Bees And Nectar Kamerun: Every Day Many More Eyes Are Being Damaged By Quac...

Bees And Nectar Kamerun: Every Day Many More Eyes Are Being Damaged By Quac...: Dr Tamo Joseph Optometrist cum NW Representative ONOC The exposure to harsh light especially computers, phones and sun, has cau...

Reorganization Heats Up, NUDP Threatens SDF/CPDM In Momo

Following the upcoming National Youth Steering Committee Conference National Union for Democracy and Progress (NUDP) billed for Boyo on October 23/25, 2015, the youths are already mobilizing in their numbers from Momo by taking up key positions within the section in the party’s reorganization drive in the Division. With this move, the long stay of the Social Democratic Front SDF and Cameroon Peoples Democratic Movement CPDM in Momo Division is said to be on shaky grounds as the National Union for Democracy and Progress NUDP has been restructured and reorganized in the Division.  According to the newly elected Federation President for NUDP Momo, Mudoh Walter, he says his party is very ready to challenge any other political party come 2018 election and sure to sweep all the Councils and Parliamentary seats.

The President elect made this revelation September 27 at Guzang the home town of sitting Mayor Tanjoh Fred of Batibo. Promising to stage a rigorous battle with the old guards that have taken hostage the politics of Momo with very little to show for their long stay in power since 1990. To him the youths of Momo have been deprived of their rights to political aspiration given that a majority of these youths were being threatened by old guards to support their stay in power. With the results recorded by NUDP list in 2013 municipal election is indicative that the party is on good footing in Momo. He called on the three sections thus Widikum, Mbengwi and Batibo to give him the much needed support to pilot the affairs of NUDP to victory come 2018.

NUDP Central Committee Delegation to Guzang for the installation of officials of basic structure, Churchill Achu lauded Mudoh Walter for the new spirit injected in NUDP in Momo. To him the massive turnout is testimony that Mudoh Walter is a great mobilize that has a following, a message which he must relay to the National Chairman Belo Buba Maigari. Alhadji Salao Danpulo told the people of Momo that he lacks the right words to express his overwhelming excitement given the zeal manifested in their presence for this installation ceremony. To him NUDP militants should convert more people in to the NUDP and tell them the truth. The Director of the party Headquarter, Mr Akuma who accompanied the Vice President of the NUDP party, Churchill Achu for installation exercise encouraged the militants to be state fast given that the Chairman of the party Belo Buba Maigari as then Minister of Post and Telecommunication has something to show in Momo which is the Multimedia Tele-center in Ewoh. More to that Belo Buba Maigari is State man who knows how government functions in the country and can better manage Cameroon when voted as head of State.

By Ignatius Nji

French Cultural Centers Called To Be Conscious Of Bilingual Nature Of Cameroon

Christine Robichon French Ambassador To Cameroon

French Ambassador to Cameroon Christine Robichon has called on the management of French Cultural Centers in Cameroon to always take cognizance of the bilingual nature of the country and this should be reflected during every exhibition at the centers. This observation she made at the French Cultural Center in Bamenda on September 28 2015, during her visit to be part of the exhibition of the 34 wonders of the world when all the exhibits were all in French in a predominantly English speaking part of the Country. With great relief many saw this move by the French ambassador as a step in response to the out cry that French is the domineering language in Cameroon. This move by a French Ambassador is a challenge to some Cameroonian top government functionaries who are doing very little or nothing to use the English language at public events.

The objective of this exhibition was to display the hotspots of the world showing climate change would affect these areas thereby warranting a holistic approach in the fight against climate change or risk extinction of these natural jewels (species of plants and animals) of the world especially in some identified hot spots. She lauded the Cameroon Government for her contribution in the fight against climate change and that the upcoming Paris conference on climate change is largely contributed by Cameroon rigorous fight against climate change. Talking on why she was in Bamenda is to discard the notion that the French government has concern only for French speaking part of the country. Many people in English speaking Cameroon see very little feasible French Funded projects in the two Anglophone Regions. Christine Robichon said France is doing a lot in the C2D projects where debts are cancelled and rechanneled to develop the country. These projects are largely in the domain of agriculture under PADMIR.

The Cameroon Association of Traditional Rulers Against Climate Change headed by Fon Mbah Nyamsig of Guzang that launched an operation plant one million trees, handed a gift of a portrait of an endangered specie of birds found in the North West Region Panama Turaco to Christine Robichon. In appreciation the French Ambassador said her government shall continue to stand by the government of Cameroon in the fight against climate change and it is expected that some huge fallouts shall emanate from the Paris Conference to enhance the fight against climate change. While at the Region the French Ambassador  visited the Fon of Mankon HRM Fon S N Angwafor III, at the Ntoh Mankon (Mankon Fon's Palace) where she warmly shakes hands with the Paramount ruler of the Mankon people with English salutations. This feat could not have been the same in Nsoland of old that a woman no matter her status should shake hands with the Fon in public. Her relaxed nature at the Fon's palace and fluent use of the English language marveled all. It will not be a long exchange before Christine will go into the palace and reemerge as a typical Mafor of the grass fields cloth in typical traditional outfit. Looking quite traditional, she hangs on the shoulder her handbag that complements her as a grassfield woman.  She also paid a visit to the North West Governor Adolpe Lele L’Afrique, the Muna Foundation in Mbengwi and SDF National Chairman Ni John Fru Ndi to explain the French Funded projects in the Country and in the North West Region in particular.

By Ignatius Nji

Bamenda Nine French Funded Baptist Health Projects Kick Starts As Ambassador Lays Foundation Stone

 Christine Robichon lays Foundation Stone For Nine French Funded Health  Projects

French Ambassador to Cameroon, Christine Robichon was in Bamenda on September 28 2015 and laid a foundation stone for the construction of an ultramodern Baptist Maternity Health Center in Nkwen. This symbolic laying of a foundation stone marked a kick start of nine French funded projects under the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Board (CBCHB) aimed at providing quality health services to millions of patients nationwide.

According to the French Ambassador, the 60 year old CBCHB has been providing health care to millions and last year alone Nkwen Health Center received over 100.000 patients warranting a bigger facility to host such a number in the future. The French government through French Development Agency (afd) in partnership with Cameroon government to assist in providing quality health services to Cameroonians. The main objective to put in place a quality Health maternity center is to curb the rampant infant/maternal mortality rate given that 15000 children die at birth. To enable so many babies to be safely born in future, since 2006 the French government has been working with the Cameroon government to scale up access to health care has plough in over 60 billion either directly or indirectly through civil society such as the CBCHB. She remarked that from every indication the private sector is providing enormous health care and CBCHB is providing what the best civil society can offer reasons why France is teaming with CBCHB to provide adequate health facilities. Christine Robichon told authorities of CBCHB headed by Prof Tih Pius that their dedication to the realization of this projects is an inspiration to the French government.

On his part Prof Tih Pius expressed his gratitude to the French government for the wonderful gesture which is the fruits of the May 9, 2014 partnership agreement with French Development Agency and the projects were launched on March 17, 2015 with much already accomplished. To him the projects are in line with their vision of providing quality health care to all hoping that when all the projects would have been realized CBCHB will be able to quality health care to 100.000 more Cameroonians annually. The elated Director of CBCHB painted a vivid picture of the 60 year old Health board which a department under the Cameroon Baptist Convention CBC. CBCHB has made enormous contribution to address both clinical and public health problems affecting individuals, families and communities in Cameroon. CBCHB runs 7 hospitals, 29 integrated health centers, 50 Primary health care center, a Pharmaceutical production and distribution department, a training school for health personnel, residency training programs in general surgery and internal medicine, services for people with disabilities, a comprehensive AIDS care and prevention program. Presently he said the CBC Health Services operates in 6 of the 10 region of Cameroon. French Ambassador also took time off the next day to visit the out patient department in Mbingo still under construction.

The projects funded by French Development Agency under the strategic Nine Projects package with five under construction by a time tested Bamenda based KENDELY Construction company are; Mbingo Baptist Hospital OPD, Nkwen Baptist Maternity Health Center(cost FCFA 400million), Bafoussam Baptist Health Center, Kumba Baptist Health Center, Ekounou Baptist Health Center, and Baptist Hospital Mutengene. The CBC Central Pharmacy in Mutengene will also be upgraded with the acquisition of some modern machines.

By Ignatius Nji (with pic from the Eye)

Worker Indicts SDO At Public Hearing, Says Administrators Fond Of Flaunting Municipal Orders

Mayor Dighambong Anthony of Wum Council

The Senior Divisional Officer for Menchum, Emvoutou Bita Benoit William had the greatest embarrassment from a courageous council worker in Wum during a public hearing organized by Mayor Dighambong Anthony Mvo, to have the public assess his activities in the last nine months of this year’s budget on Wednesday September 30, 2015. The administration were publicly accused of flaunting municipal orders with impunity given that one only finds administrative vehicles parked on areas bind by a municipal order of no parking. This worker question where some individuals are above the law and administrators for that matter.

The SDO who sat mute giving no respond pushed the Mayor to rather explain that any portion in the Town marked “No Parking” is a means to keep the place clean void of person defecating behind parked vehicle. At this public hearing many a petit trader were furious with sledge harmer of taxation which they complained bitterly that is killing their businesses. In respond the Divisional Chief of taxes, Tantoh Godlove said taxes are not defined by taxation official rather they are just implementing what parliament and the council deliberated and voted in to law as taxes. Corroborating the Mayor, the Chief of taxes reiterated that no government can function without taxes. The Chief of taxes reminded Councilors to endeavor pay land tax before 2018 because it would accrue penalties at the time would want to pay. The President of butchers union in Wum applauded the Mayor for the development strides and said on his part, butchers are accompanying this action by adding tiles on the slaughter on the butchery slap to make it hygienic. The pedagogic Inspector thanked the Mayor for recruiting teachers and deploying to schools in the suburbs saying there is need for more teachers given that the outcome of this action was seen in the end of year results. He pleaded with Mayor to always recruit before September when schools do resume calling on parents to desist from the practice of leaving children to roam the streets when school fee is free in government schools.

Despite government ban on plastics, there is rampant use of non biodegradable plastics in Wum and the consumption of sachet whisky is the order of the day. Following the uncut habit of the people throwing dirt just anywhere, there is urgent need for more dust bins in the Town Wum. To protect the environment, the representation of the Divisional Delegate of Forestry and wild life protection called on the council to allocate a space of land for the planting of environmental trees. In the domain of vocational training, government is encouraging many vocational training centers and employers were cautioned to always make available to competent authority the number of persons employed in order for government to be able to update it data on employment. The mayor announced that OIC shall soon take off to train young people in various skills in Wum. In order to cater for the dilapidating road to Wum, Youth leader suggested that a community work should be initiated to get the bad spots repaired. The assured the young man that there are plans by the two Councils thus Wum and Benakuma to clear off the slides and fill the holes. A budget of FCFA 1200000 adopted and Wum Council had long disbursed her quota of FCFA 600000 pending that of Benakuma council.

With the accolade showered on the mayor and his team for a job well done, Mayor Dighambong told Eden that realization of his budget stands now at over 70% and hopefully by December ending his council should be talking nothing short of 100% or better above 95%. A team of Students from IRIC on internship in Wum Council presented a study on the needs of Wum and her people suggesting proposals to better their living conditions. With this information on the Council website, it gives visibility to the Council abroad and its attractions can draw in many tourists in to the Division. The topography of the Division with its lakes and deep valley are an asset to the people of Wum. The SDO commended the mayor and his team for recording giant strides at the helm of the council but called for serious debates on topical issues among Councilors during sessions.

 By Ignatius Nji

Every Day Many More Eyes Are Being Damaged By Quacks-Optometrist

Dr Tamo Joseph Optometrist cum NW Representative ONOC

The exposure to harsh light especially computers, phones and sun, has caused so many vision problem in people today reason why many do visit ophthalmologist who are thereafter referred to meet optometrist for diagnose and treatment or recommend correction glasses from an optician. Other causes of eye problems are derived from moving barefooted in contaminated streams thereby getting infected with river blindness.

The streets in the urban areas and mostly at travel agencies are flooded with hawkers dishing out lenses to ignorant passengers who are unable to resist the give away prices for such lenses that are not prescribed by specialist or better still not recommended by any certified optometrist. As an effect many more people are getting their eyes damaged by use of these lenses and if care is not taken, millions would get blind when the state of the eyes damaged from the use of fake lenses reach the irreversible.  North West Representative of National Order of Opticians/Optometrist-Cameroon (ONOC) an organization under the auspices of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Tamo Joseph a practicing Optometrist, laments that everyday many more eyes are being damaged by untrained persons who pass for opticians and optometrists.

Members of the board of ONOC led by the National President, Mbeng Theodore was in Bamenda and met with those practicing in the North West to educate them on the harm which is being caused on ignorant population. In collaboration with the delegation of Public Health in the North West hence those practicing illegally shall be sanctioned beginning with sealing the doors of their clinics. Those who are irregular have been given up to November 30 to regularize their situation or face the strong arm of the law. The Regional Delegate Dr. Mrs. Ngwa was so moved by this initiative saying she will not relent in ensuring that no such illegal practitioner breaths fresh air in the North West Region.

In a bid to curb the illegal practice in the country ONOC is out to identify those practicing and have them regularize their documentation and for those who have had no formal training a team would assess their knowhow and quantify their aptitude and maybe qualify them with certification. Those found wanting would have to go back to school given that a training school is now in Yaounde. This applies even to those operating in hospitals and that no hospital has the competence to carry out training on the job. Individuals most take up their responsibility by getting registered in to the National Order as a person not an organization in order to take responsibility their action.

The public is hereby advised to steer clear of visiting uncertified practitioners for eye check given the complexity of the eye, once damaged it is irredeemable. Before acquiring any lenses it most have the recommendation of an optometrist with specificity spelt out to avoid eventual damage of the eyes.

By Ignatius Nji