Come And See Journalism in Manjong

Come And See Journalism in Manjong

Following the escalation of the ongoing Anglophone crisis leading to heightened insecurity resulting from rampant gun battles between both warring parties and kidnaps, the management of Bamenda's renowned and prestigious Blue Pearl Hotel located at S-Bend, Mile 3 Nkwen had to suspend the services of its Manjong Night Club. Though the crisis is still ongoing, considering that insecurity is said to have been seemingly reduced to a bearable minimum and considering the high need for the affected population to shovel off trauma and regain a free,  relaxed and steady mindset, on Saturday 26th October 2019, Blue Pearl Hotel's Manjong Nightclub was relaunched.

Front View of Manjong Night Club,  Blue Pearl Hotel 

After a very long time, the opportunity was finally created for "nightjars" to reunite on the dancing floor and glide from wall to wall to the rhythms of Njang, Bottle Dance, Bikutsi, Makossa, Ndombolo, Zouk, Slow Jam, R&B, Reggae and Ragga emanating from the deafening ultra modern mega sound system, a ripple effect of the jittering fingers of the hybrid disc jockey, a master in the nonstop mixing game. They came in their numbers; pretty babes and cute guys ostentatiously dressed in the latest designer wears  to show off,  to impress and to catch long lost fun. 

DJ on the Beatz

In regards to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was signed between the Cameroon Association of English Speaking Journalists (CAMASEJ) NW chapter and the management of Blue Pearl Hotel Bamenda on June 14th 2019 which stipulates that both parties shall benefit from a mutual exchange of services for a period of four years, journalists in the NW region that are members of CAMASEJ were at the night club to show who ever cares to see how they too can enjoy. Led by the chapter president Ambe Macmillian Awa, the media men and women were copiously reserved a VIP treatment by the hotel's management as hot pepper soup garnished with sensual music of the masters and finely brewed wine to ceremoniously push the bolus down the palp. 

Liquor 

Interestingly,  prices have been slashed in all the sections from restaurant to bar, rooms to laundry and event space. Now,  just anybody can access Blue Pearl Hotel contrary to the previous false perception that it's only for "big pipo." With just a thousand francs,  a big bottle of drink can be afforded and with just 800Frs, a plate of hot pepper soup can be obtained.

Manjong Night Club,  Blue Pearl Hotel is opened on Fridays Saturdays and Sundays. All English speaking journalists nationwide that are members of CAMASEJ benefit a 50% discount in laundry,  lodging and event space at the hotel,  this following a partnership deal the hotel struck with CAMASEJ NW mid this year. Many more ladies have started answering present at Manjong during week ends.

N.W "Journos" Pressure for Release of Colleague

N.W "Journos" Pressure for Release of Colleague

Journalists in the NW region of Cameroon have been mounting pressure on the state to release their colleague,  Wawa Jackson Nfor said to have been arrested without any warrant on 30th August 2018 and has since then been illegally incacerated at the Nkambe Principal prison in Donga Mantung Division.

According to Mimi Mefo Info, one of the leading social media sites that's been consistently covering the ongoing Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon,  the high court of Donga Mantung seated at Nkambe in the North West region has for one year five months denied to render justice for Bamenda based journalist, Wawa Jackson Nfor. The case has been pending before the court since May last year. He is being tried for publishing successionist information.

Media practitioners within the region have since then been consolidating efforts to free him to know avail. According to Hilltop Voices Cameroon a Bamenda based news blog,  the combined campaign by the NW chapters of the Cameroon Association of English Speaking Journalists CAMASEJ, Cameroon Community Media Network CCMN NW/W and Cameroon Journalists’ Trade Union CJTU/SNJC, have been using social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp and traditional media to demand the release of Wawa Jackson. The Campaign for his release by NW media according to Hilltop Voices comes after a solidarity action that raised over 130 FCFA for the up keep of Journalist Wawa in detention.

Campaign Poster

As the campaign is being recently intensified on social media,  other continental and global journalism bodies have been cuing in. African Journalists' Platform has added its voice to the ongoing social media campaign championed by journalists in the NW region of Cameroon to pressure for the release of their colleague, Wawa Jackson Nfor arrested in the course of the ongoing Anglophone crisis and detained incommunicado in Nkambe Central Prison for close to two years now.  Mike Odeh James of the platform has told the Cameroonian authorities and the separatist groups that, "Journalists are important catalysts for democracy and one of its most vital tenets which is accountability. Every progressive human society requires a robust press to inform, educate and enlighten its people" He adds that "As a  journalism practitioner I call upon the Cameroonian government and international community to intervene and ensure that justice for  Wawa   prevails. Let pen pushers in Cameroon be free to do their rightful and constitutional duties"

In addition, the Society of African Journalists, SAJ has condemned the reported arrest and incarceration of Bamenda based journalist in Cameroon Wawa Jackson by the Cameroonian government. In a statement signed by Michael Adeboboye, acting President of SAJ, the organisation calls for the immediate revocation of all the charges levelled against Wawa as they hold no water. Adeboboye, said "Attempts by the Cameroonian government to gag the press is demonstrated by the condemnable track record which has seen it jailing more than 12 journalists since 2016.” He added that Wawa should be immediately released from detention, frowning at the denial of the journalist’s basic human rights. 

Using the hash tag #FreeWawaJackson accompanied with his picture,  write ups, and journalistic quotations,  the concerned journalists in Bamenda and beyond have been on several social media sites, twitting and tagging concerned institutions like the presidency of the republic and the ministry of communication to look into their demand.

Akah Rosaline Obah is the NW/W Chapter President of the Cameroon Community Media Network,  one of those involved in the #FreeWawaJakson campaign. Evaluating the outcome of the process so far,  she said "It's a laudable idea because united we stand divided we fall and I believe that when concerted efforts are put in, definitely the powers that be will always listen to the demands and worries."  As a digital rights activitist,  she added that "One of the human rights principles indicates that he has the right to his freedom until proven guilty. Staying there for 17 months and we are not hearing anything is not fair to him as a human being. His rights have been trampled upon" Rose ended by wishing journalists don't stop at anything but to continue with the campaign until Wawa Jackson is released.

Akah Rosaline Obah, Digital Rights Activist,  President,  CCMN NW/W

In a report written by Angela Quintal, Africa Program Coordinator of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)  on October 29, 2019 titled African Union Must Act on Cameroon’s Human Rights Violations, she reveals that the Committee to Protect Journalists joined 64 other civil society organizations in calling on the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) to address serious and systematic human rights violations in Cameroon, including the jailing of journalists. In a letter to the commission, CPJ and other signatories noted that over the past three years, violence in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions has led to 3,000 deaths, forced half a million people to flee their homes, and left over 700,000 children out of school." The report also said several journalists are behind bars, according to CPJ research. These include Paul Chouta, Mancho Bibixy, Tsi Conrad , Thomas Awah Junior, Amadou Vamoulke, Wawa Jackson Nfor and Samuel Wazizi, who has not been heard of since he was detained by the military on August 2.

Despite these calls,  the government has maintained sealed lips on the case yet the journalists have resolved to continue mounting pressure until their colleague  Wawa Jackson is freed together with other journalists behind bars. It should be recalled that the Head of State Paul Biya on Thursday December 13 2018 ordered for the discontinuance of proceedings pending before military tribunals against some 289 Anglophone activists arrested for misdemeanours in connection to the crisis in the North West and South West region. Unfortunately,  Wawa Jackson wasn't released like Akumbom Elvis McCarthy, detained journalist at the Bamenda central prison that regained his freedom via the presidential decision. Again, on Thursday October 3rd 2019, President Paul repeated his decision,  this time around for 333 arrested persons and again, Wawa Jackson was not released,  contrary to the presidential order. Why? Somebody somewhere has to answer.

Truly N.W Governor's Convoy was Attacked but no Deaths Recorded Contrary to Social Media Reports

This fact checked report is brought to you by ADISI-Cameroun

On Monday the 21st of October 2019, the news was broken and spread on social media that the convoy of the N.W governor Adolph Lele Lafrique has been attacked. One of the early sites that reported the fake news was BaretaNews. The site published that "BaretaNews can now confirm that the colonial governor of Northern zone convoy was ambushed yesterday and five of his soldiers died on the spot. We cannot say at this time the health situation of the northern zone chief killer, Mr. Governor. We will bring you updates soon. Stay tuned"

Fake Image used to insinuate the the governor is no more

Other sites like Mimi Mefo Info and Cameroon News Agency also picked up the story of the attack but talked of no killings like BaretaNews claimed. Within the next minutes,  fake news publication sites immediately got down to work,  twisting the story with fake images and videos plus write ups to push forth their propaganda agenda.

Amba Go Viral is one of the specialised fake news sites that twisted the story. At 1:44pm on Tuesday October 22nd, the page published a report titled What you must know after the colonial governor was attacked on his way back from Nguketunjia. The fake report said "LRC colonial governor of the Northern Zone was fatally wounded in the attack as he returned from Nguketunjia...Thirdly, the death toll had increased to ten persons in the convoy. The said site in the report went ahead to publish an image of a  child soldier of "3 years old" being used by government forces that the restoration fighters also killed during the attack but looking at the image, it's a boy of over 18 years dressed in military uniform but not that of the BIR, the special force that was securing the governor. To further justify the fake news, Amba Go Viral posted an image of a burnt military truck,  identified by the various comments made under the post as belonging to the Nigerian army yet was shared to insinuate that it's an armoured car in the governors convoy that the fighters destroyed. 

Fake: This burnt Nigerian military truck is not an armoured car used by Cameroon military

On the YouTube channel Ambazonia Latest News,  a video was posted with a fake image still alerged not to be Cameroonian and an attached voice note in which the reporter said "The motorcade of NW governor Adolph Lele Lafrique has come under another serious attack by separatist forces. The attack which we learnt was very fierce took place on the 20th of October as the governor was returning from nkambe where he just installed the SDO there."

This is fake. No S.D.O (Senior Divisional Officer) was installed in Nkambe on this day. Instead,  the governor went to Nkambe to donate gifts to a vigilante group there, this after installing Lanyuy Harry Ngwanyi as S D.O for Bui division which is different from Nkambe, headquarters of Donga Mantung division in the N.W region.  

To add to their propaganda scheme, indicative of how the network is set up, the Facebook site Cameroon News Agency published a video in which a non state armed group known as The Tigers of Baba 1 under a certain General Shao Mao narrate how the Baba attack on N.W governor's convoy took place on Monday, October 21st 2019. In the said video showing some splitted pieces of wood (eucalyptus) and  an Express Union mobile box that were supposedly used to block the road at a giraffe crossing spot on the highway,  the voice of a supposed fighter identifying himself as spokesperson of LLF, Mountain Tigers of Baba 1 is heard narrating their "achievenent." He talks of how glasses were scattered and blood spilt at the scene during yesterday's  incidence but with no specificities on which particular incidence he was referring to. Watching the said video,  no blood is seen,  no scattered glasses.

A dirge for the alive governor

Since it takes only a lie to justify another lie,  Africa Ambaland, a facebook page soon joint the fake news dissemination network to publish a fake video of a hospitalised injured man with a shattered left hand from where blood was oozing claiming it's the governor.  Another fake photo of the same man alerged to be an accident victim was circulated on the site still claiming it was the governor.  This set confusion in many whatsapp groups and on several facebook pages as some persons could lick poison that it was truly the governor lying on the bed.  To the fake photo,  a dirge was attached "We are looking for,  where is he ohhh" meaning the governor had died yet on Tuesday October 22nd 2019, the said governor Adolph Lele Lafrique was on the Bamenda grand stand, Commercial Avenue looking hale and hearty during a ceremony to install Mooh Emile Simon as new S.D.O for Mezam division, the very governor that was reported on social media to have been seriously injured, killed.

The propagandists went as far as falsifying The Guardian Post Newspaper, edition no. 1754 of Tuesday October 22nd with a fake front page headline that read "NW Governor Adolphe Lele L'afrique brutally attacked and wounded by Ngoketunja Ambazonia fighters killing 7 soldiers on the spot and 10 others who died later   due to serious gunshot wounds as war intensify in full force" The original main headline of the newspaper was "Upcoming legislative, municipal election: How Possible is NW, SW?"

Fake Edition of The Guardian Post Newspaper

In Whatsapp groups, two voice notes were recorded and circulated in which the speaker again identified himself as General Shao Mao of the Ngoketunjia Restoration Forces. In the first audio clip, the speaker said Baba is red as the governor's convoy has been taken down with explosives. In the second (5mins 39secs) he expressed happiness and gratefulness, extending thanks to all generals,  commanders, especially commander Bin Laden of Baba 1 and foot soldiers particularly Baba 1 Mountain Tigers for a job well done, calling on them to remain calm as something is seriously happening. "I've received a call from colonels and generals and I want to tell La Republique that they should account of Lele Afrique, his return back to Bamenda as they passed through Baba 1, why are they quiet? said General Shao Mao in the voice note. Again, the very next day,  the probably resurrected governor was seen in public carrying out his state duties. 

To get the veracity of what actually transpired,  I contacted a source that was part of the governor's convoy who concluded to me "It is fake, it is not true" a conclusion that was preceded by a detailed account of the journey. 

Governor on red carpet installing new Mezam SDO after the fake news was spread

As we left Bamenda to Kumbo for the SDO's installation,  around the Bambili hill,  we heard a loud noise "Pouuuummm!!!" We were told it was a mounted explosive that just exploded. We continued till Kumbo, did the installation,  took off for Nkambe where the governor had to donate some gifts. At Kikaikilaiki, we heard one gunshot. We continued till we reached Nkambe. The next day we went to Misaje. In the morning we handed the gifts to the vigilante groups down there. By 3pm I overheard the military saying we will have to pass the night in Nkambe. I asked why and they said it'll be very risky travelling in the night from Donga Mantung through Bui because it's difficult to fight the restoration forces at night. They equally told me that they've gotten security reports that explosives have been mounted along the road. So we passed the night in Nkambe and got up in the morning for Bamenda. On our way, around Kikaikilaiki Maa, we had serious gun battles there that affected a red civilian car. The fighters targeted the civilian car because that was the only car their locally fabricated bullets could penetrate. In the exchange, the door glass was shattered slightly wounding a Muslim woman that was seated on the front seat. They were taken care of by the medical soldiers who were onboard the trip. As we were leaving Babungo for Baba 1, other series of gun battles ensued. Upon entering Baba 1, the convoy haulted. I heard "Bouuummm!!!" and I saw a lot of smoke. I was told an explosive had exploded where the armoured car was standing but it's occupants weren't inside.  All the soldiers that were in it had descended to take cover in the bush. After the shootings,  they came back,  entered their car and we took off till we reached their base in Ndop. Again we were told we won't be allowed to continue because there are a lot of "Ambazonian" fighters at Bamessing waiting for this convoy. Some 8 soldiers left for the bush and all we could hear was deafening gunshots.  When we finally took off,  we didn't hear any gunshots again until we reached Bamenda. That's  the story my informant recounted to me. 

Images of the said red car, matriculated LT 523 IJ were circulated on social media particularly on the site Cameroon News Agency (CNA) saying "A baptism of fire for newly installed BUI SDO whose convoy was attacked on Tuesday by Ambazonia fighters in Bui. No one died but some occupants sustained minor  injuries" This is very fake. The newly installed Bui SDO was never attacked. The red car wasn't even his 

Despite all the evidences that the governor's convoy was attacked severally,  military sources have denied that  such a thing happened. In a release being circulated on social media, Commander Cyrille Serge ATONFACK GUEMO, Head of the Communication Division in the Ministry of Defence says "Pseudo-secessionist extremists are spreading rumours suggesting that the convoy of the Governor of the North-Western Region, Adolphe Lele Lafrique, was attacked, with heavy human and material casualty. This is not true. Nothing as such happened."

#237BloggersSummit Now Trending

#237BloggersSummit Now Trending

A blog (shortening of “weblog”) is an online informational website displaying it's content in the reverse chronological order, with latest posts appearing first and used by a writer(s) to share their views on a subject, shape public opinion and make money. Bloggers are the new influencers as there are bloggers and YouTube personalities with millions of followers that organisations need to develop relationships with now for better public relations. 

Blogging is said to have started in the Cameroon communication sector about some 13 years back. Today, it is estimated there are over 200 Cameroonian bloggers within and without the country. As days go by, more individuals (mostly journalists) keep creating  and running their own blogs for news,  entertainment,  sports,  business,  health,  politics,  religion, activism and other nitches.

#237BloggersSummit Attendees

The success story recorded at the first ever Cameroonian Bloggers Summit that took place in Douala from the 26th to the 28th of October 2019 under the theme "Blogging, Development Tool" was a major indicator to how blogging has come to stay in the country considering that there exists already a registered Cameroon Blogger's Association,  the body that organised the summit. Drawn from Yagoua, Yaounde, Buea, Douala and Bamenda, attendees for three days exchanged on blogging and its perception in the Cameroonian society,  blogging and civic responsibility, regional challenges related to blogging, blogger as key player in sustainable development etc. 

Created in Yaoundé on the 13th of April 2017 the association is currently having 42 members with prospects for a huge increase in the days ahead following the recent holding of the summit. It's outgoing national president Rene Jackson Nkowa says blogs contribute to hundreds of online content daily. As such,  he encouraged his peers to ameliorate the practice by networking and developing financially valuable content. Interestingly,  cases of persons having Blogger as occupation on their National Identity Cards are already being recorded meaning the phenomenon is speedily gaining grounds.  In next door Nigeria there are millionaires that generate all their income only from blogging.

#237BloggersSummit Backdrop

At first, early Cameroonian bloggers did blogging for passion but of recent the trend has been shifting towards wealth creation and employment. Some aspects like poor internet access,  dwindling economy,  sociopolitical crisis, non regulation and generational differences in ICT knowledge between the young and the old have been identified as a hindrance to blogging in Cameroon. The public is too is still to familiarise itself with the role of bloggers.

Despite these setbacks,  it was however revealed during the Douala summit that the state and corporate companies are beginning to recognise and value bloggers. The #237BloggersSummit was supported by Nestlé,  Groupe SABC, Active Spaces, and TV5 Monde Afrique that are among the many institutions that have started involving bloggers in their communication plans. Rostand Banzeu, Steve Tchoumba and Brice Kamga Monthè, the trio being heads of the communication units of the first three companies listed above exchanged with the attendees on "Why Brands Solicit Blogging in a Sustainable Development Context."

Mbengwi Online Represented

One of the major outcomes of the maiden Cameroonian Bloggers Summit was a resolution to amalgamate if possible,  all Anglophone and Francophone Cameroonian bloggers both within and without the nation on one platform, www.blogueurs.cm that is also available on Twitter and Facebook so that from there,  plans to ameliorate the practice could be drawn and implemented. Before closing the summit,  using Keyhole, a social media analytics company that provides real-time data with hashtag tracking for Twitter, Instagram, Facebook etc,  the organisers evaluated and found out that the #237BloghersSummit is now known by millions of social media users.

To End Crisis, Implore Equality, Inclusion, Tolerance - COMINSUD

To End Crisis,  Implore Equality, Inclusion,  Tolerance - COMINSUD

Day by day, more and more civil society organisations have continued to join the Cameroon government and international bodies in attempting a way out of the current socio-political stalemate crushing the two English speaking regions of Cameroon dubbed the Anglophone Crisis. 

It is in this light that a one day workshop for media practitioners on strategies and approaches in promoting attitude change towards positive thinking,  tolerance and non violence was recently organised in Bamenda on Thursday October 17th 2019 by  COMINSUD, Community Initiative for Sustainable Development, an organisation committed to inspiring changes within communities that leads to enhancement of quality life for people. Its activities are focused on promoting good governance, a culture of peace, empowering of women, youths and marginalised communities and engaging in humanitarian works in the present sociopolitical context among others. 

Participants pose for a family photo am

Participants weren't media practitioners only but included religious,  educational, legal, socio-cultural and civil society organisations alongside youths and community leaders drawn from almost all the various tribes and villages that make up the entire N.W region like Wimbum, Aghem, Nso, Meta, Mankon, Fundong, Ndop, Bali, Santa, Bafut, Njinikom, Batibo etc. 

Welcoming the over a hundred participants at the workshop that took place on the campus of the Catholic University of Cameroon, CATUC Bamenda,  the COMINSUD BOD chair,  Madam Tchambie Julie said "In the backdrop of what has today become known as the Anglophone Crisis, response by actors hasn't made things better reason why COMINSUD came up with this project to promote attitude and behaviour change, moving from a society with growing negativity, intolerance and violence to a society that promotes the values of positivity, tolerance and non violence"

Journalists pose for pic

The coordinator of COMINSUD, Mr. Fon Nsoh on his own part while presenting a summary report from reflections on negativity and intolerance revealed that COMINSUD is a partner of the Civil Peace Society (CPS) network in Cameroon which is a vast program of the German government operating in several countries across the world for the promotion of the values of peace. To him,  conflicts will always exist but managing them not to turn violent should be prioritised. Until the advent of the Anglophone crisis, the NW region was said to be a bastion for inter tribal conflicts with some of the prominent ones that made news being Bali-Bawock,  Oku-Mbessa,  Bali Kumbat-Bafanji, all of which resulted to destruction of houses and farms and killing of animals and humans, this because of inequality, intolerance and non-inclusion.

Conflicts are caused by negativity,  a tendency or inside feeling that makes one to be skeptical and pessimistic towards ideas, views and other's opinions. Extreme negativity pushes people to undesirable actions like violence.  However, facts,  figures and statistics have remained strong weapons to fight violence and intolerance including dialogue,  negotiation and compromise. 

Working session 

Mr. Mbanwi Stephen,  a participant representing the Meta Cultural and Development Association (MECUDA) told the workshop organiser "I'm so pleased with the workshop. I've seen the richness of it" Mr. Ndangam Hussein, a community volunteer for Fundong on his part narrated his experience with restoration forces he came across and how he used dialogue,  tolerance  and negotiation to free himself from their hands.  Jeff Ngawe, a reporter with The Reporter Newspaper recounted how in the yesteryears precisely the 60s and 70s they never knew of inter tribal,  religious, cultural and even regional division till university when they started witnessing anglophone marginalisation in the University of Yaounde 1. From thence he developed a radical mind but thanks to the many peace workshops he's been attending,  he's now able to tolerate as his mind has been softened.

COMINSUD Banner

Participants at the end of the workshop returned home with a call on them to step up non violent communication methods to pressure for change through creative writing,  music,  football,  drama, debates, radio reports, special prresentstions/write ups and other intellectual exercises.

2019 PIB Projects in Momo Evaluated, Batibo Council Found Wanting

2019 PIB Projects in Momo Evaluated, Batibo Council Found Wanting

The third divisional performance follow up committee meeting for the evaluation of physical and financial execution of the 2019 Public Investment Budget (PIB) projects in Momo division has been held with a call on mayors to seat up and award all contracts within their reach, those below 5 million. The firm call was made by Mr. Marceliout Djunang, Chief of Service for Economic and Financial Affairs at the Momo S.D.Os office, seating in for the new boss of the division Fouda Etaba Nicaise last Wednesday October 16th 2019 in the conference hall of the Momo divisional delegation of Labour and  Social Security where the meeting took place, bringing together divisional service heads, technicians and various stakeholders involved in the committee. 

Welcoming participants, the Momo Divisional Delegate of the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Regional Development (MINEPAT) began by appreciating her collaborators like the principal of G.B.H.S Mbengwi, the deputy mayor of Widikum, the Council Development Officer of Mbengwi and some delegations that have consistently been furnishing her office with information and pictures to back up percentages of work done on the field.  Such information she said help her to build up her own reports and forward to the regional level where according to the delegate, Momo is being appreciated for properly presenting her reports and on time. 

Momo Divisional Finance Building in an Advanced Stage of Delapidation

While examining the physical and financial execution of PIB projects in Momo division for the 2018/2019 financial year, the Batibo Council was found wanting as of recent,  it's been boycotting follow up meetings. Even the just ended one had no single official from Batibo despite being informed. Andek Council has so far signed contracts for four of her projects for 2019 while jobbing orders are being prepared. The Mbengwi council on her part has already engaged all projects in her municipality with site installations already being done for some though followed by a timid take off. Njikwa has 5 projects below 5 million out of which 3 have been received and as for the Widikum council,  two purchase orders have been engaged. The deputy mayor for the Widikum council said they've recorded instances of a contractor being kidnapped by restoration forces and hosted in their camp for two weeks only to return,  looking like a corpse.  Another, executing a contract in Widikum was also kidnapped in Acha-Tugi, shut on the head but fortunately he miraculously survived.

One hot potato the follow up committee members found it difficult to swallow was the obstacles posed by the electricity and water utility corporations,  Eneo and Camwater in the execution of public contracts especially road projects. Quite often,  councils run into problems with these corporations for destroying their pipes or poles when constructing or grading municipal roads. The mayor of the Mbengwi council for example lamented that if asked to come and displace their water pipes or electric poles,  the bills usually landed on councils by the companies are often back breaking,  at times even more than the contract budget. 

To nail the coffin on the subject,  it was finally resolved that the concerned, Eneo and Camwater should review the placement of their pipes and poles to meet up with changing times while contractors must consult the urban development and housing delegation and that of environment, sustainable development and nature protection before executing any public contract. The former will provide a town planner who has what is envisaged for the municipality so that a building won't be placed where a water pipe was expected to be buried or an electric pole planted while the latter will help in providing a technician to carry out environmental impact assessment studies on any project site to ascertain it's feasibility and sustainability after which the findings must be included in the tender document.

Momo Divisional Delegation of Commerce,  Abandoned Project

From the recommendations and resolutions of the previous divisional consultation meeting,  the relevant technical services were tasked to ensure that site installation is done in the presence of all members before any project takes off meanwhile the ministers of finance and that of the economy will be served reminder letters on the poor state of the Momo Divisional finance building that's speedily delapidating,  barely few years after it was constructed and put into use,  a project estimated to cost over 20 millions. 

While closing the session,  the SDO's representative advised and encouraged all involved in the execution chain to be extra prudent when on the field in other not to fall victim in the hands of armed fighters considering the current tensed atmosphere. He will then insist that lazy ones shouldn't hide behind the pretext of insecurity to ruin the state because even with the current situation,  there are contractors successfully executing public contracts in remote areas believed to be infested with fighters.

The absence of the president of the Momo divisional performance follow up committee meeting, Hon. Edna Enih Mbah was noticeable. Momo Division has 61 projects in the 2019 Public Investment Budget worth 1.052.822.000Frs in Appropriation Expenditure and 1.062.822.000Frs in Commitment Appreciation. Out of the 61 earmarked projects for the division,  36 haven't been started,  9 have been completed while 16 are ongoing giving a physical realisation rate of 21.55%

Monono Hands-off Momo to Fouda & Walks to the Centre

Monono Hands-off Momo to Fouda & Walks to the Centre

Momo Division now has a new SDO. Fouda Etaba Bernoit Nicaise, on Tuesday October 15th 2019 took over command from Absalom Monono Woloa. The installation cum handing over ceremony was presided at by the North West regional governor,  Adolph Lele Lafrique. 

One of the major administrative changes that took place in the North West and South West regions after the holding of the Major National Dialogue in Yaounde from October 1st to the 5th 2019, ordered by the Head of State to address the ongoing Anglophone Crisis and other issues of national concern and which ended with a resolution to grant special statues to these two regions was a presidential decree No. 2019/536 of 07 October 2019 appointing S.D.Os across the national territory. From the appointments,  Fouda Etaba Bernoit Nicaise, previously Divisional Officer (D.O) of Mbengwi was promoted to the rank of Senior Divisional Officer for Momo Division in replacement of Absalom Monono Woloa, transferred to the Mbam and Inoubou Division of the Centre Region in same capacity. 

Monona Walking out of Momo

During the installation ceremony that took place on the Mbengwi ceremonial grandstand on Tuesday October 15 2019, the mayor of the municipality, Tebe Beatrice told the outgoing prefect that his constant words of encouragement  to all in every seating will be remembered and that his reassurances was a motivational factor to the well-being of the population. To the incoming,  the mayor told him that as a man in the house,  he must have observed Mbengwi for long and thus,  she hopes the Lord that appoints will continue to empower his servants with wisdom to serve his people. 

The regional governor in his speech during the official handing over of command between Monono and Fouda began by thanking all attendees for braving the odds to be at the event ground. After listening to the worries expressed by the mayor on behalf of the population,  the governor told her "You know as well as I know that when normalcy returns,  all these concerns will receive attention from the government." He will then proceed to address the two SDOs, the population and traditional leaders that are auxiliaries of the administration. In appreciating his stewardship within his term of office as he handled the administration and crisis in his division with tact and commitment to fatherland,  the governor through a quotation from Martin Luther told Monono "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience but where he stands at times of challenges and controversy." "We of the North West wish you God's guidance and protection as you take up service in the Centre after five years in the region." he added

Fouda Etaba Bernoit Nicaise, Momo's New SDO Takes Command 

In outlining the functions of the incoming civil administrator, the governor told the new Senior Divisional Officer (S.D.O) that his role shall be  to ensure maintenance and enforcement of law and order,  ensure general coordination and control of administrative action in the division, facilitate the return of all displaced persons to their places of origin within the division, coordinate and supervise distribution of aide to affected persons, monitor and supervise international organisations and local partners helping I.D.Ps and the affected population in the division,  ensure schools resume, fighters drop their arms and bring the current crisis to a final end in Momo. "Having spent all your command career here,  you should know the milieu very well." Lele told Fouda. "I'm confident that you are up to the task and will be up to the expectations of the people." he added. As last piece of advice to the new servant,  governor Adolph Lele told him point blank "Your success here will depend on the collaboration and support you receive from the population, elites and local leaders"

Officials Respecting Military March Pass

The governor's message to the population, elites, politicians and traditional leaders of the division missed target because the concerned weren't there. The event was boycotted by the concerned as a ghost town operation was being observed in the entire municipality.  Circulation remained grounded,  commercial activities shutdown as the population remained indoors. This did not in anyway deter the regional boss from transmitting the message he had for them. "Dear parents,  please talk to your children,  the future of this nation that they should come back like the prodigal son to join the family for the father is ready to give them new opportunities and involve them in nation building. There is no home, family, society without problems but we all have individual and collective responsibilities to solve our problems. Therefore, give your full and unflinching support to your new SDO so that Momo Division regains it's glorious days" These were the concluding words of Adolph Lele Lafrique as he ended his installation speech. 

Divisional Delegates pose for a pic with officials 

37 years old Fouda Etaba Bernoit Nicaise was born on January 3rd 1982 in Tsek, Lekie Division,  Centre Region. After pursuing and completing his primary,  secondary,  high school and university education, he gained admission into the National School of Administration and Magistracy popularly known as ENAM in 2009 and graduated from there in 2011 after which he started working in the Ministry of Public Service and Administrative Reforms from 2012 to 2014 from where he was appointed as 1st Assistant S.D.O for Momo Division.  On the 22nd of May 2017, he will then be  appointed D.O of Mbengwi. Barely two years four months in office,  he was on October 7th 2019 appointed S.D.O for Momo Division and three days after,  he took over the command Barton from Absalom Monono Woloa who headed the division since 13th March 2017 till October 2019 when he was transferred to the Mbam and Inoubou Division of the Centre region in same capacity. The new Momo SDO is currently pursuing further studies in the university in criminology. He is married and a father of three kids

Attempts to get him map out his plan of action for his new area of command failed. The event wasn't void of few seemingly insignifanct security challenges as separatist fighters announced their presence from a long distance to the ceremonial ground through brief sporadic gunshots in the air, probably to inform whosoever cares that they are still existing. The population now looks forth to have a taste of the new wine in the calabash, hoping it'll be sweeter than the previous. 

Anglophone Crisis Emptying Remote Churches

Anglophone Crisis  Emptying Remote Churches

As the ongoing anglophone crisis persist, apart from the sociopolitical and economic hardship  being faced by the population,  the religious sector is also bearing the brunt. Churches in the remote areas are being emptied by the crisis as the population relocates to urban areas that are now safer.

Scanty Sunday Church Service in P.C Bessi Fomukong Congregation

Bessi Fomukong village, located about some 5 kilometres from Mbengwi central town,  chief town of Momo Division in the North West region is today getting underdeveloped because of high rural urban migration. It's Presbyterian Church in the Meta Presbytery that used to have hundreds of Christians during Sunday services can barely boast of 100 chistains these days,  most of whom are the elderly and children that should've been going to school. But while many Christians are relocating,  there are pastors that have vowed to stay back no matter what.

New Church House Construction Project for the Congregation

Rev. Njigeh Mbanwi Jonathan, pastor of Sang/Mbengeghang Parish, Meta presbytery says he prefers serving God in such remote areas because he moves, talks and eats with the people on daily basis and is facing the  crisis with them, suffering together with them but he believes God will see them through. Shepherding God's flock in the suburbs isn't a bed of roses. "I can't say there's no headache. In fact if there are no obstacles put on my way by my Christians,  I'll sleep and because of these challenges,  I'm pushed to do more research and investigation and to stand firm because it's through huddles that one is built up to stand firm" the pastor said. While many men of God have been seeking transfer from the insecured hinterlands to safer urban areas,  pastor Mbanwi Jonathan is rather contented where he is. Hear him,  "I'm very contented to be here. I know where ever God sends me,  he has a special message for me to deliver to the people of the area. So long as there are people in the area, even if it's just one person, I know God has a plan for me. That's why I'm satisfied being here"

Rev.  Njigeh Mbanwi Jonathan, Pastor,  Sang/Mbengeghang Parish,  Meta Presbytery

As a result of the internal displacement, there's also been a drop in offertory and harvest thanksgiving yet despite the economic hardship,  the few chistains left are still braving the odds to meet up with their church contributions. The Christian Women Fellowship (C.W.F) of Bessi Fomukong congregation forexample on Sunday October 13th 2019 raised over 130.000Frs via harvest thanksgiving,  far above the 90.000Frs target they had.  The congregation has even engaged in a multi-million project to construct a new church house. It is for this reason that the fon of Bessi Fomukong village, H.R.H Fomukong Wilfred is encouraging all his subjects to support the project. In his voice,  "They should know that despite the ongoing crisis,  we've struggled to put up a structure for the church but now since there are no more Christians,  we are pleading to each and every Bessi Fomukong son and daughter outside to support us so that we roof the church and continue with the finishing."

Current Church House,  P.C Bessi Fomukong Congregation

The crisis has let to many palaces being deserted. The Meta clan in Mbengwi has 31 palaces and more than half of the fons have abandoned their palaces and are now IDPs. But just like the pastor,  the fon of Bessi too has decided to stay back with his few remaining subjects. "I've not escaped because since I'm the ruler of the people, I can't go and allow them to stay alone. I must stay here in the village with them" the fon said. He's currently mobilising his subjects for community work to be carried out in the village that will involve villagers coming out to clear all roadsides in all quarters after which he plans to relaunch the weekly market in his Bessi Fomukong village known as "Kwe" market. He ended by encouraging all his subjects out of the village to feel free to return home at any time since there's calm and serenity reigning. In his words,  the village is fine.

H.R.H Fomukong Wilfred, Fon of Bessi Fomukong village,  Meta Clan, Mbengwi

After the recent holding of the Grand National Dialogue that was ordered by the Head of State, many now look forth to a quick end to the crisis so that  villagers can return to resume normal life and shutdown schools reopened so that the lost pride of the Anglophones, education, can be revived. 

RECAN 2019 Spotlights NW Cultural Heritage

RECAN 2019 Spotlights NW Cultural Heritage

"Whatever else this cultural jamboree represents,  it is for us an artistic and cultural awakening, a renaissance of arts right here at home." These were the words of Tata Patrick, representative of North West artists during the 2019 edition of the National Artistic and Cultural Season Relaunch dubbed RECAN 2019 that took place in Bamenda,  N.W region last Tuesday October 8th under the theme "Contribution of the art and culture sub section in the constant consolidation of unity, peace and harmonious living together in an emergent Cameroon."

Fire spitter

Presided at by N.W governor Adolf Lele Lafrique, the event kick started with a carnival that saw the culturally dressed artists and crafmen marching from Customs Junction to the courtyard of the NW regional delegation of culture where 23 artistic and cultural stands were mounted for the exhibition of the various arts and cultures of the North West region,  cutting across street arts, editors, literary arts, traditional games, theatre, photography, multimedia, story telling and poetry, specific arts, traditional medicine and pharmacopoeia, cinematography and audiovisual arts, plastic arts, musical arts, higher education, culinary arts alongside holders of intangible knowledge and divinatory arts.

Beats Products

The ongoing Anglophone  crisis greatly affecting the two English speaking regions of Cameroon let to the suspension of all cultural festivals like "Lela" "Ngonso" and "Abenefor" that used to be organised annually in Bali,  Nso and Mankon respectively. The crisis apart from destroying property is said to have also destroyed the culture of the North Westerners especially as instances of palaces being attacked have been recorded. The case of the Bafut palace attack is still very fresh in minds despite it being a certified UNESCO cultural heritage site during which shrines were desecrated, artifacts destroyed, some looted and other abominable acts committed by state security forces,  according to the fon of Bafut.

Culinary Arts

Traditional delicacies of the NWR

RECAN 2019 was thus a rare moment to rekindle hope in the minds of the people that no matter what, their cultural values can never be allowed to get extinct. The touristy event had paintings,  fashion designer wears,  drawings,  fibre works like baskets and bags,  carvings, traditional regalia etc on display. The North West governor Adolph Lele Lafrique and entourage visited all the stands to be schooled on  the perculiriaties of the various artistical works and how they're made.

N.W Governor Adolph Lele Lafrique Presiding at the Event

Assessing the success of the cultural jamboree, the governor  first began by appreciating the wonderful job done by the steering committee of the event. He then said "It was an occasion for me after having led the delegation of the NW region to the Major National Dialogue convened by the Head of State where issues of culture were discussed, culture being a unifying factor to still recall the role of culture in building national unity and living together in our country." He also appreciated the arts and culture men and women in the region for their formidable contributions to national unity. The governor promised them that like the Head of State said,  "Culture will not be neglected in the process of our country becoming emergent come 2035" He ended by encouraging private investors to invest in the cultural domain,  to harness cultural potentials and use it as a tool to develop our communities,  region and country.

Traditional musical instruments 

Street Arts Corner

Paintings 

Apart from the exhibition stands,  attendees were treated with a special lunch involving almost all the traditional dishes of the North West  like sweet yams and ndole, porridge plantains,  achu and black/yellow soup, corn fufu and vegetables together with palm wine. While some ate with spoons,  others ate with their fingers. The event ended with a special request from the artists for it to be staged annually in the region.

Ahead of Grand National Dialogue: Anglophones Begin Seeing Light at the End of the Tunnel

Ahead of Grand National Dialogue: Anglophones Begin Seeing Light at the End of the Tunnel

As the clock is ticking through out the territorial confines of the beautifully unique Central African country, Cameroon, unarguably described as Africa in miniature,  all heads are uniformly turning  towards the nation's political capital, Yaounde as the count down to the highly anticipated grand national dialogue tappers down to the D-day, September 30th 2019.

At the tail end of 2016, lawyers and teachers across the two English speaking regions of Cameroon took the government to task, requesting for reforms in the educational and legal systems of the country that will permit them to better practice in the language they master most. Their demands had nothing to do neither  with the form of the state nor secession.

Meanwhile proponents of secession had long been nursing ambitions of destabilizing the long reigning peace Cameroon had been priding itself of. For years they'd incessantly been looking for avenues to push through their agenda, reason why when lawyers and teachers later took to the streets during the negotiation sessions with government ministers in Bamenda and Buea that were at times ending in deadlock, these agents wasted no time to hijack the peaceful street matches from the lawyers and teachers and converted them into violent  demonstrations involving confrontations with the duty consciousness state forces. 

In defending fatherland with honour and fidelity, the military was soon taken aback when before the twinkle of an eye, incited and brainwashed youths had picked up arms, mostly Dane guns and locally fabricated pistols to face them. No nation in the world had ever folded it's arms to watch citizens pick up arms to fight the army.  Sooner, fire exchanges ensued and before long a multiplicity of non state armed groups sprouted up across the two English speaking regions. As days went by they too began gaining possession of more sophisticated firearms. 

It now became obviously clear that the bird had been dancing on the road because there was a drummer hiding in the bush. At first the secesionist fighters came like Messiah's  to repeat Moses' legacy of freeing the Israelites from Egypt to the promised land.  They were embraced,  loved,  cherished and willfully supported. No doubt on September 22nd 2017, hundreds of thousands  of Anglophone Cameroonian's took to the streets for a peaceful protest.  Some went as far as hoisting flags and nylon papers saying their imaginary country,  Ambazonia was now in existence. Images emerged on social media portraying the military accompanying the population to exercise their constitutional and civic right of peacefully demonstrating. 

Months went by till date, Ambazonia remained a white elephant dream.  The supposed Messiah's  gradually metamorphosed into the complete opposite of what they had portrayed.  The population itself was taken aback when they started facing the wrath of the fighters,  Amba Boys so they call themselves.  After successfully installing themselves on the ground,  from thence henceforth they began showing their real colours.  First they shutdown schools then imposed ghost towns afterwards, weeks of lock down. As if that wasn't enough they started kidnapping wealthy citizens and asking for ransoms worth millions and hundreds of thousands before freeing them.  Those who can't comply to their demands are killed or parts of their body chopped off.  Anybody that tries to criticise them is termed a black leg and his punishment is death or severe torture.  

In all of this,  the Head of State never stayed indifferent  to the plight of citizens in this part of the nation. He kept sending his ministers to the field to meet the people and ask them what they want.  In all the talks, they never mentioned secession. Yet the sessionists kept pushing forth their agenda. It became glaring that abuses on the ground committed by the armed fighters were masterminded from abroad.  Multiple fund raising ceremonies were organised  by some unscrupulous diaspora Cameroonians who've even picked up foreign nationalities to buy arms and send to the ground fighters.  Shockingly,  financial squabbles soon started erupting within their ranks as accusations and counter accusations of embezzlement  arose. Leadership tussles also erupted as the quest for power became the order of the day.  The angel the population thought they had became the real devil they had never wanted to ever have. 

On the 8th of September 2019, the Head of State shocked all his detractors who had judged him as a silencer.  At 8pm on state media in a 30 minutes well loaded speech,  he announced the convening of a Grand National Dialogue to discuss not only the anglophone crisis but other concerns plaguing the entire nation. The big bag announcement was received with immeasurable euphoria nationwide and beyond.  Many began seeing it as the highly sort for light at the end of the tunnel that shall get all and sundry Anglophones out of the ongoing quagmire.  In addition to the announcement he fatherly extended a hand of fellowship to leaders of the various armed groups to come to the dialogue table for as it is said,  nothing pass arrangenent.

Unfortunately there are still those who've continued to give the dog a bad name in order to hang it.  Most of such are those who see an end to the crisis as a termination of the benefits they've been reaping especially through ill gotten money. Despite the good intentions of President Paul Biya, they still carved baseless arguments like there must be s must be a neutral third party, it must take place on a neutral ground, this and that. Unfortunately all has been planned and come Monday September 30th, the big history making event shall be held at the Yaounde conference  centre with close to 400 delegates to represent the wishes of the Anglophones