Publisher/Editor: OJONG Steven AYUKOGEM. Tel: (+237) 77 07 27 79. E-mail: themedianpaper@yahoo.com
Monday 27 May 2019
Controversy over Dialogue with Anglophones:
Dion Ngute Denies Hammer to ‘Nail’ Atanga Nji
During the Cabinet Meeting on Thursday, 23 May, one of the
ministers asked to know President Biya’s real stance about the dialogue with
Anglophones. The Minister said the gov’t was at a loss after two opposing
statements were made in public by the PM and the Minat, Paul Atanga Nji, on the
subject. In his response, the PM simply re-stated what he said in Bamenda and
Buea during his peace visit. Dion Ngute avoided falling in the trap of having
to transform the cabinet meeting into a tribunal on Atanga Nji.
By Ojong Steven Ayukogem in Yaounde
 |
| Prime Minister Dion Ngute avoided making an issue of Atanga Nji |
As smart and gentlemanly as he is known to be, the Prime
Minister, Chief Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute, avoided falling in the trap of having to
entertain unnecessary polemics on the subject of government’s position
concerning the planned dialogue with Anglophones. This was during the cabinet
meeting which he presided, at the Star Building, on Thursday.
As the
meeting was about to rise, one of the Ministers notably the Minister of Public
Service, Joseph Anderson Le, asked to be clarified by the PM on which position
he and his colleagues should take home as the head of state’s final position on
the intended dialogue with Anglophones.
Minister Le said that not only was the entire government at a loss, but
the wider Cameroonian public was also in confusion, after the PM and the
Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, made two contradictory
statements on the subject recently.
Responding
to Minister Le, the PM avoided making an issue of the question. He simply
reminded the minister(s) that before he undertook the peace mission to the NW
and SW, the head of state had told him exactly what to say to the irate
populations of the two regions. The PM said President Biya asked him to tell
the Anglophone populations that he is ready to dialogue with them on all
subjects but not on secession. The PM did not delve into further explaining
himself or judging Atanga Nji. He closed the matter there, we learned.
Yet,
even though the PM avoided to polemic on what has come to be known as the
Atanga Nji controversy, he had by his response put Atanga Nji in a bad
situation.
For a
government that is known to be characteristically conflict prone, Atanga Nji
was abandoned to himself by his colleagues, none of whom ever tried to defend
him.
We are
told that if there was a way the Minat could disappear from the hall he could
have done so. Our source observed that for the first time since becoming the
Minat, Atanga Nji stayed mute and did not utter a word for all throughout the
cabinet meeting.
Our
source noted that the Minat has always had something to say during all cabinet
meetings. But this time he maintained sealed lips.
Obasinjom:
Paul Atanga Nji Yesterday Today Tomorrow
The quarreled remarks of the Minister of Territorial
Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, on France24, on the issue of dialogue with
Anglophones, should be seen within the context of his persistent, unrepentant
and unapologetic stance against Anglophone gesticulations in Cameroon.
By Ojong Steven Ayukogem in Yaounde
 |
The Minat, Paul Atanga Nji, is
somewhat of an enigma
to Anglophones
|
It was West Cameroon’s intellectual public servant, Dr. A.D
Mengot, who once said: “when a man takes a stance, he must stand by it because
it is from that stance that his standards are tested.”
The
Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, has gone down in the
annals of history as one if not the most unrepentant of Cameroonians who argue
that “Anglophones have no problem in Cameroon”.
But to
understand this rather controversial nay erroneous opinion of the man who has
easily become the first Anglophone ever to head the powerful ministry of territorial
administration since independence and re-unification, perhaps, one should
revisit Atanga Nji’s earlier pronouncements on the subject of Anglophone
marginalization in Cameroon.
It
should be recalled that just about when the first All Anglophone Conference,
AAC1, was convened in Buea in 1993, Cameroon Tribune published several full
page opinions supposedly penned by Atanga Nji. In the write-ups Atanga weighed
anchor that “Anglophones Have No Problem In Cameroon.” Cameroon Tribune also
always made sure Atanga Nji’s write-ups on the Anglophone question were given
vantage position in the Op-Ed columns of the state-run tabloid. More often than
not the article was advertised on the front page of the newspaper.
When
the present crisis in the NW and SW started in late 2016, Atanga Nji was about
the first person to grant a lengthy interview on CRTV television, stating
categorically that “Anglophones have no reason to complain in Cameroon. Atanga
Nji said Anglophones are asking for too much from the government because
President Biya has already given them everything including appointing him
Atanga Nji of all persons as not only Minister of Special Duties at the
Presidency (at the time) but also as Permanent Secretary of the National
Security Council, apart from appointing two Anglophones as Director General of
Treasury and Director General of Customs.”
Atanga
Nji pursued his fight against the Anglophone course by multiplying write-ups in
Cameroon Tribune and granting interviews to CRTV and Vision4 TV. In all these
outings, Atanga Nji remained unrepentant and unwavering on his position about
Anglophone marginalization.
Born in
old town (Mankon) Bamenda, Atanga Nji has spent the better part of his adult
life in the French speaking regions of Cameroon, notably in Douala and Yaounde.
Some observers say he is more comfortable speaking French than English.
Atanga
Nji is also married to a Bulu woman from Sangmelima and has most of his
investments in French speaking Cameroon.
Elementing the Anglophone Crisis:
Agbor Balla to Address World’s Biggest Forum on Human Rights
Buea-based Human Rights Lawyer and Anglophone Activist,
Nkongho Felix Agbor Balla has been invited to speak at the Oslo Forum, arguably
the biggest forum on human rights in the world.
By Boris Esono in Buea
 |
| Bar. Agbor Balla |
Agbor Balla arrived in Oslo, Norway early on Thursday, 23
May, where he would in the days ahead actively participate in the Oslo Forum.
The International Human Rights Lawyer has been invited as one of the speakers
at the 2019 Oslo Forum that will see “the world’s most engaging human rights
advocates, artists, and world leaders meeting to share stories and brainstorm
on ways to expand freedom and unleash human potential across the globe.” The
Forum will run from 27 to 29 May in Norway’s capital city.
Garry
Kasparov, Chairman of the Human Rights Foundation in an invitation to Agbor
Balla said they believe that Agbor Balla’s dedication to pro-democracy efforts
in Cameroon and Africa as a whole, and his work with the Center for Human
Rights and Democracy in Africa, CHRDA, will inspire participants involved in the
ongoing struggle to advance human rights and fundamental freedoms around the
world.
“There
is no other gathering in the world like the Oslo Freedom Forum’s unique mix of
dissidents, philanthropists, journalists, artists, entrepreneurs, defectors,
musicians, and world leaders, all of whom come to Norway each year for an
immersive, collaborative experience focused on the world more peaceful,
prosperous, and free. We would be honoured to include you in this inspiring
community,” Kasparov said in his invitation to Agbor Balla.
Interview
I Earned My PhD Through Hard Work, Tenacity & Sacrifice
-Dr. Nsaibirni Robert
Fondze, Dr. of Computer Science
Wednesday 24 April 2019 was not an ordinary day for
Nsaibirni Robert Fondze Jr, and perhaps, his siblings and loved ones. This was
the day the lad from Nso, defended his PhD in Computer Science at the
University of Yaounde 1. It was the first PhD defense by an English speaking
student since the inception of the University in 1961. For decades running, the
department of Computer Science had been a veritable slaughter house for English
speaking students. It is perhaps why we of The Median Newspaper consider Dr.
Robert Fondze’s PhD as a feat. And we could not be indifferent to the
incredible achievement. Reason why our editor, Ayukogem Steven Ojong took time
off and caught-up with the latest PhD in town to scoop his impressions. His
remarks make for interesting read. Here are excerpts.
**Congratulation Doctor on your brilliant PhD Defense.
 |
| Dr. Nsaibirni Robert Fondze Jr. (now Doctor), shares his joy as title of PhD is confered on him by very emminent Varsity Dons in the jury, including Prof. Maurice Tchuente, Prof. Fouda Ndjodo Marcel and Prof. Agustini Alexandra among others. |
Thank you very much. It was a very tough road but I am happy
that it all came to an end and a brilliant end for that matter. I am very happy
and I hope that my defending a PhD in Computer Science will serve as motivation
to the younger ones coming behind.
**It is not every day that you hear of a PhD defense in
Computer Science at Ngoa-Ekelle. It certainly was an uphill climb you had.
It was in fact an uphill climb. PhD defenses at the Faculty
of Science and especially the Computer Science department are rare. But there
have been a few in the past decade. We have had at least 4 PhD defenses at the
faculty of Science in the past few years. PhD research is a very difficult
process not necessarily because the courses are difficult, but because of the
difficult working environment. Most often the PhD candidate does not have the
needed resources to do the research. PhD research is supposed to be a full time
job. It is supposed to be at least a three-year engagement that you take to
improve knowledge in a particular domain. Unfortunately in Cameroon we don’t
have the kind of resources that can permit for this. So as a PhD student you
have to think out of the box to be able to make things happen. You have to
provide for yourself in carrying out your research and make sure you finish the
work within the stipulated deadline. In my case I was lucky to get into contact
with Centre Pasteur du Cameroon. I worked under a partnership that was created
between the Department of Computer Sciences, University of Yaounde I, and
Centre Pasteur. It is always paramount to get the resources needed to carry out
a PhD research. Usually a PhD research is not done by a single person in a
single laboratory. You need to forge partnerships. You need to travel around and
know how things are done elsewhere. You need to work with other people who are
in the same domain; you need to see how science has evolved in the field you
are trying to get into; you need to attend conferences; you need to discuss
with people who have grown in the field. All these activities need lots and
lots of resources.
**So how did your own research proceed?
-I should say there was an invisible hand that was pulling
me along. I did my research for the Masters Degree at the Centre Pasteur du
Cameroun. At the time there were some researchers who had come on a visit and I
was called to do a presentation on the work that I did in my Masters. After the
presentation they asked if I would like to continue with the research. They
said they would be ready to provide me with some resources if I was ready to
continue with the research. I jumped for the opportunity and the result is what
we are celebrating today.
Monthly Cabinet Meeting:
Anglophone Conflict Not on Agenda
Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute chaired the cabinet meeting
for the month of May on Thursday 23 May discussing other issues of general
interest but not the sociopolitical crisis in the English-speaking Regions that
is dominating national discourse.
During
the meeting, two issues; the reduction in the cost of road construction and how
to improve the quality of services in the transport sector came under scrutiny.
Cameroonians
had expected that the May Ministers’ meeting would dwell on the visit of the
Prime Minister and the follow up towards resolving the conflict. It was
expected that a roadmap would be announced at the end of the deliberations.
The
PM’s visit was one of the most important events of the month touching on the
life of the nation and one would have expected the government to review the
visit. It did not. Maybe President Biya at whose behest the visit was
undertaken would be the one to evaluate the success and/or failures of the
visit.
Victory of Constitutionality over Dictatorship:
SOBA USA Welcomes Ephraim Ngwafor, Jilts Caretaker Committee
 |
| Prof. Ephraim Ngwafor |
The President General of Sasse Old Boys Association, SOBA,
Prof. Ephraim Ndeh Ngwafor, has emerged victorious in the battle pitting his
executive against a group of SOBANS who operate under the canopy of what they
call the caretaker committee, CTC.
Prof.
Ngwafor was invited to address the SOBA USA Convention holding in Washington DC
at the weekend. His invitation was in preference to some members of the
caretaker committee who had also indicated interest to attend and speak at the
Convention but who were denied an invitation.
According
to the President of SOBA USA, Franklin Mafany Itoe, he refused invitation to
members of the CTC because “there is no such thing as a caretaker committee in
the SOBA constitution.” Besides, Itoe said the
CTC members who insisted on attending the Convention in DC, had been
dismissed from SOBA by the general executive.
“Our
meeting is an assembly of SOBANS and there is just no way I can invite
dismissed members to attend. As president of SOBA America i must respect and
uphold the constitution of SOBA, and the constitution recognizes only the
executive committee and not a caretaker committee,” Itoe explained.
It was
perhaps for this reason that Itoe called the police to hold back some two
visitors who tried to force their way into the SOBA USA convention hall. The
two visitors included a CTC representative from Cameroon, and a former
President of SOBA UK who was dismissed from the association by the general
exco. The two therefore did not witness the deliberations in DC. They were however, allowed into the Gala later in
the evening.
Reinforcing Decentralization?
Biya Appoints New SGs of City Councils
President Paul Biya on Friday 24 May, signed several decrees
appointing Secretaries General of City councils across the country.
According
to the decrees read on state radio, Goupo Wuego Cristelle Gaelle replaces Souob
Victor who goes on retirement as Secretary General of the Boufousam City
Council.
At the
Kribi City council, Edie Diengou Carine Roche epse Mebouogue a civil
administrator previously serving at the Littoral Governor’s office takes
over from Medjo Assako Jacob.
The new
Secretary General of the Edea City Council is Ndoumi Oscar Theophile. He
replaces Mr. Ngobe Samuel who goes on retirement.
At the
Bertua City Council, the new face is Sabolo Meyama Dominique. Meanwhile in
Gaoura, Norode Emmanuel takes over the same portfolio from Adamou Baba Garoua
retired.
Charles
Arrey Nkongho previously occupying the same position at the Limbe City Council
was moved to the Kumba City Council. He takes over from Shey Henry Nganji
retired.
Political Panegyric:
Recalling Mbella Moki’s White-Washing of Dion Ngute
In an interview broadcast on CRTV Radio, following the PM’s
visit to the NW and SW regions, emblematic Fako politician and senator, Charles
Mbella Moki, used several superlatives and far-fetched adjectives to describe
the Dion Ngute style and persona.
By Boris Esono in Buea
 |
| Sen. Mbella Moki |
Fielding questions from CRTV’s news editor, Winyawoko
Motale, on what he describes as the Dion Ngute phenomenon, Mbella Moki, without
mincing or wincing said of the PM: “He has a charming personality; he has the
kind of character that is necessary for a crisis moment like this one; he is
the right choice to have been made by His Excellency President Paul Biya; the
head of state found in Dion Ngute a hidden treasure; he gave his vision to him
and the PM has added his own touch to implementing that vision –down-to earth,
humble, soft-spoken, debonair, in fact a kind of political charm in expressing
himself; a magnetic personality; a fire-extinguisher; a crisis manager who has
been carefully looked for and found for a situation like this.”
Mbella
corroborated: “you could see the excitement and enthusiasm in Kumba; you saw
how he embraced the people and how the people were so welcoming to him. In
fact, I learnt a lesson in humility in Kumba; the PM spoke in a language that
everyone understands.
“I kini for my knees, I beg wona, if wona sabi de place wey
dat boy dem dey, dat generals dem dey, I go meetop dem make we talk because de
suffer don toomuch,” Senator Mbella Moki quotted the PM as saying in pidgin,
noting the PM’s universal language, his kind of exposure and presentation and
how Dion Ngute has come down from his very high pedestal to share in the
sorrows of his people.
Mbella
opined that with the Dion Ngute approach, it was time the authorities turned a
new leaf in their approach to solving the ongoing conflict.
“The PM
carried with him a different posture that we have hardly seen in this country;
a humble personality. He narrated his origin from an ordinary ‘K-Town boy’ to a
Prime Minister. The PM expressed himself in a way that touched the heart of his
audience… The Dion Ngute style was simply unprecedented; we have hardly seen it
before in our region; it is a style that should be adopted by everybody that
wants to work with the PM to find a solution to this crisis…. Those who do not
see with the PM and who are not ready to express themselves in the way the PM
is doing should be kind to themselves and be kind to the government and quit
the stage.”
Horror on the Land:
Entire Family Feared Wiped Out in Bali Shootings
An entire family is feared killed in Bali Nyonga, Mezam
Division of the North West Region following confrontations between security
forces and separatist fighters on Saturday May 25th.
Locals
told The Median that members of a family had surfaced to retrieve the corpse of
their relative who was killed in a crossfire but gunmen opened fire at them
indiscriminately. It is yet unclear who opened fire on the individuals as no
group has claimed responsibility for the killings.
Reports
hold that the persons killed are mostly members of the Baya family. An indigene
of Bali Nyonga identified some of those killed to be Vincent Dinka’a Baya,
peter Baya, Gabriel Baya, Grace Feh Sadnyonga Baya and Lavert Foncham George.
Despite PM’s Peace Visit:
Killings, Kidnappings, Burnings Galore in NW
By Njodzefe Nestor in B’da
Military and “Amba fighters” atrocities in the North West
region have unfortunately increased despite Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute’s
peace mission to the region in which he promised that President Biya had
accepted to dialogue.
Not
only has the number of those who have been killed by military and separatist
fighters soared, but the rate of kidnapping for ransom has increased and the
burning of houses and property has skyrocketed. While this continues unabated,
the population continues to suffer the consequences.
On Wednesday
May 15, soldiers stormed the Ntambeng, Alachu, Mile 8, Muwatsu airport road
areas and burned down houses of individuals including shops as well as a
hospital.
Reports
say they came when suspected Ambazonia fighters killed two soldiers around that
area. When the soldiers arrived there while the suspected Ambazonia fighters
had gone, in their anger, they allegedly turned on the local population who
were reportedly uncooperative, destroying and burning down almost everything
found on their way.
Amba Boys Beat Up Passengers on K’ba-Buea Road
By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba
 |
| Stranded Vehicles along Kumba-Buea highway |
Some passengers travelling across the Kumba-Buea highway
axis recently suffered severe flogging in the hands of suspected separatist
fighters after mounting road blocks on certain portions of the road. The
incident occurred during the early hours of Tuesday May 21, 2019.
Some of
the stranded passengers who spoke to this reporter after been ordered to return
to Kumba revealed they were beaten for violating a separatist imposed ghost
town on Tuesday, a day incarcerated separatist leaders were expected to appear
at the Yaoundé military court.
Vehicles
were also feared destroyed in the course of the road block. Many other vehicles
were forced to make a U-turn to their towns of origin without completing the
journey. Several busses loaded with passengers headed for Buea were ordered
back into the Kumba. The passengers were left stranded at the Buea Road motor park.
Audience at Unity Palace:
Cameroon’s Instability Preoccupying to La Francophonie
 |
President Paul Biya and the SG of the International
Organisaition of La Francophonie, IOL,
Louise Mushikiwabo
|
The Secretary General of the International Organisaition of
La Francophonie, IOL, Louise Mushikiwabo, has said that her institution is
concerned with Cameroon’s political and security challenges. She made the assertion Friday 24 May shortly
after an audience with president Biya at the Unity palace.
Mushikiwabo
told reporters that La Francophonie remains ready to support Cameroon. She
cited politics and security as areas of interest for collaboration for Cameroon
to regain her stability.
The
former Rwandan Foreign minister said she came to Cameroon on the heels of her
taking office in January this year. Mushikiwabo said it was a delight chatting
with president Biya and other state authorities.
She
shared a vision of contributing in Cameroon’s political processes and programs
for youths and the entire nation. She
said the IOL wants Cameroon to regain the peace it once enjoyed before the
recent crises.
Nalova Lyonga Modifies GCE, BAC Timetables Again
Secondary Education Minister, Pauline Egbe Nalova Lyonga has
again modified the timetables of the written part of the General Certificate of
Education (GCE) of the English subsystem of education and the Baccalaureate of
the French subsystem of education.
 |
| Nalova Lyonga Modifies GCE timetables |
A
similar adjustment has been done to examinations organised by the BAC Board
which have been moved from May 30 to May 31st.
The
major reason advanced is that of the celebration of Ascension Day on Thursday,
May 30 which is generally a public holiday in Cameroon.
In the
past three years since the Anglophone conflict started, the GCE timetable has
been modified several times. Registration datelines are always modified and
sometimes written timetables as well.
Form Five Students Kidnapped in K’ba Days to GCE Exams
-Fcfa 5m demanded as ransom
By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba
 |
| Form Five Students Kidnapped |
Gunmen with doubtful identity have kidnapped a form five
student in Kumba, Chief Town of Meme Division in the restive Southwest Region.
The
incident occurred at about 3:30pm on Friday 4 May. The student whose only name
we got as Benita was taken to an unknown destination on board a motorbike. She
was seized and taken away as she was returning from school in the company of
her mates.
The
unfortunate incident occurred as the written part of the 2019 GCE exams were to
start on Monday throughout the country.
The
Kidnappers have demanded FCFA 5 million as ransom, we learned.
Family
sources said the young girl is tall and light in complexion.
Her
father whose only name we got as Chinedu is a businessman of Nigerian
nationality. Chinedu was on a business trip to Nigeria at the time of the
child’s kidnap.
The
kidnappers have promised to kill the child if the ransom is not paid by Tuesday
May 28.
NGO Advocates Creation of HIV Treatment Centers in Rural Areas
By Njodzefe Nestor in B’da
 |
| NGO Advocates Creation of HIV treatment |
Rural Women Center for Education and Development, RuWCED, a
Non-Governmental Organization based in the North West region of Cameroon has
amongst other things recommended that the government of Cameroon and other
health partners should create more HIV treatment centers in rurals areas.
The
recommendation was made after a Participatory Action Research for Strengthening
Adolescent led engagement in HIV/AIDS prevention education, testing, treatment
and anti-stigma behaviors in Ngoketunjia Division, North West region undertaken
by RuWCED.
The
research findings were presented on May 23, 2019 in Bamenda in a “dissemination
meeting” attended amongst others by the coordinator of the NW Regional
Technical Group for the fight against HIV and AIDS, Dr. Tayong Gladys, District
Coordinator of the Ndop HIV treatment center, Dr Darlene Nchutong, the Regional
Delegate of Secondary education, represenatives of religious instittions, HIV
peer educators etc
According
to LoveesAhfembombi, Finance and Project coordinator of RuWCED, the research
which whose target area was the 13 villages that make up Ngoketunjia and has as
target population 2600 adolescents was aimed amongst other things at training
26 community leaders act as information points in providing HIV/AIDS
prevention, testing, care, treatment and anti-stigma education, encourage 1300
adolescents to do voluntary HIV/AIDS test and to reduce stigma for adolescence
already living with HIV.
Horror in B’da:
Gov’t & Separatists Trade Accusations Over Killings,
Beheadings
 |
| Gov’t & Separatists Trade Accusations Over Killings |
A scene of gunfire fire on armless individuals with bikes
set ablaze has been reported at the Mile 90
neighbourhood in Bamenda
,Cameroon’s restive North West Region. The development is known to have
happened early Thursday May 23rd according to locals.
Today’s
development comes amid a vicious cycle
of accusations and counter accusations between the government and separatists’ front liners over recent
incidents of beheadings and the Monday May 20th murder of a four-month-old baby
in Muyuka, South West Region.
Mile 90
is found on the road leading to Bali Nyonga on the fringes of Bamenda. The axis
has known terrible happenings since the crisis started.
A local
in the city of Bamenda told The National Times that, at least one person has
died following the early morning shooting. The same source said there are fears
of more casualties. Our interviewee said, some
locals escaped the scene of the shootings into the bushes.
In the
face of the incident, a viral video has
triggered outrage across the social media. The video shows a man lying lifeless
on the tarmac with his head ripped apart apparently by a bullet. The scene
shows blood spilled across the road. At least three bikes are seen in the
video on fire.
Authors
of the amateur video accuse security forces of opening fire on individuals
standing at a local village junction. The unknown narrators claimed the
man shot on the main road was fired at
without remorse.
Others
voices are heard in the video urging for international action to end the
crisis. Locals are overheard in the video calling on Cameroon’s colonial
masters and the United Nations (UN) to
step in and arrest the Anglophone crisis.
Parents of Murdered Baby Contradict Minister
-Insist Military Committed Gruesome Act
The parents of four-months-old baby Mathar Neba murdered in
Muyuka, Fako Division, South West Region of Cameroon have
rejected a narration from Communication Minister Rene Emmanuel Sadi
linking the incident to separatists gunmen.
In
interviews granted local media organs, the parents insisted that, their baby was killed by
military officers who invaded the Makanga
neighbourhood of Muyuyuka on
Monday May 20th.
Contrary
to the minister’s statement of Wednesday May 22nd stating that, the father of the deceased was
a former separatist fighter, the concern denied ever belonging to such groups.
The aggrieved man disclosed that, he is a worker of the Cameroon Development
Cooperation (CDC).
While
cursing the killers of his daughter, the man stated that, he had been forced to
relocate after the Anglophone crisis put the CDC in tight financial situation
making it unable to pay workers. Mr. Neba insisted that, the security officers
stormed the neighbourhood in war mood and killed the baby in the process.
The
mother of the murdered baby argued that, the baby was shot on the head as she
lay asleep on a chair in their palour. She said at the time the incident happened, she was in the kitchen
preparing food. According to the lady, she escaped in the wake of seeing
military amoured cars advancing into the Menkanga vicinity.
Death of 8-Month Old Baby:
Nurses to Stand Trial Despite Minister’s Sanction
Some four nurses at the Garoua Regional hospital in
Cameroon’s North Region have been remanded in custody pending trial over the dead of a
four-month-old baby despite already serving a 3month suspension imposed by the
country’s public minister.
On May
10th, the detained nurses assigned a student-nurse to administer injection on the baby reportedly suffering from
diarrhea. The student-nurse is said to have administered the wrong injection on
the baby. The baby died moments later sparking outrage.
Tonga, West Region:
Four Pangolin Scales Traffickers Arrested
 |
| Four arrested in Tonga for trafficking |
Four people have been arrested in Tonga, in the Nde Division
for trafficking in pangolin scales. They were arrested with close to 100kg of
pangolin scales during an operation carried out by the Nde Divisional
Delegation of Forestry and Wildlife working in collaboration with the police
and the gendarmerie. The operation was technically assisted by LAGA, a Wildlife
Law Enforcement NGO.
All
four were arrested during their attempts to traffic the pangolin scales at a
hotel premises in the small town. Prior investigations had enabled wildlife
officials to understand the modus operandi of the group that was made up of two
women and two men who, bought pangolin scales from smaller traffickers and bush
meat sellers in Tonga and Makenenene They would proceed to sell the scales to
other traffickers coming in from Yaounde and Douala. This has been going on for
a couple of years.
The
traffickers who are presently behind bars are expected to be charged on two
counts including the killing of protected species and unlawful possession of
its parts, this, according to sections 101 and 158 of the 1994 wildlife law and could face up to 3
years imprisonment. It is therefore forbidden to be in possession of either,
pangolin scales, meat, live or dead pangolins.. And according to this law, police
recently arrested two people in Douala transporting five bags of pangolin
scales weighing over 200kg. They were moving the pangolin scales from a popular
transport agency as early as 4am when police stepped in and arrested them. They
two were handed over to wildlife officials in Douala for prosecution
proceedings to be carried out.
Reward for Honest Hard Work:
Kumba DMO Honoured with Medal
By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba
 |
| Dr. Ebongo Zacheus Nanje poses with Meme SDO after decoration on May 20 |
Prominent Kumba medic and District Medical Officer has been
recognised by the President of the Republic, Paul Biya and decorated for his
untiring inputs in the domain of health care delivery.
Dr.
Ebongo Zacheus Nanje’s recognition in the public health family was unveiled
Monday May 20, 2019 at the Kumba city grandstand during celebrations marking
Cameroon’s 47th National Day. He was recognised with a medal and raised to the
rank of ‘Officer of the National Order of Merit’.
Decorating
the renowned medic, the SDO for Meme, Chamberlin Ntou’ou Ndong, indicated that
the state recognition ties with his dedicated and selfless services rendered to
the state. The administrator urged him not to in any way relent his efforts
after the decoration but do more to earn other recognitions.
The
decoration of the former Director of the Kumba District Hospital comes at a
time when the population still praise some of his legacy left at the hospital
while serving as Director. The experienced ophthalmologist and epidemiologist
is remembered for transforming and putting order at the Kumba District Hospital
as director. He upgraded the working conditions of the hospital personnel,
completely eradicated the aspect of laxity, stubbornness and unprofessionalism
cankerworm that had arguably gripped the health facility.
Celebrations Amid Gunshots, Ghost Town:
25 Persons Decorated in K’ba on 20th May
By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba
 |
| May 20 celebration in Kumba was marked with award of medals to 25 persons |
The town of Kumba has celebrated the 47th edition of
Cameroon’s National Day despite separatist imposed ghost town and intense
gunshots on the eve of the celebration across several neighbourhoods in Kumba.
The event presided over by Meme SDO, Chamberlin Ntou’ou
Ndong was massively boycotted by traditional rulers and the cross section of
the Kumba population. Activities at the May 20 celebration in Kumba opened with
the award of medals to some 25 meritorious Cameroonians in different walks of
life. Amongst the decorated personalities was the Director of the Higher
Technical Teachers Training College, HTTTTC Kumba, Prof. Akume Daniel Akume.
The
event that saw only the military past followed by students of the Higher
Technical Teachers Training College, HTTTC, Kumba and few militants of the CPDM
party lasted for an hour. It was celebrated under the theme “Unity in
diversity, a major asset of the Cameroonian people in their determined effort
towards emergence”.
Terror on the Land:
‘Amba Boys’ Multiply Kidnappings in Kumba
By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba
Many inhabitants of New Layout neighbourhood in Fiango,
Kumba have started escaping their homes and relocating to neighbourhoods
considered relatively safer following the intensification of kidnapping,
extortions and intimidations by suspected Amba boys.
An
inhabitant of the said neighbourhood who elected to speak to The Median on
condition of anonymity revealed that for over one week now, they haven’t been
able to have peace in the hands of separatist fighters.
“Amba
boys keep parading the quarter on motorbikes while brandishing their guns in
the air” an inhabitant of the quarter revealed adding that three persons were
kidnapped by the gunmen and some later released after paying ransom.
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