32nd Anniversary in Manyu:

Biya exalted in Upper Bayang, Eyumojock, as the ghost visits Akwaya

By EkumtambeEku in Mamfe

NforTabetando managed to rally a few militants at the Mamfe town hall

Supporters of the ruling CPDM party in Manyu division have celebrated the 32nd anniversary of the party despite calls for ghost towns and boycott by “secessionist agitators”. The anniversary celebrations witnessed a resounding success in Tinto, headquarters of the Upper Bayang sub-division, where the CPDM Central committee representative, Hon. EnohTanjong presided over activities. Mitigated fanfare was seen in Eyumojock and Mamfe.

                In his remarks at the Tinto grandstand, hon. Tanjong re-echoed the anniversary message of the CPDM scribe, Jean Kuete, that underlines the virtues of Peace, Unity, reconciliation and living together in harmony. Pa Tanjong also used the opportunity to plead on parents to consider sending their children back to school, noting that education is a fundamental right for children.

                For his part, the section president of the CPDM party in Upper Bayang, Eyong Paul, also reiterated the Central message from the party headquarters in Yaounde, noting that the Unity and Peace that Cameroon enjoys are sacred, inviolable and non-negotiable. Eyong Paul called on parents to send their children to school, arguing that anybody who denies his child education is violating the child’s fundamental human right apart from compromising the child’s future.

                Participants at the event noted with satisfaction the impressive turnout of militants and especially the internal and external elite.

                “The anniversary celebration in Tinto was very successful. I was surprised at the impressive turnout of militants and especially the elite, who came in great numbers to the elation of all,” remarked the mayor of Tinto, Chief Bate Epey Robert, who added: “my surprise and satisfaction was all the more because we did not witness this kind of impressive turn-out during the youth day celebration on 11 February. On that occasion only a few elites were present, while the populations also stayed away.”

                The Tinto event was crowned by the reading of a motion of support to President Paul Biya.

Youths disrupt event in Eyumojock

                As the anniversary celebration went on smoothly in Tinto, Upper Bayang, it was not the case for Eyumojock, where some irate youths mobbed together and set out to disrupt the activities of the day. According to field reports, some about 100 youths stormed the Eyumojock ceremonial ground and chased away militants that had gathered for the anniversary event. Our sources on the field said the youths were demanding the payment of arrears of royalties accruing from years of wanton timber exploitation in the EjaghamNjemaya forests in Eyumojock subdivision. It emerged that the government had paid the royalties to the Eyumojock council but unfortunately the money did not trickle down to the local communities that are claiming ownership and protection of the forests.

                It took the intervention of a security elements called in from Mamfe by the Eyumojock DO, for the youths to be dispersed, we were told.

                The disruption by the angry youths notwithstanding, the 32nd anniversary of the CPDM was celebrated in Eyumojock, though with a less than impressive. Reports said many militants who had set out for the celebration got scared by the threats from the angry youths.

                But that did not however deter the various speakers at the event including Prof. Ako Teddy (Rector of Maroua University) who represented the central committee, the mayor of Eyumojock who doubles as the section president, the member of parliament, hon. Susan EbahNsosieOkpu and Dr. EbotEbotEnaw (GM of Antic) all of whom took turns to re-echo the central message from Yaounde which emphasizes peace, unity, living together in harmony and above all the urgent need for parents to allow their children return to school.

                Hon. Okpu Susan for instance called on the agitating populations to exercise patience, noting that President Biya is a listening father who has heard their grievances and is contemplating the best possible solutions for them.

                In Mamfe central, celebrations at the Mamfe Town Hall were low-key and only took place thanks to the extra effort exerted by the Central Committee representative, NforTabetando George Ndiep-Nso, who had to invite security agents to keep any agitators at bay.

                We could not get confirmed reports about events in Akwaya by press time yesterday. But sources said there was no celebration at all in the very enclave subdivision.