William Troost-Ekong ‘Honoured’ to Lead Nigeria to Victory vs. Poland

William Troost-Ekong is ‘honoured’ to lead Nigeria to a 1-0 victory over Poland in a friendly outing on Friday evening.

            In the absence of the Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel, owing to work permit issue at his base in China, the Bursaspor defender was given the responsibility to lead the team against Adam Nawalka's men.

            Victor Moses’ strike from the penalty spot made the difference as Gernot Rohr’s side continued their World Cup preparations on a positive note.

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Terror in the Land:

Ambazonia forces kidnap GCE Board Chair Leke Tambo

Prof. Ivo Leke Tambo

The Board Chair of the Cameroon General Certificate of Education Board, Prof. Ivo Leke Tambo has reportedly been kidnapped in Lebialem by Ambazonian Defence Forces.

In a video making rounds on social media, the board chair is seen stripped almost naked in a bush in the presence of faceless gunmen. The Median can however not independently verify the authenticity of the video.

            Another video also showed the ‘Amba Tigers’ molesting the occupants of a passenger bus. The driver of the bus had been put to the ground and was begging the assailants not to kill him with their gun. “Spare my life i beg of you; I am innocent.”

            The “Lebialem Ambazonia Forces” said they were taking the passengers hostage and that they were expecting a response from Menji.

            According to sources in Lebialem, Prof. Leke Tambo was leading a delegation on Saturday morning to his native Lewoh (Menji) to organize a ceremony to thank the Head of State for his appointment and that of Paul Tasong, the new Minister Delegate in the Ministry of Economy and Planning.

            The delegation was stopped on the road by the gunmen as they left Alou for Menji. Heavy fighting reportedly ensued between the Amba forces and the few gendarmes who struggled in vain to defend the delegation.

Council of Ministers:

Biya Down-plays Growing Insecurity in NW & SW

By Innocent Kum in Yaounde

President Biya Presided the Council of Ministers on Thursday

President Paul Biya has urged members of government to redouble efforts in providing solutions to the multiple challenges faced by the country.

            Addressing a ministerial council meeting Thursday March 15 in Yaounde, President Paul Biya said team work and commitment is vital to the country’s drive towards emergence. 

            Before tasking the ministers during the Unity Palace meeting which came a week after the 2 March 2o18 cabinet shake-up, Biya congratulated those who were newly promoted, as well as those who were maintained. He urged them to strive to be worthy of the trust bestowed upon them.

            “I urge you to work diligently so that, together, we can meet the multiple challenges confronting our country. Our people expect nothing less from us,” he added, before stating that “...Despite an unfavourable global economic context, the consolidation of our economic performance, the improvement of our people’s living conditions and the fight against unemployment must remain the Government’s core priorities.” 

            He continued: “In this light, it is necessary to pursue the smooth implementation of the Program concluded with the IMF. There is also an urgent need to finalize the implementation of major structuring projects, the Emergency Growth Acceleration Plan and the Special Youth Plan. The operationalization of the Kribi Deep Sea Port and the second bridge over the Wouri augur well in that regard.” 

            The president was quick to add that “Despite these excellent performances, we must not forget that much remains to be done. As I underscored recently in my message to the Nation, the Government should continue to put a special focus on outreach services, such as water and electricity supply, health, and road infrastructure.”

Council of Ministers Meetings:

Security, Decentralization, Elections Top on Agenda

All 68 Ministers were present at the Ministerial Council Meeting

The President of the Republic, Paul BIYA has on Thursday 15 March 2018 chaired a Council of Ministers meeting at the Unity Palace. It was his first contact with Members of Government after the 2nd March cabinet reshuffle.

            In his message to the ministers, the Head of State laid emphasis on the need to: combat insecurity in the Far North, North West and South West Regions; accelerate the decentralisation process; and ensure the smooth organisation of upcoming elections in Cameroon.

            The putting in place of the Constitutional Council and the hosting of the Africa Cup of Nations were also highlighted.

Kumba Bike Riders in a Dilemma:

‘Amba’ Hit Boys Threaten- If you respect the ban on ‘Okada’ you will hear from us

The president of one of the three bike riders’ unions in Kumba has told The Median that bike riders have been threatened with death by ‘Ambazonia hit boys’ if ever they respected the ban order by the government.

By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba

Kumba Bike Riders Facing Threats From Ambazonia Tigers

The president spoke to this reporter after a meeting of Kumba bike riders with Meme SDO, Chamberlin Ntou’ou Ndong to seek better ways of implementing the decision of the Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji and that of Southwest Governor, Bernard Okalia Bilai suspending motorbike taxis in Kumba.

            “We are facing death threats from Ambazonia odeshi boys who have entered Kumba and are threatening us for accepting to get our bikes duly registered before they can circulate in and around town,” said the bikers’ president, noting that they are now caught in a dilemma because if they flout the instructions of the administration they would be considered by government as supporting the separatists, while if they obey the SDO’s orders they are tagged as ‘blacklegs’ by the ‘Ambazonia fighters’.

            The bikers’ president noted that they have been pushed to a very tight corner, even as they are sensitizing their colleagues on the importance of identifying themselves before plying the streets with their bikes.

Gov’t to Pursue Crack- down on Ambazonians

President Paul Biya Thursday convened a cabinet meeting and vowed to push ahead with a military crackdown on English-speaking separatists in the majority francophone country.

            Cameroon has had a tortuous colonial history that saw it pass from German rule to French and British hands and the Anglophone minority complain of being marginalised by the French-speaking elite.

            “The efforts (of the security forces) must be continued, especially to ensure a return of normal economic and social activity,” Biya told the first cabinet meeting held since 2015.

            On October 1, separatists declared two regions as the self-proclaimed republic of “Ambazonia”, marking a turning point for the country’s English-speaking minority, which makes up around a fifth of the population.

            Biya dispatched troops, combat helicopters and armoured vehicles to root out the dissidents, forcing tens of thousands to flee to neighbouring Nigeria.

            At least 28 soldiers have been killed in the violence, according to an AFP tally, and two state employees have been kidnapped.

            The civilian death toll remains unclear, as non-governmental organisations and independent media are barred from the area.