Mbororo Women in Guneku Smile at Fon Fomuki

Mbororo Women in Guneku Smile at Fon Fomuki

His Royal Highness Dr. Ticha W. Fomuki has put smiles on the faces of Mbororo women in his fondom. They came from far and near to assemble at the Mbon market square in Mbengeghang on Sunday August 22nd 2021. Others know the place as Tuembeng, a quarter in Guneku village, Meta clan, Mbengwi.

Of recent, the fon of Guneku successfully carried out an administrative reorganisation of his fondom. The mbororos that constitute a great portion of his subjects weren't really involved in the reorganisation exercise. In the various quarter and zonal councils that were formed including the Guneku traditional council, no Mbororo featured as a councillor. To fill this vacuum, the fon now wants to integrate them in the governance process. 

Mbororo Women Cheering the Fon's Address

Distribution Ground, Mbon Market Square, Mbengeghang

It was for this reason that they were invited for a talk, mostly their women though. With the assistance of a portable MP3 player, the Fon's message which he had recorded from abroad where he's based and sent via WhatsApp was played. In the address, Dr. Fomuki W. Ticha began by first saluting all those that  answered to his invitation. Then he went on to congratulate them for the relative peace reigning within their midst especially during this moment of sociopolitical crisis in the country, considering that there's not been any much trouble between the Mbororos and Metas of Guneku. 

The fon further dished out pieces of advice to the Mbororo women, encouraging them to embrace farming especially the cultivation of  huckleberry, assuring them that each time they'll have a great quantity ready for sale, he will make provision for buyers to come right to their farms up the hills and carry to the market. He also promised that the Guneku palace is very ready to provide small loans plus inputs to Mbororo women that will want to come together and form  farming groups. 

The Fon's Address Being Played from an MP3 Player

Children at Event Ground

On the aspect of education, he disclosed to the women that for over a year now, a community library has been in existence in the palace. "There are many community schools around Guneku and I'll really like that you send your children to these schools this forthcoming academic year so that they go learn how to read, write and speak rather than growing up knowing only how to chase cows" he disclosed, furthering that very soon he will invite all of them to the palace for a special feast involving eating, drinking and dancing.

In terms of insecurity, the very attentive women were surprised to know that the fon, though resident out of the country is fully versed with daily realities back home in his village. He made it clear he's aware of a certain yet to be identified group of criminals going round catching people for ransoms. He told them that "I'll like to advice that you stop Mbororo youths involved in the theft of cattle including natives and uphold your culture especially intensification of prayers and improvement of your flock. If you sell one cow, endeavour to buy another"  He also handed down firm instructions on how the security challenges in his fondom shall be handled from now onward in a statement he made that "I hereby task you to hunt down these criminals and take them to the traditional council for judgement and punishment."

Some Mbengeghang Meta Women

Mr. Fomujang Benjamin

Mr. Fomujang Benjamin is a (Meta) native of Mbengeghang. As to the relationship between the natives and the Mbororos, he said "We have really been doing all to stay in harmony with them but most of their ways are cunning as they want us to go and leave the place for them." The main problem between them the farmers and they the graziers is that of damages and hatred, this according to Pa Fomujang. To him, they keep destroying their crops from time to time and pay no compensation for damages caused, thus increasing hunger. As to how such problems have been resolved in the past to enable peaceful coexistence, he said "When a foolish man is talking to you provocatively, the best thing to do is to keep quiet"

Alhaji Hassan Djibo is the Ardo of Guneku. As highest authority of all the Mbororos in Guneku, the biggest village in Meta (in terms of land surface), he was invited to be present at the ceremony. As a message to the Fon, Dr. Fomuki, he said "I thank 'Mbeh' very much for thinking about us here and coming to salute our wives. Here, we don't have any problem. Between the (Meta) natives of Guneku and us, we are one." He admitted that they think about the fon always and often feel disturbed not seeing him for long. "Considering that the country isn't fine, we really like as you're supporting us as such" said Alhaji Djibo. 

Alhaji Hassan Djibo, Ardo of Guneku

Ardo & Council Chairman 

He also complained about the insecurity they've been facing in the hands of non state armed fighters ("Amba Boys") and other criminals groups. "As children of Guneku, we don't want us trouble in the village" he added before admitting that the suspects are said to be coming from afar, not Guneku children. He pleaded with the fon to support them in the education of their children during this period of (government) school shutdown, stemming from the ongoing Anglophone Crisis, a challenge that's disturbing them so much.  Considering that their little children can't trek to far off distances to pursue education, he pleaded that a special school be opened in Mbengeghang for their children to avoid illiteracy. He ended by thanking the Fon for the package sent to be shared to the women. 

At the end of the day, before returning to their various destinations, each woman went back home with 5kg of rice offered by the Fon which he described as nothing, promising them that next time it'll be more. A security meeting has been planned for early September in Fringyeng to address issues of insecurity in Guneku village, mostly cow thievery and kidnaps for ransom with criminals from neighbouring communities already being suspected to be the brains behind such, through assistance from some wayward Guneku sons, both Metas and Mbororos.

Distribution Exercise 

Development Chairlady of Mbengeghang

Bags of Rice Shared to the Women

MECUDA Stretches Out Hand of Fellowship to House of Hope Orphanage

MECUDA Stretches Out Hand of Fellowship to House of Hope Orphanage

The Meta Cultural and Development Association - MECUDA has stretched out a hand of fellowship to the children of House of Hope Orphanage, Ngyen-Mbo, Mbengwi in response to a video that went viral online some months back in which the children cried for help mostly in terms of food assistance and medication. 

Upon hearing this and launching an appeal for all concerned sons and daughters of Meta orogin to step in and do something through MECUDA, hundreds of thousands were raised to wipe away the children's tears. In the morning of Wednesday August 25 2021, a delegation comprised of three women dispatched by MECUDA was at the orphanage to hand over the cash and material support to the children. 

MECUDA Delegation, Items & Kids

Mr. Ayaba David, the National President of MECUDA had constituted a management committee of the funds contributed by various members of MECUDA and their friends to assist the House of Hope Orphanage, Ngyen-Mbo made up of  Mrs. Tebe Beatrice, Dr. Mrs. Mercy Tah-Monunde, Mrs. Limen Gladys, Mrs. Esther Akum, Mrs. Tanah Rachael, Mr. Mbanwi Stephen Anjeh and headed by Prof. Njoh Oliver with instructions that 1/3 of the money could be handed to the matron of the orphanage to enable her carry out other duties. He also granted permission for part of the money to be used for cost of all transactions. However, on the handing over day, just three of the committee members were present.

Upon arrival, they were received with songs of praises as the children rallied to receive their gifts. They were first explained what MECUDA stands for and what it's all about. The items handed comprised of 4 buckets of corn, 4 buckets of beans, 3 buckets of groundnuts, 3 bags of rice, 1 carton of vegetable oil, 4 cartons of sachet tomato, 4 packets of spaghetti, 3 cartons of cubic soap, 1 packet of powder soap, 60 pieces of toothpaste and brush, 4 packs of sanitary pads, 6 dozens of pants, 30 pairs of slippers and 60 pieces of towels. In addition, an envelope was also given to the matron containing the sum of one hundred and sixty thousand (160.000) francs. 

The MECUDA Delegation 
L-R: Tebe Beatrice, Limen Gladys, Tanah Rachael

Madam Ayaba Marvis, founder and matron of the orphanage in extending a vote of thanks to the donor said "I'm really grateful and I feel proud knowing that my brothers and sisters, the Meta people around all the corners of the world are watching over me and trying to ensure these children's future becomes bright. MECUDA has always been there for me, they've given beds, mattresses, food and money. May God bless all of you wherever you are in Jesus' name"

Madam Tebe Beatrice Handing Over 160.000F to Madam Ayaba Marvis

Madam Tanah Rachael Ndi, Team Leader of the MECUDA Delegation

Madam Tanah Rachael Ndi led the delegation that visited the orphanage for the handing over exercise on behalf of the umbrella cultural and development association of the Meta people. Speaking to Mbengwi Online at the close of the event, she said "It's been  successful because we finally bought the items and we've finally handed them. I'm sure this will gladden the hearts of so many people who've been wondering if the money they contributed has been swindled." She regretted the lack of trust amongst members of MECUDA but admitted some are still good though. "The money they contributed was really in good hands and every single franc shall be accounted for" she testified while hoping members aren't deterred from contributing to any such MECUDA project subsequently.

In terms of challenges faced in the course of realising the donation project, she admitted the current market prizes didn't match what the committee had earlier allocated considering a price hike due to the various road blockages being faced in almost the entire North West region at moment. Asked if she has any word to those who contributed financially for the realisation of the project, Madam Tanah Rachel said "I'm thanking everyone that contributed for this project. It takes a good heart to stretch a hand of help to the needy who if you help, then it means you've helped the whole wide world. As the children are happy, so too will you all be blessed ten folds in your pockets"

The Food & Material Items Donated by MECUDA

Family Picture

The other two women that made part of the delegation included Madam Limen Gladys Foncham and Madam Tebe Beatrice, former mayor of the Mbengwi Council. Having laid the orphanage donation project to rest, there are speculations  that calm and serenity will now reign within various MECUDA online and offline circles but for the case of a certain Fomusi Ernestine Enih that's still pending. The concerned had suffered for long from a growth that deformed her face. An appeal was launched by MECUDA to help her out and about six million francs was raised. Later, an international Non Governmental Organisation  stepped in and flew her to Germany, footing all the bills. Many have since then been hanging on the neck of the national President of MECUDA, Pa Ayaba David to still proceed to hand the entire financial package to the concerned. 

Radio Program Fan Club Impacting Communities in Mbengwi

Radio Program Fan Club Impacting Communities in Mbengwi

Members of Bedtime Melodies Fan Club on Saturday August 21st 2021 paid an exchange visit to their peers of the Sang Youth's Union. The visit that lasted for over six hours was characterised by several socio-sportive and humanitarian activities.

Upon arrival in Sang, located about some 5 kilometres from Mbengwi central towards Munam, after Njindom, they were taken on a guided tour round the "village" in the course of which they offered food assistance to some 17 elderly/needy persons comprised of cubes of soap, loaves of bread, a packet of maggi and a litre of peanuts per beneficiary who were all met right in their homes. 

The "Android Generation Girls" Marvelled as Grandma Smokes her Pipe (Kwandang)

They expressed the desire to have offered something better and bigger but for now, that's what they could lay hands on. Most of the elderly/sick mothers and fathers reached out to heartily thanked the club members for thinking about them, saying what they think is little, to them receiving, it's plentiful and impacting. 

One of the most interesting mothers met was one in Tusang quarter that smokes pipe. The young boys and girls were marvelled to see such, some for their very first time. Mami Mah Deborah demonstrated  the process by filling her pipe with tobacco, lighted it and started popping out plumes of smoke as the club members watched amazingly while laughing. 

After the tour, the two youth groups then rallied on the Sang community field for a friendly football encounter, played under rain and which ended one goal on either side. They will later recess into a parlor at the the "village" square known as Sam-tang where almost all the villagers rallied to welcome the club members and get to know what brought them. 

Two Teams of the Two Youth Groups Pose for Pic at End of Match

While here, a few speeches were met during which it was revealed that the Sang Youth's Union was founded since in the 80s. The villagers were also enlightened on what Bedtime Melodies is all about and some of its achievements. Away from the humanitarian donation to the elderly, the club also offered the sum of one hundred thousand (100.000) Frs to support a project the Sang Youth's Union started way back before the Anglophone Crisis and later suspended. As plans are underway to resume work on the community hall construction project, the club deemed it necessary to support the initiative financially so they can obtain materials.  

Ndetan Nji Cyprain is the Financial Secretary of the Sang Youth's Union (SYU), doubling as Home Branch President of the Sang Cultural and Development Association (SangCUDA). Appreciating the move by Bedtime Melodies Fan Club to Mbengwi Online, he said "I wish to really thank Bedtime Melodies Fan Club for coming to Sang. Their coming here is a blessing and with what they've donated to the elderly persons in the village, everyone is happy. The package they brought too, we received with all our hearts and we are promising that work on this hall will resume immediately."

Ndetan Nji Cyprain, Sang Youth's Union

Ngu Emmanuel, Bedtime Melodies Fan Club

Ngu Emmanuel, the president of the club on his part regretted that most activities they had planned weren't carried out due to time constraints and other challenges. Such included tug of war, "bras de fer", eating and dancing competition between the two youth groups for fun. Despite these, all in all, he remained very satisfied  with the success of the visit. This success story was recorded thanks to some well wishers who supported the club financially in the realisation of the visit from whom one can cite a few names like H.R.H Dr. Fomuki W. Ticha, Fon of Guneku village and Honourable Injoh Foo Ngang Prodencia, Member of Parliament for Momo East Constituency, Mbengwi.

On Rainbow Radio, FM 99.5 Mbengwi, there exists a program known as Bedtime Melodies aired biweekly, that is,  Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the evening period, geared at luring listeners to sleep with slow sounds. In December 2014, a fan club to the program was formed and it's membership grew right up to Bali Nyonga where a branch was formed. 

Club Members Entering Sang

Part of the Population of  Sang that Rallied to Listen to the Message from the Club

Before the advent of the ongoing Anglophone Crisis, the club members used to empty gutters around major roads in  Mbengwi, fill potholes, visit orphanages, other youth groups, clean public places like the Mbon motor park, make donations to support developmental projects just to name these few. Unfortunately, when the crisis came and escalated, insecurity became heightened. As such all the radio program and club's activities were suspended as members got scattered for safety and studies. 

By June 2021, after affirming relative calm had returned to Mbengwi, the program bounced back on the airwaves of Rainbow Radio and about a month after, the club also resumed it's activities beginning with the holding of monthly meetings. Upon resumption, the Sang Youth's Union sent an invitation to Bedtime Melodies Fan Club members for an exchange visit which was  paid on Saturday August 21st 2021. The club has as motto, Changing Mentalities, Impacting Communities

Momo East M.P Teaches Fishing to Constituents

Momo East M.P Teaches Fishing to Constituents

It is often said teach someone how to fish than give them fish (always) to eat so they don't become dependent on you. For this reason, the Member of Parliament for Momo East Constituency, Mbengwi, Hon. Injoh Foo Ngang Prodencia has ever since getting to Cameroon's National Assembly in February 2020, adopted this policy  of weeding out constituents who often want to parasitize her as host to be sucking the little juice they can by resolving to constantly empower the population of her area through supporting them materially in their various fields of life. 

On Wednesday August 18 2021, thousands of day old chicks were distributed to selected farming groups and a few individuals in Mbengwi to go fatten as part of the implementation of the second phase distribution of 5.000 day old chicks to the population. It should be recalled that on Saturday February 6th 2021, 1000 of these chicks were distributed in the first phase of the exercise at the Mbon Motor Park, Mile 18. Due to shortage from the hatchery of the supplier, that is the North West Livestock Development Fund (CDENO) in Bamenda, many Internally Displaced Persons, women, youths and farming groups including the vulnerable that showed up as beneficiaries left disappointed since the chicks were grossly insufficient and their expectations weren't met. 

Beneficiaries Pose for Family Picture With Displayed Items

However, on this fateful day and there after, the donor called on all to remain optimistic and alert promising that when the remaining portion of the stock will finally be made available, they will be notified to come for collection. And so, to match words with action, the Mbengwi Council Hall was the point of convergence that fateful Wednesday as the remaining beneficiaries rallied to take home their own share of the chicks and other items. As revealed by the M.P, amongst the things distributed were 3.000 day old chicks to the population to empower them economically, cash prizes to some teacher and pupils who excelled in the First School Leaving Certificate examination thus uplifting the division to the prestigious position of number 1 in the region and number 2 in Common Entrance examination. 

A grass cutting machine was also handed to Government Bilingual High School  Mbengwi, another to the Mbengwi council plus an industrial water pump to enable the Mayor supervise the cleaning of administrative structures and other public areas in the municipality and promote gardening in Mbengwi in the dry season. In addition, a power generator that shall be serving as backup energy source was donated to butchers and cold store operators in the Mbon market area to preserve their meat and fish in case of light failure. Other items distributed included farm tools like hoes, dig axes, cutlasses, shovels, helmets, rain boots, polythene bags, an engine saw and so much more.

Mbengwi Council Receiving its Own Share

Water Pumping Machine for the Mbengwi Council

Grass Cutting Machine Being Offered to G.B.H.S Mbengwi

While welcoming the beneficiaries and other invited officials into the council hall, Kadiri Amadu, the second deputy mayor of the Mbengwi council used the opportunity to thank the honourable Member of Parliament for Mbengwi, Madam Injoh Foo Ngang Prodencia for the gesture she's made for the municipality for the second time and pleaded that the people still need more things from her. He went further to say "I want to encourage her that this distribution shouldn't end only at the level of Mbengwi central but extended into the interior villages like Kai, Njah-Etu, Fringyeng, Tugi so that the people there too can enjoy her largesse"

Mr. Ndang Walters is the Alternate Member of Parliament for Momo East Constituency, Mbengwi. He sat in for Hon. Injoh Foo Ngang Prodencia who was unavoidably absent. Talking to the press at the close of the ceremony, he said "We had to encourage the teachers and pupils for a job well done in upholding the academic integrity of our subdivision" Asked about what response he's giving to the proposal that was made by the deputy mayor of the Mbengwi Council that such initiatives be also extended to the hinterlands, Mr. Ndang Walters said "You know with the security challenges now, it's been quite difficult accessing the hinterlands but since this is just the beginning, we do hope that as time will be going on and as things will be normalising, we will have to extend to other villages so that they too can profit from the gesture" 

Ndang Walters, Alternate M.P for Momo East Constituency

Kadiri Amadu, 2nd Deputy Mayor, Mbengwi Council

The assistant Divisional Officer for Mbengwi on his part saluted the move while assuring the donor that the administration of Mbengwi is strongly behind her. Hear him, "Actually it is a wonderful day to really thank our honourable Member of Parliament for this important gesture. She's proven that she is the right person at the right time at the right moment. We use this opportunity to caution the beneficiaries to properly use the gifts so as to encourage other donors tomorrow. I also use this opportunity to call on other politicians as well as other elites of this subdivision to copy the example of our honourable Member of Parliament to whom I'm saying the administration of Mbengwi is very happy with her gesture especially during this difficult period."

After the various speeches, the items were then distributed though the desires of all potential beneficiaries that showed up could not still be met. Many kept pressurising to grab something too no matter how small but the distributors stood their grounds that only those who were long registered as groups or institutions were earmarked. At some point in the hall, tempers flared, quarrels and threats between some of the coordinators of the distribution exercise and some supposed unregistered beneficiaries. However at the end of the day, it was a relatively smooth distribution exercise as Madam Fomunyoh Claudia on behalf of the beneficiaries extended a vote of thanks to the Mbengwi people's representative in the National Assembly.

Here's what she said "We say thank you to 'Ma' for this privilege she has given to us. We just pray that God continues to guide her in her works and we promise her that we will keep her flag up. What she's given us we are going to take proper care and sell when they grow matured and so as to make money to carry on with the activities of our life, help our families and others who didn't benefit."  As a piece of advice to other youths who are still shunning agriculture, she pleaded they don't just fold their arms idling but rather put their efforts in agriculture because it won't fail them. 

It should be noted that prior to this donation exercise, Hon. Injoh Foo Ngang Prodencia had necessitated the disbursement of fifty one million four hundred thousand (51.400.000) Francs from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Civic Education (MINJEC) to some fifty eight (58) youths in the Momo East Constituency who were selected as beneficiaries of the triennial plan otherwise known as the Three Years Special Youth Plan instituted by president Paul Biya in 2015 to accelerate the socioeconomic integration of young boys and girls between the ages of 15 to 30. In the entire N.W region, Mbengwi had the highest number of beneficiaries and the highest amount thanks to the political "Messism" of Foo Ngang Prodencia who like Lionel Messi masters how to dribble pass her way into the net, scoring goals that give victory to her constituency.

Festivity in Guneku Palace as Councillors Installed, Others Awarded

Festivity in Guneku Palace as Councillors Installed, Others Awarded

For years now since the advent of the Anglophone Crisis, hardly have cultural festivities been taking place in Mbengwi. The palace of Guneku has however distinguished itself from the rest in bringing back memories of the good old days by organising a semi cultural festival in which villagers were once again seen putting on traditional costume especially the famous "torghor". There were also traditional dances like "Kwem" and traditional meals like "Ngorm Tari" (porridge plantains). How did the event come about?

It was on Friday July 30th 2021 that the newly elected councillors from the 20 quarters that make up Guneku village rallied in the palace to be officially installed, after they were recently voted into office during an administrative reorganisation exercise that was called for by the Fon. For two weeks, the electoral commission toured the nukes and crannies of upper, lower and central Guneku to coordinate the villagers elect their quarter councillors. It was this exercise that culminated to the holding of the mini cultural event.

On High Instructions from the Fon, Tayong Fah Elvis Being Conferred the Traditional Title of "Ngam-Fon" (the Fon's Mouthpiece)

Before the installation proper, some leaders (president, secretary and treasurer) were first elected from the midst of those that had hitherto been voted in their respective areas (quarters) of origin as quarter councillors according to the four zones in which the village is divided. The electoral exercise was conducted this time around using local materials like seeds of corn, beans and groundnuts in place of ballot papers so much so that each candidate standing for election was represented by a seed and the voters then proceeded to cast their votes for those they want by using any of the seeds they each represent. 

At the end of the exercise, the results were thus:                                                                    For Zone 1 whose  quarters are Fun/Mbong, Ngong, Toh, Nyang, Nyeh and Tuengyie, Fomujang David emerged as President, Bah Andrew as Secretary and Lydia Munyam as Treasurer. For Zone 2 whose quarters are Njinebai, Njiningom, Benjoh and Njizam, Timothy Tembeng was voted as President, Muki Martin - Secretary and Evelyn Ngum - Treasurer. Meanwhile for Zone 3 whose quarters are Sang, Kimbot, Wunmenyeh, Tonmitoh and Bighebomi, Geh Humphrey won the confidence of the other councilors as President, John Ndakwe - Secretary and Julia Forkwen - Treasurer. Lastly, when time came for Zone 4 councilors to do same, their choices fell on John Agwetang as President, Anya Beltus as Secretary and Eni Julia as Treasurer. This zone is made up of quarters like Mbengeghang, Mbengtibat, Ngamungeh, Fringyeng, Fun Mbot/Mbot. 

Zone 1 Councillors

Zone 2 Councillors

Zone 3 Councillors

Zone 4 Councillors

After the electoral exercise and proclamation of results, the commission will then proceed to do the installation proper of the newly voted zonal council leaders that now automatically became members of the Guneku Traditional Council along side, a youth's representative, women's representative and all religious leaders shepherding God's flock in central Guneku. Some other 8 members of the Guneku Water Management Committee comprised of Sam Ndimasong, Fon Joseph, Choo Samuel, Tah Rene, Gah Daniel, Fondom Calvin, Gongho Onias and Tasi Elvis were also installed.

One of the high moments of the event was an address by the Fon, based in Germany to his subjects. In his recorded message to his people that was played from the sound system to the hearing of all, H.R.H Dr. Ticha W. Fomuki began by first revisiting some of the developmental strides successfully recorded in the palace/village in the course of the ongoing Anglophone Crisis. He cited the establishment of a library in the palace, introduction and revitalisation of fish farming, rabbit, fowl, and bee keeping in the palace and other quarters of the village, establishment of a loan scheme put at the disposal of villagers interested in pig rearing, restaffing and reequipping of all health institutions in the village, reawakening of the once existing organisation known as North West Fons Against AIDS that was and is still headquartered in the Guneku palace but now operating under a new name, provision of input materials to farming groups especially in Mbengeghang, rehabilitation of the road network in the village just to name these few. 

Water Management Committee

Installation of the Guneku Village Traditional Council

He will then proceed to make some appointments by maintaining Mr. Ndingwan Primus as the Chairman of the Guneku Traditional Council, Mr. Fodom Calvin as (Financial) Secretary and Mr. Amamuki Jonathan as Treasurer. To facilitate the smooth execution of the various tasks expected of this traditional council executive, the trio were each provided a brand new android phone so that communication between the village, the diaspora and external elites will be eased. Moreover, a brand new motor bike had also been provided by the Guneku Cultural and Development Association (GUDECA) European Union Branch to the traditional council with instructions for it to be used by the executive (president, secretary and treasurer) in running  errands across all quarters of Guneku especially as the bumpy nature of most of the quarter roads remain a call for concern.

In the course of his address which he did in the vernacular (Meta language), the Fon appreciated all who've been supporting the palace as groups and individuals in it's vision to gradually establish sustainable growth and development in the entire village most especially the various GUDECA branches worldwide. He also gave firm instructions for the traditional council to be meeting once in every month while zonal councils meet once after every two months and that all land disputes in the entire village must be solved only at the level of the village traditional council and after the final judgement is passed, a temporal (traditional) land title shall be awarded to the winner while waiting the subsequent issuance of an official land certificate by the state, this to avoid future resurfacing of such a matter. "In the mean time, all those who have (undisputed) pieces of land in all the quarters that make up Guneku have to declare ownership to the palace. A list will be compiled for all such landlords and archived, a document of ownership issued to them so that in years to come our children's children's children will use such for reference because most of those who quarrel over land and boundaries today have no backing document to justify their claim" said the Fon. 

The Executive Committee of the Guneku Traditional Council 
L-R: Fodom Calvin (Secretary), Ndingwan Primus (Chairman), Amahmuki Jonathan (Treasurer)

Villagers Attentively Listening to the Fon's Address Being Played from the Sound System

He further appreciated the positive turn out (over 80%) by various quarter inhabitants during the exercise to vote their quarter councillors with a good representation of men, women and youths. Talking  about the water crisis in the village, Fon Fumuki instructed that from now onward, they'll be a token levied on all water users to ensure sustainability because according to him, anything that's free hardly lasts as the tendency is always high for it to be abused. Those who won't pay this levy will be disconnected, same for those who shall be misusing the precious liquid, he insisted. 

Talking about community work, he said before, when such was called for, some villagers will come out for the exercise while others stubbornly stay away to follow their own private businesses. Others are those who allow their domestic animals like pigs and goats to stray, eating people's crops. On this, he passed a decision with instructions for the traditional council to effectively enforce it that from now henceforth, once community work is called and somebody absents, those that worked will at the close of the exercise pass in the person's compound, collect any valuable material from there to the palace which shall only be collected back by the owner upon payment of a levy charged by the council. "If you don't tether your goat/pig and it goes around eating peoples crops on their farms thus contributing to hunger in the village, it will be caught and taken to the palace. If after a given time frame the owner hasn't passed by to pay the fine levied by the council, the animal will be slaughtered and cooked to be served as food during the next community work to all who shall answer present." he added. Most of the Fon's decisions were received with great ululations by his subjects. 

H.R.H Dr. Ticha W. Fomuki, Fon of Guneku

Away from the Fon's address, another key moment that gave more weight to the event was the presentation of an echography machine to the public. One of the most renowned health institutions in Guneku in particular and Mbengwi in general is Open Door Medical Clinic located in Njinebai. It was established by an American missionary couple, Dr. John Hibbert and Omelda Hibbert. They had successfully  trained and graduated many physicians, nurses etc, constructed a giant modern standard structure to host the health facility with intentions for it to become a referral hospital but unfortunately the Anglophone Crisis came and forced them to return to their country of origin. At some point, the clinic was robbed by separatist fighters, materials, medication and money carried away worth millions. The clinic was forced to shutdown as it's medical personnel flee to other towns for safety

For over a year, it's doors remained closed, its staff remained unemployed, the population's health situation deteriorated because they had nowhere to go again. Discomforted by the suffering of his people, Fon Fomuki of Guneku ordered for the clinic to be reopened after the long break, pumped some good chunk of money into it to resuscitate the health unit. The founding missionaries too kept in touch with people they had worked with on the ground to make sure their dream doesn't die. This is how the functionality of the clinic was revitalized. As days go by nowadays, more are more sophisticated equipments are being sent to Open Door Medical clinic to maintain and improve its leading role in healthcare provision. 

Open Door Medical Clinic, Njinebai, Guneku

Presentation of the Echography Machine to the Public. That's it Lying on the Table Looking Like a Laptop

This thus explains why on the day of the installation ceremony, it was very important for the population to be kept abreast with what's new at Open Door. Dr. Bernard who works at the clinic did a presentation during the ceremony on the echography machine, explaining to the people especially women how it functions and what it's used for. He ended by encouraging all pregnant women within and without Mbengwi to from now henceforth visit the clinic to know the state of their unborn babies. Otherwise referred to as ultrasound scans, such machines are used to evaluate fetal development and they can detect problems in the liver, heart, kidney, or abdomen.

In addition to this, blood pressure monitors (OMRON Brand) were also distributed to all the health units in the village. Blood pressure monitoring is essential to preventing heart diseases and strokes. Away from the medical presentation, there was also an award of scholarships to some meritorious pupils and teachers of the newly created Presbyterian Primary School Guneku that scored 100% all in List A in this year's Common Entrance and First School Leaving Certificate Examination.

From 2017, schools were ordered to shutdown across the two English speaking regions of Cameroon as a tactic by proponents of secession to compel the Cameroon government to grant their quest for the independence of the former British Southern Cameroons which some now call Ambazonia. Schools that resisted the call and continued the teaching and learning process were from time to time burnt down to compel the rest to obey the order. In some areas, most government schools were burnt not even because they were still functioning but rather, just for the mere fact that they were government schools (mostly by name or on paper) because the structures on most of these school campuses were erected by the Parents Teacher's Association (P.T.A). The government only created the school but the community built them and equipped them and recruited teachers yet these non state armed fighters burnt them for being a government school.

Award of Scholarship. Each Pupil Received an Envelope of 40.000F as they Move to Secondary School

The impact on the school shutdown was greatly felt in the suburbs. Government (Primary) School Guneku and Government Technical High School, Mbengwi, specifically located in Njindom are some of the schools that suffered from arson. The charred remains of the GTHS Mbengwi School Bus that was bought by the P.T.A are still in Guneku, rusting there. "Amba Boys", a local appellation for non state armed fighters drove the bus from Njindom to Guneku and set it ablaze. This was in 2019. 

Faced with this quagmire, financially viable parents, to overcome the situation, started sending their kids to live with relatives and friends in the French speaking regions of the country like Bafoussam, Yaoundé and Douala to continue studies while the peasant farmers in the villages who had no such option and or financial means were compelled to stay at home with their kids and watch them grow into becoming "empty vessels". The school shutdown tactic received wide condemnation nationally, continentally and international as it trampled on the fundamental human right to education. By the 2020/2021 academic year that started in September 2020, the decision was reviewed by leaders of the struggle as they now gave room for private and mission schools to go operational on several conditions among which were that they don't wear uniforms, sing the national anthem of Cameroon, partake in national days like 20th May and 11 February, respect Monday ghost town etc. 

This was favourable to areas having such schools but in mostly the suburbs where only government schools existed, children here still had to continue staying out of school. In such areas, it was advised that community schools be formed to teach mostly kindergartens and pupils basic knowledge like spelling, writing, counting, arithmetic, pronunciation, hygiene, reading and common knowledge. Such schools were asked to hold in palaces, community halls, church buildings or other conducive structures away from the government school building in the area. The Cameroon government banned the formation of these community schools but didn't follow up to shut them down probably because it understood that at the end of the day, such were to an extent still better than nothing at all.

This was how the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (P.C.C) Meta Presbytery took advantage of the situation and stepped into Guneku to establish a Presbyterian Primary School there. Worthy of note is the fact that the whole of the Medig Zone of the Meta clan has no private or mission school. Medig is made up of villages like Tudig, Kob, Nyen, Njinibi, Mbemi and Guneku. At first many saw it as Guneku Community School but gradually, it came out that the Presbyterians own the school and it's certain this academic year, the school shall now become a full fletched and approved learning institution, registered with the state of Cameroon as Presbyterian School, Guneku. 

It was during this no school period that the Germany-based Fon of Guneku thought out of the box and came up with the initiative of establishing a modern library in his village to remedy the situation. Thus, the establishment of Presbyterian School Guneku and the library resulted to the brilliant results that were recorded by the pupils.

The most interesting part of the ceremony was the traditional decoration of Tayong Fah Elvis with the title of "Ngam-Fon" meaning the Fon's mouthpiece. Tayong Fah Elvis is a journalist and political commentator, a militant of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM) party of Professor Maurice Kamto. Tayong, now nicknamed "the kangaroo man" is noted for his hard stance against the Cameroon government when on set during debate programs on TV stations like Equinoxe, My Media Prime, Afrique Media etc. As a son of Guneku that's taken the name of his village far and wide, he was thus distinctively recognized by the Fon who ordered for a traditional black cap with three cowries planted on it to be worn on the head of this young and vibrant gentleman.  

Cornered by Mbengwi Online after the recognition to give a word, he said "The title came to me as a surprise because in the course of executing my own duties, I was contributing my own small quota that I could towards the development of the village and towards the promotion of the culture of the people of Guneku not knowing that all of these were being taken note of." He went on to thank the Fon in these words "I appreciate the efforts put in place by our traditional ruler and I think that it's more of an assignment given to me, that more work still needs to be done" As a word of advice to others, Tayong said "For the time being I'll be trying my own best while calling on other elites to do their own quota because it's not necessarily money for everyone has been endowed with natural qualities in one way or the other to carry on with the development of the village."

While inserting the cap on the head of the new title holder in the village, Mr. Mbakwa Bernard, assigned by the Fon to do this task said "The Fon, Dr. Fomuki Walters has instructed me to give Mr. Fah Elvis the traditional title of "Ngam-Fon" for the good works he has been doing for Guneku village, for Momo division, for the North West and for Cameroon as a whole. What he has been doing cannot be quantified. In the past, we were giving these titles only to people who were able to shoot lions, tigers, leopards and bring to the palace but we now give it to people who can bring change, meaningful development and many more things to the village" 

Statistics have it that in the Meta culture, hardly are youths recognised with traditional titles irrespective of their achievements except they quickly rise to political prominence like becoming mayor, member of parliament or minister. However that was then as these days, the trend is changing. Sometimes in 2016, Seta Withgodep Wiert was also recognised by the 7 Fons of the Bome valley who conferred on him the title of "Eubor-Mufon" meaning the hands of the fons, this, for his humanitarian works in reaching out to widows, the destitute and orphans. He has brought up and is still bringing up over a hundred orphans since 2009 from childhood till adulthood where they get married, get enrolled in the public service or even gain self employment upon completion of training in skills acquisition workshops.

Mr. Mbakwa Bernard it should be recalled was the team leader of the electoral commission that was put in place by the Fon to go round the quarters of the village and conduct the reorganization of the councils. Having done and dusted the assignment that culminated to the installation ceremony, he gave his general appraisals to Mbengwi Online. Hear him "From my own evaluation, the general success stands at about 95% because there were challenges in that in some areas, we never met people but later on they came else it would've been would've been 100%. However, all the activities we planned were executed. The whole fondom was covered, all the people selected to make up the various councils have now been put in place"

In the Guneku Fon's palace, there's the office of an organisation which Mbengwi Online took advantage of covering the installation ceremony to go know more about it. Mr. Fomumbod Derrick is the coordinator  of Fons for Health, Education and Development (F.H.E.D), a new name for an old organisation that was created in 2003,  known as Fons Against AIDS. In presenting the organisation to Mbengwi Online, he said "Presently, what we are doing now is restructuring the organisation because Fons Against AIDS was created with the sole objective of fighting HIV/AIDS but now, with other pandemics that have come up like COVID-19, we deemed it necessary to restructure the organisation and increase the number of objectives. Because of the ongoing war taking place in the North West and South West regions of Cameroon resulting to so many displaced persons especially women and children, we have now included outreach to such vulnerable persons in our plan of action as we now lobby for funding to cater for these IDPs. We equally work with orphans, persons with special abilities and vulnerable children. Since it's an organization that also has to do with education, we focus more on the education of such children especially the less privileged in the community like initiating a community library where these children can go and study. We equally provide assistance to these orphans and vulnerable children and encourage communities to engage in sustainable income generating activities especially widows and the less privileged"

Having done and dusted the reorganization of his village, Fon Fomuki now looks forth to begin working with the newly elected councillors in making Guneku great again, this by ensuring the provision of health, education, food, farm to market roads, electricity, water and other social amenities that can in one way or the other improve on the livelihoods and living standards of all the villagers in all the quarters that make up Guneku, the biggest village in the Meta clan. It is expected that the example or pace set by Guneku will be copied by other villages especially those having as flimsy excuse that let the crisis first end. Guneku has been moving on in the heart of the crisis and is bent on continuing, crisis or no crisis.

The Agony of the Bali Road Block

 The Agony of the Bali Road Block

As the tussle continues between the state and non state armed fighters with decisions and counter decisions imposed to exhibit supremacy, the population remains caught in between. Both say they're fighting for the people yet the common man doesn't feel involved in the fight as he's punished the more like the grass that suffers when two elephants rustle. 

It's getting to a month now that circulation on the Bamenda-Bali road and within Bali subdivision was prohibited. After the recent attack on state forces in the area that claimed the lives of about five soldiers, the Senior Divisional Officer for Mezam imposed a ban on the circulation of bikes within Bali subdivision for a three months renewable period. 

Non state armed fighters in the area known as The Buffalos also in reaction to the ban on bikes imposed their on ban on the circulation of cars within the subdivision for an undisclosed period, probably until the S.D.O reverses his decision. Likely out of pride that's said to usually go before a fall, non of the two warring parties is ready to backpedal on their decisions despite realising their counter productiveness, thus instilling more hardship on the population. 

Sam Tabeng, Ngyen-Mbo Now a Market Place Where Goods Come in from Bali

The (trans African) Bamenda-Bali-Batibo-Widikum-Ekok highway is the main commercial entry and exit route of the North West region. The traffic density on the road is very heavy on daily basis as passengers and goods worth hundreds of millions keep being transported on what many term, the best road in the entire region. Just a day of no movement on this road is a huge economic loss to the region and the impact felt in all 7  divisions within the region and beyond. 

Ever since the implementation of the ban, commuters have been going through thick and thin to move from place to place (with goods). Life is becoming unbearable and many who are able and capable now resort to other means of movement like trekking or pushing their farm produce and goods in trucks to Bamenda and neighbouring communities. 

Mbengwi, chief town of Momo division is now the passage way used by many from Widikum, Batibo, Bali to access Bamenda the regional headquarters and back. Before the advent of the ongoing Anglophone Crisis, Bali had been at daggers drawn with her neighbour, Ngyen-Mbo for many years. Repeated clashes kept resurfacing year in year out on a disputed piece of very fertile land the two communities have been claiming ownership of. 

On many occasions, cash crops like plantains, coffee and other food crops that were doing well on the said land ended up being cleared down or burnt by unknown individuals. Several acts of vandalism on any structure the government tried to mount on the said land to broker a peace deal were committed. Some state officials were even reported to have escaped from the farm at top speed due to gunshots during field visits in an attempt to seek a lasting solution to the Bali-Ngyen-Mbo land dispute. 

Mbon Motor Park, Mile 18 Mbengwi

Fortunately or unfortunately, the Anglophone Crisis that started in 2016 brought the dispute to an unintended end in that it is alleged most of those who used to fight on the land now had a bigger and better opportunity to join the various armed groups that emerged to fight and have since then till date been fighting against state forces in their quest for the independence of former British Southern Cameroons otherwise referred to as Ambazonia.

With the recent ban on circulation of bikes and cars within Bali subdivision, Ngyen-Mbo, their neighbour is now one of the passage way being used to pass from Bali through Mbengwi to Bamenda and back. An economic buffer zone has emerged already at Sam Tabeng, a road side junction in Ngyen-Mbo where farmers from Bali now struggle and bring their farm produce to stand by the roadside and wait for cars to transport them to Bamenda. Some buyers too in Bamenda are beginning to come to Ngyen-Mbo to buy directly from mostly Bali farmers that can't make it to town. Pineapples, garden eggs, maize etc are now on sale at Sam Tabeng.

On Monday August 5 2021 I took a car from my Mile 18 Mbengwi residence to Bamenda. The driver was in a haste and so had no time to stand at the Mbon motor park to load. He took off with me alone on the front seat and upon arrival at Sam Tabeng in Ngyen-Mbo, behold, here where passengers and goods more than he could carry. Faced with the situation, he was compelled to carry overload, 3 in front amongst whom was a pregnant woman plus him the driver, making 4 and 4 too behind. No one complained for tough situations demand tough solutions. 

In the course of our journey, the passengers, mostly from Bali kept narrating the ordeals they're going through at moment. I noticed they love their vernacular. They'll speak a bit in Pidgin English and the next minute in Mungaka, their native language. Their main cry was inaccessibility to the market. They have food stocked at home and on their farms but no way to carry to the market to sell. Life is getting harder, they lamented, yet non of the fighting parties seem to care about their plight. 

Cars Now Going to Bali, Batibo, Widikum Through Mbengwi

The pregnant lady disclosed she's travelling to Bamenda to begin buying diapers and other needs for her expected baby. She added that her situation is worst because where she leaves in Bali is just near a military post and they've been warmed not to dare leave. This means they're now being used as shield because with their presence, the non state armed fighters won't attack them for the sake of the civilians around the post. As they kept chatting in the car, their wish was common, that both parties review the decision they each took to ban circulation. As we travelled along, they kept narrating more ordeals they're now facing and appreciated the passability of the Mbengwi road because as they said, the situation would've been worst if this second option of passing through Mbengwi wasn't even available. 

The driver too shared their pain, explaining why he had no choice than to overload the vehicle. For long, the Mbengwi Drivers Union instituted an order that all drivers must carry only one passenger in front and four behind. With the current situation, some are beginning to go against the said order. Some drivers that used to ply the Bamenda-Bali-Batibo-Widikum have now resorted to the Mbengwi road all in a bit to make ends meet. Upon arrival at Alubakam, gun carrying non state armed fighters were on the road, diverting all cars into the bush where another set is present, politely asking for any free will (financial) support from the commuters. Everyone is hustling for daily bread. The little you have in your pocket to go and buy something, another person wants a bit of it. 

The crisis across the two English Speaking regions of Cameroon is on but while the situation of the South West region is improving, that of the North West is rather deteriorating. Calm and serenity may tarry for weeks but sooner, either an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) is detonated somewhere targeting military cars or somebody is kidnapped somewhere or gun battles ensure somewhere or a lockdown imposed somewhere. This is the undesired new way of life the people are now bound to go through daily. In the course of this, lives are being lost prematurely, the economy is deteriorating. 

Business Now Booming at the Mbon Park, Mbengwi

All calls from both within and without the country for a genuine unconditional dialogue to be called so as to seek a final solution have been falling on deaf ears. The government of Cameroon has repeatedly termed the crisis "a pocket of resistance" claiming  the situation is under control. International bodies expected to resolve the Anglophone Crisis as they've resolved such crisis in other countries have fallen short of the people's expectations. In all these, while the suffering population wants an end, the few persons on both sides and even those passing for neutral bodies reaping fruits from the crisis keep provoking it to persist. However, there's still hope considering that anything that has a beginning has an end. "One day na one day" many people now say.