Farmer Donates FCFA 1.5 Million To Lions In Bamenda, Says Stars Should Be Encouraged

Peter Njontor Ngufor, Agro-Industrialist

Peter Njontor Ngufor, an agro-industrialist and owner of the Farmers House limited in Bamenda made a spectacular gesture to the lions with a donation of FCFA 1.5 Million. FCFA 500.000 of the sum which was separately handed to Minister Ismail Bidoun Mpkatt of Sports and Physical education at the Bamenda Grandstand was allocated for Francoise Mbango, two times Gold Medalist for Cameroon and the rest for the indomitable lion squad in a bid to show appreciation for glory the squad brought to Cameroon.

While addressing the Minister of Sports and physical Education during the presentation of the African Nations’ Cup to the population of the North West through their governor, Peter Njontor Ngufor, intimated that as a very big sports man, a patriot and coming from the North West Region, he had to show the lions squad that brought the cup that the people of Bamenda care. In the same light he would like that those who bring glory to this country through sports should not be forgotten. They should be encouraged to keep the spirit and work for more trophies for the country. He wondered aloud what became of Francoise Mbango who brought back two gold medals from the Olympic game and five years after nobody knows where she is. It is about time the powers that be follow up to ascertain the welfare of those who brought glory to the entire country. He said.

On his part the City Council Government Delegate Vincent Ndumu Nji, reiterated that football is a unifying factor and North Westerners are not indifferent to the unity. He called on the population of the two Anglophone regions to stop heeding to senseless calls for ghost towns which only crippling the economy and that parents should send children to school. The Government Delegate did not mince words when he lashed out at politicians to seek political gains elsewhere. Before decorating the lions with the typical Bamenda man dress and fiber bags, Vincent Ndumu Nji, reminded the Minister of Sports and physical education that North West happens to be a nursing ground for footballers but the sports infrastructure in the region is begging for attention. He cited the Bamenda Municipal Stadium that was demolished for reconstruction by FECAFOOT yet two years after work is yet to the see light of day. To him Bamenda also needs a training ground to host teams that would be participating at the African Cup of Nation come 2019.

In responds, FECAFOOT President Tombi Iroko Sidiki said Bamenda shall have their stadium open its doors in six months. This is the same six months that was promised the Bamenda public when the project foundation was laid two years ago. One time PWD President cum SDF Chairman Fru Ndi who was present at the launch of the project shuck his head in dismay. Senate Vice President Simon Achidi Achu rather applauded for the pronouncement made by FECAFOOT Boss.

By Ignatius Nji In Bamenda

NW: The Ungranted Pardon On Those Arrested Dampen Youth Day participation

The much awaited clemency from the Head of State on those who were arrested from Anglophone regions and taken to Yaounde in connection with Teachers strike which did not come did affect the 2017 Youth day participation. Tempers would have been abated had the Head of State in his usual magnanimity granted clemency on those held in detention given that February 11 happens to be the Day one of the greatest advocate of peace, Nelson Mandela of South Africa was pardoned by the government of his country and released from prison. This unfulfilled expectation rather intensified the ghost towns across the Region.

For three days in same week in February, ghost towns grounded activities in the North West Region as well as in the South West Region. Unlike other ghost towns called by the disbanded Anglophone Consortium of Civil Society Organizations now operating from abroad, the peculiarity of this three days ghost town affected the 51^th Youth day celebration in the entire North West Region but for Bamenda that recorded a good number of participants. To compound issues, almost all schools across the region have for three months been deserted following the Teachers’ strike and have failed to fully resume in spite the suspension of the strike on February 4, 2017 by some Teachers Trade union representatives.

Bamenda: Governor Lele L’afrique Deben Adolphe presided over the march pass at the City grandstand which lasted for eleven minutes. After listening to the Head of State’s message to the Youths, the Chief executive proceeded to hand over prizes of excellence to some youths and football clubs. The Prizes were donated by the Head of Government Prime Minister Yang Philemon. The Prizes which were received by the Press Division of the teams comprised of desk computers, footballs, wheelbarrows and cash. George Chifu received for Bang bullet FC said to have brought glory to the Region was handed two footballs and cash prize of FCFA 25000 and Derrick Bakah for Yong Sport Academy which is presently participating in the Continental tournament taking place in Addis Ababa was handed two footballs, a desktop computer and a cash prize of FCFA 150000. Other youth entrepreneurs and volunteers were handed trophies, wheelbarrows, desktop computers and cash prizes. There after march pass commenced with the lone government primary school army camp with 31 pupils followed by good number of students of the Francophone section of GBHS Bamendankwe . GBHS down town and Bamenda had six students each while students of the University of Bamenda carried the day with over 130 student participation. Youths supporting the indomitable lions and all youth civil servants marched pass. The march pass in Bamenda was crowned by the CPDM Youth wing who were courageous enough and peculiarly the Youth President of Mezam IC, Denis Ngayikfu alias El-Gambo who dressed in complete party regalia inspite the tension within the city. For the Head of State to have declared that he has endorsed all the proposals arrived at after Adhoc committee, means many things shall come to fruition for Cameroonians. Denis Ngayikfu called on youths to be patient with government while its executes the proposals.

Bali: Youth day activities in this SubDivision were disrupted by some youths who stormed the venue chanting liberation songs. This led to arrest of the said youths who even hoisted a flag that was not the green, red and yellow colours.

Batibo: Youthday was stalled by some unidentified youths who had defecated on the grandstand. The whole place was stinking with faeces and made it impossible for the event to be hosted.

Bafut: The Mayor Langsi Abel Ngwanso did receive the Divisional officer at the unerected grandstand and there was no sound system to have a replay of the national anthem. Parents and students did not turn up. The youth day in Bafut was characterized by exchange of handshake between the Mayor and the Divisional Officer and that was all no march pass. According reports, the sound master who was hired to animate the event, return the money back saying he was not interest and the Canopy man did same thereby stalling the occasion.

Wum: Top civil servants registered present at the grandstand and after the replay of the Head of State’s message to the Youths, the occasion came to a close as there were no schools to march pass.

Ndop: No school showed up for the march pass and after the replay of the Head of state’s message the prison wardens, Gendarmarie officers and the Police led by the Central Divisional officer for Ndop did the march pass. The total boycott was partly caused by the arrest of some 24 youths on the night of Wednesday 9 by the forces of law and order suspected of setting fire at Francophone school in Ndop just when the Governor visited and left. These youths were transferred to Bamenda on the same night,says Police. Since then there has been unrest from the population and women came out naked haven adorned themselves with some fetish and chanting war songs and placing curses on the security and the Fon. They have declared the Fon of Bamunka HRH Njoya John, a persona non grata for citing with the administration in support of the arrest of youths.

Kumbo: Four schools participated in Kumbo and a good number of youth groups and CPDM Section Youths also made their presence felt. Senior Divisional Officer Nzeki Theophile expressed his satisfaction with the turnout and participation though it can not be compared to previous editions.

Fundong: Unlike in Njinikom and Belo where nothing took place, the Head quarter of Boyo Division register 13 participants for the marchpass and of the 13, CPDM had seven while militants of United Democratic Party UDP of Bochong Aku Elhadj Lawan Bako and another youth group shared six.

Due To Social Unrest Credit Unions Witnessed More Withdrawals Than Saving

                              Shey Ngando Ndzewiyi Peter, President T-CCUL

The ongoing social unrest that cuts across the two English speaking Regions since October 2016 has been blamed for the slow down of activities within the Credit Unions in the two Regions.  The social unrest which was orchestrated by the Common Law Lawyers and Anglophone Teachers and has been taken over by the population is believed to have raised its ugly head following unattended tangible quest for concrete reforms in some of the policies of the country especially in judiciary and English Sub-System of Education.

At the annual General meeting of the Tikar Cooperative Credit Union Limited T-CCUL, accredited to the under the giant umbrella organization CamCCUL network, it was observed that because of the ongoing civil unrest the Union witnessed unusual heavy withdrawals which affected the institution with a drastic down trend on savings and repayment of loans. Despite the unfortunate incidence, the Union witnessed a 5% growth in membership in 2016 raising its total membership to over 8000 in just nine years of existence. The President, Shey Ngando Peter Ndzewiyi, called on members to preach the gospel of T-CCUL and each time bring along a new member and also make sure that members’ shares of FCFA 45000 are completed willfully to fortify the Union’s equity or else the management shall implement the resolution of the last AGM for updates from members’ savings. Total shares of the Union moved from FCFA 55.146.876 in 2015 to FCFA 62.939.694 in 2016.

CamCCUL official told members that in spite the adverse effect of the ongoing social unrest, members did not witness any liquidity problem because of the cover the Credit Union as an affiliate to the umbrella organization. Talking about delinquency challenge faced by almost all the credit unions, it was observed that government unpaid contracts is delaying members from servicing contract loans thereby creating a big gab. Members were encouraged to repay their loans on time to enable the smooth functioning of the Union. Cashiers should equally make sure that they collect first the interest on loans and members’ shares should be complete. Members with complete shares of FCFA 45000 as rated by T-CCUL enjoy loan insurance from CamCCUL and in case of death members with less than a FCFA 1000000 shares the amount would be doubled by CamCCUL and the family would have a share of amount as defined by the credit union.

Members were reminded of the credit union creed of being a credible Credit Union member thus: That member must have paid in full shares, save at least 12 times a year, attend all AGMs and EGMs. Member must know that General assembly is the apex organ and must have a bi-law and loan policy and should participate on Credit Union Days in Uniform.

UNVDA Gets New GM, Agriculture Minister Insist On Giving Visibility To Product, Huge Potential

Eric Akongnui Andandfung was appointed by the board of directors of the Upper Noun Valley Development Authority UNVDA headed by Tikela Kemonne Doudou to take over from Dr. Chin Wirnkar Richard as General Manager during an extraordinary session chaired by Minister Henri Ayissi Eyebe. The new GM was given firm instructions first to boost production of rice to curb importation and secondly to give visibility to the rice product and the huge potentials of UNVDA I in both local and international market.

The Minister of Agriculture lauded the out-gone workaholic Dr. Chin Wirnkar Richard for working so hard in the last five years though his efforts were still expectation of the given period. As General Manager of the Upper Noun Valley Development authority, Chin Wirnkar Richard had improved on the quality of the Ndop rice product, was on February 9, 2017, booted out of office partly for failing to give the product visibility in both the local and international markets. On the other hand the outgone GM went through the gate of hell with tons of petitions from the locals who believe strongly that UNVDA is their thing and should have at the helm a son or daughter from Ngoketunjia. Unfortunately for them which is in the spirit of national integration as perceived by the Head of State, the people of Bambili found favours in the eyes of the powers that be, in appointing one of theirs to head this state institution.

In the words of Agriculture Minister, he intimated that UNVDA from creation has remained the main source of livelihood with prime objective to alleviate poverty by improving on rice production. UNVDA has since then continue to face challenges of visibility in the market. Government has continue to spend huge sums on importation of this product whereas the country has huge potential to produce, feed itself and even export. Eric Akongnui Andandfung, a holder of a Masters degree in resource management by this appointment has the odious task of promoting rice product and making it available in the market. The Minister who is a supervisory authority of UNVDA reminded the new General Manager that his appointment is a rare mark of confidence bestowed on him by President Paul Biya. He reiterated that this confidence by the Head of State can only be useful if he delivers the much expected results.  Attention is expected to be tilted towards improving out put, continue with the upland rice development project as initiated through the Japanese Cooperation with the government of Cameroon. Extension of the ongoing irrigation process  and close monitoring of the three years project in the agriculture sector which is said to be dear to the Head of State. The Minister assured the new General Manager all the support from the Head of Government and his ministry to facilitate realization of assigned task. The staff and personnel were called upon to put additional effort in their input and should be rest assured that management would continue in the best interest of UNVDA and that they should give their outmost support to the new General Manager. On his part the New General Manager thanked the Head of State for confidence bestowed on his humble person and Minister Henri Ayebe Ayisi for coming to preside over the ceremony and looks forward to have all the technical support given that he is new in matters of Agriculture but promise to use his knowhow as promoter to foster production of rice.

In 2016 the management projected output of 20.000 tons and by end of December she realized 18000 tons. Next on the agenda is land development to be able to give farmers space. Seed development is ongoing to increase rice production and curb importation which is draining hard currency. UNVDA is expecting lots of machinery and civil engineering machineries.

Despite Strides Made Medically HIV Still Poses Challenges, WA-Cameroon Emphasize On Sex Education At Home To Curb New Infection

CYF Participants at HIV/AIDS Youth Fair 

Facilitator PreCounsel a participant on HIV/AIDS 

Facilitator pins an HIV/AIDS Ribbon on a parent

Youth dance group at HIV/AIDS Youth Fair 

Women in Action Against Gender Based Violence in Cameroon, WA-Cameroon under the program Safe Adolescents and Young Womenhood, SAW, with funding from Positive Action for Children Fund, has re-launch a sensitization campaign against new infections of HIV in Mezam Division of the North West Region of Cameroon. Though the project targets are mostly the female youths, the male folks do not miss the opportunity to get counseled and tested to know their status.

The SAW program has so far reached out and carried out sensitization on the devastating effect of HIV to over 10.000 adolescents, youths and parents in schools and groups. This stride was recorded after carrying out 10 trainings involving 4 youth led structures and 8 schools thus; GBHS Bamenda, CCAST Bambili, GHTS Alabukam, GHS Alankie, GTHS Bambui, GTHS Chomba, GHS Nsongwa. 800 adolescents and other young people were empowered with knowledge on preventing new HIV infections among adolescents and surviving the infected.

According to one of the facilitators, Ngoran Christel, while addressing over 3000 young people at the 58^th edition of the Christian Youth Fellowship CYF rally at the Presbyterian Church esplanade on February 19, 2017, she called on parents to encourage sex education at home. Sex education, she said should play a vital role in child up bringing especially now that children are not going to school and are idling at home. Parents should put an eye on all their activities both at home and out of home. The officiating Pastor, Reverend Foncham Ezikiel, Presbyterian Secretary for Mezam equally cautioned the youths against living an immoral and reckless lifestyle which is not only sinful but can also expose their body to HIV.

Same time at the ceremonial ground on the HIV/AIDS Fair stand, young people were taking turns to fill the forms get counseled and tested. The young people on like before presented themselves for testing in total excitement after being counseled. Most of them were very eager to have copies of the over 1000 posters and manuals carrying well documented information about HIV and AIDS prevention. At this occasion alone, close the expected 70% targeted knew their status and those who tested positive were referred to hospitals to commence treatment. To ascertain whether the knowledge disseminated were well conceived by the young people, a group quiz in the form of questions patterning to HIV and AIDS were asked and many were apt in their response and won prizes. Participants were encouraged to spread the message among peers while in the quarters.
  
By Ignatius Nji in Cameroon