A heavily attended convention of the Njaah Cultural and Development Association, NJACUDA was held last Saturday November 10, 2010. Staged at he seat of the Njaah traditional institutions, in the presence of Asanga B A Martin, leader of Njaah, it was groundbreaking for obvious reasons.
At least a thousand sons and daughters of Njaah, a community in Mbengwi sub division raised nearly 2 million FCFA to develop their community. The target, this year was the construction of two classrooms at the newly created Government Secondary School , GSS Njaah. Some 2 million FCFA in cash was contributed while 50 bags of cement was chipped in by the leader of Njaah. Napoleon Tumasang a politician cum contractor pledged two trips of sand. Another elite (names withheld) offered 30 bags of cement and announced more to make-up 100 bags.
Ernest Fonjong, pioneer principal of GSS Njaah vowed that with the money and assistance chipped-in, he would do his best to meet-up the exigencies. Fonjong introduced his staff and students who thrilled Njaah people with an enchanting lyric.
NJACUDA conventions have always been a focal point. This year, like last year, Fon Azsh of Ngwokwong was conspicuously present. But unlike last year, the leader of Njaah just as the NJACUDA president did not make any landmark declarations. Chronicle was merely hinted that since it was meant to raise funds, the subject of the day remained paramount.
A 4-page dossier was however unleashed, epitomizing the projects earmarked for NJACUDA. Amongst them included interquarter roads, electricity extension, provision of pipe borne water.
On schools, the release underpinned how as soon as GSS Njaah moves to its permanent site, the present location would be converted into a computer centre for GSS Njaah; that by 2015, GSS Njaah would be transformed into a bilingual high school, GBHS.
Amongst the 15 points on the 4-pager announced a Christmas gift of electricity supply to PC Njaah. Also, that Njaah community would perform a traditional dance at Zang TAbi on December 22, 2012 during the enthronement of the Meta clan head.
Last Saturday’s convention was also an avenue to inform Njaah sons/daughters to get themselves registered under the new biometric system.
Anapa Isaac remain NJACUDA president. Under him a lot has been attained, including the operation of a modern bakery at Sanyere, handled by Bah John. Anapa had long made contacts for Orange and MTN to install their antennas at Njaah. One of his dreams too is to see the creation of a weather forecast/meteorogical station in Njaah to check weather havoc. (Read more about Isaac Anapa below)
Why I’m Still NJACUDA President
- Isaac Anapa
Isaac Anapa, a retired cadre at the National Assembly of Cameroon has been coaxed by his people to be at the helm of the Njaah Cultural and Development Association, NJACUDA. This has been an association which he has headed for the past 25 years. Anapa has gone through severe trials and tribulations, given his determination to bring his community to bare. Blackmailed and nearly crucified, Anapa has stool tall. He told Chronicle in an exclusive interview last Saturday, in the heart of the 4th NJACUDA convention, that he is still on, despite anomalies. Read on:
What are the exceptionalities/peculiarities of the 4th NJACUDA convention?
Villagers/elite have become more conscious to put hands on deck together and build Njaah, which they affectionally call Njaah city. Before, the turnout was not like this. This year, it was a special event. A band/orchestra proceeded the occasion; a horse race, which has never been done before.
For the monetary aspect, it feats the 1.5 million FCFA record of last year. Though we targeted 3 million. Our elite abroad however vouched to chip-in a million FCFA. But our greatest hope has been that two classrooms at GSS Njaah, should be complete, latest March 2013.
2 years ago, NJACUDA was in Bamenda; in 2011 the fiesta was at home. This year is the 4th still at home. In the 5th where would NJACUDA be?
We are still going to gather here in the village. We have realized that movements to other regions is very costly, especially to the village fold. We would thus prefer to be in the village to contribute to the development, cheaper for the villagers.
Again last year, you held your convention in the months of December, just like 2 years ago. This time, you have held the convention in November. Which way would you hereafter settle on?
We have met an exception amongst all the Meta communities, by gathering in November, whereas others prefer December for the general assembly of the Meta Cultural and Development Association, MECUDA. They exploit December, therefore to hold their village development meetings. We opted for November because we wanted it to be unique.
We first initiated the holding of our convention in Bora, South West region. The people there requested November given that it was the boom period in cocoa harvest/sales. Our heavy donors are from this area; reason why we prefer November.
What therefore has been your assessment about the response to the invitations sent out to sons and daughters of Njaah fro this year’s convention?
They have come out in their numbers. I thought of stepping down this year, because I have presided over this association for the past 24 years (since 1988). I thought of stepping down this year, but my people asked me to continue until GSS Njaah sends out its first batch: that if I step down now, I would have left them in the middle of the bush; reason why I have exceptionally decided to continue.
Politically, I have been known. It is my name which is known. So if I put in a new heir, when we have things at stake, the things that would have come behind me, would not come as much as if I were there: reason why I’ve opted to stay.
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