Rainfall Softens the Soil for Mbengwi Farmers to Till

Rainfall Softens the Soil for Mbengwi Farmers to Till

With the coming of the rains this March 2020, farmers in Mbengwi have heaved a sigh of relief. Every morning, they are seen in their numbers criss crossing roads on bikes and foot to various farmlands for tilling.

Madam Jem Judith says "I am very happy with the coming of the rain because every crop I plant now will germinate" She lives in Tonmukomo and treks for at least 5km to her farmland in Mbeng-Chick. Environmentalists have been discouraging farmers from burning  farms before planting especially what is commonly called "Ankara", that it kills the soil yet the farmers think otherwise. Mbengwi Online met Madam Judith burning her farm and asked why? She said "Considering that it's groundnuts I have to plant here, if I don't burn the grass, it won't do well"

Women in Mbengwi Farming

Farming in Mbengwi is mostly done in the outskirts of the municipality in farmlands like Chaa, Tonefun, Tondam, Bessi Fomukong etc. While some work as individuals, others prefer working as a group. Markcentine Nji is of the 

Turewah Mixed Farming Group. She explained that in their group, they plant groundnuts, cassavas, yams, cocoyams etc. "At times we mix all on one farm and at time we plant each crop on a separate farm" she added. "The advantage we have in working together as a group is that much work is done successfully and planted immediately compared to being alone where one quickly gets tired and reluctant" she ended. 

Madam Rose Fonecho on her part corroborated the view of Markcentine by adding that apart from doing much work at once, the advantage in group farming is that as the crops are planted at once, so too do they uniformly germinate and grow. One would have expected dealers in farm inputs in Mbengwi to be making brisk business during this period but that's not the case. They say the Anglophone crisis has a negative effect on their business.

Findong Miran, Dealer in Farm Inputs

Mr. Findong Miran runs a farmer's shop in Mile 18. Explaining the effect of the crisis on his business, he said "Actually, seeds and fertilisers which we usually get from Bafoussam and Douala are on high demand now but the crisis is affecting supply because due to the nature of the roads and at times blockages plus lockdowns, the supply doesn't reach us on time and in effect, the farmers are crying"

While some farmers prefer the hills, others prefer the valleys. Up the hills of Njembeng, this reporter came across a group of Meta women farming and singing to ease their work. Asked why they like farming, they said farming makes them to live well in society and it's from it that they send their children to school and also feed well. Women in Mbengwi go to their farms with their children as a way of training them to also grow up to become farmers. 

Woman Planting Seeds

Mbengwi, chief town of Momo Division in the North West region of Cameroon is said to be a source of good quality palm oil, garri and water fufu. Because of the high dependence on farming for livelihood, the sub division hasn't witnessed any severe food shortage ever since the ongoing Anglophone Crisis started.

In the past, during such a farming season, the government through the ministry of agriculture and rural development used to donate seedlings, chemicals, sprayers and other inputs to farmers through registered farming groups and Common Initiative Groups (CIGs) but with the advent of the anglophone crisis, the farmers have seemingly been abandoned. The doors of the Momo Divisional and Mbengwi Sub Divisional delegations of agriculture are hardly open. Most if not all the workers in the delegation have relocated.

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The A-Z of Parliamentary Election Rerun in Mbengwi

The A-Z of Parliamentary Election Rerun in Mbengwi

The population of Mbengwi was on Sunday March 22nd 2020 waken up from bed by sporadic gunshots. Most churches had held their services on Saturday because Sunday was expected to be tensed. At the sound of the gunshots, those who had nursed plans to go vote revised their intentions.

Despite this, things had to must go on as had been decreed. Well armed uniform officers transported officials of Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) to the three poling centres of Government Bilingual High School Mbengwi that accommodated 9 poling stations, Government Nursery School Mbengwi that accommodated 21 poling stations and the Mbengwi council hall that hosted 24 poling stations giving a total of 54 poling stations for Mbengwi central sub division.

Momo SDO Calling on the 2 Aspirants to Remain Calm

Upon arrival at the council hall, I met a nurse. Looking tensed, she pleaded with me not to film or snap her. She had been compelled by the administration to come put in place measures to combat Covid-19 by making available water, soap and sanitizers. She had to do this in the three poling centres but she told me she's so frightened and traumatised with the gunshots and will not dare go to the poling centre in Mile 17 (GBHS Mbengwi). She will later disappear back to the Mbengwi District Hospital, her work post to hide her head as almost all of her colleagues were no where to be found. 

Sooner, voting started. The exercise was preceded by a brief talk between the Momo Senior Divisional Officer and the two candidates during which he encouraged them to remain calm and composed. Among the early persons to cast their votes was the incumbent, Honourable Edna Enih Mbah of the Social Democratic Front. She became MP in 2013 when things were normal and still desired to retain the office now that things are abnormal. Worthy of note is that on the 9th of February she didn't vote.

Combatting COVID-19 at the Poling Centres

Injoh Foo Ngang Prodencia, CPDM Parliamentary Candidate Casting Her Vote

Mbengwi Online cornered the CPDM parliamentary candidate, Injoh Foo Ngang Prodencia after casting her vote and tasked her to evaluate the exercise. She said "The atmosphere is convivial meaning that the exercise is going on smoothly and we are waiting for the verdict to be pronounced at the end of the day. I think we did quite a lot of things on the ground, sensitising our people on the need for them to perform their civic duty. So we are just waiting. Hopefully, I think the turn out is encouraging, indicative of the fact that the people want to determine who will be the candidate to represent them in the glass house."

However, to the the other candidate, Edna Mbah, starting time wasn't respected coupled with other issues. Hear her "In fact I was not very happy when I saw that the poling centres were not yet ready at the time they were supposed to be. I was at my centre at 8am and there were still hitches. However I understand that it could be because of the security situation but what makes me a bit sick is the fact that it would appear many people who were supposed to have prepared the ground for the activity of today were not set. That said, finally it was opened and I cast my vote."

Several sporadic gunshots at various intervals ensured as voting went on. At some point within the day, an alleged explosion sound was heard from a far off locality. It's not clear whether actually there was a close range attack or the military just exaggerated the nontarget random firing. However, one thing is sure; the election had been banned by restoration fighters "in their land they call Ambazonia". As such, there were likely going to do anything possible to disrupt it. 

Edna Enih Mbah, SDF Parliamentary Candidate Casting her Vote

Despite the ban, the substantive candidates still stood for election. Their alternates, both men, had resigned from the race when burning of houses and kidnapping of candidates became rampant. The informal resignations through voices notes and letter writing ended on social media not in reality. The incumbent, Hon. Edna Enih Mbah explained why she still wanted to retain the office. She said "I want to tell my people that the love I had and accepted to represent them in 2013, I still have that love, that feeling, that desire to serve. That is why I kept on despite all odds. I want to plead that I know we are going through difficult times but the best thing for us to do is to see how we can all share our ideas, our talents in different ways to see that this situation is resolved so that we live the life we used to live and enjoy the presence of each other"

Addressing the restoration forces and anti election campaigners, she said "I wish to plead to my fellow brothers and sisters who have engaged seriously to see that our situation gets better that me still standing for elections is not a sign of disrespect or disregard for what they stand for but I say together we shall be able to solve this problem because it is a political problem though many other ideas, many other approaches have been taken. I want to plead with them and everybody in my constituency, in the North West, in Anglophone Cameroon and Cameroon at large that we only need all hands on deck. So I am taking the political option. Please, bring your own idea from the other side, bring your own approach so that together we can see that we enjoy our land once more."

The 2 Parliamentary Candidates for Momo East Constituency, Mbengwi; Prodencia (L) & Edna (R)

Mbengwi Online couldn't access the Mile 17 poling centre because of distance, insecurity and means of movement considering that it was the furthest. Interestingly, it's the lone poling centre alleged to have recorded the highest number of voters, over a thousand according to social media circulated post election trends. It is rumoured the sporadic and periodic gunshots of various magnitudes rather forced the population to remain indoors and consequently, mostly the military, administration, CPDM councillors and a few diehard militants of both parties went to the polls. Even the Divisional Officer for Mbengwi was completely dressed like a soldier as he went visiting the poling centres for supervision, heavily guarded. At least 3 armored cars and 3 military hiluxes kept parading the streets.

At the Mbengwi Council hall, the voter's list was pasted on the walls bearing names of voters who had long died. The list had not been revised. The poling stations were not accessible to voters. A voter in Toneku for example, a border village to Batibo sub division was expected to trek to GNS Mbengwi to cast his/her vote, a distance of over 15km. Voters were not properly sensitised on how to vote. In the GNS poling centre for example, about 5 votes for the SDF were nullified simply because the ballot papers were folded before being inserted into the envelop. ELECAM says they ought not to have been folded. At the two polling centres covered, Mbengwi Online noticed that more men and few women voted and that no  physically challenged person voted. 

Voters List at Mbengwi Council Hall Poling Centre

These challenges and many more were arguments the SDF had  advanced as petitions to force the constitutional council to order for a rerun in Momo Division after the February 9th twin elections yet on Sunday March 22nd, nothing changed in terms of security, access to poling centres etc. As such, the results were obviously going to be as they'd been before or worst even. However, the constitutional council has the sole prerogative to declare the final results and this is expected any moment soon. On the 9th of February, Mbengwi Online didn't notice up to 150 voters at the polls but when results were published, Mbengwi recorded over 800 voters. They say in Cameroon, he that has the yam and the knife is the one that declares results not the voter. It's a wait and see.

Hon. Edna Goes to Prison

Hon. Edna Goes to Prison

The Member of Parliament for Momo East Constituency, Mbengwi, Honourable Edna Enih Mbah has been to the Mbengwi principal prison to commune with the inmates. The visit was her last intervention in her constituency as parliamentarian, hours to the March 22nd 2020 parliamentary election rerun in Momo division. Upon stepping out of the prison gates, one of the inmates offered the M.P a flower to show love.

Welcoming their august guest and delegation on Saturday March 21st 2020, the inmates chanted songs of praise and worship. This was followed by a word of exhortation from the Reverend Enongene Nelson, parish pastor of Presbyterian Church, Station Congregation who centred his message on love, encouraging the inmates to love their colleagues and the warders. They were also advised not to give up hope especially as their destiny can only be delayed, not denied, according to God's plan. 

"People have left prison to be great and successful persons in society" Rev. Nelson told the inmates and reiterated that a prison is for correction not  condemnation and that some of the people strolling around seemingly in liberty are more prisoners than them who are in cells. 

The M.P & her flower

When Honourable Edna took to the rostrum, she tuned her own chorus and as the voices died down, she then explained the purpose of her coming. "I am here to fulfil a promise I made to you guys last year because a promise is a debt" Edna told them. She insisted that being a political period and still gunning for a second mandate, her visitation shouldn't be misconstrued for campaign because the law itself prohibits prisoners from voting but she rather came to share love with the inmates.

In December 2019, the M.P clocked 50. She had planned celebrating her 50th anniversary with the elderly, the underprivileged and prisoners but because of unforseen inconveniences, she couldn't execute the plan. As such, after a long postponement, she had to finally realise the plan. After her address, the MP offered the inmates material assistance made up of bags of rice, salt, soap, vegetable and palm oil with a promise to come again in the near future. 

While thanking the donor, the inmate's representative appreciated the gesture saying apart from the food items, the message of love and hope they got was so touching and has sunk deep into them. The Mbengwi principal prison superintendent, Kobi Stanley Tayong also gave a vote of thanks to the parliamentarian. He said it's been long, close to a year that such a humanitarian gesture was carried out in the prison circles. The superintendent assured the visitors that the prison authorities are always ready to welcome well wishers, individuals, families, institutions and groups that want to reach out to the inmates. 

The visit to the Mbengwi principal prison gave Mbengwi Online the opportunity to have first hand information on how life is within the confines of the structure. The inmates, all boys and few men are not much, estimated to be at most 25. Putting on clean dresses, they looked neat and healthy, indicating their living conditions aren't precarious. The prison environment itself was seen clean with no littering of dirt. Despite all these, the prison remains a place not to be. The wish of all the inmates is to one day regain their freedom.

Who's Injoh Prodencia, CPDM Parliamentary Candidate for Mbengwi?

Who's Injoh Prodencia, CPDM Parliamentary Candidate for Mbengwi?

As the countdown to the March 22nd 2020 parliamentary elections rerun in Momo division narrows, Mbengwi Online has been trailing the two aspirants for the Momo East constituency, Mbengwi. They are Edna Mbah (the incumbent) of the SDF  and Injoh Prodencia (the challenger) of the CPDM. Both candidates have been spotted in Mbengwi doing underground campaigns via mouth to ear, contrary to the past where Mbengwi used to be a strong political battleground. 

Contrary to the February 9th twin elections during which no campaign materials were spotted anywhere in the municipality, this time around campaign posters of the CPDM's parliamentary candidate have been seen pasted on walls and electric poles around Mile 18. On the posters carrying a picture of the candidate is written "For the 2020 March 22 Legislative Election,  Vote CPDM for Peace, Stability, Development".  

Injoh Foo Ngang Prodencia, CPDM Parliamentary Candidate for Momo East 

Who is this CPDM parliamentary candidate for Momo East, Mbengwi? Mrs. Foo Ngang née Injoh Prodencia Awa was born on February 12 1966 in Kumba. In 1979, she obtained her First School Leaving Certificate from St. Anthony Primary School, Buea Road, Kumba. In 1984, she obtained her Certificat d'Aptitude Professionelle (CAP) from Government Technical High School Kumba. Two years after, she completed high school studies and went abroad for further studies. By 2013, after researching on the topic _Entrepreneurship as a mechanism to curb down youth unemployment_ she will then graduate from the KDI School of Public Policy and Management in South Korea with a Master degree in Development Policy Concentration on Entrepreneurship and Private Sector Development. 

Upon her return to fatherland, she continued studies and in 1995, she obtained a diploma in Guidance and Counselling from the Advanced Teacher's Training College, Yaounde. Prodencia's appetite for knowledge took her to the University of Yaounde 1 where she graduated in 1990 from the Faculty of Law and Economic Sciences, backing home a first degree in English private law.

CPDM Campaign Poster

Professionally, Injoh Prodencia has worked in several capacities from 1987 till date. She started as staff member with Save the Children Cameroon (Lake Nyos Project), she's also worked as staff member in the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the National Employment Fund, guidance counselor in the University of Yaounde II and later GTHS Bamenda. From 3rd April 2017 till date, she's been the North West Regional Delegate o Employment and Vocational Training.

With this rich academic profile, she might be taken for an academician not a politician; far from that. She's also embedded with leadership and political qualities. She's lead several women associations and is currently the Vice National President of Mbemi Cultural and Development Association. Politically, Prodencia is an active member in the ruling party in Mbemi where she serves as an dviser as well as to the Momo I Section of the CPDM. She's married and a mother of four. 

Prodencia contributed her own quota to the development of her municipality by investing in the educational sector as she established one of the earliest lay private bilingual nursery and primary schools in Mbengwi known as Palmers. In under few hours, the constituents will be going to the polls to decide. Mbengwi Online is following developments on the ground.

Parliamentary Rerun in Momo East; Prudencia to Challenge Edna

Parliamentary Rerun in Momo East; Prudencia to Challenge Edna

In the build up to the March 22nd parliamentary rerun of elections in the Momo East Constituency, Mbengwi, after the constitutional council nullified the February 9th results for the entire Momo division and other constituencies in the North West region, the town of Mbengwi just like before is yet to catch the political fever.

Erstwhile honourable Fombi Ephraim is said to have been the first Member of Parliament for Mbengwi. He was of the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM). Then came erstwhile honourable Peter Cho Fonso of the Social Democratic Front  (SDF) and then currently, Honourable Edna Enih Mbah still of the SDF. She is the first ever female M.P for Momo East, Mbengwi.

The two contestants (incumbent & challenger)

The constituency, Momo East is made up of Batibo and Mbengwi and has two parliamentary seats while Momo West, made up of Widikum, Andek and Njikwa has one parliamentary seat. Hon. Edna came to power in 2013 and was MP till February 9 2020 when the CPDM swept all the parliamentary seats and councils in Momo division. 

When many thought it was game over, the petitions that had been deposited at the constitutional council by the SDF were validated and the verdict was cancellation of the results and ordering for a rerun. Unfortunately, nothing has changed on the ground in terms of security challenges and accessibility to poling stations, issues the party complained about. Some political commentators say only the CPDM and SDF better understand the political game they are playing. 

Mbengwi has 54 poling stations that were merged into 3 poling centres during the February 9th twin elections for security reasons. Voting took place in the Mbengwi Council hall, Government Nursery School Mbengwi and Government Bilingual High School Mbengwi. From information gotten, these will be maintained during the Sunday March 22nd rerun. 

The SDF had maintained Hon. Edna as the party's parliamentary candidate while the CPDM invested in Injoh Foo Ngang  Proudencia to challenge the incumbent. Before going to parliament, Edna was a nurse and served several presbyterian hospitals for long. Proudencia on her part is just making her way into the political arena. She's current North West Regional Delegate of Employment and Vocational Training. She's said to also be the proprietress of Palmers Bilingual Nursery and Primary School Mbengwi. 

Edna Enih Mbah

In terms of popularity, Edna is a household name in Mbengwi than Prudencia. Contrary to her predecessor, P.C Fonso that lived in Bamenda and only came to his constituency from time to time, Edna picked up residence in Mbengwi throughout her stay in Parliament. She even opened a parliamentary office and resource centre that was geared at providing training to youths in Information and Communication Technology and also assist researchers do findings from the library section of the centre. Unfortunately, the ongoing Anglophone crisis shattered the plan.

As the people's representative, she carried out several parliamentary interventions. In Munam, she donated beds to the health centre and iron doors/windows to the primary school there and also to P.C Ku. In Zang Tembeng and Njimetu she donated zincs to support the community hall construction of the former and primary school of the latter. In  Njah-Etu, Mile 17 and Ngyen-Mbo, she donated farm inputs (fertilisers, cutlasses, hoes etc)  to common initiative groups. In Barakwe, she intervened in resolving a land dispute there. In Ngwokwong, she donated pews to P.C Mufomo and rods for a bridge construction project there just like in Njekwo where she also supported another bridge construction project, same as in Njinebai, Guneku. In Acha-Tugi, she donated plastic chairs to the Mbororo community of Dom and basic needs to the women as start up to run provision stores. This is just a microcosm of her realisations. 

In education, Hon. Edna instituted the parliamentary teacher's scheme where she recruited over 10 primary school teachers and sent them to needy schools. She paid school fees for several underprivileged children. As president of the Momo Divisional Follow up Committee, she followed up the Ministry of Public Works for the award and eventual construction of a bridge in Kob, linking two sub divisions, Njikwa and Andek worth over a hundred million. In legal matters, she did multiple interventions to rescue her constituents including traditional leaders from going to jail. At her party level, she pulled the highest ever SDF gathering at a rally during the party's 25th anniversary. Edna's achievements are seemingly endless. 

Injoh Foo Ngang Prudencia

Injoh Prudencia on her part is a new comer into the political game. As regional delegate, she's been based throughout in Bamenda and is little known in the constituency she plans representing except within party circles. Her public appearances in Mbengwi have mostly been during her party events. However, being of the CPDM, her chances of kicking out Edna can't be undermined though some media outlets like The Gazette newspapers recently published that "Momo East to Give Edena Enih 100% Votes".

At press time, Mbengwi Online learnt that  both aspirants are already on the ground doing  underground arrangements as the D-day draws nearer. Despite the crisis, despite the calls for boycott and that all anglophone MPs should resign from the national assembly, these two are rather stepping up their game. Each of them is rather more determined than before to beat the other. 

When Mbengwi Online met the incumbent, Hon. Edna, we sort to know why she's still eyeing the office. In response she said, "The crisis in which we are needs a multidirectional approach to resolve it. Being of political origin, I think I have a political ideology and it's from this aspect that I can be able to contribute my own quota to the resolution of the crisis to ensure stability in our country. I am conscious of the fact that there's been that call but given that this problem by my understanding does not need only one approach, while others are going diplomatic and through other means, i think I am better placed since I master the problem. I've lived the experience with my people and I still hold unto the political approach. That's why I think my people should still use me on the political front to solve the problem for better life."

At the level of Elections Cameroon (ELECAM), the divisional office is open and highly guarded. Reports gathered say voters will be permitted to vote without their voters cards, that is if they don't have,  provided they present a valid national identity card and identify their poling stations. If found in the ELECAM's data base, they'll be allowed to vote. With the restrictions recently imposed by government to curb the spread of the corona virus, we are yet to see how things will unfold on Sunday.

MBECCUL Inaugurates New Head Office

MBECCUL Inaugurates New Head Office

The Mbengwi Cooperative Credit Union Limited (MBECCUL) now has a new head office worth the salt. The modern structure planted in Mile 18 Mbengwi was inaugurated during the 28th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of MBECCUL that held on Sunday March 15 2020.

Musoro Samuel is a  union member. Evaluating the outcome of the AGM, he said "It was so interesting to hear that they are working hand in gloves with the main office, COBAC especially when it comes to recovering loans. I am very pleased to learn that unlike before, delinquent members will be treated as criminals and not longer regarded as a civil case."

MBECCUL New Head Office Located in Mile 18 Mbengwi

Reception Counters

Prior to the ribbon cutting, reports were presented by the Board of Directors, the Supervisory Board, the Youth Committee and the Women Committee whose chairperson Madam Foncham Beatrice decried the challenges they faced within the year 2019. She said "Our work has not been smooth as we expected due to the crisis plaguing the NW and SW regions. People or groups were not often available when we had to visit them. The present ghost towns and lock downs affected our dates of visits that were either postponed or cancelled and some areas we planned visiting could not be accessed."

Certificates of recognition for their commendable service to the union were awarded to some members. Being an elective general assembly, all vacant positions in the various committees were filled. Though seemingly progressing, the ongoing Anglophone Crisis has been bringing hard times to MBECCUL. 

Family Picture

Mr. Nubia Elvis is the General Manager. As regards problems plaguing the credit union, he said "The general one is the political instability from the crisis which we all understand. It has given birth to delinquency. At first we could manage but presently, it's tough. People are no longer in the environments we used to locate them. Some are now answering their calls from Douala. Even savings mobilization is also difficult because generally the economy is affected but by the grace of God, we just have to strategize to cope with the situation because it's really tough"

However, there's still hope in the horizon. MBECCUL has branches in Ring Way Street, Bamenda and Commercial Avenue, Kumba with a multiplicity of products and services offered like loans, overdraft, daily collection, minor accounts, Mobile Money just to name these few. 

Mr. Nubia Elvis, General Manager

Eke Andrew Ake, President

The union's 2019 AGM was held under the supervision of CAMCCUL officials. The new head office was blessed by a college of pastors after which a guided tour of the structure was done. In the days ahead, it shall be put to use. 

Mr Eke Andrew Ake, the president of the credit union in tracing the origin of the modern structure explained that in 2013 when they had a burglary in the old building, the men of the underworld came, killed a guard and made away with money. Subsequently, they came again, break the wall and attempted carrying away the save but failed in two instances. When the security forces came for investigations, they complained of the walls which they kicked with their legs and blocks fell off. That's how he got  motivated to say the union should embark on a new office building which will be very solid. In 2013, the project was initiated, approved in 2016 but as execution  were about to start, the crisis too started. As such, they waited till 2018 when they finally engaged it till now that it's at the final stage.

Union Members at the AGM

Conference Hall

CAMCCUL Official Cutting the Ribbon

MBECCUL has a membership of close to 3.000 with prospects of progress as the days go by. Based on the credit union golden rule, members are called upon to save regularly, borrow wisely and repay promptly. The recently finished new head office is just part of the entire project envisaged according to the drawn up building plan that shall include an ultra modern hall and other offices for rent.

Mbengwi: Mayors Take Oath of Office

Mbengwi: Mayors Take Oath of Office

Some newly elected mayors and their deputies in Momo division were on Tuesday March 17 2020 sworn into office. The oath taking ceremony took place at the Momo High Court in Mbengwi following legal proceedings. The councils concerned were Andek, Njikwa and Mbengwi. Since Batibo sub division has a court of first instance, a similar exercise had been conducted there, merging with Widikum.

New Mayors & Deputies, Administration, Magistrates

For the case of Mbengwi whose mayor is still missing ever since he was kidnapped barely two days after his election, only the two deputies; Doreen Fonjong and Kadiri Amadu took the oath. "I swear on my honour and pledge to conduct the affairs of the council and serve the the interest of all its inhabitants without discrimination or favouritism and to discharge in all loyalty and faithfulness my duties as civil statues registration officer in compliance with the laws and in accordance with the values and principles of democracy, national unity and the integrity of the republic" was the oath all the concerned officials swore before the people of Cameroon.

The oath taking session was preceded by educating the mayors on their duties as clearly spelt out in Section 2061 of the 2019 law as read with those in the 1981 Ordinance as Civil Statues Registrars.

Doreen Fonjong, 1st Deputy Mayor, Mbengwi Council

An oath taking ceremony as such away from being  compulsory is also an occasion to sensitise the applicant on their responsibility in the daunting task that awaits them. These prescriptions were laid down by Magistrate Tita Ernestine who added that it's a new era, a new dawn as these fortunate  mayors are privileged to be the first officials to preside over the destiny of the people in their respective councils in this new trend and orientation of decentralisation by the state. It's not a time for you and members of your family to rejoice and say "Mon frére est en haut, ma vie va changer" she warned.

Emphasis were laid on the effective presence of the authorities in their municipalities so as to better serve the population. Before making her submission, she advised the applicants that, "Carry on your duties with honour and probity, only then can you escape the frowning face of the law. Stay free from corruption, embezzlement of public funds and properties,  fraud, fake documents because when next we meet under these circumstances, be sure we shall bring you to book wherein we will not hesitate to submit against you and not for you as is the case now."

Magistrate Tita Ernestine

Magistrate Wirngo Tobias

After taking their oaths, the presiding magistrate, Wirngo Tobias corroborated the cautionary submissions of his colleague by telling the mayors that "In the context of the present law, there is no bail for embezzlement of public funds" He called on them to watch out against their families, friends and council workers because these are those who may influence them indulge into wrong doings for the sake of familiarity.

Ubangoh Helley (popularly known as UB Relax) is the new mayor of Andek. Before now, he was section president of the CPDM, Momo II. Talking to Mbengwi Online at the end of the ceremony, he said "Andek has been deserted and so my preoccupation now is to see that the population returns and life resumes." He went ahead to invite all his children and brothers in the bushes to join hands with him so that together, they can exploit the new dispensations given by the new decentralisation laws to bring development to their municipality. "You know the kind of developer I am, you know what I've been doing for the Ngie people using my own personal means. Now that the government has given me the opportunity to serve the people in an official capacity, I am pleading on every Ngie elite, every Ngie "Ambas", every Ngie person to come on board, to join me and my deputies, my councillors so that together we can bring life back to Ngie and take Ngie to the level it deserves" Helley ended.

Ubangoh Helley, Mayor, Andek Council

Now that the mayor of Mbengwi, Mr. Ndangsa Kennedy is still missing, what becomes of his office? This was a questioned Mbengwi Online posed to one of the legal minds at the event. In response, it was explained that the law gives a period of grace from the date of oath taking for the concerned to show up and if upon expiration of the period he or she is not found, a new mayor will be elected to fill the vacuum.

Momo Administration

Never has Mbengwi ever experienced such political turbulence. Some media outlets had reported that the mayor had been killed. Other rumours have it that the mayor is still alive as his captors await the demanded ransom yet no image or voice of the mayor has been seen or heard, dead or alive. The mayor's Mile 20 residence has remained deserted as most of his family members have escaped. At the Mbengwi council, most offices like that of the municipal treasurer, the council secretary general, the mayor's office and others are hardly open. Just few council workers go there daily just for few hours and later disappear.

U-17 wining midfielder Steve Mvoue joins FC Toulouse

U-17 wining midfielder Steve Mvoue joins FC Toulouse 

Cameroonian footballer Steve Regis Mvoue has made a record move from Cameroon to French Ligue 1 side FC Toulouse. Apparently, it had been sealed some time ago as several sources had announced the player in the club since the last AFCON but it was only confirm by his agents on Friday March 13, 2020 after close to three years of monitoring and negotiations.

According to club sources, the deal is valued at €1Milion  being the biggest ever transfer fee paid for a Cameroonian footballer directly from the country beating Charly Formen's move from Elite One side Panthere du Nde in 2009 valued at €600 to Marseille.  

The move from Azur Academy to FC Toulouse according to Smart Sports Agency & Utopia Group of Samuel Eto'o both collaborating agencies for the transfer is a landmark transfer which is the fruit of hard work, patience and consistency.

Though other football giants like Redbull FC Brugge, Salzburg, and Monaco FC among others showed strong interest in the 18 years old Cameroon international, key actors in the move like Wilfred Happi of Utopia Group and Chi Ivo of Smart Sport thinks that FC Toulouse was the best option for Steve Mvoue.

"For the past three years Steve has been visiting Toulouse on regular basis. He even did the full pre-season with Toulouse first team last summer as well as they has been following and supporting him in all competitions. If he wasn’t the minimum age requirement, Steve Mvoue would have been playing this season with Toulouse. Unfortunately he turned 18, on February 2nd, only two days after the end of the winter transfer window 2020. I think that FC Toulouse is now like home for Steve because the club knows him and he knows the club and the city as well. He will require less time for him to get adapted to the environment. I think the choice was right because he will be comfortable there. Let me also add that the club will most probably be playing second division and will give him the opportunity to be on the starting lineup than to go to a Top tier club where he will not be starting games. The player will join directly the first team of Toulouse instead of joining the reserve as most of African players do when they join first a professional team in Europe. This fits very well in the long term carrier plan we have for him and other players we are working with. We have a different way of working with our players. We generally start working with them when they are young at the age of 15, and find a club where they will go several times to get monitored and get used to the environment until they can officially sign at the age of 18. This allows the clubs to correct the little imperfections those young players carry and get them ready for the elite team earlier. We have 5 other players currently undergoing the same process and who should sign their first professional contract in the upcoming months" Ivo Chi said

Steve Regis Mvoue begins a new professional carrier with FC Toulouse after he helped Cameroon win the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations title in 2019. He was voted player of the tournament. He was added to Cameroon's provisional 34-man squad for the African cup of nations AFCON that took place same year in Egypt and lead Cameroon at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil. 

The son of Regine Mvoue, first captain of Cameroon's women's football team, pens his name in the records of FC Toulouse where his older brother Stephane Zobo still remains in the good books of the French Ligue 1 side.

International Press Cards Arrive Bamenda

International Press Cards Arrive Bamenda

Some members of the Cameroon Journalist's Trade Union (CJTU), North West chapter are now in possession of International Press Cards, produced by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) headquartered in Brussels, Belgium and handed over to members of affiliated journalism trade unions to the federation that fulfill the stipulated requirements.

International Press Cards

The official handing over ceremony took place on Saturday March 14th 2019 in Bamenda during which other items also constituted the agenda of the meeting among which were reviewing the high moments of the baby journalism trade union that started just last year within the region and evaluating its financial situation this far.

In 2019, CJTU made available membership cards to members who were up to date with their financial standing and actively participated in the trade union's activities. Later on, precisely on November 3rd 2019, members were also offered press jackets, all of this done for better identification on the field when covering stories especially during such crisis period.

Sample

Members on the Day Press Jackets were Distributed

With the International Press Card, it becomes incumbent on all authorities and IFJ affiliated organizations to extend to the bearer every assistance and courtesy in the performance of his or her mission. The recently distributed  consignment of International Press Cards is said to be the first to ever reach journalists in Bamenda.

Just as was advised during the distribution of CJTU mebership cards and press jackets, same message was reechoed during the handing over of the international press cards, that of cautioning the bearers to remain prudent in the exercise of their duties, to judiciously use the gadgets and not mistake them for a passport to anywhere, anytime. 

CJTU NW Members 

Registration books of the trade union have thus been reopened for this year to admit new members and encourage them fulfil the conditions required to obtain their own cards. It's been a tradition that the national body of the trade union acts as a liaison between the regional chapters and the various international journalism bodies, governments and other institutions.

Budding Artist Graduates, Goes Professional in Aluminum & Glass Works

Budding Artist Graduates, Goes Professional in Aluminum & Glass Works

One of Mbengwi's finest budding artist previously  called Kasi Prado then changed to Fomban and today is artistically baptised F1 has just graduated from his apprenticeship workshop after over two years of training in Aluminum n Glass Works. Featuring at the event was the Meta rapper ("ngameubeng" rap ambassador) Menemo Forkeh. 

Fomban Erastus (F1)

His boss (Patrong), in appreciating his graduating apprentice offered him an original diamond glass cutter, one of the most vital tools in the profession. Meanwhile the chairman of the occasion, a certain Mr Kingsley who works with the Njindom Cooperative Credit Union, Bamenda Branch promised that in under a weeks time, he shall be offering the graduant his first contract to install aluminium doors and windows in a mega structure under construction. 

Graduant & Trainer

It should be recalled that F1 started his musical career in Mbengwi, animating at weddings, school socials, cultural week galas and other public gatherings plus concerts in Mbon. Before the advent of the ongoing anglophone crisis, realising that stardom will be a long road to tread, F1 decided to switch to vocational training with the help of Danny Green (the crying comedian) also of Mbengwi origin who connected F1 to an aluminum and glass workshop (Standard Alumininum & Glass Works) at Old Church junction Bamenda where he took his training seriously and today March 14th 2020 graduated to be a boss of his own. 

Graduant & Friend 

During the event, funds were raised to the tune of hundreds of thousands to support the young artist/entrepreneur establish his own workshop. F1 is signed to Musinash Productions were his artistic career is being built/produced by Musi Waa, the renowned film promoter in Cameroon.

Before going professional, F1 had multiple releases to his credit like "Man Get for Blow", " Mama Miyaka", "Baby Yimeu-mu" etc. He sings in Meta, English and Pidgin and is specialised in Afropop. We wish F1 prosperity in his new found career.