Meta Artists' Association Sees the Light of Day

For the first time in history, artists of Meta origin have come together to form a Meta Artists' Association (MAA). Meeting in the seaside resort town of Limbe, S.W region on Sunday February 27th 2022, the pioneer Executive Committee was put in to man the affairs of the association for a three-year mandate renewable once. 

Talking to Mbengwi Online at the end of the meeting, Fombi Alexander Timah artistically known as Iceman Alex said "Everybody came here filled with a lot of opinions but I'm happy we came to a good conclusion as everyone is leaving satisfied with the decisions taken and we're ready to turn a new page with regards to Meta entertainment."

Family Photo at End of Meeting

Mbamunyuh Helmina Mundih was born in Njah-Etu, grew up in Acha-Tugi and is today doing music and business in Douala. Known by the stage name Helmine, in expressing her optimism about the outcome of the Limbe meeting, she on her part told Mbengwi Online "I want to see us up there. I want the world to know Meta stars and I want to be the best artist to be heard this year in Meta."

Wasi Fathes is a renowned camera operator that's gone as far as shooting films starring Nollywood icon Desmond Eliot and others. He has also shot and directed several other movies, music videos and documentaries. The native of Ku, Bome was part and parcel of the Limbe rendezvous. To him, Meta entertainers are taking a new step. In his words, "We addressed a lot of issues which Meta entertainers always face and I believe from now onwards, we are going to make a difference."

Attendees in Session

Amongst some of the resolutions arrived at during the February 27 2022 Limbe meeting were that membership into the association shall be opened to all involved in any artistic work worldwide, of Meta origin upon payment of a lifetime registration fee of 10.000F. Also, the association will have to be legalised and for this reason, members voted into the Executive Committee were:

- Seta Withgodep Wierts (Seta Beatss) - President

- Musang Quinta (Aunty Quin) - Vice President

- Munya Romanus - Secretary General

- Fombi Alexander Timah (Iceman Alex) - Financial Secretary

- Mbamunyuh Helmina Mundih (Helmine) - Treasurer

- Ngeh Pius (Icon P.) - Discipline Master

- Wasi Fathes - Social Secretary

- Fongoh p. Ayeh - Public Relations Officer

- Tah Armstrong (Daddy Black) and Tanga Marvin Teghen (DJ Praudo) - Events Managers

- Amuoh Anthony Sunday (Tony Little) and Achimbi Collins (D-Klins) - Technical Advisers

When Mbengwi Online cornered the pioneer president of the association at the end of the conclave, we first wanted to know from him his plans. Seta Withgodep Wierts said "We are working as a team and our first plan of action is organising an entertainment workshop and our second project will be to get visibility for Meta artists  both on the national territory and out of the country. The third thing we are going to do is working in collaboration with other Meta cultural associations like MECUDA, BADA and then we are also going to to organise a Meta Arts Award with cash prizes and trophies. We are also thinking of organising a Meta annual cultural event that will take place home."

Asked to give a word to artists of Meta origin that haven't yet belonged to the association, he said "Well, I think it's very important that we  work with the structure because our main objective of creating this organ is to promote Meta sons and daughters who are doing well in the arts and entertainment industry. As such, it is very important that they identify with this organ, get registered with us so that we can work in collaboration and help to lift up one another."

Seta Withgodep Wierts, Mbengwi Artists' Association President 

Charity they say begins at home. For this reason, Seta went on to encourage the Meta people to first of all begin by identifying themselves with the products of their artists, consuming them plus promoting them out there. In his own words, "I encourage our people to go after our products in the entertainment field be it comedy, music, movie to promote our culture." He also addressed his colleagues, spurring them to deliver good quality products that "As an artist, the Meta people should be able to identify your sound, listen to it and promote it out there."

At the close of the Limbe EXCO meeting, attendees decided to have a taste of nightlife in the town of friendship, moving from bar to bar and club to club, catching fun. In some, they were reserved a special treatment by their promoters and in others, they were given room to mount the stage and perform some of their tracks. 

Iceman Alex Performing at Night Club in Limbe

As the dust raised in Limbe is gradually settling, anxiety is now high in the artists as all attention is now on Yaoundé for the anticipated training workshop to better their skills. It is worth noting that the association is setting the pace in promoting the Meta language as the working language during their meetings is their mother tongue, a practice that is rare even in most village development associations. 

MAA as at now has a WhatsApp group with over 100 members and a Facebook page with  renowned names like Spaco, Zackary Long Mop, Danny Green (237 Town Cryer), Forkeh, Fadigal, Aunty Queen, Raza etc and all have been appreciating the move to come together for unity and the promotion of their arts.

Mbengwi Online Donates to Lois, 4-Month Old Baby that Lost Leg in Bike Accident

A delegation made up of Madam Amboh Annabelle, Mr. Fombang Dieudonne, Pastor Toh Godlove and Fongoh p. Ayeh in the evening of Thursday February 3rd 2022 paid a visit to Lois Nwerem in Njembeng quarter, Ku fondom, Mbengwi on behalf Mbengwi Online, a WhatsApp group encompassing sons and daughters of Mbengwi and non natives alike drawn from around the globe and all walks of life to console the victim and family for the unfortunate event they faced.

Ndapnwi Lois Nwerem was born on the 9th of September 2021 and on the 9th of January 2022, she got involved in a bike accident that resulted to her losing her right leg. As explained by her father Mr. Benjamin Ngangoe Nwerem, Lois' mum, a medical personnel working at the Mbengwi district hospital was returning home from work that Sunday morning on a bike she boarded, holding her baby wrapped in a loin cloth on her leg and along the way, it is alleged a loose end of the loin got trapped in the chain of the bike and before the ridder could halt, the baby's right leg had been cut off into two. 

Ndapnwi Lois Nwerem

When the news was broken, many persons became touched by the situation and consequently, members of Mbengwi Online (WhatsApp group) decided to launch a solidarity contribution to assist the baby. The exercise lasted just for a week within which the sum of four hundred thousand (400.000) Frs was raised. Upon return from a health facility in Bamenda where Lois had been receiving treatment all this while, the four man delegation immediately decided to pay them a visit to hand over the money expected to help them foot part of the hospital bills they've incurred. 

In consoling the family, one of the visiting delegation members, Pastor Toh Godlove of Full Gospel Mission, Mbengwi District told them not to question God but accept the situation which to him is not the worst. He reminded them that some weeks back before Lois' accident, a child was also hit by a speeding bike as she tried to cross the road, still in Njembeng. She ended up dying in hospital. As such, if Lois survived her own accident, losing just a leg, then God's name still has to be praised. 

Handing Over

Handing Over the Financial Support

After having handed the financial assistance directly into the baby's hands who grabbed the envelope firmly with a cute smile and giggled, her dad, Mr. Benjamin Ngangoe Nwerem said "We don't really know how to better put it for you to understand the joy you've put in our hearts. If there was any better way other than saying thank you very much, we won't have hesitated to use it. We are trusting God that with the support we've already seen coming now at the beginning, He will raise up men, women and people whom when the need arises, they'll stand up to support us to see that we give the best to our baby."

He went on to admit that he knows it won't be easy despite the evolution in science because for the baby to walk again normally will entail a lot of financial sacrifices. Considering that at their level as parents and family of baby Lois they might not be able, he pleaded that any individual or groups that can help them in anyway or connect them to some organisations that can provide a solution to such a problem shouldn't hesitate to do so. 

Baby Lois' parents hail from Nwa subdivision in Donga Mantung division. They've been living in Mbengwi for about 7 years now and as Benjamin confirmed, "We've continued to see the love that the Mbengwi people are showing us. We want to say 'Thank You' for this support will go a very long way to relieve us from the pains that we are going through." It is speculated that if the baby will have to walk, then she will need an artificial leg and considering her tenderness, the leg will have to be changed from time to time as she grows up and just one of such artificial legs costs huge sums of money. 

Delegation, Lois and her Parents

As explained by Fongoh p. Ayeh, the brain behind Mbengwi Online, the WhatsApp group was created on September 12 2015 with the goal of feeding its members with news happenings in and out of Mbengwi. It started with few members and progressively grew till now that it's full already. The group is made up of traditional, religious and administrative authorities, business persons, drivers, bike riders, farmers, teachers, elites in and out of Mbengwi, people in the diaspora and non natives alike. Simply put, people from all walks of life. Away from news, the group once in a while carries out humanitarian actions when some stories touch the heart. 

Sometimes in early 2018, a lady from Mbengeghang gave birth to a set of premature triplets at the Mbengwi District Hospital. They were later transfered to the Bamenda Regional Hospital and incubated. Mbengwi Online members mobilised funds, over a hundred thousand and reached out to the triplets. In 2019, to mark the first anniversary of their departure from planet earth, the sum of 110.000F was raised and handed to the orphaned children of  late Azah Nancy and Njong Padisco, two nurses that were a couple, killed in Nyen village on Saturday 11 August 2018 supposedly by the military. To commemorate the 5th anniversary of the WhatsApp group, on Saturday November 25th 2020, material and financial support worth 105.500F was raised by members and handed to the group's founder and two others noted for being outstanding in feeding the rest with news. 

Again, on two instances, the group has offered a brand new phone to it's founder. The first was an MTN pack phone bought for 45.0000F. It got missing and the second which the administrator has been using since till now, Tecno Pouvoir 3+ was again bought for 110.000F. The members make sure the administrator doesn't lack gadgets to facilitate his work of feeding them with news. On Friday the 29th of October 2021, the founder of the group got married and members raised close to 300.000F to support his wedding. As such, the recent donation to baby Lois Nwerem is just a continuation of the good works the group has been doing and will continue to do when need arises. 

It should be recalled that away from WhatsApp, Mbengwi Online is also having a Facebook page with close to 5000 followers as at now, a YouTube channel with over 400 subscribers as at now, a twitter handle and blog, www.mbengwionline.blogspot.com

How 14-Year Old Tanwani Godwill, Born Without Legs Moved to Mbengwi from Njaah and Back

It was at 11:30am, Friday February 4th 2022 that a delegation comprised of Pa Mbanwi Stephen, Pa Chunga Patrick Dara, Pa Mbah Oscar Musoro, Moris Tagyen, Ngu Franklin and Fongoh p. Ayeh  met in the MECUDA Head Office opposite the Mbengwi District Hospital to hand over a cash support of six hundred and two thousand, three hundred (602.300) Frs to 14-year old Tanwani Godwill, born in Njaah without legs and from a poor parental background. 

Mr. Ngu Franklin in an opening prayer he gave thanked God for journey mercies especially of Tanwani Godwill and mum from Njaah to Mbengwi on a hired bike while Mr. Mbanwi Stephen Anjeh, the MECUDA home coordinator in his welcome address appreciated attendees for coming and the Meta people that contributed their tokens whom according to him never let one of theirs be in pains without stepping in to help. 

He also encouraged the mother of the child never to question God for everything happens for a reason. He further appreciated the persons that publicised Tanwani Godwill's case on social media, an act that raised awareness about his predicament till MECUDA had to open a solidarity contribution page for people of goodwill from all walks of life, round the globe to assist the young boy. 

14-year Old Godwill Tanwani, Born & Breadth in Njaah

The MECUDA Delegation that Handed the Financial Package to Godwill

While receiving the financial aid, the mother of the child said "I sincerely give thanks to all brothers and sisters that thought it wise to assist this child. May God bless the sources of their incomes. When I gave birth to him, I cried, thinking of how I'll cope. I never knew I will still be alive today but here I am, happy God has been sending his angels to come and take care of him." Pa Chunga Patrick Dara on his part told Tawnwani's mum that God tempts people in many ways. "This could likely be your entry gate into heaven that this child is opening for you" he added. To him, if it were some of these girls nowadays, they would've thrown the child in a toilet to die but since the boy's mum had been growing him up since then till date, it's her road to heaven that she's digging. 

Speaking on behalf of Amboh Gordon, a native of Ngwokwong village that had been creating awareness about Godwill's situation both online and offline, Mr. Ngu Franklin affirmed that as the boy is growing up, so too is the task of carrying him around becoming tougher and tougher for his mum considering he's gaining weight. He said, "To be carrying him to school is a heavy task. As such, this package from MECUDA is very timely and relieving considering the distance from their house to school and the hilly nature of the road, making it cumbersome to be pushing him on a wheelchair every school day. I am very convinced God will show a way for this child to grow up and uplift the Meta clan" He ended by encouraging others to always bring such precarious situations to the limelight so that other people of goodwill that may be touched by the situation could step in with help, no matter how small.

The Incoming MECUDA First Vice President General, Pa Musoro Oscar Carrying Godwill

Handing Over Committee in the MECUDA Head Office

From information gathered, a different location nearer to school had been gotten for 14 year old Godwill. The money donated by MECUDA was immediately saved in the boy's account 0002216 at the Mbengwi Cooperative Credit Union bearing his name, Godwill Tanwani from where the mother will then be making withdrawals when need arises to carter for him. The donation has been termed the last achievement of the Pa Ayaba David led Executive Council of MECUDA that was voted out on the 29th of January 2022 after being in office since 2014. 

With Professor Njoh Oliver Anoh now the new MECUDA P.G, Pa Ayaba David's name has still entered the annals of history as the P.G that  carried out the highest humanitarian actions during his mandate, somehow almost transforming MECUDA into a charity organisation, this according to his critics. From statistics, through MECUDA under P.G Ayaba David, the sum of 602.300F was raised to assist Godwill Tanwani, born without legs, 5.913.000F was raised to assist Ernestine Enih Fomusi, a lady from Nyen that was suffering from an illness that deformed her face, the sum of 9.000.000F was raised to buy a new car for Rev. Miki Hans Abbia when he became the new synord clerk of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, the sum of 1.954.000F was raised to assist Amuche Anastacia Afor, a young girl from Chenam that got involved in an accident in Limbe. 

The MECUDA Financial Assistance Saved in Godwill's Credit Union Account

Other hundreds of thousands and millions were also raised to reach out to IDPs in Mbengwi, IDPs in the South West, Meta Anti Covid Response Challenge (METACREC) just to name these few. MECUDA stands for the Meta Cultural and Development Association. 8 presidents have headed the association from inception. 

Bome FC Wins 1st Edition of B.M.I Christmas Tournament

Bome FC Lifts Up the Cup

Bome FC has established a record as the pioneer team that lifted the trophy in the pioneer edition of the Bongob Meta International (B.M.I) Christmas Tournament. This, they did by beating Tondig FC at post match penalties, 5 goals to 4 during a highly contested finals that was played on the Mile 19 football field on Thursday December 23rd 2021.

It was Tondig FC that first opened scores in the first half and took the lead only for Bome FC to later capitalise on a defensive error they made few minutes to the end of the first half and equalised, a goal that sent the Bome fans jubilantly screaming. Both teams went for recess on a tie and when they returned for the second half with much more determination and change of tactics, no other goal was scored till the referee sounded his final whistle, signalling end of full time.

Bome FC Team (The Winners)

Tondig FC (The Losers)

It was at penalty shootouts that Bome FC finally emerged victorious after their goalkeeper saved the last penalty that was kicked by the 10 shirted player of Tondig FC, Tah Fidelis leading to a final score line situation of 6 goals to 5. Immediately the last penalty was caught, Bome fans went wild, jumping up and down, singing songs of joy for the victory their boys obtained.

Just like his colleague of Bome, he extended words of appreciation to the tournament organiser hoping they still continue to organise more editions. Putting it as he said, "If they do again, I promise them that time around, I'll be coming to take the cup." In the trophy was the sum of one hundred thousand (100.000) Frs as first prize. The loser, Tondig FC backed home seventy five thousand (75.000) Frs for her second position.The coach of Bome F.C, Mbah Shadrach alias Ajasco told Mbengwi Online at the end of the match that "Indeed I am overwhelmed. It was really a difficult game as the two teams played very well. In fact, it was beautiful soccer to watch. I really thank B.M.I for bringing this to us because it's been long that we had such." To coach Teghen Godlove alias Iron Must Obey of Tondig FC, it was good football that after everything left him happy to have reached the finals. "In the game of football, one side must win and to take the second position in a competition as such wasn't an easy thing" he said.

Mbah Shadrach alias Ajasco, Coach, Bome F.C

Teghen Godlove alias Iron Must Obey, Coach of Tondig FC

It should be recalled that prior to the final match, Gutah FC and Mbengwi Young Boys FC, both losers of the semi finals competed for the third position same day at the end of which Gutah F.C won her opponent, one goal to zero, a victory that earned them the third position title plus cash prize of fifty thousand (50.000) Frs and 20.000F consolatory prize to Mbengwi Young Boys FC. 

Meanwhile away from football, the competition also had handball girls as a discipline. Here, it was Mbengwi FC that beat Gutah FC at the finals to lift the trophy that had attached to it, a cash prize of 50.000Frs as the loser (of the finals), that's Gutah FC went back home with 30.000F while the third position had 20.000F. 

The victory of Bome FC over Tondig FC to a greater extent came as a result of the huge support the Bome players had from their fons, business magnets, elites, diaspora, villagers and well wishers. In addition, they had the home advantage where supporters could trek from G.R.A, Ku, Njembeng, Muswe, Wumfi, Back Mbon, Mile 17, 18, 19, 20 etc to cheer the squad compared Tondig FC that had just a modicum of supporters dotted around the field of play because of the distance factor where their supporters were expected to travel for kilometres from Bessi Fomukong, Chenam, Wumnebit, Sang, Munam, Zang Tembeng, Njindom etc to Mbengwi. Again, Tondig players depended just on their talents. They weren't promised any 5F by anybody if they win whereas hundreds of thousand were raised by Bome FC supporters, crates of beer reserved, a set of new jerseys bought for them, flags carrying their logos and other gadgets. 

Handball Girl's Final

End of Match 

For all these reasons, they had much pressure to must win in order not to fail the aspirations of all those who had thrown in their moral, financial, material and spiritual support behind them. Nih Lewis Tata popularly known as Lewisco  formed a WhatsApp group to rally support for the Bome players. On the day of the finals he was on the field and made juicy promises to the boys should they win. This explains why it was like a dead announcement when Tondig FC first opened scores and a resurrection when Bome FC equalised and ascension when they finally emerged winner. 

Prior to the day of the match, H.R.H Prof. Mbacham Wilfred Fon Tarkeh II of Funam made a public statement, addressing the Bome players in which he said, Dear Bome FC, as you log horns with Tondig FC, may the Lord guide you into fair play and demonstrate that Bome people are not only respectful, are builders and love one another but that they also have the expert knowledge  of tact on the field and other areas of professional life. Bome FC make us proud with your participation as we claim your victory even before the match. On behalf of the 7 Fons that make up Bome, be blessed with victory. 

Handball Girls Highlights 

Handball Girls Highlights

The maiden edition of the BMI Christmas Tournament was sponsored by the Nyen Cooperative Union through Baba Nfo that offered 300.000F, AfroBrains Cameroon through Dr. Tata Emmanuel that offered 200.000F, Nya Publishers Ltd through Dr. Nya Hans that offered 50.000F and the Bongob Meta International itskef through its coordinator Mr. Ndi Walters that offered 310.000F. All of these put together amounted to 860.000F. It is this grand total that was used in the overall organisation of the tournament, purchase of equipment, award of prizes, motivation to ornanisung committee mbers on the ground, lighting of a Christmas tree at Sam Tabeng junction, Ngyen-Mbo among other activities. 

It should be recalled that away from the tournament, BMI also executed a project of lighting a Christmas tree in Mbengwi and it turned out to be the lone Christmas tree tgst was lighted at a public square in the entire subdivision in December 2021. Even the Mbengwi Council that had as routine to illuminate some key junctions of the municipality with Christmas lights didn't do so this time around. At moment, BMI is planning to come up with the second edition of the tournament and also execute other projects. To ensure inclusion of all villages in Meta, the tournament is organised in zones with each zone made made up of several villages.

Football Boys Highlights 

Football Boys Highlights 

Bongob Meta International is a group of Meta sons and daughters drawn from home and abroad that's been in existence for close to 4 years now. The group is a conglomeration of elites, politicians, traditional and religious authorities, business gurus, lay men and women etc. Since its existence, the group has been able to execute several multimillion projects like economically empowering refugees in Nigeria, economically empowering Meta fons and the recent Christmas sports tournament. At moment, the group is planning to work in collaboration with the Mbengwi Council to renovate the Abbi bridge. 

Meta Fons that Give More than they Take

Grouped under an organisation known as Fons for Health, Education and Development (F.H.E.D) headquartered in the Guneku palace with Fon Fomuki Ticha as president, Fon Mbacham Tarke as Vice President, Fon Mukuom as Secretary General, Fon Fombo as Treasurer and Fon Njokom Awah as Technical Adviser, these are some of the Fons making the difference in the Meta clan, eroding the age old perception that Fons are cheerful receivers. Together with other members of the organisation, they are setting the pace by effectively realising concrete sustainable projects that impact humanity.

The change of name of the organisation founded in 2003 as Fons Against AIDS to Fons for Health, Education and Development in 2021 is bringing landmark achievements already, barely just within a year of reawakening. On Tuesday December 7 2021, the organisation donated 8 new benches to Presbyterian School Ku Annex worth FCFA 200.000. Barely about a week after, precisely on Thursday December 16, the organisation again stretched out a hand of fellowship to some 28 persons living with disabilities drawn from Guneku and her neighboring villages by donating to them 220 table birds (3 week old chicks) and 22 bags of feed to go fatten them, 4 wheel chairs to 4 persons with mobility impairment and anti epilepsy drugs to some 3 sufferers of the disease, all of these amounting to one million three hundred and eighty one thousand (1.381.000) FCFA.

L-R: Fon Fomukong of Bessi Fomukong, Fon Fortu of Njimetu, Fon Fombo of Njindom 

Donors, Items & Beneficiaries

While welcoming the beneficiaries in the courtyard of the Guneku palace, Mr. Fomumbod Derick, coordinator of the organisation said "Our goal is to rehabilitate and reintegrate these PWDs, see their dreams and aspirations come true by engaging them into sustainable income generating activities." He further confirmed F.H.E.D is aware of their constraints in the course of the ongoing crisis plaguing the two English speaking regions of Cameroon forcing some to be I.D.Ps. As mark of encouragement, he added that "However, we know that P.W.Ds have valuable resources and capacities to contribute to their communities. Outdated perceptions of P.W.Ds point at them as vulnerable and helpless but the reality is that they want to, can and must participate in decisions that affect their lives and communities."

Present at the donation ceremony were the Guneku Tractional Council Chairman, Mr. Ndingwan Primus, the palace queen, Fomuki Carine, the Fon of Bessi Fomukong, H.R.H Fomukong Wilfred, that of Njimetu, H.R.H Fortu and other notables. H.R.H Dr. G.F Fombo is the Fon of Njindom, doubling as treasurer of the organisation. Quizzed about where their financial resources have been coming from to make such giant donations, he said "Largely, these endeavours are sponsored by the principal members of the organisation for now and truly, we are driven by the intention to assist people and that remains our push factor. However, we hope to work with others who have such goodwill to make sure that we get more and more people assisted in the course of what we are trying to do."

Mbah Wilfred, Sufferer of Mobility Impairment

Tayong Peter Yerima, Sufferer of Visual Impairment

Mbah Wilfred, one of the beneficiaries, suffering from mobility impairment as he has just one leg was offered a wheelchair. He admits before now, it was a big problem for him moving around his compound and business place at Mbon. In his voice, "I needed to use my crutches always. From my room to parlour, there's a door through which I can use a wheelchair but there was non. Now I'll find it easy to go and even watch films in the parlour, take a bath and do other things." He ended by thanking the donor organisation immensely wishing God continue to guide them to do more. 

Tayong Peter Yerima was another beneficiary. He suffers from visual impairment. In expressing his feelings, he said "I'm very happy today to have received these fowls and feed. This is an opportunity for me to establish my own business since in the past I had been struggling to have capital to no avail." He termed the donation his foundation while promising to rear the chicks for sale and not consumption. As word of advice to other Persons With Disabilities, he said "It's very important for them to join associations because for example if I was alone in my house, they would not  have come and given me these  fowls"

22 Bags of Feed

Distribution Exercise

3 Weeks Old Chicks

4 Wheelchairs

It should be recalled that ever since Fon Fomuki Ticha ascended the throne of Guneku, he's had a special affection for persons with disabilities. Hardly does a year go by without him reaching out to them. The public is anxiously waiting now to hear the next plan of action of Fons for Health, Education and Development and which community will be the lucky beneficiary of their largess this time around.

Meta Clan Head Addresses New Year Message to His Children

H.R.M T.T. Tabi Teghencha X (Clan Head of the Meta People) & H.R.H Mbakwa of Tugi (Putting on Red Cap

AN ADDRESS BY THE CLAN HEAD OF META, HRM T. T. TABI TEGHENCHA X, ON THE OCCASION OF THE NEW YEAR 2022.

H.R.M T.T. Tabi Teghencha X (Clan Head of the Meta People) & H.R.H Mbakwa of Tugi (Putting on Red Cap)

- Their Royal Highnesses Fons of Meta Clan,

- The Meta Cultural and Development Association (MECUDA),

- The citizens of Meta at home and abroad,

- The good friends of Meta,

- Ladies and gentlemen,

I am honoured, humbled and inspired by those from our ancestral origin, Gwokwe, Zang-Mbeng of Zang-Tabi, who have gone before me and the gods of our land to address this message of peace to the loving people of the Meta Clan during this period of the year.

This is a rare and challenging moment in the history of the Meta Clan, yet with conviction, we affirm old traditions and make new beginnings.

As a matter of fact, many are Meta people in the different villages  of our land who feel their lives have been on pause while we face the most dangerous challenges of our lifetime. The COVID-19 pandemic, the ravaging conflicts and poverty are human calamities with severe health and socio-economic consequences. 

Despite these challenges, I wish to compliment the efforts of Meta children in the health care domain. Thanks to their kind hearts, they provided health assistance to their brethren during various health crisis situations as well as to the orphans of our Clan. This spirit of sharing and looking after each other is important in rebuilding our Clan.

I equally wish to thank the Bongob Meta International (B.M.I), who in their own way, have been insistent and persistent in fostering development in our palaces. I cannot also cite all the educational institutions of higher learning and various agricultural outfits and entrepreneurs being created, promoted and led by sons and daughters of our Clan. I am indeed very grateful to all of them.

On a different note, We will all agree that, the Meta Clan has a recognised place, in all of our hearts.  History has it that, once the Meta people were united we defeated all our adversaries: anger, diseases, extremism, hate speech, lawlessness, resentment, violence, etc. In addition, UNITY is a concrete lifesaving service. Now is the time for unity. This is my solemn pledge.

In essence, our unity, our union is the serious work of our Fons, quarter heads, family heads and citizens. It is a principle we must teach our children to uphold in every generation of our hamlets now called villages. It requires a change of heart in people. We can right the wrongs.

Meta Clan has never been united by blood shed or distortion of who we are, and it will never be.  We are not digging the soil under the feet of the government while hoping to be better. No. We have learned that each Meta person’s freedom is safe unless every person’s freedom is equally protected. We are bound by ideals that move us beyond our hamlets or villages, project us above our interests and teach us what it means to be good citizens.  It is our hope. It is the hope of the New MECUDA in the making. 

For the first time in MECUDA elections, we seek the interests of nominees in serving the people and will give them the opportunity to choose what they can do better. I urge the EleCom organization to work diligently and independently to ensure we elect a new MECUDA Exco that will bring dignity and respect to Meta Land. 

Accountability is important. I am wishing the MECUDA/MEFU audit bench to speed up their work and come forth with their findings and debt recovery plans to restore faith and hope in the Meta man.

“Thank You” Pa David AYABA Esq, for standing the tests of time at the helm of MECUDA. You did your utmost in spite of all the odds.  As MECUDA has begun, MEFU will certainly follow suit with its reorganization.

Together let every Meta son and daughter from the homeland and diaspora participate and support MECUDA in building the Meta Clan again. History, faith, love and reason will show us the way to peace and justice.

May God bless the Meta Land and the People of Meta.

I wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year 2022.

- Long live the Meta people,

- Long live MECUDA,

- Long live Their R.Hs Fons of the Meta Clan,

- Long live the Meta Clan

Church Turned School with No Desks, Fon's Organisation Steps in to Help

An organization known as Fon's for Health, Education and Development (F.H.E.D) has donated 8 new benches worth FCFA 200.000 to Presbyterian School Annex Ku, a village in the Bome zone of the Meta clan, Mbengwi on Tuesday December 7 2021 in Presbyterian Church Ku where the school is temporally operating.

Tracing the history of the school, Rev. Mrs. Ndoh Rose Injoh, the Head Mistress said "It was on the 6th of October that I deemed it necessary to open the school because I found it unsecured and too far for the children to leave from here and go school in Mbengwi central town. As we started, some parents bought the idea and though some kids are still trekking to Mbengwi central, we are happy with the enrolment we have now."

Donors, Parents, Pupils & Teachers Pose for Family Picture with the Benches

The 8 New Benches Donated by F.H.E.D to P.S Annex Ku

Barely about 2 months in existence, the school as at moment has an enrollment of  60 kids with 3 teachers handling all the classes (1 to 6 plus nursery 1 & 2). Makeshift classrooms have been carved out using plywoods in Presbyterian Church Ku and it is here that all the classes are going on. The teaching and learning process is very unfavourable especially as it is just a section of the church that's been carved out as school but nothing separates one classroom from another and it's the pews the kids sit on to receive their lessons.

Informed about this, F.H.E.D immediately came up with a plan to reach out to the budding school. Mr. Fomumbod Derrick is the coordinator  of the organization. Speaking to Mbengwi Online at the end of the donation exercise, he said "I am very satisfied with the turn out of the people from the community and the presentations from the children. We are overwhelmed with all they said about our organization, an indication that what we've done has left a mark in the Ku community." He confirmed that such donations will continue in other communities because the organization's goal is to reach out to all communities in Meta as needs arise.

Fomumbod Derick, Coordinator, F.H.E.D

Rev. Mrs. Ndoh Rose Injoh, Head Mistress, Presbyterian School Ku Annex

Speaking earlier on during the donation ceremony, Pa Awasum Simon, former president of the Ku Cultural and Development Association (KUCUDA) said "I want to thank immensely our Reverend Pastor who's the initiator of this project. I'm very gratified that with the experience she had where she worked before and initiated such a project there, she's also brought it to implant here. What would've happened to these children? Others have escaped with their parents. These ones who cannot escape, what would've happened to them? And so I doff my hat to her and say the rest of the people in this community should wake up from sleep and do something to support this lofty project which is for our interest."

Pa Musi Joseph is the quarter head of Wumfi, Ku. Seating in for the Fon of the village, during his own address, he revealed that when he was growing up, there used to be a Catholic School in Ku that was later closed down after about a year of existence. A Basel Mission School was opened and later closed too and present day P.C Ku is erected on the the exact spot where the school was built. Moris Tagyen Fokob, the acting chairperson of the Parent's Teacher's Association (P.T.A) of the newly created P.S Annex Ku in his speech extended sincere appreciations to the donor organisation. He said "My words alone on behalf of the parents, kids and pupils cannot adequately express our profound gratitude for such an institutional support. To us, this gesture stands taller than our words can describe taking cognizance of the adage which states that 'Anyone who educates a child educates a nation"

Moris Taghen Fokob, Acting P.T.A Chairperson of the School

Pa Musi Joseph, Quarter Head, Wumfi-Ku, Fon's Representative

He also addressed the parents, telling them there's still a lot to be done to ensure that their children have the basic requirements to study  such as procurement of furniture like children tables and chairs, text and exercise books plus prompt payment of their fees which will in turn be used to pay teachers.

Ever since the establishment of the school, the beneficiary population has been very happy but paying of fees has been a great problem according to Head Teacher. "We asked them to be paying in instalments. Some are doing so, others aren't but I like the teachers because they're patient" said Rev. Mrs. Ndoh Rose Injoh. She made a clarion call to Ku sons and daughters at home and abroad to copy the example of the organisation, Fons for Health, Education and Development. In her words "It'll be needless for them to be educated meanwhile their children back in their village are roaming about without any education. They should come to our aide maybe by assisting us to pay the teachers or offer any didactic materials."

Each of the teachers is on a meagre monthly salary of 20.000F that's not even constant while school fees has been levied at 20.000F per child yet many parents still find it difficult to meet up with such even as it is believed ignorance is more expensive than education.

Children Playing During Break

Section of the Church Carved Out as School

Fons for Health, Education and Development (F.H.E.D) is the new name of Fons Against AIDS, created in 2003 with H.R.H Fomuki Patrick Nji of Guneku as founding president. The name was changed because the former was solely to fight HIV/AIDS. The reborn organisation now seeks to not only fight AIDS but other pandemics as well as champion education and vocational training of especially children and needy persons, fight poverty and hunger just to name these few. These, the organisation does through community sensitisation, provision of care and support, development of community libraries and training opportunities, engagement of communities in sustainable income generating activities like market gardening, livestock farming, large scale mechanised farming, small scale business ventures and promotion of social cohesion plus provision of support and care to internally displaced persons (I.D.Ps) and returnees for peaceful coexistence. 

The recent donation to P.S Ku thus fell in line with the second objective of the organisation whose desire is to see that the kids sit and study under favourable conditions. "We saw the pictures and how stressful the children were struggling to learn and we could not remain indifferent" said the organisation's coordinator, Fomunbod Derick.

H.R.H Fortu, Fon of Njimetu

Pa Awasum Simon, Former President, KUCUDA

Fons for Health, Education and Development is an initiative of the Meta Fons with H.R.H Dr. Fomuki W. Ticha of Guneku as President, H.R.H Prof. W. Mbacham of Funam-Bome as Vice President, H.R.H Mukom Daniel of Chenam as Secretary General, H.R.H Dr. G. Fah Fombo of Njindom as Treasurer, H.R.H Njokom A. Awah of Mbengwi as Technical Adviser and Barrister Tamon Olivia as Legal Adviser. The organisation is headquartered in the Guneku palace.

Attendees at the handing over ceremony  were thrilled with intellectual exercises like songs, rhymes and other recitations from the kids to portray what they've been learning. In their welcome song, they sang that "When you go back, extend our greetings to the elites of Bome. Tell them to remember that we need their help. May God bless you all." The lone full fletched fon present at the ceremony was H.R.H Fortu of Njimetu.

Mayor Ndangsa Kennedy Dreams of Americanising Mbengwi. Should He Wake Up?

"I've told my people that I will never want to leave Mbengwi. I'm somebody who will like to make an America in Mbengwi." These were the words of Ndangsa Kennedy Akam, Mayor of the Mbengwi Council as he granted an interview to Mbengwi Online's Fongoh p. Ayeh from the confines of his office at the end of the Mbengwi Council's 2022 Budgetary Account Session held on Wednesday December 8 2021 in the Council Hall.

While welcoming the councillors and the rest of attendees to the session, the mayor explained that a budgetary session is not an exercise to decide on what to spend out of existing coffers but rather a target setting exercise that requires individual and collective efforts from all municipal actors like councillors, staff and technical services of the state.

He further drew the attention of all stakeholders directly or indirectly involved in the execution of the budget to take active part in the recovery of approved revenue especially the delegations of commerce and taxation whose loud silence and armchair practices have  had devastating consequences on the execution of adopted budgets in previous years. According to the mayor, "It is regretful to think that Taxation has chosen to pay close attention unto taxes owed by the council to the neglect of local development tax and global tax assessment and recovery in the field which are their legitimate professional activity"

Ndangsa Kennedy Akam, Mayor Mbengwi Council

More still, he advised the councillors and members of the public present that it's not enough to adopt a budget and come sporadically only for sessions to assess what the executive has done or hasn't done but rather, it's unarguably the responsibility of the councillors to carry out civic education to orientate or affect municipal inhabitant's believes, commitments, capabilities and actions. Another key element in the mayor's welcome address that pricked the minds of many was when he fired back at those who engage in faking criticisms to discredit the council executive with one another and members of the public instead of forwarding constructive criticisms to their offices most especially as most of those who do such don't even live and work in Mbengwi as is supposed to be the case,  an attitude that's at variance with state interest and the principle of social responsibility.

In the various committee reports presented, the mayor and council executive was congratulated by the health committee for the purchase of a mini waste disposal van and reinforcement of monthly clean up campaigns, an initiative that's gone a long way to greatly improve on the cleanliness of the municipality though still somehow limited to Mbengwi central town. The Natural Resources Committee on its part sought to know if the exploitation of Calabar Chalk from Bessi Fomukong has in anyway been generating income for the council. They proposed that the council fire traces all her forests, organise an annual agro pastoral show and fine graziers that step out of trans humans zones.

Session

As remarked by the Works and Transport Committee in its own report, the council in the whole of 2021 didn't execute any single project using council revenue. Away from this, they recommended that the council feed mill be made functional. Reacting to the various reports, Mayor Ndangsa Kennedy clarified that every first Wednesday of the month is clean up campaign day and the exercise lasts for two hours (8am - 10am). In this light, the council is planning to organise a cleanest village competition meaning the clean up campaign is supposed to be carried too in all other villages.

About the non usage of the toilets in the Mbon market by traders, he too wondered aloud why a good number prefers to use nearby bushes than pay a token to use the toilets that were actually intended to generate income for the council like is the case elsewhere where individuals pay to pee or poo. However, as a way out, he gave assurances that a GP-DERUDEP sponsored project for the construction of new toilets out of the market precisely at the entrance into Mbengbagwa will soon be completed and put to use.

Talking about the issue of water scarcity in Mbengwi, the municipal boss regretted the gross level of abuse perpetrated by users simply because the basic utility, just like electricity is no longer being paid for because of the ongoing crisis. It's this abuse that's greatly contributing to the shortage according to him. He went on to answer the worries of the Embellishment Committee by promising that sooner, the original plan of the monuments at the Mbon park that were intended to be a fountain will be realised as work is already ongoing there. The statues will be repainted, re-fenced and water supplied there to beautify the heart of the municipality. He made other interventions about Christmas lighting, illegal exploitation of calabar chalk in Bessi Fomukong, illegal exploitation of the council forest in Acha, resumption of production activities at the council feed mill, resumption of work at the slaughter house construction project in Njaah, inability of council revenue collectors to go to the streets and collect taxes due to the current crisis etc.

New Stalls Being Constructed on the Earmarked Commercial Avenue

He ended his interventions by applauding the new executive for putting a final end to the old practice of owing worker's salaries. "For now, as we are talking, we are not owing any council worker even a dime" he said with full confidence. As tradition demands, during every of such sessions, there are often deliberations to be adopted. Amongst those adopted were that the mayor be empowered to reconstruct the Checkpoint in Mile 18, give out plots at the earmarked commercial avenue to potential business persons, mount a project on the construction of more stalls on the earmarked commercial avenue equivalent to the 40 million francs prize won as cleanest council in the region, train an old staff on secretarial duties or employ a state trained secretary to reinforce work in the mayor's Secretariat and that the executive be empowered to erect a befitting fence round the council and mount a new project for the rehabilitation of the stretch of road Checkpoint to Mbon to Africa Petroleum filling station with pavement bricks.

The budgetary council session also provided room for the validation of the Annual Investment Plan of the council for the year 2022 and Midterm Expenditure Framework. From the plan, projects earmarked for next year include the construction of a block of 3  classrooms in G.S Bessi Fomukong to the tune of 23 million, purchase/installation of 35 solar street lights in all village and community squares in the municipality, purchase of a hearse for the council mortuary and construction of a garage, construction of a bridge in Wumnemburg, rural electrification of Kai - Zang Tabi to the tune of 50 million, construction of boreholes in Njindom and Mbon park amounting to 44.700.000F, rehabilitation and extension of Ngyen-Mbo water scheme to the tune of 15 million, purchase of mattresses, blankets and other items to two orphanages in Mbengwi amounting to 1.5 million, rehabilitation of Njembeng Junction - Muswe - Mile 19 road amounting to 40 million among others not listed here.

Seating in for the Senior Divisional Officer of Momo as supervisory authority was the Divisional Officer for Mbengwi, Sakwe Jarvis. From time to time through out the session, he too stepped in to make certain clarifications and interventions like advising that rather than giving powers to one person to decide on issues of land that are technical, a committee be instead put in place to deliberate and conclude on such sensitive issues.

When given room to present his speech to close the session, the D.O clarified that the vision of the council as per the law is not good living and development for some specific people or most people but for all; old/young, rich/poor, educated/illiterates, natives/non natives alike. He promised to spare no effort in improving on the safety of actors in the educational sector and in helping the council realise its plans. He also addressed words of encouragement to all sons and daughters of the subdivision and division that provided material and financial assistance to youths and students for the successful commencement of the 2021/2022 academic year. According to him, such contributions made Momo in general and Mbengwi in particular to begin regaining its prestigious position as a temple of knowledge and living together.

At the end of the session, Ndangsa Kennedy Akam, the mayor of the Mbengwi council granted an interview to Mbengwi Online. Our first question to him was to justify why he described the session as one of the best ever. In response, he said it was because there were lots of deliberations and points raised by the councillors, leading to arguments yet he was up to the task to defend the questions that they asked. He went further to give great assurance that before his mandate comes to an end, every village and community in the Meta clan will feel the impact of the council because he is a representative of all the Meta people for there's no essence of giving water to Njindom and not to Munam or Zang Tabi for example because all are people of the same clan.

"I am doing all it takes to see that every community, every village at the end of my mandate should have at least a project." he insisted. The Mbengwi Council is the only out of the five in Momo division successfully holding her sessions within her municipality. Asked if there's any secret to this, Mayor Ndangsa said "There's nothing so secret about it. What's there is that from times immemorial, I used to tell my people that I will not want to leave Mbengwi. I'll be somebody who will like to make an America in Mbengwi and I believe in that ideology." He added that he's had several opportunities to travel abroad which he turned down because Mbengwi is his home town. "If I'm leaving Mbengwi who then do I expect to come and build the Mbengwi for me?" he   asked. "Again I usually ask myself, if an S.D.O is here existing, a D.O is here existing and these are persons that have come from other areas to work in my place, then I as a landlord leaving to go and operate in another area is a call for concern. I won't let it happen" he reiterated. 

As last words to councillors, municipal inhabitant's, sons and daughters of Mbengwi living in and out of the country, he said "To my councillors, I extend to them a motion of thanks for their maximum collaboration. To my people of Mbengwi, I want to let we all know that it's time to hold the bull by the horn to see our development projects sail through. Let's enable all the nukes and crannies of Mbengwi to be a green zone so as to attract these our development projects that are coming from Yaounde because the President of the Republic of Cameroon has the intention of sending projects only to areas that are green, same for any contractor that goes to execute a contract in an area and it turns out not to be conducive, that project won't be executed."

Ndangsa Kennedy Akam it should be noted was voted as new mayor of the Mbengwi Council on Tuesday February 25 2020 and sworn into office on Wednesday April 8 2020 after spending a month in Amba captivity as he was kidnapped after his election before beimg after released. His mandate and that of his two deputies plus councillors will end in 2025