2023 National Day Celebration in Mbengwi Records Improvement in Turn Out

Singing of the National Anthem

Compared to previous years since the advent of the Anglophone Crisis, the 2023 edition of Cameroon's National Day celebration in Mbengwi subdivision, capital of Momo division in the North West Region recorded an improvement in turn out and activities. The ceremonial grand stand was full of mostly but not only civil servants, the administration, some traditional and religious authorities, some pupils and students and a few commoners. For the first time since 2016, two extra canopies were mounted to contain all that showed for for the celebration.

When the Senior Divisional Officer (S.D.O) of Momo division, Fouda Etaba Bernoit Nicaise arrived the ceremonial grand stand led by horses, he was received by the mayor of the Mbengwi Council, Ndangsa Kennedy Akam and the new Divisional Officer of Mbengwi, Ngidah Lawrence Che who was making his first official public appearance since being installed into office on Wednesday May 10 2023, a day he officially took over command from his predecessor, Sakwe Jarvis Esapa that had been transferred to Njimon subdivision, Noun division, West region in same capacity.

Fouda Etaba Bernoit Nicaise, Senior Divisional Officer, Momo

Military March Pass

Fouda will later review the troops after the singing of the national anthem before then occupying his seat in the tribune. Considering that there were no speeches, the main activity of the day, march pass was immediately engaged beginning with the military followed by civilians. Some pupils and students together with teachers and other service heads partook in the march pass that was closed by the ruling Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (C.P.D.M) the lone political party that answered present with some militants. 

Councillor Doreen Fonjong is the president of the women's wing of the C.P.D.M for Momo 1 Section, East Constituency. Speaking to Mbengwi Online at the end of the event, she said, "The party is still waxing strong in Mbengwi reason you saw see me in my fabric and we came out in our numbers as the only political party and marched." In addressing other militants still scared and sceptical about showcasing their militancy with the party, the women's wing president doubling as first deputy mayor of the Mbengwi Council said "From what's happened today, I'm convinced others will shun fear and follow suit and I'm sure that during such subsequent occasions, the C.P.D.M will make its presence felt in grand style" 

Councillor Doreen Fonjong, 1st Deputy Mayor, Mbengwi Council, President, W.C.P.D.M Momo 1 Section 

Population in the Grand Stand

The march pass was followed by a spectacular horse display led by the second deputy mayor of the Mbengwi Council, Amadu Kadiri. At the close of activities marking the 51st edition of the National Day in Cameroon that was held under the theme "Defence Forces and Cameroonian People, in Harmony to Safeguard Peace and National Unity, Bedrock of a Strong and Prosperous Cameroon", the Senior Divisional Officer of Momo Division who presided over the celebration in Mbengwi in  evaluating the success of the day told the press "the ceremony was marvelous with good attendance, good citizens that joint our forces of law and order to celebrate this day." He then proceeded to give a clarion call to the Momo people in general to join the train of peace, return of social cohesion and  development.

Later on within the day, a special reception was offered in the Mbengwi Council hall by the administration during which it was realised attendance here tripled that of those who were present on the grandstand for march pass. Interestingly, despite the number, everyone had a fill of their stomach as the day ended with merriment at various corners. 

Ndangsa Kennedy Akam, Mayor, Mbengwi Council

Mayor, Mbengwi Council Leading the Civilian March Pass

Unfortunately, despite the success story of the 2023 edition of the national day celebration in Mbengwi that took place on Saturday 20th May 2023, the streets of the municipality remained deserted and business activities grounded as inhabitants stayed home in respect of a ghost town operation purported to have been called for by "secessionists" as the government terms them, a strategy that's been implored since 2017 to counter such celebrations yet at the end of the day, they always go on  across all divisions and subdivisions in the two conflict hit English speaking regions of Cameroon usually amidst tight security. 

The day before, that is the 19th, at least 25 randomly selected shops in Mile 18 and Mile 19 were sealed for reasons we don't know. Eye witnesses told us the shops were sealed by the new D.O, accompanied by the mayor of the municipality, a move many have been castigating that it's counter productive to the living in harmony and peaceful coexistence being preached by these officials especially at a time when the municipality has been speedily regaining normal life but for such ghost town days that are always highly respected.

One of the Over 25 Shops in the Municipality Sealed by the Council 

Some Sealed Shops in Mile 19

The mayor of the municipality has however been trying to calm down rising tempers considering that the victims seem to be looking up more to him to redress the situation. In an unofficial statement he made on a WhatsApp chat group, Ndangsa Kennedy said "My dear people that I represent, let's be calm and join efforts to combat impromptu ghost towns. They are ruining our economy. Let's join efforts and make a try to stop it. Again if all of us in Mbengwi avoid watching the channels that brainwash us I think something good will happen....Please kindly be positive so that we redress the situation and forge ahead." 

He will later invite the affected traders to visit the D.Os office on Monday morning, 22nd May and when they did, the D.O wasn't on seat. They were recieved by his assistant who beckoned on them to wait till his boss comes but the traders retreated back home. At press time, the shops are still sealed and there are fears if the situation is not tactfully and quickly contained by unconditionally unsealing the shops, it may degenerate into an unhealthy outcome. 

Fon of Guneku Invites MESTA

 

MESTA on Leisure Trip to the Douala Grand Mall During the Convention 

The Fon of Guneku, H.R.H Dr. Fomuki Ticha has invited members of the Meta Student's Association (MESTA) to actively partake in next year's Mɨchi Əbeŋ, a cultural festival he initiated in 2023. The verbal invitation was  transmitted to the students by Fongoh P. Ayeh, organising committee head of the festival during the recently held MESTA National Convention, 12th edition that took place in Douala from the 4th to the 7th ofay 2023 under the theme "Braving the odds and overcoming challenges: 2023, a visionary step towards the mission and future of MESTA".

It's been a tradition that every year, MESTA holds an annual convention during the period of university games, bringing together members from various branches nationwide to converge and compete in activities like quiz, traditional dance, arts and craft exhibition, beauty/handsomeness challenge and end by raising funds for an earmarked project. At moment, the association has an ongoing pig fattening project in Mbengwi.

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

Educative Session

Sometimes in the past, MESTA was gifted two piglets by a pro-development grouping of Meta sons and daughters worldwide known as Bongob Meta International (B.M.I) that's mostly been focusing on agricultural development back home. After months of fattening, the boar is already pregnant and will soon be putting to birth. It is for this project that MESTA raised funds during its recent convention to sustain its execution. 

It is worth noting that the convention usually takes place in the region hosting the varsity games provided there's an existing MESTA branch there. Since the games this year were hosted up North by the University of Ngaoundere where there's no MESTA branch, Douala was thus chosen as host branch and appeal/sponsorship letters were dished out to potential donors to help the students organise a successful convention.

In response to an appeal letter that was sent to H.R.H Dr. Fomuki Ticha of Guneku by the students, the Fon dispatched a delegation to the convention venue after having opted to not only sponsor the traditional dance competition but also double the prizes that were earmarked for the activity. In this light, cash prizes were awarded to the branches that partook in traditional dance competition and culinary exhibition plus arts and craft with the least amount being 5.000F and the highest being 25.000F. Apart from these, a specially woven fibre bag was also gifted to the national president of the association. 

Culinary Arts & Craft Exhibition 

Traditional Dressing 

On Saturday April 15 2023, the maiden edition of Mɨchi Əbeŋ was organised in the palace of Guneku during which hundreds of attendees answered present; clad in traditional regalias, expressed themselves only in the Meta language, ate only traditional meals on plantain leaves or in wooden bowls using only their fingers and drank only palm wine from calabashes and cow horns. The festival ended with a Mukonge dance competition during which six groups drawn from across the Meta clan took part in the exercise. 

From the resounding success recorded, Fon Fomuki became inspired to announce the second edition of the festival, that it'll take place on Saturday 23 March 2024 still in the palace of Guneku. It thus expected that MESTA will be effectively present during this second edition that's been dedicated for Kwem dance competition not just as witnesses but participants for as it is said, one good turn deserves another. The Meta people themself say "this hand washes the other" meaning as the students have been benefitting from the Fon, they too have to obviously think of how the Fon can benefit from them. 

The Meta Students' Association (MESTA) before the advent of the Anglophone Crisis had branches in Mbengwi (the headquarters of the association), Bali, Bambui, Bambili, Dschang, Buea, Douala, Yaoundé (Ngoa-ekele) and Soa. By then, the students used to frequent home during which they'll tour secondary schools for Career Orientation, donate gifts like books, bags, trash cans, jerseys, footballs, cups and buckets to primary schools, organise a MESTA Week of socio-cultural and sporting activities, light Christmas trees in the municipality, visit some palaces and carry out human investment around some public buildings. 

Douala Branch Traditional Dance Group

Refreshment Session 

It was at this time that almost every secondary school student's dream was to graduate and go to the university and join MESTA so as to start coming back home this time around in assorted wear not uniform, good hairdo and talk to school mates they left behind. This is when MESTA was still MESTA and it was like a big achievement in life to join MESTA. Unfortunately, with the outbreak of the Anglophone Crisis in late 2016, MESTA like several other associations became a shadow of itself. 

The Mbengwi, Bali, Bambui and Bambili branches seized to exist. Dschang branch too has been dwindling though last year, Bambili got back on its feet. The students have never again gone back home for any activity. It was same fate the umbrella development association of the Meta people known as MECUDA suffered. It took a change of the leadership of the association from Pa Ayaba David Ado to the current President General, Prof. Njoh Oliver for MECUDA to venture stepping it's feet back on the ground after six years. In December 2022, the Annual General Meeting (A.G.M) of MECUDA was held in the palace of Mbengwi village. 

MECUDA might have set the pace for Village Development Associations (V.D.As) to start  holding back their A.G.Ms home as was the case before the crisis but many are yet to answer this call. However, the Meta Students'Association from reliable information gathered is planning to resume the holding of meetings and execution of most of her activities back home. Anyere Desmond, the current National President of MESTA confirmed to Mbengwi Online that before his mandate expires, his greatest achievement will be when he finally succeeds to organise at least a MESTA Week back in Mbengwi.

Anyere Desmond, MESTA National President 

Family Photo at the MESTA 2023 Convention