2021 Day of the African Child; Another Christmas for Two Orphanages in Mbengwi

 2021 Day of the African Child; Another Christmas for Two Orphanages in Mbengwi

Commemorative activities marking this year's edition of the Day of the African Child took place on Wednesday June 16 2021 at A Better World Children's Home, Kajih, Funam, Bome here in Mbengwi central subdivision and involved an exchange visit paid to the kids of A Better World Children's Home by their peers from House of Hope Orphanage, Ngyen-Mbo.

Holding under the international theme "30 Years After the Adoption of the Charter: Accelerate the Implementation of the 2040 Agenda for an Africa Fit for Children" and the national theme "Protect Every Child Against Violence, Exploitation, Negligence and Abuses, A Priority for the Cameroon Government" the Momo Divisional Delegation of Social Affairs prior to the day of commemoration held an educative training session with community leaders.

Family Photo 

Mr. Mbalinga Jonas Fombo, Chief of Social Action Service at the Momo Social Affairs Delegation, speaking to Mbengwi Online traced the origin of the Day of the African Child to 1991 when it was first initiated by the Organisation of African Unity (O.A.U), today's African Union (A.U) that declared every 16 of June  as day to honor those who participated in the Soweto Uprising in 1976. 

According to an online source, Wikipedia, in Soweto, South Africa, on June 16, 1976, about ten thousand black school children marched in a column more than half a mile long, protesting the poor quality of their education and demanding their right to be taught in their own language. Hundreds of them were shot at, killed, wounded and in the protests of the following two weeks,  more than a thousand were injured.

Mr. Mbalinga Jonas Fombo, Chief of Social Action Service at the Momo Social Affairs Delegation

Upon arrival of the expected officials, business began with the children introducing themselves in the course of which they shared their dreams. Many said they wish to become doctors, bankers, ministers, teachers, journalists, accountants, pilots, managers, politicians just to name these few. Unfortunately reality wise, many young Cameroonians grow up to becoming something else, completely different from their childhood dream though there are often few exceptions. 

Madam Ayaba Marvis is the founder of House of Hope Orphanage, Ngyen-Mbo. Asked what lessons she's taking back to her institution after visiting A Better World Children's Home and seeing its set up, she said "I've seen things here that when I go back, I'll learn to practice them such as the noticeboard containing souvenir pictures of various visitors to the orphanage and activities the kids have been carrying out."

Madam Ayaba Marvis (L) Receiving Symbolic Gift from Seta Withgodep Wiertz (M) as Madam Anne (R) Thumps Up

"It's always interesting when you join with people because it gives experience and understanding" she added. "I am happy coming here because I've learnt a lot. I dream one day having an office like his own (referring to that of the founder of A Better World Children's Home) and building rooms where visitors can come and stay" she ended. 

A couple of educative talks were also presented, focusing on abuses children face in society like rape, enslavement, molestation, denial of food, resources, education, corporal punishment etc. They also carried placards carrying messages calling for all forms of abuses they face to be reported, for their rights to be respected and their opinions considered, not to be shouted at, to be respected and encouraged and that their protection is everyone's responsibility.

Kid Displaying Placard with Message on Children's Rights

Cornered by Mbengwi Online at the close of the ceremony to make an evaluation, Mr. Seta Withdodep Wiertz, founder of A Better World Children's Home, the oldest orphanage in Mbengwi said "This has been a very wonderful event whose outcome I never foresaw will be as such. The success is wonderful and immeasurable" He furthered that such exchange visits are very necessary and important for the growth of the children because orphanages are a family and again, it's good for children to interact and share their different skills, experiences and gain exposure to other opportunities by connecting to their peers. 

Marvelled by the various activities performed by the kids to celebrate their day, Seta testified the singing part caught his attention. Hear him; "You know music is life and when children sing, they forget about their past, their painful experiences and the joy revives their souls to think about a better tomorrow." For this reason, he himself being an artist with over 30 songs released, he promised to engage the children of the two orphanages in the release of a high quality video album in the near future.

Seta Withgodep Wiertz, Founder, A Better World Children's Home, Funam, Bome, Mbengwi

The visiting officials were taken round the institution and at every stop, explanations were given. Several uncompleted construction projects are ongoing at A Better World Children's Home like a chapel, hall, dormitories, buckaroos, guest house, toilets and bathrooms. The kids are also trained in income generating activities for their upkeep and skills acquisition in poultry, piggery, farming, rearing of sheep, goats, German shepherds and the like. 

The orphanage according yo its founder has over 60 kids, about 20 currently residing in Kajih while the rest are dotted across the country. Some are in workshops learning a trade, others in high schools and higher institutions of learning like universities and professional school. A few have been recruited into the public service after succeeding in competitive entrance examinations commonly but erroneously referred to as "concours". Next year's edition of the day shall be hosted by House of Hope Orphanage, Ngyen-Mbo.

Palmers Has Done it Again

Palmers Has Done it Again

Palmers Bilingual Nursery and Primary School, Mbengwi has again scored a hundred percent in the government Common Entrance Examination. This information was made public during the graduation and prize award ceremony of the school that took place on Wednesday June 23rd 2021 in the Mbengwi council hall.

Upon arrival of the Divisional Officer for Mbengwi, Sakwe Jarvis Esapa who was received at the entrance into the hall with a bouquet of flowers, activities of the day began effectively under the watchful eyes of the the mayor to the Mbengwi Council, Ndangsa Kennedy Akam, his first deputy Doreen Fonjong Anwi epse Agwe, second deputy, Kadiri Amadu, the Momo Divisional Delegate of Basic Education, Ful Richard and a host of other dignitaries.

Graduating Pupils & Officials

In her welcome address, the school's Head Mistress, Petiangmbo Honorine regretted that despite all efforts put in by her staff and the administration of the school to provide the children the best of quality education, it was unfortunate some parents failed to pay the complete fees that was required of them for their kids. Despite this financial challenge, she reiterated that no child was deprived of any of the services offered by the school because of incompletion of fees. However, a warning note was sounded that such leniency won't be tolerated next academic year. 

One of the most exceptional activity of the day was an academic procession where the graduating students and some school officials, clad in graduation robes solemnly marched into the hall to the rhythm of a classical sound track. The high point of the graduation ceremony was when the kids took to the stage to perform various intellectual and entertainment activities they had been trained in  like fashion parade, ballet, rhymes, poems, singing just to name these few. 

L-R: Nyamnkah Rubby, Administrator, Doreen Fonjong, 1st Deputy Mayor, Sakwe Jarvis, Divisional Officer all Clad in Academic Robes

While addressing the parents, pupils and guests, Nyamkah Rubby Tangyi, the school administrator recognised the various supports that came in to give the event the success it deserved after appeal letters were dished out. He cited names like the Meta Women of Peace, Bamenda branch, the Mbengwi Central Cooperative Credit Union,  the Meta Students Association among others. The efforts of the entire teaching staff of the school were also recognized and appreciated as one of them, Madam Nubonyi Charlotte received an award as best teacher.

Palmers Bilingual Nursery and Primary School Mbengwi is one of the oldest lay private learning institutions at the basic education level in the subdivision. Owned by the current Member of Parliament for Momo East Constituency, Honourable Injoh Foo Ngang Prodencia, the school has trained and graduated hundreds of pupils. Worthy of note is the fact that the school gives a humanitarian touch to education meaning it's not just all about the money. 

Prizes that Were Awarded to the Pupils

For example this year, some 10 orphans from House of Hope Orphanage, Ngyen-Mbo were given scholarships by the proprietress herself to study at the school free of charge for a year. Some other five pupils had their fees paid still by the proprietress in a bid to encourage back to school. Despite the fact that a good number of pupils went home for the third term holiday still owing fees, through out the year, non was deprived of their daily breakfast. In addition, during the prize award session of the graduation ceremony, even some parents too were also distinctively recognised with prizes for their commitments in educating their at Palmers. 

Before the close of the occasion, the Divisional Officer of Mbengwi and the Mayor of the Mbengwi Council were also recognised for their incessant support for the growth of the renowned academic institution. For this, the duo were  decorated in robes too. The about 75 kids, total enrolment of the school all went back home with prizes after wining and dining. 

A Filled Mbengwi Council Hall During the Ceremony

The school has announced that it'll be organising holiday classes this long term holiday for slow learners to catch up considering the long period of school shutdown across the two English speaking regions of Cameroon as a result of the anglophone crisis. Lastly, it was announced that they'll be a school bus next academic year to ease the transportation of pupils.

Statistics from this years primary school results in Mbengwi central subdivision indicate that a total of 103 pupils sat for the Common Entrance General Exam out of which 98 passed and 5 failed. For Common Entrance Technical, 29 sat, 28 passed and 1 failed. 

Hon. Injoh Foo Ngang Prodensia, M.P Momo East, Mbengwi, Proprietress, Palmers Bilingual Nursery and Primary School, Mbengwi 

There are great expectations that there is going to be a great improvement in school enrolment come September 2022 as many parents who were still doubting if this academic year will run through successfully without being disturbed have had their worries cleared, reason why many are bringing back their children from the other French speaking regions they had sent the to for studies. 

Purple Robes in Njinmucho Signal Gradual Return of Old School Days

Purple Robes in Njinmucho Signal Gradual Return of Old School Days

For over two years, beginning from 2017, hundreds of thousands of kids across the two English speaking regions of Cameroon have been deprived of their basic right to education following a school shutdown call that was made by proponents of secession followed by attacks on teachers, pupils and students and at times kidnaps for ransom and arson on school buildings. In Mbengwi, schools like the Government Technical High School  located in Njindom, Government School Guneku and Mbemi plus even Catholic School Mbengwi and a host of others were torched.

Pioneer Batch of Graduating Pupils from St. Mark's Anglican Nursery and Primary School, Njinmucho, Mile 20 Mbengwi

By September 2020, following widespread condemnation of the tactic termed an abuse of human rights, some schools gradually began reopening their doors. Some teachers, peoples and students mustered courage to dare seat somewhere again for the teaching and learning process. Weeks and months and finally a full academic year successful passed by with little obstruction to education in Mbengwi. As such, at least 700 pupils and students out of the thousands the subdivision had in the yesteryears when there wasn't yet anything like Anglophone Crisis successfully sailed through the 2020/2021 academic year.

As many now go for the three months long term holiday, echoes gotten from across the subdivision indicate that performances were good. The newly established Presbyterian Primary School Guneku for example recorded a hundred percent pass for all its pupils that sat in for the Common Entrance Examination. Many students mostly in Presbyterian High School Mbengwi and Saint Joseph's College Mbengwi are currently seating in for the General Certificate of Education (GCE) examination that will see successful candidates progress to high school or university when results will be published. 

The phenomenon of "Graduation and Prize Award Ceremony" in schools is gradually returning. This month of June, many schools in Mbengwi have been organising such ceremonies for their kids and pupils. Even some referred to as Community Schools that came up as a remedial measure during this crisis period have been doing same. By Friday June 25th 2021, all schools in Mbengwi just like across the nation are expected to have closed for summer holiday.

Likely for the first time ever in the area, some 7 pupils likely for the first time also in their lives were clad in purple robes. This was on Thursday June 17 2021 as St. Mark's Anglican Nursery and Primary School, Mbengwi organised the pioneer graduation ceremony of its pioneer batch of kindergartens and pupils.

It was an exceptional day most especially for the kids who experienced what a graduation ceremony looks like at their own level especially the 7 kids that put on graduation robes and were handed Attestations. In addition, all the pupils received a souvenir gift of a soup bowl and some snacks.

Pioneer Batch of Graduating Pupils from St. Mark's Anglican Nursery and Primary School, Njinmucho, Mile 20 Mbengwi

Despite this, they were contented and their performances academically were good as in most of the classes, everyone passed. Talking to Mbengwi Online after witnessing the ceremony, Mami Monica Ayaba, a granny said, "I am so happy with this initiative because the children had been home for too long and were already losing knowledge. I'm happier because my grand child took the second position. May God bless the teachers and help us end the ongoing crisis"

Pioneer Teaching Staff of St. Mark's Anglican Nursery and Primary School

Pa Ndah Emmanuel Muki, a grand dad that also came to witness the event told us he was marvelled with the songs and rhymes performed by the kids. Just like Mami Monica, he too called on parents of the community that had sent their children to Bafoussam, Douala, Yaounde etc for studies due to the ongoing crisis that brought about a shutdown of schools to return home and enrol them at St. Mark's Anglican Nursery and Primary School considering that those who braved the odds this academic year to stay back and go to school sailed through successfully with little or no hitches and ended up graduating. 

Worst still, it's more costly and highly inconvenient educating one's children in the Francophone regions compared to home. It's for such reasons and many more including the need to develope one's own place that inhabitants of Njinmucho are envisaging a better school year in 2022 with improved enrolment, improved quality and quantity of teachers and improved results.

In the course of the ongoing Anglophone Crisis, one of the strategies that was implored by proponents of secession was school shutdown, a move that was highly condemned locally, nationally and internationally. Later, they shifted from their initial stance to permit non government schools to go operational and for community schools to be formed in areas not having any mission or private school but on conditions like no wearing of uniforms, no singing of Cameroon's national anthem, no participation in youth day, national day, FENASCO activities etc. 

Communities like Mile 20, Njinibi, Nyen, Mbemi and their neighbours had only government nursery and primary schools. The few mission and privately owned schools in Mbengwi subdivision are located within the central town. Not every parent had the means to cross over their children to the francophone regions for studies or relocate them to Mbengwi central. It was thus based on this setback that St. Mark's Anglican Church, located in Njinmucho, Mile 20, Mbengwi came up with the idea of opening a nursery and primary school to remedy the situation. 

The 2020/2021 academic year went on successfully with a teaching staff of four and an enrolment of over 30 shared in nursery 1 and 2, classes 1 to 4. Many other schools too within the subdivision have been organising similar graduation ceremonies though void of the fanfare that used to characterise such events before the advent of the crisis. There are indications there shall be a mass improvement in school enrolment in Mbengwi next academic year as many who had crossed over to the francophone regions are returning home already.

COMINSUD Trains Community Leaders in Mbengwi on GBV

COMINSUD Trains Community Leaders in Mbengwi on GBV

The humanitarian organisation, Community Initiative for Sustainable Development (COMINSUD) has trained some community leaders in Mbengwi on Gender Based Violence (GBV), particularly rape, physical violence, denial of resources, sexual harassment etc. Participants made up of traditional council chairpersons, community health workers, representatives from Village Development Associations and others attended the one day training that took place in the conference hall of the Mbengwi District Hospital, Thursday June 17 2021

Participants & COMINSUD Staff Pose for Family Picture at End of Workshop

Talking on the Management of Gender Based Violence, Mrs. Tunga Hilda Anne, General Supervisor of the Mbengwi District Hospital told the participants to always use the services of care and treatment centres around them plus hospitals each time they come across a GBV case especially rape and most importantly, within 72 hours, the medically recommended time frame to quickly put the victim on post prophylaxis, a process that involves screening, administration of emergency contraceptive, Psychological First Aid (P.F.A) and Anti Retroviral Drugs (A.R.V) all free of charge. She also called for the maintenance of confidentiality to avoid stigmatisation.

Mr. Mbabit Pius, Chairman of the Njindom Traditional Council thanked COMISUD for the workshop and proposed a number be made public for people like them to call and report GBV cases. Before the close of the meeting, a Referal Pathway for the N.W region was distributed to all attendees. It is a leaflet produced by COMINSUD containing contacts of institutions and persons that can be reached to report various cases of GBV or seek attention and knowledge. The contacts for Mbengwi as contained in the Referral Pathway are 677495530 or 675420403 or 680114133. Meanwhile to contact the Mbengwi District Hospital, the number given to reach was 676342832

Participants Taking Down Notes

As was explained, some GBV cases also need spiritual intervention since it's alleged there are cases of rape where the fertility of the survivor (victim) is taken away. Muyang Gina is a GBV case worker with COMINSUD particularly in Mbengwi and to and extent, Momo Division. As focal person for the organisation in the subdivision, she said almost everyone in society has either been a survivor or perpetrator of one form of GBV or another. She also affirmed that the organisation she works with supports survivors especially of rape morally, materially and financially as COMINSUD's interventions are more survivor based than perpetrator meaning the focus is to rescue the survivor while the legal and criminal sanctions of the perpetrator are expected to be handled by the competent authorities corncerned with punishment. 

She also added that each time a GBV case is being handled, the survivor at any point in time within the process has the full right to ask for a discontinuance of the case. Such requests usually come in on basis of safeguarding individual or family dignity, other arrangements with the perpetrator, avoidance of more violence etc.  However, as Gina explained, before this, he or she must have first been educated on the importance and advantages of following the process till the end and disadvantages of not continuing the process.

Muyang Gina, COMINSUD GBV Case Worker, Mbengwi Training Participants

COMINSUD Staff at Workshop

This summer holiday that shall see many youths that had travelled out of Mbengwi to other towns for studies returning home, COMINSUD plans to be holding educative sessions with young girls between 9 and 25 years old on sexuality, body care, family planning just to name these few at their office located opposite Palmers Bingual Nursery and Primary School before reaching the Mbengwi Council office.

Mbengwi Council Donates Ambulance to Community through Mbengwi Urban Integrated Health Centre

Mbengwi Council Donates Ambulance to Community through Mbengwi Urban Integrated Health Centre

The Mbengwi Council has donated a 4WD Toyota Ambulance to the  community through the Mbengwi Urban Integrated Health Centre. The official handing over of the car keys took place, Tuesday June 8th 2021 at the Mbon Motor Park, Mile 18.

Addressing the beneficiary population, Mayor Ndangsa Kennedy revealed that the ambulance was bought by the council to remedy the health challenges of the inhabitants of the subdivision, most of whom often find it difficult accessing various health units especially on ghost town or lockdown days and during wee hours of the night.

The Ambulance 

Madam Njah Delphine is the Chief of Centre, Mbengwi Urban Integrated Health Centre. Expressing her feelings to Mbengwi Online upon reception of the ambulance keys, she  thanked the mayor for "having very good thoughts about the people of Mbengwi in promoting the health system of the area"

Prior to the brief but symbolic event at the park, the council executive, some health officials and council workers had paraded with the ambulance at Acha, stopped at the Tad market that functioned that Tuesfay in Nyen before coming to end in Mile 18. At these various places where the caravan to show off the ambulance passed, it was presented as the people's property which they need to make adequate use of.

The Council Executive & Medical Team at the Mbon Motor Park

In explaining how the vehicle shall be used for the purpose it was bought and how it shall be sustained, mayor Ndangsa disclosed that there shall be a token to be paid by the patients, this purposely for maintenance and fuelling because according to him, "things that are free are often very destructive"

He went on to add that "The council is for the people and is thus going to subsidise the cost so that people should have a better living condition." As regards the management of the funds to be generated by the ambulance, he revealed that a committee will be created to ensure sustainability and maintenance.

Symbolic Handing Over of Car Keys

Elsewhere, the mayor's critics have been digging deep to know the total cost spent in acquiring the ambulance and source of the funds. Some have been debating on it being a second handed or fairly used vehicle. They even question why the choice of Mbengwi Urban Integrated Health Centre instead of the Mbengwi District Hospital under which all other health centres in the subdivision fall.

In this regard, quizzed whether the council shall be benefiting from the revenue to be generated by the ambulance, Ndangsa Kennedy said "The council is an entity on its own and doesn't need to benefit because the health centre benefiting is already the council and these are structures under the council."

Njah Delphine, Chief of Centre, Mbengwi Urban Integrated Health Centre

In continuation, he added that "It's our duty especially now under decentralisation that the hospitals have been sent under the management of the councils with other ministries. So that is the reason you see the council purchasing this ambulance and handing it to the health centre."

The municipal authority ended by reiterating his long call to  indigenes of the subdivision that left because of the crisis to return home because in his own words, "Mbengwi is a place to be, Mbengwi is calm, come back home and enjoy the services of the Mbengwi council."

Some months back, the council also bought a mini truck and named it Mobile Dustbin. It's since then till date being used almost on daily basis to clean the municipality. It moves through quarters and the main streets carrying away dirt from homes and the Mbon market/park area. The phenomenon of hips of dirt being piled in the market or at the park became a thing of the past ever since Ndangsa became mayor and initiated the idea of a mobile dust bin.  With the purchase of this ambulance now, it is also expected that patient's mobility challenges will now be a thing of the past.

First Deputy Mayor, Fonjong Doreen Anwi epse Agwe Pouring Champagne on the Ambulance 

Within its one year stay in office since April 2020, the current executive has been able to achieve part of its developmental plans for the municipality. However, the fate of some other projects realised by the previous mandate of erstwhile mayor Tebe Beatrice remain uncertain with regards to usage and sustainability. 

A modern slaughter was constructed in G.R.A yet till date is not being used. A feed mill was also constructed near the MECUDA head office in Mile 18 and the well equipped structure has been standing there doing nothing, not even now that the worst outbreak of African swine fever is putting pig farmers on bended knees as hundreds of pigs are either being buried or sold for prices as cheap as 2.500F just simply because they've been affected. Losses from the outbreak of the flu have been estimated to above 50 million within the entire subdivision.

Ndangsa Kennedy Akam, Mayor, Mbengwi Council

A bottle of champagne was popped and poured on the "newly bought" ambulance by the first deputy mayor, Fonjong Doreen Anwi epse Agwe while the second deputy mayor, Kadiri Amadu clapped in amusement. In the days ahead, a contact number to reach the ambulance in case of emergency shall be given to the public.

Though handed to the Mbengwi Urban Integrated Health Centre, the ambulance shall be serving all patients in the entire Mbengwi health district area that require it's service. This therefore means that the ambulance shall be penetrating even remote areas like Fringyeng, Zang Tebi, Tugi, Munam, Ngwokwong etc.

Eye Witness Accounts of Easter Sunday's Shoot Out at Mbon, Mile 18, Mbengwi

Eye Witness Accounts of  Easter Sunday's Shoot Out at Mbon, Mile 18, Mbengwi

Easter Sunday April 4th 2021 has been entered into the black books of Mbengwi as the day three persons were gunned down in the subdivision by yet to be identified gunmen whom some local sources suspect to be "Amba Boys". Two were shot and killed in Mile 18, first of its kind since the Anglophone Crisis started and one in the Medig zone of the Meta clan. 

The victims were Ngum Mabel, a civilian, killed at her business place at the Mbon motor park where for many years now, she was selling roasted fish, Ngono Rodrigue alias "Pinoko", a police officer that was the bodyguard/driver of the Divisional Officer for Mbengwi, killed inside Broadway Rostand, a popular bar still at the Mbon motor park and an "Amba Boy" a local appellation for Non State Armed Fighters whose only nickname we got as "Dong" a native of Guneku village.

Ngono Rodrigue (Police Officer) & Ngum Mabel (Roasted Fish Vendor), Victims of Easter Sunday's Attack at Mbon

Some of the eye witnesses of last Sunday's shoot out have been talking to Mbengwi Online. The first speaker, narrating the ordeal said he was seated in Broadway, not far from the door with a friend sharing a drink. Then some men entered dressed in military uniform, carrying AK47s, some wearing gun proofs. He observed one gave commands to his colleagues through sign language on where to position themselves. "At first I was like what have these military men come to do here? Is there someone they're looking for?" he explained, then continued that it was only after he heard a gunshot that it dawned on him something is wrong. "I don't know how I dashed out and sped home forgetting about the friend I was with and my phone. When I skipped into my house and locked the door behind me, then did I notice the bottle of beer I was drinking was surprisingly still in my hand" he added.

Ever since the advent and subsequent escalation of the ongoing armed conflict ravaging the two English speaking regions of Cameroon dubbed the Anglophone Crisis, the relationship between the civilian population and the military posted to work in Mbengwi has often been relatively cordial. It's been a common practice for years now to see both drinking and dancing in beer parlours at night mostly on Sundays since many now spend Mondays (ghost town days) to rest. 

Broadway Rostan, a beer parlour situated at the Mbon motor park in Mile 18 Mbengwi is the funkiest night joint in the municipality. Even some administrators of the subdivision once in a while pass there on Sunday nights to catch a feeling of night life in Mbengwi with the commoners. 

This explains why those who were in that night never bothered when gun carrying men in military uniforms entered the place. All took them for the usual police or gendarme officers or elements of the Rapid Intervention Batallion (BIR) posted to work in Mbengwi that frequent the place to catch fun. 

Usually, most bars in Mbon get full between 8-10pm during week ends. It was still about  7:30pm. Most of those who had rendezvous to meet at Broadway were still making plans. From chitchats gotten, a group of government soldiers would've been there by the time of the incidence if not of the birthday party of a colleague that delayed them behind. 

Another eyewitness that spoke to Mbengwi Online said he too was seated in the bar, far behind from the main entry/exit door with a friend sharing a drink. When the men in uniform entered, he too just like others took them for the usual military men they know, working in Mbengwi and that have been friendly towards the population all this while. Broadway Rostan has an inner room where some persons go and gamble, that is play cards otherwise known as "jambo". 

By the time the unkwown men in uniform entered, two persons were in this room on a game. They were Ngono Rodrigue, the bodyguard of the Divisional Officer for Mbengwi subdivision and a certain Claude, dealer in pork business in front of Broadway.  

Back to our second eye witness, he again said when he heard the first gunshot, he took it normal. After all it's nothing strange again these days. People have heard all types of gunshots and are now familiar with them. In his words, "Then I heard pam!, pam-pam!!, pam-pam-pam!!!. I knew we were under attack. Though dressed in military attires, non of the gunmen looked familiar. Then he continued, "So I dragged my friend forcing him to lie on the floor with me. We laid there for close to a minute then I noticed people rushing out, forcing their way through the main door. I got up to run but someone called my name, crying for help."

According to his narration, he rushed to the person and it was Claude, the pork seller. He had been shot on both hands and was bleeding. He pleaded to be carried to the hospital saying they've cut his hands. "Then I heard a friend saying, Boy, ya man dey down" our anonymous eye witness continued. "Hearing this, I was damn shocked thinking it's my wife" he added. "Na Pinoko that for down pa" the voice said again. 

Ndong Rodrigue alias Pinoko, the D.O's bodyguard had just been shot at severally and killed on the spot. With a uniform officer down, no one again will dare to still remain around knowing that sooner, a reinforcement squad shall be storming the scene. Everybody ran helter skelter dashing towards various directions in confusion. The only person left was the bartender, a young guy in his 20s whom most of those who experienced the developments have been saluting for his bravery and courageousness.

The shootings took place right in front of him. He's said to have been the last person the military came and met at the scene struggling helplessly alone to safe the lives of the two victims. All of this happened just within a very short period. The assassins disappeared after their act. They likely came purposely for the two persons they successfully gunned down. How did they monitor and know the specific location of their target and went straight there to get him is thing one can't tell. 

As the first gunshots were fired at Broadway, others were also fired somewhere at the Mbon Park precisely at The Point, name of a place where a lady by name Ngum Mabel, a native from Chenam village, Tondig zone of the Meta clan in Mbengwi has been selling roasted fish for many years now to carter for her three children and her visually impaired mother. Certainly the assassins divided themselves into two  and planned to execute their mission at the same time. She was gunned down and she died on the spot, Sunday 4th April 2021 at the age of 39. She was born on 22nd December 1982.

A business neighbour to Ngum Mabel told Mbengwi Online that he got the heard the gunshots when his business place was still opened. He immediately parked in his things, closed his shop, mounted his bike with a friend and rode home. He said they passed and saw the lady on the ground and thought she had slept there as a safety measure. Since it was an atmosphere of total commotion, considering everyone was taken unaware, they continued their ride home without stepping down to check. Ngum laid there and breath her last. 

From information we got, Ngum's visually impaired mother by name Tah Theresa started calling her daughter from home immediately she heard the gunshots to ask if she's safe. She called and called, the phone rang and rang but no one answered. Feeling something wrong, she left the house with the help of her grand child and trekked to her daughter's business place and behold, there she laid helplessly and lifeless on the ground. The mum cried and cried for help but no one came. 

Her mortal remains "slept" at the park till the next morning that arrangements were made for her corpse to be transported to the Mbengwi hospital mortuary. Latest information we've gotten is that she shall be buried on Friday April 9 2021 at their Back Mbon residence. It should be recalled that on Sunday March 7 2021, an Improvised Explosive Device was handed to Ngum Mabel in a bag at about 8:30pm by suspected Amba Boys and detonated. Luckily, she sustained just minor injuries. 

Why was Ngum killed? 

Mbengwi Online has gotten videos of her circulating online in which she was testifying in church, Grace City International Ministries, Mbengwi after she survived the first attempt on her life. In the amateur video, she explained that the boys had accused her of dealing with the military, selling to them. She's seen saying "I told the boy I know nothing about what you're saying. I'm not a traitor and I'll never be it. It's not now that I started business that I'll do what you think I am doing. Please my brothers, leave my life because my mother does not even see. If it's for me, I can go but for my mother, where will I place her?"

Screenshot of Leaked Video In Which Ngum Gave Her Testimony in Church After Surviving the First Attack on Her Life

In continuing her narration to church members, she said "He insisted. Then I told him that let me tell you something. You people might drink the blood of all but you'll not see my blood because I am innocent of all the accusations." Certainly she never foresaw a return of the boys, this time around to see her blood which she had openly told them they won't see. She continued her fish business thereafter not until last Sunday that she met her doom as she was assassinated right at her job site. 

Why was Ngono Rodriguez alias Pinoko, the D.O's bodyguard killed? 

Mbengwi Online hasn't any vital information in relation to this. Instead, what learnt is he was one of the most loved uniform officer in the subdivision by the population reason why many cried when his brutal murder was announced. Pinoko is said to have been the oldest police officer in Mbengwi till his doomsday. For over 8 years, he's been in the subdivision. No instance of him molesting, torturing or maltreating a civilian has ever been reported. He was so humble, lively and carefree so do many say. Ngono was noted for frequently putting on "destroyed" jean trousers and walking him freely around. Even on ghost town days, he walks around right into the quarters alone at times in his police uniform and at times carrying his gun.  He had integrated himself into the society and was already understanding the Meta language to an extent. 

Ngono had a special admiration for dogs, his best pet. It is rumoured he was so attached to his dogs to the extent where he could stay hungry just for them to eat. He was close to boys that smoke and gamble but aren't criminals. He loved playing football and was even a member of one of the "Sunday Sharp" teams here in Mbengwi. While others think it was surely a mistaken target, some say the fact that the assassins went right into the inner room of Broadway Rostan where he was on a card game with a fellow player and shot at him severally spoke volumes, that they actually came for him.

Did Pinoko foresee his death? 

A Bamenda based journalist that's been covering stories in Mbengwi recounted an encounter with him sometimes in the past to Mbengwi Online thus; "This guy told me someday that as he's in Mbengwi, he's already death and just waiting for his final death. I encouraged him not to lose hope and he asked me that how much is his salary that he's fighting war? I used to hate him because he always looked drunk and "high" but one day he called me and asked that even if he smokes marijuana, does he disturb anyone? So why I'm I avoiding him? As you see me like this, I'm a living corpse"

Certainly he was somehow frustrated, maybe why he found comfort and solace in gambling, smoking and his dogs. It disturbed him that for over 8 years, he's been kept in Mbengwi, no promotion, no transfer meanwhile most of his mates with whom he graduated from their training school have been raised to high ranks. He's said to have been married and a father of four. He stayed in Mbengwi with his family in the heart of the crisis until of recent that he sent them to Yaounde. 

That same Easter Sunday, the third death was recorded somewhere in the Medig zone of the Meta clan. There lived a certain Amba Fighter in Guneku popularly known as "Dong". Reports say other Amba Boys came and took him from his house to their camp and killed him for reasons best known to them. 

The area where Broadway Rostan is located in Mbengwi, some are already beginning to term it a bloody area. Some years back, a certain Ndenge Elvis, a commercial motor bike rider is said to have been shot and killed by a police officer around same area. Their squabble erupted over a girl friend. The next day, bikes went on rampage attacking the Mbengwi police station and attempting to set it ablaze. Some bike riders even rode in from Bali to support their colleagues of Mbengwi in the fight. A military reinforcement from Bamenda succeeded to quell the riot. The police officer was later transfered 

Still some years back, precisely in 2012, a guy by name Morris was killed in Mbon again around the area hosting Broadway. He was a mechanic. An over pumped tyre exploded and shattered him. Taking into consideration these killings and that of last Sunday, some persons are beginning to say that area needs cleansing.

Way before the ongoing crisis, some other two roasted fish vendors at Mbon park also died supernaturally. It is alleged they picked a huge amount of money that fell from someone and shared. After announcing for long about the misplaced money, no one owned up and the concerned engaged in a traditional justice system whose outcome was the mysterious death of the two women. 

The population of Mbengwi is yet to comprehend the real brains behind last Sundays attacks. Many doubt if they were Amba Boys from Mbengwi of Meta origin that carried out the act. This because many hold the notion that such fighters in Mbengwi hardly kill, that killing is not really in the blood of the Meta people. Those with such views say they can only threaten and frighten and torture but will not spill blood. 

To holders of such opinion, since the Anglophone Crisis started, fighters in the subdivision have made multiple arrests from businessmen to politicians like the current mayor and traditional authorities like the Fons of Ku, Mbemi and Wumnembug including other persons they term blacklegs but yet, non was killed. They only detained them, tortured them, collected ransoms and let them go. 

So who are these guys that came and killed in Mbon, a place where no such thing had ever been done since the crisis started? Again, they were dressed in military attire. With such, can one conclude they were government soldiers? Certainly no. Instances of non state armed fighters wearing military attired aren't anew. Most so called Amba Generals like Field Marshal, No Pity etc have repeatedly released pictures and videos on social media in which they are seen dressed from head to toe in military attires belonging to the various units of the Cameroon armed forces.

Last Sunday's shoot out just like other past such happenings might just quietly die down. For now, no official statement has been made public about it. Life in Mbengwi is struggling to regain its previous steam. The forces of law and order have intensified security dispositions. These days, shops are asked to close down earlier than before and movement of bikes restricted from evenings though not officially. An atmosphere of uncertainty and fear still reigns as the population wonders what decisions the administration and security forces might take in the days ahead to beef up security after the unfortunate incidence. 

Mbengwi had relatively been a safe haven for the past four years, compared to other hostile subdivisions not until last Sunday's killings. A crisis that started with peaceful street protests with peace plants degenerated to an armed conflict where the fighters started facing government soldiers with dane guns, then later sophisticated guns and now Improvised Explosive Devices simply because a stitch wasn't made in time to safe nine. 

In the past, the fight was between Amba Boys against the military. These days, the dynamics have changed as civilians now pay the highest price especially those termed blacklegs whose fate of staying alive or being killed usually lies in the hands of the belligerents. Some think that Ngum was killed for selling to the military but others don't think so. The military buys from traders in Mbon market and other shops around. They climb bikes, drink from bars, eat from restaurants and even date girls around. So will everybody be killed for this? they ask. 

Calls have been made repeatedly from within and without the nation for the Cameroon government to seek a final solution to the crisis. The government has repeatedly insisted that the situation is under control yet as days go by, more and more souls continue to perish.

MINJEC to Inject Millions in Mbengwi Via 3 Year Special Youth Plan

MINJEC to Inject Millions in Mbengwi Via 3 Year Special Youth Plan

Some youths in Mbengwi that are potential beneficiaries of the Three Year Special Youth Plan, an innovative instrument announced by the Head of State following his address to youths on February 10 2015 have ended a training program on Moral, Civic and Entrepreneurial Rearmament known as REAMORCE. On this day, president Paul Biya announced that he is setting aside 102 billion FCFA to facilitate and accelerate the socioeconomic integration of young boys and girls between the ages 15-35.

The three year special youth plan was instituted to curb the  problems faced by the young generation like unemployment, underemployment, delinquency, moral decadence, alcoholism, clandestine emigration, banditry, lack of opportunities, drug abuse and other plights.

Potential Beneficiaries & Officials at the End of the Training 

L-R: Benjamin Ngangoe, Fidelis, Fonjong Doreen epse Agwe, Fozao Jean Claude

Upon completion of the training, they were awarded attestations of participation on Thursday March 25 2021 in the Mbengwi Council Hall during a closing ceremony presided at by the Divisional Officer of Mbengwi, represented by his assistant, Ekom Fidelis. For a week, they were trained on civic and moral education plus COVID-19 after which they went round the streets of Mbengwi sensitising the population about the pandemic and the dangers of not respecting its barrier measures. 

On Friday March 19 2021 the concerned youths carried out an operation to keep Mbengwi clean during which they visited Mile 19, the D.O and S.D.O's residences and offices plus the Mbon main market and motor park picking up every dirt and dumping in a mobile garbage van provided by the council for onward deposition at the dumping site under Saint Joseph's College, Mbengwi. 

In the course of voluntarily cleaning the municipality, they also spoke to persons they came across about COVID-19. They were supported in the initiative by the Mbengwi Council that provided jackets for uniformity, the mobile garbage van and gloves plus transportation to the various places where the human investment was carried out. 

Handing Over of Attestations

COVID-19 Sensitisation in Mile 19

From time to time throughout the various training days, the mayor of the Mbengwi Council kept addressing the youths, encouraging them to be responsible and exemplary citizens, to shun fear and take their destiny into their hands while assuring them that Mbengwi is a safe haven. He reiterated on the relatively calm nature of Mbengwi because some of the beneficial youths happen to be indigenes from other subdivisions but their names appeared under Mbengwi as locality where there shall be executing their projects.

It was for this reason that the mayor insisted  on all projects to must be carried out in the Momo Divisional headquarters so as to boost the economy of the municipality. His order was supported by Fozao Jean Claude, the Mbengwi Sub Divisional Delegate of Youth Affairs and Civic Education who added that youths must learn to volunteer and change their mindsets from pessimism to optimism, from relying so much on the government to taking their destiny into their hands.  

Mr. Benjamin Ngangoe is the director of the Multipurpose Youth Empowerment Centre, Mbengwi. He lead the youths throughout the one week training program and even partook in the dirt picking exercise. He schooled them that it's the Ministry of Youth Affairs that's in charge of executing the presidential three years special youth plan by selecting the beneficiaries, funding them and following up their projects to ensure proper execution. 

He said the money comes in the forms of grants, subventions and loans and they're expected to invest it in agriculture, arts and craft, technological innovation and the digital economy. To benefit, interested youths have to first of all get registered into the National Youth Observatory through various divisional and sub divisional delegations of youth affairs and civic education or online at www.onjcameroun.cm

The Mbengwi Multipurpose Youth Empowerment Centre director also gave statistics on those already earmarked to benefit in Mbengwi. He said in terms of financial value, Mbengwi subdivision shall benefit  51.400.000Frs broken down as follows: 44.400.000Frs for 2020 and 7.000.000Frs for the 2021 selection. In total, 58 youths have already been selected as potential beneficiaries out of whom 29 are already processing their bank documents for the eventual disbursement of the funds, 26.738.000Frs  while the remaining 29 will be funded during the second phase as those for 2021 remain on standby. 

Out of these 58 projects some shall be implemented individually, others in groups and some via what's known as pioneer village or cluster.  Benjamin Ngangoe, talking to Mbengwi Online said _"This is an opportunity for me to send a clarion call to those who are still dragging their feet that this program is real. What you need to do is just to simply register into the National Youth Observatory."_ 

The fortunately selected youths in Mbengwi are now anxiously waiting for the funds to be deposited into their bank accounts. Some of the areas they intend investing in are poultry, piggery, market gardening, feed store, plantain and maize cultivation/transformation etc. The mayor says the council has already allocated a piece of land on which the agricultural and livestock projects shall be implemented

Mbengwi Council Counts its Blessings, Names them One by One

Mbengwi Council Counts its Blessings, Names them One by One

The mayor of the Mbengwi Council, Ndangsa Kennedy Akam on behalf of the councillors, the executive and workers has been counting the blessings of the Mbengwi council and naming them one by one since effectively assuming office in April 2020. This was during a session held in the council hall on Wednesday March 31st 2021 for the adoption of the 2020 management and administrative account of the council. 

Recounting the success story so far recorded,  Ndangsa Kennedy in his welcome speech cited projects already realised under his mandate such as the rehabilitation of the municipal grandstand, electrification of Tuanyang, Njimetu, Barakwe, Wumnebit and Chenam villages, construction of a park centre and an agric post, construction of a slaughter house in Njaah, organisation of two group marriage ceremonies where more than 80 couples were empowered with marriage certificates just to name these few.  

Councillors in Session

However, as he noted, it's not been a bed of roses as challenges like the persistence of the ongoing armed conflict, the outbreak and prevalence of COVID-19, rural urban migration amongst others posed serious setbacks for the council to smoothly realise its plans. These limited social and commercial activities that could generate local revenue for the council coupled with warnings and threats of life on council authorities and workers alike. 

Prior to the commencement of the session, the Brigade Commander of the Mbengwi Gendarmerie Post, Tchengang Theophile stepped into the hall and went round checking under tables and chairs especially those on stage reserved for the highest authorities of the division and subdivision to ensure their safety. 

It was at 11:33am that the Momo Senior Divisional Officer, Fouda Etaba Bernoit Nicaise accompanied by his État Major stepped into the hall for the commencement of the session that was coordinated by Ndokonyi Musa, the Secretary General of the Mbengwi Council. From the roll call, 19 out of the 25 expected councillors were present thus establishing more than the quorum that's legally binding for the session to proceed.

Newly Tarred Road, Checkpoint to S.D.O's Office 

Edge Construction Company Executing a Road Contract in Mbengwi

Minutes of the previous session will then be read after which they were amended and adopted thus giving room for a question and answer session during which the councillors sort to know from the mayor the distance he's covered so far in executing the task that was assigned to him after the last session in terms of projects realisation. The council S.G from time to time stepped in during the exchange to respond to some of the technical questions that require his technical expertise while the mayor too responded to those within his reach.

The Mbengwi Council management and administrative account session was a forum for various committees to present their reports. The natural resources committee for example thanked the mayor for encouraging farmers to form Common Initiative Groups but pleaded he reaches out to them so as to improve on their produce. They also proposed that the council should step in to regulate the exploitation of calabar chalk (in Bessi Fomukong), organise an agro pastoral show, train poultry and animal farmers. 

The embellishment committee on its part also thanked the mayor for improving on street lighting of the municipality, the commencement of renovation of monuments in Mbengwi, the construction of a roundabout around GBPS Mbengwi and the creation of some greeneries. The committee members went furthermore in their report to acknowledge the constant removal of garbage around the Mbon park and market by the council that bought a mini truck named COVID-19 Mobile Dustbin purposely for the exercise of carrying away dirt on daily basis. 

Pioneer Roundabout in the Municipality, Constructed around GBPS Mbengwi

As proposals, they called on the council to grade and extend the mortuary entrance, architecturally design major road junctions like Checkpoint, Pa Kwati, Mile 19 and Njembeng and install solar street lights there, fence the council building and the toilet behind the grandstand, plant beautiful flowers around the council for beauty and snapshots during weddings, plant a big welcome/goodbye sign board at Ngyen-Mbo where Mbengwi shares boundary with Mezam, same as at the border between Mbengwi and Njikwa, Mbengwi and Ngie, Mbengwi and Batibo (at Mile 71).

These suggestions and those from other committees were noted down for subsequent implementation based on the scale of preference and available financial means. A couple of councillors quizzed the mayor on why work is going at snail pace on the stretch of road Checkpoint to Pa Kwati junction to Africa Petroleum. It was during deliberations on this subject that it was revealed that the North West regional delegate of Housing and Urban Development is the contractor. The problem as explained by the mayor stemmed from the fact that the credit card for the contract awarded since 2019 had been returned to the central treasury in Yaounde due to delays in commencing the work. 

As such the contractor is reluctant to use his personal money in executing the contract considering that it's not certain whether or not the said credit card will be retrieved. However at moment, work is timidly progressing on the said road that should've been completed by now if not of these administrative bottle necks. It's a road that's expected to look like that of Fish Pond Hill or Food Market in Bamenda as pavement bricks shall be mounted on it.

Mobile Garbage Van, An Initiative by the Council to Keep the Municipality Clean

Another road project that came under scrutiny was the stretch from Checkpoint to the S.D.O's Office that's been tarred already. While some inhabitants have been castigating Edge Construction Company for poor work done, to the mayor, it's superb. He  announced plans to also tar the stretch from Njembeng Church junction through Muswe to Mile 19, the holding of an agro pastoral show, the construction of an ultra modern sports complex in Mbengwi and the transformation of the sideways of the stretch of road from the Mbengwi District Hospital to the council building into the commercial avenue of the municipality. 

Here, he said land shall be dished out to interested persons  at give away prices to erect market stalls there but before this, as advised by the S.D.O, the council will have to first of all consult the concerned technicians involved in the land sector, that is the ministry of land tenure.  

At the end of the deliberations, the Mbengwi Council Administrative account for the 2020 financial year stood at 684.744.646frs in revenue and 566.126.889frs in expenditure with a realisation rate of 82%. This success story according to the mayor was thanks to momo administration, forces of law and order, the minister of supreme state audit, councillors, workers and the technical staff of some partner ministries.

Ndangsa Kennedy Akam, Mayor, Mbengwi Council

In his closing remarks, the municipal boss presented some motions to the councillors for adoption amongst which was that the mortuary attendants be placed on a monthly risk allowance of 20.000Frs, that committee chairpersons and secretaries be placed on an extra allowance of 10.000 and 5.000Frs respectively, that the mayor be empowered to provide land to the Muslim community to erect a mosque in Mile 18 and for MECUDA Texas to build a modern orphanage, that councillor Tembe Daniel be dismissed according to the law for absenting from three consecutive council sessions etc.

He also pleaded with the SDO to use his powers to request for the reestablishment of the BIR camp in Nyen that had been closed down thus resulting to the return of Non State Armed Fighters known as Amba Boys who are reported to have resumed their I'll practices. According to the mayor, the population wants the BIRs to come back. The Mbengwi Council it should be noted is the first in the entire Momo Division to have held its administrative and management accounts session within the legally stipulated time frame.