N.W Journalists Schooled on Back to School & Elections Reporting

N.W Journalists Schooled on Back to School & Elections Reporting

Media persons drawn from over thirty organs in the North West have been schooled on how to report back to school and elections without stepping on toes. This was during a two day workshop at Up Station Bamenda organised by the Regional Delegation of Communication on  Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th August 2018. Through several presentations by invited resource persons, reporters were taught how to effectively report on the back to school campaign in the two English speaking regions without provoking the wrath of either concerned parties: anti school activists that want a continuation  of the educational system completely grounded and the government that wants schools to effectively resume at all cost. To strike a balance, attendees were encouraged to focus their reports on the importance of education and allow those involved (parents and their children) to decide. A clear example, even anti school activists are able to carry on with their activism because they were educated. Thus if the fight must continue, then it'll take only the educated to champion it.

On day one of the workshop, in his presentation on The Sociopolitical Environment and Problematic of Back to School in the N.W.R, the communication delegate, Dr. Louis Marie Begne told the media colleagues that in reporting back to school and elections, there are truths that cannot be disclosed because the reporter wants to give peace a chance although it may be against the rules of the profession. This was corroborated by Dr. Ngobesing Suh Romanus, erstwhile CRTV reporter and current Station Manager of Radio Evangelium, Bamenda whom while presenting on The Mass Media as Instrument of Behaviour Modification cautioned attendees to only play their role as journalist in reporting back to school and not become propagandists, activists or public relations officer for any party.

To better equip the practitioners in facing the challenges of reporting on the subject, social media circulated tracks on back to school were printed and given to the journalists to extract vital points that can be used in their reports, some of which carried messages of how there's been a mass influx of Anglophone students into Francophone schools thus causing a  speedy devaluation of the Anglosaxon system of education the N.W and S.W regions once prided themselves of plus a huge transfer of hard earned money into French regions in the form of fees and rents. Many educational institutions withing the English regions have either been burnt or shut down and are currently undergoing dilapidation, a detriment to the Anglophones and that in fighting for secession, ironically there's rather been more national integration because thousands of Anglophone families have rather escaped into the French regions to seek refuge.

Speaking on The Contribution of the Media for a Successful and Serene Back to School 2018/2019, Mr. Ephraim Banda Goghomu, Head of the Communication Unit, National Polytechnic University Institute, Bamenda said to the media men and women "The job of reporting is dangerous as there's high risk of stepping on toes but real journalists must face it with courage, wisdom and prudence." He simplified his view by saying "To be on the safe side, if you can't speak for school resumption, it's better you stay quiet."

Day two of the workshop focused on media coverage of the October presidential elections and peace in the N.W region. The same facilitators schooled their peers on Peace and Elections Reporting, The Communication Context and Framework of the Oct. 7th Presidential Elections, Education, Sensitisation and Mobilization Before, During and After Elections. Dr. Ngobesing Suh Romanus articulated that "We live in a country where people's attitude towards elections to say the least is negative. Many don't register. A good number of those who register don't even vote. Elsewhere people fight for the right to vote yet are not given it while in Cameroon, people have been given the right to vote yet are not exercising it." He went ahead to say in elections reporting, journalists ought to present the importance of an election, what it means to vote and not to vote, profile the candidates, their political agendas and campaign plan. Moreover, the reporters were told that during an election, they aren't different from someone between the lion and the deep sea. That election is the most crucial moment in the life of any country; a time when power is fought for, lost, won or consolidated.

However in doing all of these, journalists must prioritise their security over any other thing for a good journalist wants to report and live after the report so as to keep reporting. As Dr. Ngobesing better put it, "No one sees a wall and goes hitting his head against it because he wants to get it shattered so as to get to the other side."

Although some  misunderstandings occurred on the last day of the workshop between the Regional Communication Delegate and the Secretary General at the N.W  governor's office, Mr. Lanyuy Harry Ngwani over control of finances for the project, it was still rated a full success especially as the the financial issues were resolved. A radio magazine and spots on back to school were produced at the end of the workshop and are currently being aired on the stations that partook in the workshop.

It should be recalled that around same time last year when a similar workshop was being held at Up Station Bamenda, good news came in from Yaoundé that the Head of State had authorised the unconditional release of many of those who were arrested and incarcerated at Kondengui in connection with the crisis. This news plus the output of journalists greatly caused a positive and remarkable increase in the functioning of schools and performances at end of year exams within the region. A similar breaking news occurred too this year, few days after the workshop. The Communication Secretary of the Ambazonia Governing Council, Chris Anu announced on social media that parents in the two English speaking regions can now send their children to school but the security of their kids will remain their responsibility because fighting is still on. 

Many key public figures, parents and students themselves want schools to resume even if the fighting must continue but the worry of everyone is the fear of the unknown. They wish the two concerned regions could be demilitarized, the remaining detained activists released, a cease fire announced and a return to normalcy, conditions for a conducive learning environment.

SAJESA 2000 Reunites in Yaoundé

SAJESA 2000 Reunites in Yaoundé

The second batch of ex students of St. Joseph's Catholic Comprehensive College (S.J.C.C.C) Mbengwi has ended its 2018 reunion in Yaoundé. This was from Friday the 24th to Monday the 27th of August 2018. Baptised Esprit de Corps, the members met to celebrate love and friendship.

S.J.C.C.C Mbengwi came into existence on the 6th of September 1999. Since then till date, thousands of students including this reporter have passed through the institution for knowledge acquisition. The reunion was thus a forum for members to assess the distance they've covered in life since after leaving school. From evaluation, a majority of the SAJESANS, despite the economic crises plaguing the country are fortunate to be living above the poverty line. Some have become managers, teachers, doctors, lawyers, businessmen. A good number too has travelled abroad for greener pastures.

During Lunch

The fun filled reunion was characterised by a pool party, barbecue, clubbing, wining and dining, site seeing, picnicking and so much more. A formal meeting was also held to chat the wellbeing of the association during which a good number of resolutions were arrived at such as adopting annual dues, contributions for funerals, weddings and other events. The dues shall be used by the association to invest in an income generating project. They also resolved to be one another's keeper especially in assisting unemployed members gain employment and rescuing desperate members in case they find themselves in life threatening circumstances, provided the concerned notify the association of their predicament.

At the tail end of the event, goodbye became the saddest word members wanted to hear. After several years of not seeing one another, the bond became so strong, solidified by love and friendship. They remembered their dormitories (houses); Champagnat, Peter, Francois and Channel, their classrooms like Form 1R,1M and 1L. They recalled the refectory, the canteen, the school kitchen, the pantry, the infirmary and the Brother's House. To rekindle memories, the ex students sang the school anthem plus other songs like Nkum-Nkum Massa from the novel The Good Foot, Fifteen men on the dead man's chest, yo ho ho and a bottle of rum from the novel Round the World in 80 Days. They mesmerised the mass songs they used to sing in English, French and vernaculars. They remembered their teachers, their peculiarities and even mimicked some of them.

Meeting Proper After Pool Party

The second batch reunion of this year has come and gone but the echoes are still reverberating at home and abroad. Every finishing line is the beginning of a new race and because one good turn deserves another, members of the first batch of the ex students association have programmed their own reunion for the first weekend of December 2018. The stakes are high as the pioneers get ready to establish a record.

Low Keyed "Salah" in Mbengwi

Low Keyed "Salah" in Mbengwi

Poor climate and security challenges marred the celebrations of the Muslim feast of the Ram in Mbengwi, Momo Division. At the Wumfi prayer ground, the streets and ceremonial ground were scanty. Brief prayers were conducted early in the morning after which the faithfuls retreated to their homes to continue the celebrations.

The Muslims were seemingly abandoned to themselves as no single administrative official, traditional nor religious leader from other denominations joint them in the celebrations in giving the event the usual grandeur it used to have.

Slaughtering of Sacrificial Lamb

Issa Bano is the Ardo of Chup. Evaluating the celebrations, he said, "Actually we know the condition that is prevailing in the North West, particularly here in Mbengwi. The rain too played its on role in restricting people from coming. We had prayers and now we are sharing with our neighbours and even our Christian brothers. That is why we are very happy that this peaceful coexistence and cohabitation should continue.

Wumfi Mosque

He went ahead to say they had special prayers especially for peace in Cameroon after which the Imam then gave a small sermon, telling the faithfuls how to do the sacrifice. Ardo Issa Bano also explained that it's not just any ram that is fit for sacrifice. "You cannot take any ram like that which is sick or that lacking a leg, an eye and sacrifice. You have to get but the best" he concluded.

Muslim IDPs in Mbengwi Assisted

Muslim IDPs in Mbengwi Assisted

This year's feast of the ram was memorable for some Muslim families in Mbengwi as they were happy beneficiaries of the Humanitarian Assistance Program put in place by the head of state to support victims of the ongoing Anglophone crisis.

It was at the D.O's office Mbengwi in the afternoon of Tuesday August 21st 2018 that these families gathered to receive their items comprised of a mattress, a blanket, toilet rolls, cubes of soap, litres of groundnut oil, kilograms of rice among others. Present at the handing over ceremony were the Momo Administration and security forces.

The displaced families relocated from Acha  where there have been fierce gun exchanges between the military and separatist fighters to seek solace in Wumfi, a predominantly Muslim inhabited quarter in Ku village Mbengwi.

Saidou Muhammad is the Imam of Acha. Though a leader, he too has been displaced. As to why he relocated, he said, "Our place was so unsecured for anyone to live there because we hear guns at anytime of the day and night. I find it so unsafe living in such an areas so I decided to relocate to Mbengwi. Being an Imam, I've continued to pray for peace to return to our country." He also expressed the desire to return to Acha but on condition that things return to normal. He estimated that over a hundred Muslims have been displaced from Acha that used to be their fief.

The S.D.O of Momo Division, Monono Absalom Woloa used the ceremony to call on all other remaining displaced persons within Mbengwi to get themselves registered at the D.Os office as soon as possible so as to benefit during the next sharing exercise to be done in the days ahead. Hear him, "I want to first of all thank the Head of State for coming to the assistance of these displaced persons. We were given material assistance to help our brothers and sisters who have been displaced from different communities to at least go about their day to day life normally. We started the operation of assistance today with the Muslim community because they are celebrating the feast of the ram. We have called on these beneficiaries that came today to sensitise other displaced persons living within the communities to come and get themselves identified at the level of the D.O's office so that they too will become beneficiaries of this assistance provided by the Cameroonian people."

He also sounded the back to school message come September 2018. "We have also told them that despite finding themselves displaced, there are schools everywhere and so come September when the 2018/2019 academic year will open, they should send their children to school." Monono told reporters.

The recipients of the donations went back home satisfied with the items as they shall go a long way to improve on their livelihood during these trying moments.

Catholics Have Never Worshipped Mary

Catholics Have Never Worshipped Mary
Fr. John Paul II Ngwa Ambe

This, he said to antagonist of Assumption Day who believe that Catholics worship Mary instead of God. Rev. Fr. John Paul II Ambe of Christ the King Parish, Mbengwi was speaking at the end of a mass he officiated on Wednesday August 14th 2018 to commemorate this year's Feast of the Assumption, a day Catholic faithfuls believe Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ went up to Heaven body and soul. Hear him, "Catholics have never worshipped Mary. We honour Mary because she's the mother of Jesus Christ and if you accept that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Word that became flesh and took human form, where did he take that human body? It is in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary as we read in the gospels. So we honour her for being the mother of God and the role she played in the salvation of mankind. We don't worship her. Worship is due to God alone but as the mother of God, God has granted that through her we receive graces, through her we receive blessings. In John Chapter 2, she interceded and Christ performed a miracle. The motherly role she continues to play is that she intercedes for us. We honour her for that role she played in bringing Christ to the world."

Fr. John Paul II Ngwa Ambe, Mbengwi Parish 

Njini Joseph is a Catholic faithful. Like others, he prayed asking Mary to intercede in getting him closer to God. "I prayed to Mary to intercede for me so that God will help me to go closer to Jesus Christ because Mary tells us in the scriptures that we should listen to her son Jesus Christ. So I was praying that she should help me to be able to listen, have that attentive ear to listen and do what God is telling me to do" He said.

The intercessions were also for the restoration of peace in the two English speaking regions of Cameroon. Father John Paul II Ngwa Ambe once more, "Among the other intercessions, we were calling on her, mother of mercy, mother of peace... Remember  when the first Catholic missionaries came to this country in the 19th century, they dedicated this country to the Blessed Virgin Mary. We are calling on her especially now that we are facing troubles especially in the English speaking regions of Cameroon that she should listen to our prayers. We have implored on her to ask the Lord to be merciful unto us, to bring an end, a peaceful end to this crisis that is plaguing our country. The Archbishop and his auxiliary appealed to all Christians    to continue in their prayers especially through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary."

Mass

The mass also witnessed some new communicants that had completed their doctrinal classes receiving the sacrament of baptism and first holy communion.

But who is this Mary? Madam Fominyam Grace, a staunch member of the Catholic Women Association attempts an answer; "Mary is our mother in the sense that she is the mother of Christ who's our saviour, our king. We want to imitate her, the way she lived. We want to copy her virtues. She was a great woman chosen by God. We need to imitate her so that God can also love us as he loved Mary. Mary is the mother of the church especially the Catholic church as they believe. Mary is the mother of this country Cameroon as Catholics think she is. We love her and we will continue to honour her because she is our own dear mother. We can intercede through her to Jesus. We can talk to God through Mary. She's our queen, our "Mafaw".

Catholic Women Association (C.W.A)

Rev. Fr. Ambe concluded on the clarifications about Mary by saying, "She had this privilege because she was the mother of Jesus Christ who is the son of God and being the mother of Jesus Christ, she was specially prepared for that in that she was preserved from sin. She was stainless, she remained pure, immaculate till her death and since she was free from sin, it means even the consequences of sin, that is death and maybe corruption could not affect her. So Christ whose body he received from the Blessed Virgin Mary now rewarded his mother with the resurrection. I know the state in which the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of God is in heaven now, in her glorious form, body and soul, that is the state in which all Christians hope to be because Christ has promised us the resurrection after our death but Mary is privileged in that she already experienced what all of us may experience at the end of time. And so for us, her being in heaven is a sign of hope for us that what Christ actually promised is true and we shall be like her one day if we continue to be disciples of Christ."

Normalcy Returning to Mbengwi

Normalcy Returning to Mbengwi

Days after the entry of military trucks into Mbengwi, fully loaded with armed to the teeth combat ready soldiers to execute their mission of clearing off multiple road blockades mounted by separatist fighters with tree trunks, in the course of which some houses were burnt and several civilians lost their lives thus scaring the population of the affected areas to further flee deeper into the bushes for security, life is said to gradually be returning to normal in the the Momo Divisional Headquarters.

Mile 18, Mbon, the economic hub of the sub division is regaining its hustle and bustle daily life. Shops have been reopened by economic operators. Commercial motor bikes and township taxis have been plying the quarter roads and the Bamenda-Mbengwi highway, transporting passengers to and from their destinations with their luggage.

However, this normal life in the town contradicts that of uncertainty in the suburbs. Villages like Njinibi, Njindom, Nyen, Guneku, Kob, Tudig, Acha-Tugi, parts of Bome and Mile 19, Mile 20 are reported to still be greatly deserted. These are areas where the military presence was greatly felt. It is common these days to trek into these areas and spot just few inhabitants mostly courageous men who are always on running alert at the sight of any strange face or hearing of any strange noise. Any unfamiliar face in these areas is always looked at from a distance with great suspicion. It is also common these days to trek for close to a kilometre on major highways like Mile 19 to Nyen and G.R.A to Bessi Fomukong without spotting a single soul, a very scary atmosphere.

All of these happening at a time when the administration of the sub division in particular and the division in general has been working tooth and nail to restore peace and serenity in their jurisdiction especially pertaining to military excesses on the population they were sent to protect.

It is for this reason that the Senior Divisional Officer for Momo, Monono Absalom Woloa recently signed two communiqués as proactive and reactive measures to manage the crisis in his area of command. The first orders for the systematic cutting down of all commercial and non commercial trees situated along public roads in the entire Momo Division up to a distance of 40 meters away from the centre of major roads. The very government that asking for the planting of trees to safeguard the environment is now asking for the trees to be cut down because of the crisis. The second release invites all administrative authorities, all councillors, mayors and deputies, divisional delegates and service heads, internal and external elites, political and religious leaders plus economic operators to take part in raising funds within the context of the national Emergency Humanitarian Program set up by the President of the Republic to assist victims of the crisis in the N.W and S.W regions built for Friday August 17th 2018 as from 1pm in the conference hall of the Divisional Delegation of Labour and Social Security, Momo. 

Anglophone Crisis Kill Tad Market

Anglophone Crisis Kill Tad Market

Located in Nyen village, about some 5km from Mbengwi central town, Tad weekly market used to boom in the good old days, attracting vendors and buyers from Njikwa, Ngie, Bamenda and beyond. Tad market was noted for the once renowned Meta garri, palm oil, pigs, fibre bags and baskets amongst others.

Before the advent of the current crisis, Tad market was already breathing its last, begging for a kiss of life. The council tried some renovation works by constructing new sheds but it was like too late. The crisis hammered the last nail on Tad market's coffin.

On several occasions, pro Ambazonia independence fighters had engaged government forces there in a cross fire resulting to the burning of bikes and the killing of an alleged "Amba Boy" as they are fondly called. Many had feared that Tad market will be burnt down as was the case in other sub divisions like Njikwa and Ngie. Luckily enough it never happened.

But unfortunately, despite not being burnt, Tad market still ended up dying. The market is today a shadow of itself. The plank bridge after 3-corners Mbemi has been cut off. Several tree trunks have been fallen across the road from Mile 20 to Nyen prohibiting access to cars. All other roads leading to the market like through Bome, Medig and Gutah have also been blocked.

It is said when the going gets tough, the tough get going. How buyers managed to communicate with sellers, no one can tell but to the greatest dismay of many, mushroom markets surfaced in several parts of Mbengwi last Friday August 3rd 2018, a day Tad market was to function in Nyen. At Njindom squares, business went on. At Mile 20, business went on. At Mile 18, Mbon motor park, business went on. Palm oil, garri, water fufu and other farm produce were sold. Big buyers criss crossed neighborhood to neighborhood with their cargo trucks. The harvest was rich.

One of the vendors of water fufu at Mbon, a housewife struggling to make ends meet told me the unbearable situation of the country has pushed them to be going through such an experience. She said because of the road blocks, they can't access Tad market and as a result, they had to carry their produce from the suburbs on their heads and trek to Mile 18 covering a distance of over 5km so as to meet with buyers. As to how business was faring, she said "We are just managing. Only few buyers are even coming. Because of the distortion, many can't identify where to now locate us."

Ngwe Obed is from Chenam village. Being an agric technician, he too just like many was surprised to see the impromptu market spots at Mbon. He said back in his village, people need money, they have goods to sell but are stranded because of the situation in the country. Their roads have been blocked and the people are scared. If they knew buyers were in Mbon some would have even  carried their produce on their heads and trek to Mbengwi town.

It should be recalled that in the afternoon of this same Friday 3rd August, Mbengwi was shut down after distant gunshot sounds emanating from the Mile 19 direction sent all closing down their shops and running home for safety. Within few minutes, the streets became empty. The next day, more than 90% of the population packed out for the bushes because two civilians were killed in the exchange.

One of the businesses that's been hardest hit because of the road blockades is the pig business. Many villagers had been selling their pigs at give away prices to buyers who now take advantage of the situation. This is because a bag of animal feed that used to sell at 3000F has gone up to 5000 and the stock that was left in the stores is exhausted. Dealers in the suburbs can no longer have supply from Mbengwi and Bamenda because of the road blocks. Even cars too have been stranded in the villages and Mbengwi town. Till the day the blockades will be cleared, these vehicles will remain grounded. Those who hadn't sold their pigs are now regretting because no one knows tomorrow.

Ndikara Lawrence is a pig farmer in Wumnebit village. I met him selling his pig to a buyer who came right to his door to buy. Asked why he was selling his pig, he said "The situation in town now is rough. Very soon we will be facing difficulties to feed them. So we are left with no option than to remove them and sell." He went ahead to say "There's no profit. Instead we are selling at a loss because there's no means for buyers to even come and buy."

The sand business too hasn't been spared. In the  past, especially during summer holidays, many young boys earned a living from extracting sand from the rivers. There are students who paid their fees, rents and procured other school needs with money they worked through the sale of sand. But right now, hips of fine sand have been grounded along the banks of rivers in Mbengwi. Tippers can't access these rivers because of road blocks. At the end, the idle mind of these young boys and men will automatically become the devil's workshop.

No one seems to know again which way to use in pressuring the Cameroon government to deescalate the crisis. To the coat wearing politicians in the cities, the situation is under control. But to the chafing population on the ground, in the suburbs, it never rains but it pours.

Mbengwi; Rumours Send Inhabitants Packing Out

Mbengwi; Rumours Send Inhabitants Packing Out

If history is anything to go by, then memories of the pre-20th May 2018 atmosphere in Mbengwi are still fresh in mind. Rumours of an imminent attack to destabilise National Day celebrations sent more than half of the population parking out. However, nothing ever really happened as was feared and days after, the runaways returned.

History has again repeated itself with an upgraded version this time around. Saturday 4th May 2018, Mbon motor park, Mile 18, the economic hub of the Sub Division is as busy as a beehive. Something extraordinary is happening. It's not the usual daily hustle and bustle. Instead, people are fleeing with almost everybody looking panick stricken. I stood at the Mbon motor park and  watched the unfolding drama. A mass exodus of the Divisional Headquarters was ongoing. Hundreds of persons were seen scrambling for a seat in any cab that appeared at Mbon from Bamenda. The transport fare was doubled from 500 to 1000 yet they fought to pay. Men, women and children with travelling bags, boxes, mattresses and food were seen in a mad rush either to Bamenda or to interior villages. Even a cargo truck meant for the transportation of goods only was seen transporting passengers to Bamenda.

Access into Bome zone, Medig zone, Lower Medig zone, Gutah zone of the Meta clan has been  hampered with the falling down of huge tree trunks by the pro Ambazonia independence fighters, reported to be in their hundreds now in the sub division. The Bome zone has for the past days been under black outs after trees that were intentionally being fallen by the fighters to block roads accidentally cut a high tension cable.

The day before, precisely Friday August 3rd, the town was shut down in the afternoon after sounds of gun shots were heard from Mile 19. The next day, Saturday,  findings showed that two civilians were killed in the exchange. A certain Enoh Tanjong in Mile 20 said to be a tipper driver was allegedly pulled out of his house and shot to death. Information has it that he was named after the then Governor of North West Province,  Enoh Tanjong now Member of Parliament  came on a working visit to the Mbengwi District hospital in the 70s and coincidentally, he was put to birth same time.

The second killed was a certain Tah Elvis, a bike ridder by profession. Both were hurriedly  buried immediately after which mourners dispersed back home. There wasn't anytime to eat and drink, a traditional way of "celebrating" the dead.

Rumours had flown around Mbengwi that people should evacuate the town because the pro Ambazonia  independence fighters were to engage the government forces for a  serious exchange.  This explains why on Saturday, the town experienced mass exodus.

Same day, there was a mass influx of the Mbororos from Mbengwi and other neighbouring areas into Mbonguh, Touochup where unconfirmed reports said one "Aladji" and his son were killed by thieves. The Mbororos stormed the locality to bury their colleagues and hunt the assailants who are at large.

Incredible but real. Just like a cargo truck that transported IDPs from Mbengwi to Bamenda, it was a tipper that transported close to thirty Internally Displaced Persons from G.R.A Mbengwi to Bessi Fomukong, a village located about some 4km from the central town. It was interesting to see even a dog being carried out of the tipper. The "passengers" alighted at the Kwe weekly market in  the host village from where many still continued with their loads of mattresses, beds, boxes and kitchen items on their heads deeper into the bush where their homesteads had been abandoned for greener pastures. From every indications, all hitherto abandoned houses in the suburbs have now been occupied. It's a movement from grace to grass.

Charlie is one of the Mbengwi Council workers. Like his colleagues that have also relocated from Mbengwi to the hinterlands, he was amongst those who alighted from the tipper and mustered the courage to speak for many didn't even want to be caught on camera. As to why they were running away, he said "We are running from Mbengwi and going to the interior because of too much gunshots yesterday. They almost shot my my child. So I've decided to go to the bush. I can no longer stay again in town because there's no way. I shall now be doing hunting and fishing. The whole town yesterday was darkened with armed forces. I don't know if they are for us or against us. My children were crying the whole day because of the gunshots. So I've decided to take them to the bush from where we shall be observing how the atmosphere will look like before we can return".

At press time, no firing exchange went on as was anticipated. But the worry is who will be first to go back and test the ground before others can return? The climate too hasn't been favourable. Its been raining cats and dog. Hopefully, as the adage goes the flies of a tailess cow are driven away by God.

With the current situation, it's of utmost importance to caution the masses to stay away from battle grounds, to lie on the floor in case of a fire exchange and to escape into the bushes in case of unbearable danger. We must continue mounting more pressure on the government and armed fighters to ground their arms and get to the negotiating table for the sake of the population they claim to protect.

Bamenda-Mbengwi, the Last Accessible Motorable Road

Bamenda - Mbengwi, the Last Accessible Motorable Road

Life is becoming harder in the suburbs of Mbengwi. No entry, no exit for cars as separatist fighters have fallen tree trunks with engine saws and cutlasses across the roads. It all started like a joke with one road and today, it's all the roads.

From Wednesday market in Ngyen-Mbo through Kobenyang, Funam, Tudig, there are road blocks. From Ku to Tudig there are road blocks. Interestingly, on this stretch, the very fallers of the trees made provision for a passage for bikes only, by nailing some planks across the trunks.

But the case of Medig and Lower Medig is different. Almost all the villages like Barakwe, Wumnebit, Chenam, Mbemi, Nyen, Njinibi have road blocks with no provision for pedestrians and bikes yet they've been finding their way through by creating their own paths.

In some instances, the fighters cut holes across the road and bury  charms inside. Weeks back, images surfaced on social media of BIR elements clearing the blockades at. Yet hours after they left, like a cat and mouse game, the fighters returned and cut more trees. Reports say they've also been cutting off plank bridges on the roads.

Consequently, access into two sub divisions in Momo by car, that is Njikwa and Ngie has been blocked too because one has to pass through Mbengwi to reach there. However, reports say bikes are finding their way through to these areas especially with animal feed and goods of basic necessity for the remaining inhabitants there. Military helicopters have been hovering over the skies of Mbengwi almost daily.

The locales say in doing so, the fighters tell them it's for their protection. That if the roads are open, the military will come in and kill them, burn their houses. How true such allegations are remain better known to them.

There are government Integrated Health Centres in these areas together with private clinics. How medication now reaches them is pitiful. How emergency cases are now handled especially those that are reffered to Mbengwi, Bamenda and beyond is unimaginable. The stock of basic needs in local stores is getting exhausted even with an increase in prices.

The military too has been dreading descending to such areas because the more they clear the roads, the more the fighters keep blocking. About two weeks ago, images also went viral on social media of how the dead are now  transported for burial in the villages. In the viral images, a coffin is seen being carried across the tree trunks and tied on a truck, then pushed to the deceased compound.

The last accessible road to cars was from Mbengwi through G.R.A to Bessi Fomukong, Sang, Njindom and thereafter. But unfortunately it has been blocked too. Those who flew from gunshots in Mbengwi last weekend  into the bushes may end up being stranded there if care isn't taken.

Parts of the Bome valley have been in darkness because in falling the trees, electric cables were brought down including high tension cables. How ENEO technicians will access these areas for repair works is unknown. When two elephants fight it's the grass that suffers

It's high time both forces are made to understand that if the fight is to have a winner as if it were wrestling or boxing, then it'll drag on for years. Arms battles rarely end with an absolute winner. If the fight is to protect the people, then both parties must sit down and evaluate the distance covered so far in this direction.

At press time, over five fully loaded military trucks with armed to the teeth soldiers are said to have entered Mbengwi, the Momo Divisional headquarters on mission to clear the road blockades. Sources on the ground say they've successfully cleared the Bome-Tudig stretch and Tudig-Zem stretch. Shockingly houses are reported to have been burnt in Njinibi, Mbemi and other villages were the military operations are ongoing. Two nurses, a husband and wife, working with the Integrated Health Centres of Kob and Njah-Etu plus a young boy in Nyen popularly known as Daddy Boy are reported to have been killed.

• The populations of these hot zones have deserted their homes for the bushes.

Less Privileged Women in the N.W Freely Trained on Income Gerenation

Less Privileged Women in the N.W Freely Trained on Income Generating Activities
By MAIKEM Emmanuela

Smiles and portrayal of appreciation plus satisfaction could be seen on the faces of some internally displaced women, widows, women with disabilities, minority ( mbororo women), and unemployed women in the North West Region over the weekend, at the Winners Chapel premises while receiving their attestations of training at the end of a three months program on income generating activities to enable them economically empower themselves. 

Organized by Madame Ngabir Rita Yenjong Buriya, a young entrepreneur in Bamenda, the participants at the end of the session, were given a startup capital in kind.

With the prevailing situation in the region, many of these women have been forced to leave their homes, become jobless and homeless, while others who find shelter have to share their privacy with 15 other room mates. They sometimes have to go for days without eating. However the free training program has helped some of these women get little food on the table.

According to Senguo Emmanuela, she left her village (Batibo) because of the violent conflict within which many people have lost their lives. She got stranded in the city of Bamenda as she had nothing to do. Things got better when she met Madam Rita Buriya who introduced her to the training program which has enabled her learn the production of coconut oil, detergents, body lotions and necklaces made with beads. She sells some of these items and uses the money to get food feed her family.

Empowering these women in income generating activities and life skills can be a sure way of helping them sustain the life they have at present and in the long run. Miss Siah also from Batibo, lives in a two rooms house with fifteen others. They left Batibo because of the ongoing killings. Joining the program has helped her take care of her family as she no longer buys detergents, soaps and body lotions. She now produces them, sells to get money buy food for her family. She intends moving back to Batibo her hometown and  opening a shop there when the crisis will be over because to her, there is no place like home.

Talking about supports, so far these women have been receiving material support such as cloths and food from the community as well as from the Now Movement Humanitarian Program of  Barrister Akere Muna. The program supported with a training space, chairs and startup capitals for the women. According to Madam Rita Buriya, "Helping the needy is time consuming but it's worth it when you have a vision. Looking at the need of these women has inspired me to ignore the time I spent training them. Some of the graduates have volunteered to help in training the next batch which is made up of over forty women and that will go a long way to solve the problem of time."

Since the start of the Anglophone Crisis in 2016, many young people have lost their jobs, businesses and homes. Many look forward to the day the crisis will come to an end so things can get back to normal.   

      

Bafoussam; Media Persons Schooled on Peace Journalism

Media Persons Schooled on Peace Journalism in Baffoussam

Media practioners drawn from the West and North West regions of Cameroon have rounded up a three days workshop on Peace Journalism from Wednesday 25th to Friday 27th July at Sekem Hotel, Bafoussam. Meeting under the umbrella of the Cameroon Community Media Network, an innovation of the  Communication Department of the P.C.C that was created two years ago in Buea to continuously school media actors on peace journalism and elections reporting, the close to 50 journalists were schooled by Professor Steven Youngblood from Park University, U.S.A and Director of the Centre for Global Peace Journalism on crisis reporting.

"Given the crisis we are facing in the two English speaking regions of the country, we should do a lot of reports aimed at building peace and reinstating confidence between the population and the government because in the absence of peace, even we the journalist can't practice." Mbuh Stella, a reporter for Equinox TV said as lesson learnt.


Social media nowadays has gained grounds in the communication world as one of the fastest means of spreading news but whose credibility is often found wanting. For this reason attendees were drilled on social media tips such as avoiding the use of inflammatory language, hate speech, sensationalism and striving to report facts than report first. After all before social media, there was good journalism.

Gilbert Nyongamsen and Muma Jude are radio journalists from Bamenda. On challenges peace journalism practitioners go through in reporting on the current Anglophone crisis in Cameroon, to the former, "The journalist is caught between two guns; the government forces and the separatist fighters" while to the latter, "When the malpractices of politicians are uncovered, they'll want to sue the journalist"

However, in the midst of these challenges, there's a way out as proposed by Roseline Obah, Station Manager of C.B.S Radio Bamenda, Chapter President of the Cameroon Association of English Speaking Journalists, North West and also President of the Cameroon Community Media Network, CCMN for the West and North West Regions. She says "Journalists should stay away from advocacy, from leaning unto the elitist class and actually go down to the common man especially the Internally Displaced Persons thereby giving room for all voices to be heard (mostly on the way forward)".

Group Photo

The holding of peace journalism and elections reporting workshops in Cameroon has been recurrent of recent yet the current crisis are seemingly rather escalating. To Steven Youngblood, a Peace Journalism professor and main facilitator at the workshop, such can better be addressed by a security expert, sociologist or political scientist because anytime there's a conflict in a country, there are many contributive factors. "I don't particularly think  Cameroonian journalists are to be blamed for these issues. I think that there are a lot of other factors. There's always room for journalism to lead discussions that can help societies to avoid conflicts, to heal and certainly journalists can play that role but I must definitely wouldn't blame journalists for the situation in Cameroon." he said.

When asked if it's OK for journalists to continue  taking cover behind peace reporting, impartiality, credibility to escape from joining the rest of the citizens of their country in fighting for justice, human rights and better living standards, issues that affect all irrespective of profession, his response was "When journalists abandon their objectivity, when journalists become advocates, they're no longer journalists. They're protesters, separatists, advocates. My message will be simple. Make a decision. If you decide that you want to be a journalist, that you want to provide the public unbiased objective information or if that's not what you want to do, then quite journalism and become an advocate."

It is now hoped that after all the knowledge gained, participants will return to their media organs better fortified on peace journalism and elections reporting technics and contribute their quota to deescalate the crisis through their reports.

C.Y.F Wumnebit Admits New Members

C.Y.F Wumnebit Admits New Members

Christened the "Batch of Rebuilders", the Christian Youth Fellowship of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, Wumnebit Congregation of the Meta Presbytery in Mbengwi Central Sub Division has admitted sixteen new members. This was during a church service that took place in the congregation, officiated by the Reverend Mujem John who drawing his sermon from Philippians 1:6-11 called on the newly admitted to shun the challenges of youthfulness like promiscuity, drunkenness, alcoholism and be ambassadors of the Good News. 

Following the norms of the fellowship, the admission process was conducted by the Meta Presbytery president of the C.Y.F Munya Ephraim and Teghen Godlove, the Lower Medig Zonal Coordinator after which the new members upon taking oath of service to the Lord were decorated with C.Y.F gadgets.

Muyang Eucharia is one of the newly admitted. She said her satisfaction after the dedication couldn't be underrated. " Throughout the doctrine till now I've really seen that things of the world are of no benefit to us. My life has really changed positively. I encourage other youths to join this movement not only to evangelise but also to  build our morals"_ she concluded.

To the officiating minister, the Reverend Mujem John, it was an occasion to show an addition in the number of Christians of the congregation and prove that young people today love following God especially as faced with the current sociopolitical crisis, it's not easy to find youths who dedicate their lives to follow Christ.

Other new members and backsliders were admitted and readmitted into the church while some received confirmation

Momo S D.O Rewarms His Seat

Momo S.D.O Rewarms his Seat

The population of Momo Division has heaved a sigh of relief following the return of "their son" to office. Barely weeks after recording a huge success in the organisation of an ecumenical service on June 7th 2018 to sing and pray for peace in his division, the region and nation as a whole, during which civilians and top ranking military and government officials alike converged in P.C Station Congregation to listen to inter denominational men of God pray for peace,  Absalom W. Monono, Momo's S.D.O went "missing". His disappearance from office set tongues wagging in the quarters. Propagators of unfounded information convincingly spread rumours that the S.D.O has escaped because of the current sociopolitical stalemate affecting the two English speaking regions of the country with Momo Division being one of the hardest hit areas. And so his admirers, uncountable in number became worried that if the shepherd could abandon the sheep in the advent of danger, then the worst was underway.

During this vacuum period, the local press noosed around the S.D.O's office and got reliable information that the seasoned administrator was on a well deserved sick leave in the United States but was to be back soon. And so contrary to already widely spread rumours that Monono absconded office, tipped on his return, the local media again went snooping around the office for confirmation and on seat to welcome them was  the S.D.O, looking fresher and healthier with a beaming smile.

"The first thing is that I am very happy to know that my population were preoccupied about the whereabout of their Senior Divisional Officer. This shows that there is a synergy between their S.D.O and them and that they are very concerned about his welfare. I was given a sick leave by hierarchy to go for  medical check up in the United States. Thank God all went well and I'm back. I know that we are still having challenges in our division and I trust in this very population who were very worried and who wanted to be with their S.D.O that together we are going to work and see how to meet up with some of those challenges in order for us to continue to live  normally.

Monono also used the opportunity to pass across a special message to his people. "I want to thank them for their steadfastness in standing up to all the challenges we have and to tell them that we are going to do everything possible for them to have the security that they deserve. We will also make sure that things come back to normalcy so that the economy that has been well hit should bounce back so that before September comes, parents will have the means to send back their children to school. I want to congratulate our students who made it in the end of year examinations. We realised that in B.E.P.C in G.B.H.S Mbengwi, they had 100%. For G.C.E Advanced Level they had close to 70% which shows that for the time that teachers taught students who decided to go to school, they grabbed something positive and they were able to make it. We are looking forward to a very effective 2018/2019 school year. To all stakeholders, I urge them to do their best to maintain and why not improve on the good performance Momo Division has always been noted for." He ended.

Mbengwi: Men of God Pray for Peace

Mbengwi: Men of God Pray for Peace

*Prayer of Confession and Repentance for Cameroon*
By Pastor Alpha, Redeemed Christian Church of God.

Our Father in Heaven, creator of Heaven and earth, we come before you acknowledging that we have sinned. Like Cain who slewed his brother in the field and the blood was crying for vengeance, we agree that we have sinned and the blood of our compatriots is crying for vengeance. The blood is crying in Bole, in Munyenge,in  Njikwa,in  Oshie, in Mbengwi. The blood is crying from the ground. Lord we come today to cry unto you that Lord you will have mercy over Cameroon. You will have mercy over our lives. That blood can only be silenced by the blood of Jesus, the blood that speaketh better things than the blood of Abel. We ask that let the blood of Jesus cry for us, let the blood of Jesus speak for us, let the blood of Jesus speak for the adornment of grace. Father you said if my people who are called by your name, they will humble themselves, they will seek your face, they Will turn away from their evil ways and call upon your name, you will hear them from heaven, and you will answer them, and you will heal their land. We accept that we have sinned Lord, we confess before you that we have sinned, we humble ourselves before you, and we repent before you of our immorality, of our occultism, of our wickedness, of our bribery and corruption, of our hypocrisy even in the churches. We ask oh God that may you have mercy today. Hear us from heaven Lord. Cleanse our land with the blood of Jesus and give us the grace that even from this point forward, we will repent and commit more atrocities no more. In Jesus’ mightiest name we have prayed, Amen.

*Prayer for God to Touch Hearts and End the Killings* 
By Rev Priest of the Catholic Church

 Almighty Father, Lord of the universe and of history, all that you have created is good and your compassion for the mistakes of mankind knows no limit. We come to you today to beg you to keep in peace our country Cameroon and its people, to keep far away from her the devastating waves of killings, to restore friendship and instill in the hearts of your creatures, the gift of trust and readiness to forgive. Oh Jesus, Prince of Peace, we pray to you for those who have been wounded and killed in these acts of inhumane violence, children and young people, old people and innocent people, heal their bodies and hearts. Console them with your strength and at the same time take away any hatred and a desire for revenge. And to the death, grant them eternal rest in your heavenly kingdom. Holy Spirit Consoler, visit the families of those who have lost their lives during this period. Wrap them in the mantle of your divine mercy. Make them find again in you and in themselves the strength and courage to continue life and never to lose faith in you. Heavenly Father, touch the hearts of all those killing and destroying properties so that they may recognize the evil of their actions and may turn to the way of peace and goodness of respect to lives and the dignity of every human being regardless of religion, origin, wealth and poverty. Oh God eternal Father, in your mercy, hear our loud prayer which we raise up to you amidst the loud noise and desperation of our country Cameroon. We turn to you with great hope, full of trust in your infinite mercy, made strong by the examples of the blessed martyrs who have rendered courageous testimony to the gospel to the point of offering their blood. We entrust ourselves to the intercession of your most holy mother. We ask for the gift of peace and the elimination from our midst the unreasonable killings through Christ our Lord, Amen.

*Prayer for God to grant justice to the Anglophone problem*
By Pastor Neba of The Assemblies of God

Heavenly Father we thank you so much. You are the God of justice. We bring this nation before you and we ask for the council of justice in heaven to sit now and speak on behalf of this nation with a declaration. Lord we pray let it be established that before this day and this month go by, the justice of heaven will reign over Cameroon in the name of Jesus, Amen. That the blood of Jesus will speak on behalf of this nation in the name of Jesus, Amen. And there’ll be a harmony, and Lord there’ll be understanding, there’ll be no more differences because you are God of all creation. So we surrender this nation in your hands, we surrender the Anglophone zones South West and North West in your hands, we pray oh God with a declaration that whoever will stand against the council of justice in heaven, may heaven arise and speak on behalf of they that cry before you today. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.

*Prayer for God to Remove all Barriers to Dialogue*
By a Man of God from Jesus Evangelistic Bible Mission

Father we pray in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. You said in your word, ‘’Come and let us reason together. Though your sins are like scary, red as crimson, come and let us reason together’’. Lord I raise my hand up as your servant. Lord we cry before you that we have lost souls; we have lost brothers, sisters, and fathers. Oh Lord we come before you the prince of peace crying this moment that Lord, let your presence come down, let your glory come down, let your anointing come down, let your mercy come down. You said in your word, “Your mercy endureth forever”. We have sinned against you, we have gone astray, we have warbled, Lord, we have betrayed the trust you gave us. But Lord, any barrier, any obstacle, any agent of darkness, standing on the way of dialogue, we carry him away with the judgment of God in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. Lord I pray, all day long our teeth cannot be shown out for about two years and a fraction now. Lord we cry upon you, any barrier unto dialogue, we scatter it by thunder in the name of Jesus, Amen. Let dialogue prevail, let talks prevail; let reconciliation prevail upon this nation in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, Amen. You say our weapon of war is not canal but mighty through God for the pulling down of strongholds. Let every stronghold in this nation be pulled down in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. Let peace reign. We invite you the prince of peace to fetch their place in this nation. You shed your blood for this nation’s truth. Lord let your blood speak upon this nation for peace, for dialogue, for reconciliations, understanding and oneness in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

*Prayer for All Displaced Persons*
By Pastor Munteng Pierre of The Anglican Church

We are praying in the name of God the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen. Eternal father we understand that because of displacement, your people are suffering the effect spiritually; they are suffering it emotionally, they are suffering it psychologically and morally. Financially Lord God in heaven it’s pressing on them. Because of the displacement Lord, even their destinies have been tampered with. Heavenly Father as your Word has come out from this altar, may it reach to heal them in the name of Jesus, Amen, because Lord you have said you will send your Word and it will heal your people. Lord God in heaven we are crying unto you, as your Word is coming out from this altar, Lord may it comfort them spiritually. Lord God in heaven may you comfort them psychologically. Heavenly Father we pray that financially Lord they will be redeemed, that their destinies Heavenly Father will be aligned according to your will. Heavenly Father we continue to pray unto you because we know only you can restore them back. We pray Heavenly Lord that spiritually may they be restored in the name of Jesus, Amen. That emotionally may they be restored in the name of Jesus, Amen. Financially may they become stable in the name of Jesus, Amen. That may their destinies Heavenly Lord be aligned according to your will. That they may live this life to declare your goodness. In the mighty name of Jesus we have prayed, Amen.

*Prayer for God to Give Our Leaders Wisdom to Handle the Crisis*
By Pastor Toh Godlove, Full Gospel Mission

Oh Lord to you we pour our hearts in supplications through your son Jesus Christ that you in your mercy, pour your wisdom on the leaders of our nation. Your Word declares in Ecclesiastics 9:18 that “wisdom is better than weapons of war’’. Our leaders instead of going to you for wisdom have been busy preparing for war. We your church and the administration of Momo Division today say NO to war in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, Amen. Your Word oh Lord in James 1:5 says “If we lack wisdom, we should ask of you”. We therefore ask Lord that in your mercy and generosity, fill our leaders with wisdom from above in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

*Prayer Against Hatred Between Anglophones and Francophones*
By Rev. Epie Mark Kogge, P.C Njembeng

Precious Lord our Heavenly Father, our hearts are full of joy and gratitude towards you for you have told us in your Word in Psalms 133 that “How good and pleasant it is for brothers and sisters to live in harmony”. Father we come before your throne of grace, praying against every form of hatred between the Anglophones and the Francophones because in you there is no Jew, there is no Gentile, there is no slave, there is no free. Father we are created in your image and you have given us the authority to live on the land you have given us. Father you have told us in your Word that we shall possess our possession. Gracious Lord our Heavenly Father, where there is a man to pray there is a God to answer. Father shorten our sufferings, shorten our sufferings oh Lord and let your children enjoy the peace of your presence. Our Lord Father, you are a great God. No one can battle with you. Father we commit our sons and daughters who have taken up the devil in the name of “odeshi”, Father may you bring them back to yourself. Father we pray for our military who have thought that the barrel of the gun can solve the problem. Father we commit them into your hands that we may see one another as brothers and sisters in the Lord. Father, that we may see ourselves as children consecrated unto you. Father there is no division in your kingdom. And even here on earth oh God there is no division. Father your Word has told us that whatever we decree on earth shall be decreed in Heaven and whatever we deny on earth shall be denied in Heaven. Father today we deny, we refuse to accept oh Lord that your children shall live as enemies.  Father we shall live as brothers and sisters. No matter the outcome oh God, you reign supreme. Father let your name be glorified. Let your power move from end to end. Let oh God your children glorify your name as we continue to look only up to you who is the founder and perfecta of our faith. Father we bless, Father we worship you. We adore you Lord because you have answered us.  You have answered us because Heaven has decreed that our time of victory is near. Let it be so as you have said. For you said in the book of Isaiah that “I, the Lord have spoken”. Father we are not prophets of our own but you have sent us and therefore we decree by your authority of Heaven that today, your name shall be glorified forever and ever, Amen.

2018 National Day in Santa, CPDM Steals the Show

20th May Turned CPDM Day in Santa

No day, except 1st October last year has ever been tensed in Anglophone Cameroon like 20th May 2018. What was to be a national unity day celebration turned out to be a CPDM rally on the Santa ceremonial grand stand where close to 100 militants turned out in party colours to celebrate under the theme  _"Cameroonian citizens, let us remain united in diversity and preserve social peace, for a stable, indivisible and prosperous Cameroon"._ Presided over by the Santa D.O, Viang Makala, the event began with the award of a medal of honour to H.R.H Fominuy Sylvester Fongon, fon of Matazem, followed by a military and civilian march past during which various sections of the CPDM party sang songs of praises to the parties national chairman, H.E President Paul BIYA.

The Santa Youth Peace Force is an innovation Fru Jonathan, Section President for CPDM Mezam II, Santa and Inspector Gereneral at the Ministry of Public Works brought to defend the community against any threats to peace like violence and killings. This peace force championed the match past. Professor Mutia Roseline is Chargé des Missions at the Prime Minister's Office, Yaoundé. After attending the celebrations as an elite from the area, she remarked that they've celebrated peace and unity for the development of the nation. Same impressions shared by Mr. Teneng Walters, Principal of G.H.S Kuang who added that a peaceful and united environment is an attraction to foreign investors for the emergence of the economy by 2035.

Speaking to the press at the close of the ceremony, "Ntumfor" Fru Jonathan said _"The people of Santa have come out massively to celebrate despite the crises because it's a national day though we  are all very worried because some of our brothers are languishing on the hills. We have come out massively to say we support peace. The youths and population of Santa have come out to through me say they stand behind the president of the republic whose vision they all buy because he's a man of peace, the one who shall be able to solve the problems of our country. The president is the right person reason why they are calling on him to present his candidature for the up coming elections because he needs to continue to govern this country until the moment he must have put our country on the path of development"._

 The event was greased with several artistic performances and cultural animation by several Mbaghalum dance groups.

Njekwo-Bome, Where Many Hands Do Light Work.

Njekwo-Bome, Where Many Hands Do Light Work.

The people of Njekwo in Bome, Mbengwi have proven that where there's a will there's a way, that many hands do light work through reigniting the long lost spirit of community work that was embedded in the cultural values of the olden days. Though a seemingly tiny village, they've proven beyond reasonable doubt that "small no be sick", that unity is strength. The people of Njitoh-Njekwo have mobilised and are still mobilising material and financial resources to construct two multimillion bridges within their village. At first sight, almost everyone will say its not a project they can handle considering the financial weight, labour and expertise required. But just like communal insects, the likes of bees and ants, the people have taken upon themselves the challenge to prove that think big, act big and you'll be big, that while waiting be moving, that its either they build the bridges no matter what it takes or they die trying.

Last week the parliamentarian for Momo East visited the villagers at the construction site after receiving an appeal letter from them. Honourable Edna and delegation met a group of weary old mother's and fathers supported by few ailing youths exhausting their last energy to build a bridge they'll have few years to cross on. Deep within them, it's for their children and humanity as a whole not even themselves. It's the type of bridge government will award a contract of hundreds of millions for it to be constructed but these people have taken their destiny into their hands. Their strength is in unity, courage and optimism. No matter what it takes, all they care about is that they want their bridge to be passable for all: humans, animals and even heavy duty cars.

This week the parliamentarian again descended to the site this time around with a technician from the Momo Divisional Delegation of Public Works for assessment to ensure that what the Njekwo people are doing is according to standard. After his evaluation, the technician, Anoh Pascal did a few corrections but however appreciated the community for such a wonderful laudable initiative to take the bull by the horn. He lamented that the spirit of always waiting on the government to come clean even the roads to our pit toilets is what is greatly causing the under development of Cameroon.

Before leaving, the M.P promised to for the start provide material support (cement, rods, etc) worth 200.000F to push forth the realisation of the bridge construction project and that these shall be handed over to the beneficiaries within next week. Njekwo has drastically been affected by rural urban migration. So the few elderly ones remaining in the village are pleading on bended knees that their sons and daughters at home and abroad, elites, well wishers, philanthropic organisations etc should come to their aide. Just donating a  bag of cement, a rod will carry the project an inch forward.

After reading, do something. Take action as individual or group to support these people that are setting the pace for others to follow. No amount of money or material is too small to be recieved and appreciated for little drops of water make an ocean.

C.N.Y.C Pulls Hundreds in Mbengwi

C.N.Y.C Pulls Hundreds in Mbengwi

The Cameroon National Youth Council, Mbengwi communal bureau has set a mobilisation record that will take long to be broken within the sub division after it  successfully pulled over 500 spectators to the Mbengwi municipal stadium on Sunday April 29th to watch socio-sporting activities marking the end of a three days youth camp it organised. The C.N.Y.C is an apolitical, lay and non profit making organization that serves as a national forum for consultation, expression, coordination, dialogue and action of youth organisations in Cameroon. It's mission is to developed synergy between youth organisations in Cameroon in order to enhance young people's creativity and optimise their potentials for action and participation in development through the facilitation and promotion of educational, cultural, sports values and civic education among youths.

On February 17th, new bureaus were voted into office in all sub divisions nationwide after which the Mbengwi bureau immediately set to work. Firstly, they held meetings with leaders of over 10 different youth associations in Mbengwi and resolved to form a youth coalition with the goal of enhancing development within the sub division through voluntary community service. Secondly, they initiated a Mbengwi Youth Camp whose realisation recorded a resounding success and the echoes are still reverberating far and wide.

The three days event started on Friday the 27th with human investment by filling potholes on the stretch of road Check Point to District Hospital entrance. The situation had been very deplorable to the point were cars and bikes were then using but the edges of the road because of the many potholes in the middle but after the work, the situation was remedied and now better.  Early in the morning on Saturday, forty athletes took part in a cross country race from the Grand Stand to Mile 19, Muswe, Njembeng, Mbon, Check Point, G.R.A and back to the Grand Stand. Fomunyoh Lydia and Guam Julius emerged winners with each backing home cash prizes of 10.000F.  The 2nd and 3rd position occupiers in the male and female categories received 7000 and 5000 respectively. The rest received consolatory prizes of 1000F each.

All roads led to the Mbengwi municipal stadium on Sunday April 29th for the final day of the youth camp. It all started with a horse race round the stadium then followed by handball girls during which the girls of Njembeng thrashed those of Mile 19 by 7 goals to 6. For handball boys, Mile 17 beat Njembeng and the match was preceded by a cultural dance performance by the Mbororo youths. Before the football match could start, a mammoth crowd of over 500 spectators had clustered round the pitch to witness the historic encounter, historic because of the teams (SIMAF Football Academy vs Mbengwi FC), the officiators and the end results. The Young Presbyterians of P.C Mbengwi first thrilled the audience with a splendid Mukonge dance. Then the kick off was executed by ex commissioner Awasum Simon, accompanied by the youth council bureau members. At the blast of the whistle, the scramble started.

Several factors led to the success story. The council members are visionary, development oriented and very  influential. The initiative to form a youth coalition  also added steam to the event. A publicity caravan went round the town that afternoon in addition to what was being done by a community based radio station in Mbengwi, Rainbow Radio that fully marketed the event from beginning till end. Then too, live commentaries were ran from the stadium and this spurred many inhabitants to go see things for themselves. The beautiful weather of the day played a key role. It was a Sunday, a Tad (market) day and in the rainy season yet the day was bright and fair despite the fact that rain is noted to fall on every Tad market day. Finally, the central referee was a come and see. Many got the information as a surprise that the parish pastor of P.C Njembeng, Rev. Epie Mark Kogge who doubles as the Meta presbytery treasurer was to handle the whistle and decided to come and see for themselves most especially as many of his Christians never even knew he is a very good footballer. Moreover, one of the linesmen was Evan. Abanda Edwin from The Church of Christ thus confirming Football to be a unifying game as often said.

Back to the field of play, barely 3 minutes into the first half, a free kick advantage awarded to Mbengwi FC was converted into a goal. Not long from then Peter Paul from Mbengwi FC tactfully smuggled the ball across the cracked defence line of SIMAF and surprised the goal keeper with a second goal. Things started falling apart. Their corner stone had been shaken and the building came collapsing like a shipwreck by pirates of the Caribbean. Before the first half ended, Mbengwi FC was up by 3 goals to 0. At half time, DJ Prado, a son of the soil took to the rostrum and moved the crowd with his new single "Chakam".

After having revised their notebooks, the players of SIMAF F.A couldn't still destabilise the mountainous defence line of Mbengwi FC within the second half. Rather it became like the revenge of the Spartans. As if not still satisfied with sleeping dogs lying but wanting to see them buried, Mbengwi FC will again score another goal  to make it 4 and maintained it like that till the blast of the final whistle.

Before the handing over of prizes, the budding vernacular rapper Forkeh alias Menemo from the Mbengwi fondom caused screams of joy among the audience when he took to the stage with freestyles in Meta language mixed with English, French and Pidgin.  The crowd went wild (not negatively) during a dancing competition where 8 dancers started and were gradually being eliminated till the final 2 were gotten. Little Blaise Samuel from Barajei, Bome and Armstrong alias Danseur from Wumnebit competed for the 5000 cash prize. Deciding the winner was like asking between the chicken and the egg, which came first.

And that is how it happened that amidst challenges like the current tensed political atmosphere, unpredictable weather conditions and poor response to appeal letters that were given to elites and business magnets of the sub division, the youth council still successfully organised a hitch free three days crowd pulling youth camp in Mbengwi. But for persons like the executive director of A Better World Organisation and that of NewSETA, the Member of Parliament for Momo East, the C.E.O of Rainbow Radio and a host of others that supported the event financially, a  majority simply neglected the endeavours of the Mbengwi youths and underestimated what the youth council could do though it however spurred the members to deep their hands into their pockets to make up for the shortage just so that every participant went back home with something.

The 2018 Mbengwi Youth Camp has come and gone as the  C.N.Y.C Mbengwi communal bureau now looks forward to organising another crowd pulling event, Mbengwi Youth Cultural Festival come December 2018.

MINEDUB Boss Visits First School Centres in N.W

Minister Hadidja of Basic Education Visits FSLC Examination Centres in the N W

Cameroon's Minister of Basic Education, H.E Madam Alim Hadidja epouse Yussuf has been touring some accomodation centres in the N.W.R hosting the written face of the F.S.L.C and C.E.P for the Francophone sections.
Minister Hadidja was in Ndop, Ngoh-Ketunja Division where she met the pupils concentrating in search of answers to the examination questions. Her first stop was at PSS Ndop, then to Ecole Publique Francophone, Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Primary & Nursery School and finally at Gov't Practicing School Ndop. At each stop, she was presented with the statistics by the examination officials.

From Ngohtenjia, Minister Alim and delegation herded to Mezam where the 1st stop was at the Bamenda 1 GPS centre. Here, 526 pupils registered for the exam, 522 were present and 4 were absent. The centre also played host to some  2 candidates from Menchum and 6 from Boyo Division. From there she will later proceed to Ecole Public Francophone Army Camp Up Station where hundreds of candidates were seating in for the C.E.P before finally ending her visit at the Gov't Bilingual School Complex Old Town Bamenda. The minister and governenor at the end of the visit appreciated the basic education stakeholders in the region and the military for ensuring a hitch free 2018 session of the exams.

Mbengwi: Choirs Sing for Peace

Mbengwi: Choirs Sing for Peace

In response to a call from the Momo S.D.O in collaboration with church leaders in Mbengwi, massively the population  showed up for a special ecumenical choir presentation prayer service dubbed “Our Choirs Sing for Peace” (2 Chron. 20:1-16). This was in the afternoon of Thursday June 7th 2018 at P.C Station Congregation, Mile 19 Mbengwi. Turn by turn the Men of God mounted the pulpit to preach the message of peace in our beloved country Cameroon and pray for God to restore harmony, reconciliation, forgiveness and unity amongst citizens in the face of the ongoing socio-economic and political crisis negatively affecting the population. Same message was reechoed in the glorious melodies of the various choir presentations. The interdenominational church service had Christians and leaders from the Presbyterian, Catholic, Baptist, Apostolic, Full Gospel, Muslim and Pentecostal Churches like Assemblies of God, Anglican Church, Redeemed Christian Church of God and Jesus Evangelistic Bible Mission.

The Men of God had several prayer points/intercessions such as:
- Confession and Repentance for Cameroon
- God to Touch Hearts and End the Killings
- God to Grant Justice to the Anglophone Problem
- God to Remove all Barriers to Dialogue
- Displaced Persons
- Love Between Anglophones and Francophones
- God to Give our Leaders the Wisdom to Handle the Crisis

In attendance were the D.O for Mbengwi, Fouda Etaba Bernoit Nicaise, the Lord Mayor to the Mbengwi Council, Tebe Beatrice née Mbamuku Nduku, fons and commanders of the various military factions like the BIRs, Police, Gendarmes and the Penitentiary together with some of their elements. The surprise guest was the Commander of the Military for West and North West Region, General Agha Robinson, a son of the soil, accompanied by Colonel Pouma, Commander of the 33rd BIR implanted in the North West Region.

In his closing remarks at the end of the service, the seasoned administrator, Monono Absalom Woloa first began with a song (It is well in the name of Jesus) that set the entire church house in joyous noise, an indirect assessment of the attachment the people have to their administrator after which he invited the General to the pulpit to give a word. General Agha Robinson told the congregation:
“I have come here today to add my voice to this call for  peace. We have come here not to wage war but to bring peace to you. It is important for us to realize that violence does not solve problems, fighting does not solve problems and that taking up the gun does not solve problems. It is also important for us to tell our children that going to the bush does not solve problems.” he continued. “In September our children have to go to school. The peace we are praying for starts with us. We have to be the change we want. We have to be examples of peace. Tell those our brothers to come out from the bushes, sit down and let us talk peace.” he ended. Monono then cued in to quote 1st Samuel 16:14,15,23 which talks about the Lord’s Spirit departing from Saul and replaced by an evil one. God used music through his servant David to send away the torments of depression and fear that gripped King Saul when the Spirit of the Lord left him.

A special offering was collected to assist internally displaced persons caused by the conflict. At the end of the service, the Rev. Shu Lawrence Neba, Parish Pastor of P.C Mbengwi donated the peace plant to Absalom Monono and Gen. Agha Robinson saying “We want to thank God for the S.D.O that we have here. We thank God that he is a man of peace. We pray that he will grow as an administrator of peace wherever he is. On behalf of the pastors who are here, we want to give him a peace plant to put in front of his table and remind himself that we have all committed ourselves to peace in this division. We want to offer a second peace plant to our brother the General that we have all committed ourselves to peace in the entire nation” 

Talking to the press at the end of the event, the S.D.O in his assessment started by first thanking the Ministers of God, the choirs and entire population of Momo Division especially those in Mbengwi for contributing to its success. He said “We’ve realized that all of us were committed towards the success of this event and today we are singing peace and going back to our homes, communities and integrating with all other Cameroonians in our beloved country Cameroon. We are hopeful that the sermon preached by the Men of God, the prayers offered by the Men of God and the songs sung by the various choirs will keep us closer to God so that all what we do will be for the interest of God’s people. We do hope and we see a future that is promising. A future where all of us will live in peace, where there’ll be no more killings, no more displacements and no more burnings within our communies.” He concluded by saying “We of Momo Division have come out as a people today in one voice to say NO to violence, YES to understanding as Cameroonians and for us to forge ahead so that our economy that’s been destroyed will once more bounce back. Parents will be able to have the means to send their children back to school come September 2018. It is the spirit shared by all of us who have attended this special ceremony today and we are going back home satisfied”.

Among the key public figures that attended the service was Mayor Tebe Beatrice née Mbamuku Nduku of the Mbengwi Council. In her opinion, “It was a very grand worship service titled ‘Our Choirs Sing for Peace’ because when the people of Israel sang, the walls of Jericho came falling down. So we believe that in singing, we can seek peace. I think I’m a proud mayor and a very lucky one too because looking around us, we see that our clergy, women and men are doing a very wonderful job. The administration has just come in to unite all of us to seek for that one common thing that we all desire, PEACE, come what may. We have heard that we as mothers should ask our children who are in the bushes to come back home. We as mothers should ask our children who are in the military to put down their guns because we all need peace. We need peace so that we can go to the farm, we need peace so that our children can go to school we need peace so that we can be at our jobsites.”

Same opinion shared by the Rev. Epie Mark Kogge, Parish Pastor P.C Njembeng “Actually we are very convinced that our message today will have a very positive impact on the people. You know our community has been living in fear and the turn out today with the encouragements we have given has shown that the people believe only Jesus can safe them. We pray that the message shall go to the ends of the earth telling our brothers and sisters who have been taken over by the devil in the name of ‘odeshi’ to come back. We are strongly telling the military that killing the people is not the solution, repressive measures are not the solution. Let them come to the dialogue table. Let them see the brothers and sisters as human beings and not as animals to be hunted in the bush. The peace is not only for the civilians but as well as for the military because from both parties many are dying and we strongly say in one voice that all those dying are civilians of this nation, are children created in God’s image, are children who were delivered by women who went through the labour room and so their lives should not be taken for granted” he ended.

Cameroon Community Media Network N.W/W Region Launched

Community Media Network NW/W Region Launched

The Cameroon Community Media Network (CCMN) for the N.W and West region has been launched. This was during a one day meeting that took place at the Presbyterian Church Centre, Ntamulung, Bamenda involving journalists from the two aforementioned regions. Speaking on behalf of the Rev. Mokoko Mbue Thomas, P.C.C National Communication Secretary, Roseline Obah welcomed and thanked all present for answering to the invitation. She wished the deliberations bear sweet and juicy fruits. For hours, participants brainstormed and chatted a way forward on the functioning modalities of the network.

Alexander Vojda is the Community Manager, C.B.S Radio Buea cum Civil Peace Service Seconded Personnel. Schooling the media men and women on Community Media, Peace Journalism and Election Reporting, he disclosed that in as much as professionals want to be neutral and fair in their reports, all journalists are embedded in their values, beliefs, cultures and ideologies.
Ndi Tsembom Elvis, journalist with Rush FM Bamenda, quizzed on lessons drawn started by first appreciating the PCC's Communication Department for the initiative. Then he continued, "I must say that we have a lot of elections in Cameroon this year, and that there are politicians that will come out to campaign. Today, we've learnt how to be impartial in our reports as journalists. Our role is to inform the population and allow them make choices"

The meeting ended with members fully bestowing  their confidence on Roseline Obah, Station Manager, C.B.S Radio Bamenda and Chapter President, CAMASEJ N.W to lead the network.

Gov't Soldiers Kill One Amba Fighter in Tad Market, Mbengwi

Barely five days after an attack by two BIR elements at a wedding ceremony in the Mbengwi Council hall, resulting to one innocent civilian killed and one hospitalised, another confrontation just occurred. It was last Thursday May 31st, business had been going on normally at Tad Market, the biggest in the Meta clan located in Nyen village, Mbengwi Central Sub Division. Government security elements had mounted a temporal control post at the entrance into the market.

Sooner, an Ambazonia fighter as they are now fondly called moved up to the elements bare bodied and asked them to leave the place and return to their country. The soldiers sensing danger fired at him yet nothing happened. The gunshots sound caused commotion in the market. The boy, whose name we got as Mbah Clovis disappeared from the scene and reappeared several minutes after this time around with a knife, dane gun, bow and arrows probably for an attack mission and also to recover a bike he left behind at the control post during his first appearance.

The brand new bike from reports gathered wasn't even his. He forcefully collected it from a friend promising to return it upon completion of his mission but unfortunately for him, this time around, he met his waterloo. The soldiers, about 7 in number again fired and the bullets caught him as he stumbled and fell on the ground and breathe his last. His corpse was transported same day and buried in his native village, Chup. The incidence brought business at the market to a premature end.

It should be recalled that before being killed, the said Mbah Clovis is reported to have kidnapped a certain Atanga Zacheus, a basic education teacher of Wumnebit village and later released him, he's reported to have also shot at but missed gunning down a uniform officer at the Mile 20 control post, he's reported to have fired gunshots into the air at Mile 19 that set the entire population right to Mile 18 Mbon running helter skelter.

Ironically, he has seemingly been carrying out all these attacks all alone and this was the second time government military officers are coming under attack at the tad market but non has ever been killed or wounded. During the first attack, a total of three bikes were burnt, one belonging to a gendarme officer and two to civilians. All contacted locals around Tad Market, Nyen village to comment on the story turned down the request.

Thieves Attack Njindom and Mile 19, Mbengwi

It was on Thursday night breaking Friday June 1st 2018 that a gang of robbers break into several stores in Njindom and Mile 19 Mbengwi. Teba Polycap Tanwani is a bar owner at the Njindom Square. "They destroyed the locks, made their way in and collected 80.000F cash and paper. They also tampered with my flat screen TV  but never carried it away" he narrated. Another victim, Tembug Valentine Teghen, a provision store owner said, "We knew that from 9pm, nobody is supposed to be walking outside. Surprisingly, we came to work that Friday morning only to discover that the locks to the door have been broken. They carried away money, 50.000F, drinks and other items"

A attempts to force open the door into the biggest store in Njindom belonging to a certain Fon Kennedy ended in futility. The bandits successfully made away with their booty leaving behind no traces.

That same night, several stores were also broken into at Mile 19. The bandits are said to have emptied some bottles of beer into their stomachs in one bar they got into after which they carried some drinks away alongside a Chinese machine there got from a game house, with much coins stocked inside. It's however difficult to ascertain whether they were two different gangs or it was the same gang that carried out these robberies. But one thing is certain, that some hoodlums are taking advantage of the government imposed curfew to steal since by 9pm, everybody is indoors. The economic hardship caused by the current Anglophone Crises is harsh yet the little people still manage to gather is carried away like an unfortunate chick in the claws of a swift. Truly, it never rains but it pours.

Sang Mukonge Dance Group Celebrates Silver Jubilee.

The Sang Mukonge Dance Group clocked twenty five (25) on Sunday February 21st 2016. The "sam-tang" (tang market square) was venue for the event attended by the D.O for Mbengwi, the company Commander, the first deputy mayor to the Mbengwi Council, the fons of Mbengwi, Bessi Fomukong and Barakwe. The members/dancers used the dual ceremony to launch their new group uniform and also raise funds for the realisation of a video production.

The high point of the event was when the FON of BARAKWE, H.R.H Barrister TEGHEN Humphry played the drum like an expert. The day ended with merry making