represent the party within the divisions (constituencies) were presented to the public though as advanced by the party's chairman, for security reasons and inaccessibility, not all were present. The party during the event appealed to all and sundry to vote for her candidates. "Vote for the UDP legislative candidates on February 9 2020 who are playing politics of development with human face" said a party official.

El Hadj Lawan Bako, UDP's national chairman used the ceremony to present a balance sheet of the party's achievements and its vision for the republic especially the electorate of the North West Region. He disclosed that his party has said times without number that the government of Cameroon should give a special quota to the anglophone community because the former regime gave them 20% and the UDP want it increased to 30 or 40% so that Anglophones will never cry of marginalization because they will be protected by the constitution and the law in recruitments, appointments and development projects.

Some UDP Aspirants for Parliament

In terms of realisations, Bako said the UDP has constructed pit toilets in many areas for hygiene and sanitation. The UDP has given out farm tools to women, medicines and drugs to internally displaced persons especially the disabled. The party intends to continue as such especially when its inclusive legislative list of 8 women, 7 youths and eminent Hausa-Fulani personalities is voted into parliament.

As the countdown to the February 9th municipal and legislative elections narrows, it is hoped the North West region like the rest of the country will be gripped by the election fever despite calls by proponents of Ambazonia independence for the exercise to be completely boycotted and inhumane measures like kidnappings, threats, burnings and even killings are being used to enforce the call. The politicians too have maintained their firm stance that the exercise must go on.

Municipal & Legislative Elections; CPDM Baits Voters in NW with Special Statues

Municipal & Legislative Elections; CPDM Baits Voters in NW  with Special Statues

The ruling Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM) has carried its campaign message to the North West Region. The party's officials and militants were in Bamenda last Saturday January 25 2020 to launch campaigns for the February 9 municipal and legislative elections. The main message echoed to the militants to carry to the electorate was that of decentralisation and special statues 

Philemon Yang, the CPDM campaign team manager for the NW region explained that through effective decentralisation, the councils will be more powerful, they will have more responsibilities as they'll recruit and manage certain types of personnel and will have more money from the national budget. He added that there will be a  completely new situation now because there will be three levels of clearly defined governments; in Yaoundé, in the region and at the level of the municipal council. 

Party Barons at Rally Ground

The CPDM delegation of ministers, senators, members of parliament and other party bigwigs together with militants and sympathisers that attended the launching ceremony were tasked to explain the provisions of the special statues granted the two English speaking regions to the electorate. The team leader in his campaign message told his comrades and the public at large that president Paul Biya has graciously granted the special statues because he is concerned about the two regions and to him, the process of nation building requires determination and courage but especially patience. "We are campaigning for the candidates of the CPDM because we all share the hopes, ambitions, aspirations and dreams of the CPDM, the key defender of peace, economic development, stability, democracy and national unity" said Philemon Yang.

Other campaign modalities most especially financing and media strategy were also clearly spelt out. The party plans to use newspapers, radio and TV stations plus social media to persuasively disseminate its campaign message to voters most especially in local languages. 

Militants & Sympathizers

In the past three years, there have been killings, kidnappings and threats of all kind in the region reason why concerning the security of  candidates, voters and the entire electoral exercise, assurances were given that all necessary measures have been put in place to ensure their safety. On the importance of the twin elections to the development of the region, Philemon Yang revealed that the government has decided to invest 47 billion Francs in many projects in the NW, the African Development bank has already disbursed 160 billion for the the ring road and the World Bank has also made money available for the Babadjou-Bamenda road. 

After the February 9 rendezvous, two other elections will also take place in accordance with the special statues that will see the divisions sending 7 elected members to Bamenda for the House of Divisional Representatives and the whole region will send 20 elected  traditional leaders to form the House of Chiefs. At the close of the rally, campaign materials like the party's manifesto were distributed. With the successful launching of campaigns in the region, divisional and sub divisional teams will in the days ahead be penetrating the hinterlands to spread the party's campaign message.

Philemon Yang, Campaign Team Manager

2020 Resolution: North West Governor and CAMASEJ North West Commit to Collaborate

2020 Resolution: North West Governor and CAMASEJ North West  Commit to Collaborate
By Sah Terence & Fongoh Primus

Meeting with the North West Governor at the governor's office on Friday January 10, 2020, the chapter executive of  CAMASEJ North West pledged to continue accompanying the administration in its discharge of duties to the population.

Led by Ambe Macmillian Awa, NW CAMASEJ President and accompanied by the national Secretary General of the association, Wanchia Cynthia, the national Public Relations Officer Jato Richard, the doyen and adviser of CAMASEJ NW, Gideon Taka, the Social Secretary Odette Nchanji, the Deputy Secretary General, Tancho Fidel and the NW Chapter Public Relations Officer,  Sah Terence Animbom, the team had very cordial and frank discussions with the number one man of the region H.E Adolphe Lele L'Afrique in the presence of the North West Regional Delegate of Communication Dr. Louis Marie Beignet and his close aid Victory Ayafor Marshall.

CAMASEJ NW EXCO, Adviser, National Representatives Together with Governor, MINCOM Regional Delegate

Disclosing the purpose of the visit, Ambe told the press "Before the CAMASEJ National Elective General Assembly that held in Douala late last year, we visited the governor to inform his office we were going out. So it was very important that we report back to him how it all went and present to him the key positions we harvested." Ambe added that the governor was very happy and encouraged them to continuously do their job despite the hard situation in the region. "It is the hope of the team  that this meeting will start a new and better working relationship between the administration and the Press" he ended.

Later on, within the same day, over 40 members of the Cameroon Association of English Speaking Journalists (CAMASEJ) NW Chapter were in conclave for their maiden meeting of the new year 2020. Hosted by Nji Nelson of Rush FM, Chifuh George of The Website Newspaper, Fongoh Primus of Rainbow Radio and Waindim Sylvia of Tubah Council Communication Unit, the meeting was held in one of the conference halls of Blue Pearl Hotel with whom CAMASEJ NW struck a partnership deal last year in which members nationwide shall and have been benefitting a 50% discount in lodging, event space and laundry. 

In addition, as from this year, the hotel's management decided to provide free space for the the holding of the  association's monthly meetings. CAMASEJ on her part is committed to advertising the hotel and recommending her services to customers, organisations, friends, relatives and their family members.

Discussions at the meeting centred on restarting the "Njangi" scheme, reviewing the national constitution especially the clause on financial contributions, membership renewal among others. Executing the plan of action for 2020 also constituted part of the meeting's deliberations.

Presentation of New Year Wishes/Gifts to the Chapter President

The chapter president while chairing the meeting revealed that the Executive Committee was just from visiting the NW regional governor Adolphe Lele Lafrique who appreciated their coming and disclosed that the closer CAMASEJ gets to him, the more information they shall have and so shall a cordial relationship be established between his office and the association. 

Two new members joined the association and promised to register in the days ahead. On a sad note, it was announced that the chapter's Vice President, Maikem Emmanuella lost her dad same day the meeting held. All were encouraged to commit her in prayers. Then on a positive note, it was also announced that a U.S based partner shall be in Bamenda within the week for a workshop with CAMASEJANS on Journalism and Trauma Management. Participation fee shall be a thousand francs. 

Having exhausted the agenda of the day, members then proceeded to extend new year wishes to the chapter president through a symbolic handshake. A common meal was shared amongst members and a common drink at Manjong Night Club, Blue Pearl Hotel after which attendees retreated home, each with a cube of soap as a special new year souvenir gift from the hosts.

Feminine Football Gains Grounds in NW

Feminine Football Gains Grounds in NW

"The North West Region just like the rest of Cameroon will need to run a youth and feminine championship" Ndi Tsembom Elvis, scribe of the NW regional bureau of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) revealed this information to the media on Friday January 20th 2020 during the ordinary general assembly of FECAFOOT NW for the 2020 season. In this light, 7 feminine football clubs have already indicated readiness to partake in the upcoming regional league. 

Though a seemingly neglected domain, female football is today gradually gaining grounds in the North West Region,  Cameroon and the world at large. Unfortunately, most investors shun putting their money into the domain. The FECAFOOT NW Secretary General thinks "Investing in football is a business,so investors will need to look at how lucrative female football can be. Moreover it has to do with exposure. In the yesteryears, people didn't really feel like it was worth the effort to invest in female football. Mind you that some people even think investing in football is thrash"

Ndi Tsembom Elvis (L) & Mbigha Felix (R) Chairing the Meeting

He went on to affirm that the women's game is gradually gaining local, national and why not global attention. Prove is that for instance, there are 12 clubs at the Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON), compared to 24 for the male and  12  clubs at the Cameroon  female football league, compared to 18 for the male. At the world cup, there are 32 teams for men, 24 for women. "It warrants a global attention to increase interest like male football" Ndi Tsembom Elvis added.

Of recent, one female football team has been distinctively standing out  tall and strong within the North West Region. In just over three years of existence, Vision Sports FC has dominated the domain of feminine football as the team gained qualification to play in Division 1 this coming sports season after lifting up the victory trophy by beating AJSAC of Douala, 2 - 1 on the 5th of September 2019 during the finals of the national interpools. On October 14th 2019, they presented their trophy to NW governor Adolphe Lele Lafrique who in turn offered the visionary ladies a sumptuous financial support package of 1 million Francs from the Head of State, Paul Biya. In addition, last year, out of the about 9 female referees within the region, 2 got promoted to the national level from where they shall now be officiating first division matches. 

On Tuesday January 7 2020 during the CAF Awards that took place in Egypt, the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon emerged Best Female Team of the year while Cameroonian forward Ajara Nchout  missed being Best Female Player of the year on the continent as she slightly lost the prestigious recognition to Nigeria Super Falcon's Asisat Oshoala. These are clear indications that female football is worth the salt, reason why FECAFOOT NW shall be doing all humanly possible to promote the game within the region and beyond.

Discussions during the FECAFOOT NW 2020 general assembly also centred on committee reports during which the Referees Appointment Committee was applauded for being the brain behind the success story of last year's sports season. The Competitions Committee on its part noted with regrets that out of all the earmarked stadiums for the competition, only the Unity Stadium on the campus of the University of Bamenda is worth the name.

Family Photo

After presenting his own report as head of Media, Promotion and Marketing Committee, Nji Nelson Chefor, on behalf of the management of Rush FC, founded by Soppo Ngwa, a renowned  football promoter within the region offered a special new year gift of 26 brand new referee jerseys to FECAFOOT NW to help the federation realise its objectives. The gesture was appreciated and an appeal made for more freewill donors to support FECAFOOT NW. 

At the close of the assembly, attendees resolved that:

1. Teams that can't play their matches due to insecurity should be kept aside for the season till things normalise. 

2. The president should make sure Yaounde gives the region a licences production machine before the championship starts.

3. The region will continue participating in the cup of Cameroon upon presentation of licenses in the office where a "borderau"/slip will be established for usage up to the level of quarter finals. 

4. The president should seek for financial support from Yaounde to help teams coming out of Mezam successfully partake in the competition. 

Session

Talking to the press at the end of the assembly, FACAFOOT NW president, Mbigha Felix said _" It was a successful general assembly and thus the beginning of success for this season in our region as we hope to grab the cup of Cameroon"_ For over ten years today, the NW hasn't produced any female division one team, thus the success of Vision Sports FC and Foncha Street FC that qualified for male Division 2 was rated an achievement  of his first year in office.

As for challenges, the major setback remains the absence of a standard playground within the region plus that hardly is funding sent for feminine football but despite these, the regional bureau of the sports federation still hopes to sail through especially as FIFA has accorded the region a synthetic pitch to be constructed at PACOVITA Bamenda in the days ahead.

Mbengwi: Beneficiaries Outnumber Presidential Gift

Mbengwi: Beneficiaries Outnumber Presidential Gift

There were just sixty mattresses, blankets and buckets available for distribution. Each bucket contained 20 cubes of soap, 2 litres of groundnut oil and 5kg of rice. Over 300 persons had registered to benefit and close to this number was present on the distribution ground with high expectations to carry home a huge booty from the presidential couple. 

On the 28th of December 2019, the Head of State President Paul Biya and wife dispatched a consignment of 100 trucks of humanitarian aide to internally displaced and affected persons in the NW and SW regions of Cameroon as Christmas/New Year gift to relief them of their sufferings from the ongoing Anglophone Crisis. The trucks were loaded with food stuffs, sanitary kits and beddings.

Hundreds of IDPs & Affected Persons in Mbengwi Scrambling for the Presidential Gift

On Tuesday January 7th 2020, Fouda Etaba Bernoit Nicaise, Momo's Senior Divisional Officer launched the distribution exercise for Momo Division. It was on the Mbengwi ceremonial grandstand that the event took place. When it was announced through the local community radio station in Mbengwi that IDPs and affected persons should pass by the D.Os office and register, within few days, more than 200 persons stormed the office. 

On the day of the exercise, first, that morning, distant gunshots suspected to have been fired by separatist fighters probably to scare the population away from the event ground were heard. Soon businesses in Mile 18, the economic hub of Mbengwi shutdown as activities were grounded. The population didn't go home. Instead people defied fear and the gunshots and went straight to the distribution ground to take home their own share. 

Authorities Addressing the Population

While on the grandstand, many more persons; men women and kids kept coming with photocopies of their ID cards to register. Before, when such aid used to be distributed by government, many dreaded collecting for fear of the unknown as separatist fighters have been against the exercise yet at the same time not giving anything to the needy population. These days, people rather scramble for the items. 

After explaining to the beneficiaries the source of the items, the Senior Divisional Officer of Momo together with the Divisional Officer of Mbengwi, Sakwe Jarvis Esapa and the mayor of the Mbengwi Council, Tebe Beatrice then proceeded to symbolically hand over the items to the concerned. This was preceded by a back to school message calling on the parents to send their children to school for the second term of the academic year. The D.O said all the school doors have been flung open, all principals and teachers available to teach. Unfortunately, days after, this turned out to be mere propaganda. The doors of all the major nursery, primary and secondary schools in Mbengwi are still closed though informal learning is ongoing in some areas.

Mbengwi's D.O, Sakwe Jarvis Handing Gift from Presidential Couple to Pastor Abanda Edwin

The presidential gift was appreciated by Pastor Abanda Edwin who's hosting five IDPs in his house. He said "I appreciate what the Head of State has done for the population of Mbengwi today. Looking at the number of people here, you realise the items aren't even enough, meaning what we want is for this problem to be solved once and for all so that normalcy returns for people to afford what they need rather than depending on the government"

As to how the crisis can be resolved, the pastor proposed that a meaningful dialogue between the president and the secessionists should be engaged because separatists are the ones with most grievances and are the ones having what frightens the population, guns. With his five IDPs at home, the pastor regrets that feeding them is strenuous considering the melting economy. 

Insufficient Mattresses for Hundreds of Persons Wanting a Mattress 

Because of the limited quantity of the items, beneficiaries were asked to take either a mattress or blanket plus bucket and its content. Almost all wanted but the mattresses and even with this strategy, over a  hundred still went back home empty handed though with the assurance that the distribution exercise will continue in the days ahead. Some of the items from information gotten have been dispatched to Ngie, Widikum, Njikwa and Batibo for the same distribution exercise.

Trinity Choir Njembeng, Pioneer in Meta Presbytery Inaugurated

Trinity Choir Njembeng, Pioneer in Meta Presbytery Inaugurated

The pioneer Trinity Choir in the entire Meta Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon has been inaugurated in Njembeng Congregation on Sunday January 5th 2020. After having been formed and built for the past two years, 22 maiden members were finally dedicated into the choir during a Sunday service officiated by the Reverend Epie Mark Koge, Parish Pastor of P.C Njembeng doubling as the Meta Presbytery Treasurer and the Reverend Anye Ivo, North West Regional Secretary for Lay Training and Evangelism of the PCC.

Flag Handed to the Newly Inaugurated Trinity Choir, Njembeng

Drawing his text from Hebrews 10:1-20, the visiting God's servant, Rev. Anye Ivo centred his message on the artificiality of today's generation most especially among young girls who wear chains on their legs, rings on their nostrils, draw tattoos on their skins, put on artificial nails, eye lashes and abusively apply multicolored foundation powders on their faces. He insisted that there's nothing like it's a matter of the heart not the outward appearance because once the heart is natural and Godly, it must be reflected outwardly. "People should be concerned about their inner beauty, about their internal spirituality and not what to eat, drink, wear and Joe to look" said the pastor.

Rev. Anye Ivo, N.W Regional Secretary of Lay Training & Evangelism of the PCC

The dedication rituals involving recitation of memorised verses of the bible, singing and promise making among others were conducted by the visiting national and regional trinity choir leaders after which membership cards were handed to the newly dedicated, clad in their newly sewn choir gowns. To the congregation, Trinity Choir Njembeng offered a conductor's stand and also recognised the support of her patrons and matrons to whom the choir offered each an enlarged picture  and muffler of the choir.

Mah Sidonie, in expressing her joy for being dedicated into the choir said "I'm so amazed, it's been wonderful as after all the preparations for this long awaited day, it's finally come and passed successfully and I thank God for everything" Apart from the inauguration and dedication, the service was used to raise funds for the sustainance and well being of the choir.

Dedication of Trinity Choir Members, Njembeng

Many Christians have been wondering why Trinity Choir sings more in Igbo, same for dressing and dancing. To Ekewa George, Vice National President of Trinity Choir Association (TRICA), this is because the original founders of Trinity Choir were Nigerians that settled in Cameroon, most of whom have slept in the Lord but despite this dominance of Igbo songs, dressing and dancing, gradually they are beginning to incorporate other cultures in their songs. "Trinity Choir does not only sing in Igbo. Though Igbo being one of the principal languages, we sing even in Swahili of Kenya, Zulu of South Africa and even our own local languages" he clarified. Though a gradual process, the TRICA Vice National President reiterated that their membership being almost completely Anglophone Cameroonians, they now sing in English, French, Mungaka, Lamso, Wimbum, Meta, Bafut and even Oshie where he comes from.

Matrons & Patrons Recognised 

For two years five months now that the choir has been in existence in PC Njembeng before finally being inaugurated last Sunday, Anoh Matthew, the president couldn't hide his feelings and desires. Broadly smiling from ear to ear at the end of the event, he said "I am very happy because some people who I never thought could be here like the national, regional and zone, even our mother group from Ntaghem surprised us. With the number that we had dedicated in church and the new ones that we fished out today, we are very pleased and since singing is praying to God twice, with this choir, we will be able to have more members come to the glory of God and praise Him." He ended by promising that after the inauguration, they will spread the word of God from Njembeng Congregation to other groups and form more Trinity Choirs in the Meta Presbytery, God being their helper.

Ekewa George, TRICA Vice National President

Anoh Matthew, President, Trinity Choir Njembeng

The newly dedicated were tasked to put into practice the sermon of the day by shunning artificiality, by caring less about their outward appearance to please mankind but their inner look and spirituality to please God.