Chronicle Newspaper: January 2013

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

CDVTA Creates The Unexpected

-Leads Elderly Persons to Present New Year Wishes to Government

Francis Njuakom

For the first time in Cameroon, Elderly persons have constituted themselves to present New Year wishes to government. This came barely a month after the December 5, 2012 3^rd National Convention of the Elderly people in Cameroon staged at the behest of the Community Development Volunteer for Technical Assistance, CDVTA. This body headed by Francis Njuakom Nchii stands as the undisputed leading crusader for the rights of the elderly people in Cameroon. The strive of CDVTA has been acknowledged by varied personalities in Cameroon, including the Prime Minister Philemon Yang and Bakang Mbock, Minister of Social Affairs respectively. Last Wednesday January 16, 2013 therefore when CDVTA led a delegation of elderly people to present New Year wishes to Minister Bakang Mbock, it was a pointer of the body towards reinforcing its commitment and partnership with government, to alleviate poverty the plight of the elderly in Cameroon.

It was Wilfred Mundama, the Program Manager of CDVTA at the head of the delegation to Yaounde. The venue was the City Council Hall. Traditionally, the presentation of New Year wishes is limited to handshakes for a few seconds with the minister. But then, with Mundama led CDTVA team, the scenario was different.

Minister Bakang Mbock took over 10 minutes to receive New Year wishes from the CDVTA and the elderly. This was in fact a special delegation as a bouquet of flower and a special gift was presented by CDVTA to the minister. She was visibly thrilled by the group and exchanged of pleasantries with them.

Quizzed by Chronicle to comment on what they actually discussed with the minister, the CDVTA Program Manager averred:

We told her that we heard about this presentation of New Year wishes and CDVTA shouldn’t have stood behind without coming, that her presence to come to visit the CDVTA structure in 2009 was already a sign that the ministry was looking up to the serious organization that are actually standing up to support government because government do it alone. Structures like CDVTA and others should be encouraged.

The minister was actually telling us that, please, you people should keep up with the good work; I am seeing how these elderly people are looking so young because of the activities that CDVTA is carrying out with them; CDVTA should continue; that government will not relent her efforts in supporting to see that CDVTA continue with the good work that they are already doing.

CDVTA’s Expectations from Government

When Francis Njuakom, the productive and highly innovative Director of CDVTA led a delegation of 12 elderly persons and were received at the Star Building, it was an indication. This was on November 30, 2011. There, Prime Minister Philemon Yang was very grateful for what CDVTA had been doing in helping to build Cameroon rather than ask government to help them build. Yang appreciated the fact that elderly people had realized how they had full potentials to build themselves through CDVTA. Njuakom on his part hailed government and singled out minister Bakang Mbock for supporting the elderly and in accepting to the putting together of a national policy for the elderly.

Wilfred Mundama told Chronicle shortly after presenting New Year wishes to Minister Bakang Mbock that CDVTA is working in collaboration with the ministry of social affairs on the National policy for the ageing. He said a new sub directorate put in place was great progress by government. CDVTA Program Manager however vouched to see step up its efforts by empowering structures that take care of Elderly people. He added that government should also facilitate that in the nearest future, the non contributory pensions should actually be extended to all the elderly people (those above 70).

CDVTA has actually been working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Social Affairs on the matter of the elderly. A day after the presentation of New Year wishes, Chronicle learnt that the CDVTA Program Manager held a meeting with the Director of Ageing alongside the sub Director and the Chief of Service for the Ageing in the Ministry of Social Affairs. This, in preparation ahead of an International Conference to be hosted in Yaounde in May 2013. It is organized under the aegis of the Ageing, a charity based in Canada.

Acknowledgement/ Accolade

CDVTA has staged three national conventions for the elderly in Cameroon: the first was in Belo (Boyo Division) in 2010 pulled some 10.000 old people; the second was in Oku (Bui Division) in 2011 witnessed over 15.000 old people in attendance; the third last December 5, 2012 in Bamenda had in record 20.000 elderly persons present. Marveled by the mobilization, North West Governor recommended a special medal award for Francis Njuakom. The CDVTA Director was urged to contact a protocol service of the Governor’s office to finalize moves for the award. This may probably be bestowed on him on May 20^th the National Day of Cameroon. This notwithstanding, Njuakom had earlier received a traditional title from the palace of Kedjom Ketinguh “ Cheuh Fon” is the title bestowed on him in March 2012.

The CDVTA Director, however has the Sheila McKenin award, bestowed on him in 2008 by Gordon Brown, then British Prime Minister at the Number Ten Downing Street in London. On June 12, 2009 Minister Bakang Mbock visited the CDVTA head office at Metta Quarters in Bamenda to be acquainted with the realities which she had been told. Then on April 18, 2011, Minister Bakang Mbock signed a letter of congratulations and encouragement to CDVTA for its positive billings about its strive for the wellbeing of the elderly. Last week’s New Year wishes presentation was therefore a testimony of the exceptional trappings of CDVTA.

CDVTA Creates The Unexpected, Leads Elderly Persons to Present New Year Wishes to Go't

-Leads Elderly Persons to Present New Year Wishes to Government

Quizzed by Chronicle to comment on what they actually discussed with the minister, the CDVTA Program Manager averred:

CDVTA’s Expectations from Government

Acknowledgement/ Accolade

More Confusion In Wum Over Naikom Chieftaincy Logjam

- DO At Variance With Aghem Fon, Col Ebua, Elite Others After SDO’s Embargo

By Tegha Otega

Uncertainty reigns supreme in Naikom, one of the villages within the Wum central sub division in Menchum. The inabilities to find a heir to the throne has since been a plague. Despite stop-gap measures taken by the Wum Divisional Officer (DO) Martin Ngwa Manjong, no headway has been reached. Today, a prefectoral order, signed by the Menchum SDO, refrains anyone from holding claims to the Naikom throne. Two subjects have however been in contention of the throne: Kedze Donatus and Kum Didimus Dze.

The inabilities, Chronicle learnt, to reach a consensus over the Naikom crisis has been faulted partly to the fons and elite. Chronicle gathered that at one point in time, Fon Bahmbi of Aghem backed Kedze before shifting his allegiance to Kum Didimus. Yet, Chronicle learnt that the Aghem Fon had since remained neutral in the tussle.

In such conflicts in Wum, Chronicle learnt that politicians step-in to call the shots. Talk in Wum has been that while Hon Richard Wallang backs Kedze Donatus, the other candidate, Kum Didimus, has the backing of Chou Cyprian, a prominent Yaounde based elite. It is believed that only death can reconcile both Wallang and Chou.

The question on many lips in Wum is: should it be Kedze or Kum Didimus? Yet, the one expected to call the tune remains Pa Awah Zagha alias Pa Bamenda. Chronicle gathered that Pa Bamenda long declared Didimus as the rightful heir, in the rotatory Naikom chieftaincy.

It is believed that Kedze has used his wealth to influence varied situations to his favour. Allegations are rife that his opponents denounce him as a conman, homosexual and doubtful who needs the throne to reap from where he never sowed.

Crux of the Matter

It all began on 19 July 2012 when the Naikom people of Aghem clan “lost” their chief, HRH Ben Afuh Nkuh, 86 years old who had ruled for 40 years. In Aghem tradition, when a chief disappears, the new one is presented to the population by the maternal family because it is purely a maternal succession in Aghem clan. Chronicle learnt that it was not the case in Naikom village wherein two brothers were contesting: Kedze Donatus and Kum Didimus Dze a secondary school teacher in GSS Esu.

Accordingly to the routine succession or enthronement in the Naikom palace which own the Ewombong family , only two brothers are ruling the palace. After the late Fon, it was supposed to be ruled by the other brother Kum Didimus who was to be presented by the eldest uncle Pa Awah Zagha aged over 110 years, Chronicle learnt.

Chronicle also learnt that some members of the Ewombong family who do not even belong to the Naikom palace but to Kusu were allegedly corrupted/bribed by Kedze Donatus with heavy sums to seized it from Didimus. This brought confusion to delay the process. And on the day of the night vigil, they went in for election to select the successor in the absence of Pa Awah Zagha who was supposed to present it and claimed to have elected Kedze which has never happened in the palace knowing the rightful person Didimus Kum went in vain because they was trouble and a sub prefectoral decision annulling or canceling the election of Kedze Donatus and appointing a caretaker committee to run the affairs of the village and report weekly to the DO for Wum centre/sub divisional officer for Wum.

It is said in Aghem tradition that if a chief disappears, chiefs will mobilize for 2 weeks to come and shoot their guns for their cry-die only not to enthrone or intervene in the succession matters of the family. That was not the case in Naikom. They went there with the hidden agenda after being allegedly corrupted by Kedze Donatus to do consultations in the presence of the DO for Wum sub division, Mr. Ngwa Martin with etat major.

There, the Fon started by asking questions to the elder of the family Pa Awah Zagha. Placed in the middle of the compound alone to give them a new chief, Pa gave Kum Didimus but they did not obey his decision and proceeded to be asking questions to him. The population cried foul and said they had eaten soya from Kedze.

Violence spark up when the fons were about to toss drinks to Kedze. But Kum dived and took the cup and drank, as the right man. He was beaten in front of the DO by hoodlums. A second sub prefectoral decision came out banning all manifestations in the village or anybody or group to carry out any activities to the enthronement of the Naikom chief.

It is said that all the sub prefectoral decisions have been violated by Kedze Donatus in all attempts to be enthroned. Some four chiefs out of 13 in Aghem clan Chronicle learnt, wrote a petition to the SDO for Menchum, Emvoutou Bita insulting the DO calling him “an interim” who is not supposed or has no powers to sign anything concerning the enthronement of Kum Didimus; that they stand for Kedze Didimus and the entire village of Naikom.

The 4 chiefs’ petition came up after the DO for Menchum did his consultations in Naikom palace last December 4, 2012, Didimus was declared the rightful heir.

By press time and despite the prefectoral order, Chronicle learnt that Didimus is now enjoying his honey moon at the palace of Yidze in Wum and being drilled in the ways of a chief or fon.

Meanwhile, last December 11, 2012, the SDO for Menchum signed a prefectoral order No.262 suspending all attempts to enthrone a third class chief in Naikom palace. That the palace should be null and void of any chide and that anybody presently occupying should quit but it was when Kedze was already staying there and was chased away when he tried to defy the order on the 19^th of December. They are still waiting for the final say from the SDO.

Explosives At Fon Doh’s Cry-Die In Balikumbat

By Shey Wirba

Since Thursday January 3, 2013, Balikumbat has been revving. This is the date celebrations marking the life and the 35 years reign of Hon Fon Doh Gah Gwanyin III started. It spans through Monday January 14, 2013. Yet the highpoint of the celebrations would be next Saturday January 12, 2012 at the Balikumbat plateau palace. Judged from what has transpired within the last few days, Fon Doh’s cry-die would be as explosive as the live he lived.

Within the last few days, sons and daughters of Balikumbat village have converged back to base to prove their mettle. Last week, secret traditional rites were performed and then the sackcloth removal. Last Saturday and Sunday, Balikumbat was alive with animation by all traditional dance groups of the village at the palace plaza.

Prior to the d-day commemoration, neighbouring villages and well wishers would storm the palace. And on the eve of the cry-die proper, all sons and daughters of Balikumbat would assemble at the palace.

Real action and the opening of the cry-die would take centre stage on Saturday January 13, 2013. The Sussuch and Nguh dances would be on display; just like the Munganep and Vimunep manjong groups. Also, the Mapuh juju and Samba dance would be on display.

Given the fame of Fon Doh, varied delegations are expected to be in Balikumbat. A delegation from the National Assembly, CPDM central committee and even the Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization, are expected at Balikumbat.

Fon Teche Njei, the dynamic President of the North West Fons Union has announced to storm Balikumbat with a fortified delegation of his members. Worthy to note, that upon the coronation of Fon Doh’s successor, Fon Teche led 50 fons to the event.

Balikumbat elite have mobilized well to showcase the prowess of their village. A special loin to immortalize the event has been produced. Varied committees set up, have been able to ensure that all moves on.

Hon Emmanuel Dingha Banmi is chairman of the steering committee of the event, with Dr. Nwana Sama and Col Doh Kohtem as his vice. Section president Dingha Ignatius is a member of the steering committee just as the all powerful Dr. Dewah. The protocol chairman is Gabsa Sixtus.

January 12, 2013 would therefore be the date the new Fon, HRM Doh Gah Nyamyi III would flaunt his ego and reassert his authority.

Governor Exploits Recent Nsongwa-Mankon Land Dispute to Justify Ban On Firing Den Guns In NW

By Shey Wirba

For quite some time now, the firing of den guns within the North West region has been outlawed. Mache Njounwet Bertrand, the outgone Mezam Senior Divisional Officer slammed the ban. His reason has had to be notified, following recent happenings. It was a night of tension, January 4, 2013, less than a week after the Fon of Nsongwa was handed official papers as a second class Fon within the Bamenda II municipality. Roadblocks were mounted on the trans-African highways by Nsongwans, in protest against virulent attacks by the Mankons over a disputed piece of land. The next day, January 5, 2013 Monono representing Governor Lele Lafrique made startling pronouncements at the golden jubilee of Fon Fobuzie in Chomba.

Monono, Secretary General at the North West governor’s office, was responding to a worry raised by Fon Teche Njei, President of the North West Fons Union, NOWEFU. “The North West is at peace”, he quipped, reiterating that he wants to send a message to the hierarchy of the North West administration.

According to Fon Teche, “the people of North West enjoy their traditional manifestations when they fire guns”, regretting why “today, we cannot fire guns”. The NOWEFU President urged that “the ban on firing of guns should be uplifted”.

Seemingly picking holes with the NOWEFU President’s pontification, the Secretary General, did not wait to carry the message to his boss, the Governor. He simply gave an on-the-spot reply.

Drawing afflatus from the incident of the night of January 4, 2013 wherein Nsongwa’s blocked the highways, he said if the ban on den guns was not enforced, blood would have spilled. He said several deaths had been recorded because of inter tribal wars still prevailing in North West.

The governor’s envoy regretted that in other regions, the locales fire their den guns at traditional events except North West. He said they were cut-off from attending the 50^th anniversary of Our Lady of Lourdes to bring peace between Nsongwa and Mankon.

Chronicle also learnt that it was also partly due to the intervention of Fru Ndi, the SDF National Chairman and Hon Fobi Nchinda Simon, the Member of Parliament for Bamenda/Bali constituency that peace was restored.

Fon Angwafor of Mankon was conspicuously absent at the Chomba celebrations, while the Fon of Nsongwa only surfaced late at 4pm for the reception.

“Should we give guns to these people”, the SG asked rhetorically. Then said, their responsibility is to promote culture and development and not to use our might to kill our fellow brothers and sisters. He concluded that he had to clarify on the NOWEFU president’s worry, which he said, the culture of the North West needs to be regained with the upliftment of the ban on gun firing.

PAMOL GM’s Demise Linked To Witchcraft Tussle

By IO Fossung

For two key General Managers of the greatest Anglophone state corporations to die in succession has been interpreted varyingly. While pending the autopsy report conducted on Chief Obi Okpun Wanobi Osang, General Manager of PAMOL, it is common talk that his death could not be natural. Did he die of frustration of not having been made GM of CDC? Was it a ploy to eliminate him to limit chances of the president in selecting a new Prime Minister? Was it the normal ploy by the Oroko’s to see but one of theirs to be appointed GM of PAMOL?

Obi Okpun collapsed and died in a local Limbe hotel as he went for an ordinary session of the Board of Directors of PAMOL. Though he died, the Board meeting went on, with Charles Okon Mekanya, the deputy GM appointed as interim.

Mekanya is Oroko. As interim, it is expected that the Head of State might confirm him as GM, as he did with Franklin Njie at CDC. Should this come to pass, then the dreams of the Orokos would have been realized.

It is on record that Mekanya had long been gunning to become GM. Obenofunde like Obi Okpun, hail from Manyu division. And like Franklin Njie, Mekanya is expected to man organization for the funeral of Obi Okpun in Akwaya in the days ahead.

Another school of thought holds that chief Obi Okpun could have suffered from a heart attack just from thoughts that he had missed from being catapulted as CDC GM. A presidential decree signed 3 days before, confirmed Franklin Njie as Njalla Quan’s successor.

The mystical aspect of Obi Okpun’s death is being muted over the politics of who-is-who in Manyu division. Obi Okpun hails from Akwaya and had allegedly been tipped to be favoured, should the president decide to replace Philemon Yang at the Star Building.

It is unclear how such metaphysics works, though clairvoyants hold have not ruled out any possibility. It is even alleged that Njalla Quan could have just been the first target, then Obi Okpun. But who by?

The funeral program of Obi Okpun is yet to be out. It is expected that autopsy reports might clear the air, though it may be difficult to denounce the mystical allegations already in the air.

CAMAIRCO GM Fired; Its Board Chairman Survives!

By Musa Isa

Dutch born Boertien Matthys Johannes replaces Alex Van Elk as General Manager of the Cameroon Airlines Corporation, CAMAIRCO. President Paul Biya took cognizance of resolution No.001/12/2012 of an extraordinary session of the Board of Directors of CAMAIRCO last December 12, 2012. Surprisingly, unlike what happened to the Ports Authority, wherein the Board Chairman and the General Manager were fired mid last year, it was less so with CAMAIRCO.

Chronicle however learnt that the December 21, 2012 CAMAIRCO board meeting was staged in the absence of its Board Chairman, Prime Minister Philemon Yang. Many have been questioning why Yang too had not been axed, given that the outgone Van Hetz was recruited by him. It is even alleged that his monthly salary of over 22 million FCFA had become a scandal.

CAMAIRCO has been in crisis since its inception. It has been operating on a deficit. Allegations are rife that two new planes which the corporation announced to have acquired from the Chinese was just a hoax. Chronicle learnt that they had not even been put into use. Worse still, the corporation was just at the brink of collapse with almost all its operations unfunctional.

Quizzed in parliament about the downward trend of the activities of the corporation, PM Yang (its board chairman) gave a plausible progress of the corporation’s activities. Yang said CAMAIRCO be given time to function before it is evaluated.

Commentators hold that having just returned from a sick leave, Biya could not just aggravate Yang’s situation. Moreso, to have replaced him as Board Chairman would give him indications that his days at the Star Building were numbered.

Biya Snobs Yang At Unity Palace

By Yussuf Sariki

The presence of Prime Minister Philemon Yang at the Unity Palace last January 3, 2013, during the presentation of New Year wishes to Head of State was an indication. This placed a halt to speculations that the PM had absconded; that Yang was very sick and was awaiting to be declared incapacitated. However, Yang, looking frail and trimmed-down, walked majestically to shake hands with the president. Yet, this was not enough.

At occasions of the presentation of New Year wishes, it takes two formats: individual handshakes and group chats with the Head of State. Immediately Biya wrapped-up phase I handshakes, he scudded into having a chat with his key collaborators.

Biya hobnobbed with Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, the House Speaker, Generals, then avoided Yang, who stood expecting a chat with Biya. The move had since been seen as telling. Biya shared pleasantries with Peter Mafany Musonge (Ex PM and Grand Chancellor of the National Order), Ni John Fru Ndi, SDF National Chairman with Jean Jacques Ekindi before Alexis Dipanda Mouelle. Then he left the scene.

Why did Biya not concert with Yang at the Unity Palace? Was it not just prudent that after convalescing, he could have barely asked his PM how he now felt? Many questions have been raised.

A presidential insider however counseled Chronicle that Yang may not be in the good books of Biya again. Accordingly, Yang had been messed up in the CONAC report. Worse still, his management of CAMAIRCO had raised many doubts about he being qualified as “Mr. Clean”. Proof to this, Chronicle was told that on same day Biya shook hands with Yang, he fired Alex Van Elk as CAMAIRCO GM, though Yang survived as Board Chairman.

It is common knowledge that once Biya wants to replace a PM, he avoids any direct contact with him. When Chief Ephraim Inoni was to be fired, Biya introduced his wife, Chantal Biya to sit beside him during the May 20 parade in Yaounde. Inoni could not communicate directly with him.

Commentators hold that Yang’s days at the Star Building are numbered, following interpretations of last week’s new year wishes ceremony at the Unity Palace. North Westerners are awaiting Yang when he must have been flushed out, to tell them what he did to them while as PM. (Affaire a suivre…)

Did Biya Urge Fru Ndi To Become A Senator?

By Musa Isa

President Paul Biya and the opposition Social Democratic Front, SDF leader, Ni John Fru Ndi have met for the 5^th time within 2 years. This was last January 3, 2013 at the Unity Palace. Fru Ndi, whom Chronicle learnt, hurriedly left Bamenda for Yaounde to present New Year wishes to Biya, carried with him an agenda. With the announced staging of senate elections early this year, speculations have been that the 74 years old SDF boss, may just want to become a senator. Could this have been one of the issues which President Biya shared with him, when they hobnobbed?

Worthy to note, that Biya assured North West fons that he would ensure that some of them become senators. This was while he received them in December 2010 in Bamenda. By law, the Head of State appoints 30 senators, 3 from each region, while 70 are elected.

Fru Ndi and Biya hobnobbed for nearly 7 minutes at the Unity Palace. Jean Jacques Ekindi of Mouvement Progressive commentators hold, merely exploited Fru Ndi’s presence to score points. Yet, the fulcrum of the New Year wishes presentation fell on Biya in a chat with Fru Ndi.

It is believed that having been recently cordial with the regime, Biya urged Fru Ndi to become a senator. This, to thwart complaints from the SDF Chairman that as leading opposition party leader, he is supposed to be granted a status. This has been Fru Ndi’s outcry, which the CPDM hold that the privileges which Fru Ndi would have had are instead reaped by the SDF parliamentary group leader.

A presidential source, hinted Chronicle that Biya had since expressed need for Fru Ndi to become senator. It is believed that Fru Ndi too has been pampering Biya so that the conditions to get into senate should not be stiff as is being indicated.

With senate elections therefore signaled to hold before the municipal and legislative, there has been a nuance. Shortly after chatting with Biya, CRTV’s George Ewane quizzed Fru Ndi to know what actually they were discussing.

Full Text of Biya-Fru Ndi Discussion

George Ewane: You are here at the Unity Palace. We saw you talk with the President of the Republic for long. Can you share with us Cameroonians what are some of the things you discussed with the Head of State?

Fru Ndi: I told the Head of State that I have not been very happy with the couple of things happening in the country. That he wants to come up with senatorial elections now, which to me will not be very fair for the Cameroonian people because he would be conducting the senate elections on the council that was elected under ONEL.

ONEL condemned those elections that there were not free and fair/transparent. It is because of that, that ELECAM came in.

ELECAM has conducted just one election: the presidential. They should now continue and not to jump back and take an election exercise that was conducted by ONEL to have senatorial elections. It would not be representative; it would not be fair.

New Year Wishes In NW! Will Gov. Lele Lafrique Follow Abakar Ahamat’s Footsteps?

By Tetuh Mbah

Adolph Lele Lafrique, governor of the North West region may receive his first baptism of fire this January. Many have been wondering whether, like his predecessor, he would avoid the presentation of New Year wishes to him. Abakar Ahamat had been criticized for belittling the Head of State who received New Year wishes from his peers. Until he left for Ngaoundere in same capacity, New Year wishes were not presented in North West.

Some of the bad habits of Governor Abakar a Moslem like the banning of prayers, had since been gnawed by Governor Lele Lafrique. Expectations are high, to see whether the month of January would expire, without New Year wishes presented to Governor Lele.

This is an occasion for stake-holders to showcase their prowess, hobnob with the Chief executive and share pleasantries with others. It began at the unity palace last January 3, 2013, extended to the national assembly. The Prime Minister is expected to relay; then his ministers, governor…

Presentation of New Year wishes create opportunities to many. It even ensures a leveler for the chief executive to meet his peers. Such occasions are rare; reason why most officials have handshakes with the Head of State just at such occasions.

Following Abakar’s embargo in NW, other services could not go ahead to present New Year wishes to their boss. North West region had thus been eclipsed by a social phenomenon, which even the presidency lays great emphasis to.

Abakar’s predecessor, Koumpa Isa had fun at one of such events. When he was introduced to the Short People Association, the then North West Governor laughed out for the type of persons he saw parading as members of the association.

Expectations are high that Lele Lafrique would not pulsate to the dictum that administration is continuous, to outlaw the presentation of New Year wishes to him.

Dr. Fru Introduces Holistic Medication This 2013

The Chief Executive Officer, CEO of the Dr. Fru Garden of Eden International Healing and Research Foundation, Wonyia Mavio Buea, Dr. Fru, will later this year, 2013, roll out a big surprise to Cameroonians and others beyond the country in the domain of modern medicine.

In an exclusive interview with Chronicle recently, Dr. Fru disclosed that this year 2013, he will release a holistic medicine for the population the world over. He said he will come out with more compound medications which will send more scientists back to school since they keep asking why a single drug treats several diseases.

According to Dr. Fru, his research foundation is working on a technology wherein a single drug would handle many illnesses similar to a drug like TRY-ME which has no limitation. “We have more than 200 medications that we have discovered. We are working towards reducing these to about 40 solid different medications that would serve diverse diseases for our patients. Then we make them cheaper and more affordable”. He disclosed that this month (January) and February 2013, there would be a promotion for the big cartoons of TRY-ME because the promotion will be for about 2 months to help the entire society. He encouraged the masses to gain access to the miraculous drug (TRY-ME) and hell their families with, ensuring that they have TRY-ME as a first aid at home.

In another vein, Dr. Fru is working towards coming up with products which don’t need a specialist like TRY-ME. According to him, it doesn’t care whether your disease is from bacteria, fungi, parasite, spiritual or witchcraft; such a product would not need an expert or the source of the disease. “It would just be like anointed water that you just have to work on faith and it does the miracle which baffles scientists. Already, there is a big call in Garoua. Patients call everyday to express their wish to see us. We have a lot and the work is so much that I don’t even have enough time for my research works”.

Harping on government and traditional medicine, Dr. Fru stressed that government and traditional medicine are going on well but for the fact that there are a lot of evil seeds in government who block traditional medicine from progressing because they are so attached to conventional medicine. “They derive a lot of benefits, the more they promote conventional medicine, pharmaceutical industries boost them up”. He said companies send percentages of what they derive to the people especially in the domain of HIV/AIDS, reason why they are ready to die to make sure traditional medicine doesn’t prosper in this domain.

However, Dr. Fru emphasized that traditional medicine cannot be completely blocked because it is a whole religion, dynamic practice full of power.

JB Ndeh Dissolves NW CPDM Coordination Unit

By Tetuh Mbah

At last, the protracted witch hunting, backstabbing and power struggle among the North West CPDM elite have led to the dissolving of the North West CPDM Coordination Unit of the section presidents.

The bombshell came when the founder cum the coordinator of the coordination unit, John Begheni Ndeh, after consultations with his executive and the council of the wise, dissolved the coordination unit.

News about the dissolving of the coordination unit was contained in a press release issued shortly after the Saturday, December 29, 2012 extraordinary meeting of the coordination unit at the Bamenda congress hall. According to the communiqué, John B. Ndeh stressed that dissolving the coordination unit of the North West section presidents was in keeping with the CPDM party new text guiding the party.

During the extraordinary meeting that ended in the dissolving of the coordination unit, the coordinator, John B Ndeh was frank to explain how the coordination unit helped to make the entire CPDM party vibrant in the region. He pointed out that before the formation of the unit, the entire North West region could only boast of one CPDM parliamentarian and a council both in Balikumbat. “Today, we pride ourselves with 19 parliamentarians and 18 councils”. He lauded the section presidents who worked hard using the strategies eked out by the coordination unit to deliver the goods.

Genesis of Crisis

The crisis in the coordination unit and the entire North West CPDM elite kick started in 2010. During the Head of State, President Paul Biya’s visit to Bamenda in December 2010, all the CPDM elite of the region fought among themselves fiercely to either present a speech or gift to the President on behalf of the North West CPDM.

In a bid to settle the imbroglio, several meetings held with the then North West Governor, Abakar Ahamat, intervening. In the end, John B Ndeh was chosen to present the gifts on behalf of the North West CPDM militants given that he was the coordinator of the North West CPDM coordination unit of the section presidents.

John B. Ndeh’s choice did not go well for most CPDM elite who wanted to make themselves known to the Head of State and possibly, to be elected into government given that cabinet reshuffle was expected after the 2011 presidential election.

One heated debate was that the then Mezam I-Bamenda CPDM section president, Atanga Nji Paul ought to have presented either a speech or a gift to the Head of State not John B. Ndeh, who also doubles as Mezam II-Santa CPDM section president and coordination unit president. Paul Atanga Nji’s supporters opined that as the Mezam I-Bamenda CPDM section president, he was ipso facto, the host of the occasion and so it was just fitting that he presented the speech to the president and no one else.

Since 2010, the North West CPDM elite continued to be in disarray with infighting, backstabbing and witch hunting being order of the day.

Chronicle gathered that a series of petitions were sent to the CPDM party hierarchy in Yaounde arguing that there’s no structure in the CPDM text as, “Coordination Unit of section presidents” and so the North West coordination unit of section presidents must be dissolved.

It was on this backdrop that the North West coordination unit of section presidents was dissolved last December 2012 for peace to reign among the CPDM elite.

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Government Recommends Special Medal Award To Francis Njuakom

Some over 20.000 elderly persons drawn from 232 groups of the Community Development Volunteer for Technical Assistance, CDVTA, converged on Bamenda for the 3rd National Convention of older people on Wednesday, December 5, 2012.

At the groundbreaking convention chaired by the North West Governor, the trappings of Francis Njuakom< the CDVTA Director were acclaimed. Monono< Secretary General at the North West Governor’s office, representating his Boss, Urged Njuakom to get in touch with the Protocol Service of his office to finalise moves for the award of a Secial Medal.

The Medal,expected to be bestowed on Francis Njuakom next May 20th, would be the first home award/medal to the CDVTA Director. He had however been bestowed with traditional awards, especially in the Palace of the Fon of Kedjom Ketinguh(Cheuh-Fon), including numerous Press awards, for his outstanding billings.

Francis Njuakom had nevertheless been received by Prime Minister Philemon Yang; Social Affairs Minister Catherine Bakang Mbock: these after he was received by Gordon Brown, the British Prime Minister at the Number 10 Downing Street in London. There, Njuakom was handed the Sheila McKenin award in 2008.

During the first Elderly people's day staged by CDVTA in Belo in 2010, some 10.000 elderly persons answered present; last year was the second in Oku, with some 15.000 old people in attendance. Last December 5, 2012 was the third. At least 20.000 elderly people converged at the North West Regional headquarters of Bamenda. They joined CDVTA to plead with the Head of State, President Paul Biya of Cameroon to look again into the burning issues affecting the lives of the elderly with compassion and not only upgrading the ageing department in the Ministry of Social Affairs into a full national government programme on ageing, but more importantly to enshrine into law a national policy on ageing in Cameroon.

They also pleaded with the government to create room for meaningful budget in the government programmes in support of ageing projects all over the country.

In his keynote address at the occasion, the founder cum Director of CDVTA, Francis Njuakom Nchii, observed that in his 17 years of committed actions in support of the older people in Cameroon’s most remote villages, he has often seen with sorrow the human face of poverty, signs of rejection, ostracism, frailness and poor health on the faces of many elderly people. “Some of them live in poorly constructed and poorly ventilated houses with levels of hygiene poor. The effects of HIV/AIDS have in recent years been devastating on the lives of young people whose children are usually left behind to be catered for by their grand-parents”. He said in spite of the elderly persons’ misery, they remain the most important supporting pillars in the society in terms of the traditions, cultures, beliefs, medicinal plants, health, security, peace, transformation and social cohesion.

The CDVTA Director stressed that the population must uphold and advance the norms and values of old age with dignity, ensure that older people live as long as God wants them to live and that they enjoy the basic fundamental services that are rendered to citizens by the government, the civil society and the international community.

Elderly People Statistics

Harping on elderly people’s statistics in Cameroon, the CDVTA Director counted that rough calculations show that out of close to 20 million Cameroonians, at least 1 million of them are elderly persons, “about 15% of them have received some form of education, can read and write and perhaps may have worked in the public or private sector and are enjoying some form of pension”. He said the rest of the 85% are likely to be illiterate without pensions, live in remote rural communities and possibly surviving at the mercy of chance.

From the statistics, Francis Njuakom opined that it could be imagined that a sub-department is not good enough at the Ministry of Social Affairs to handle old people’s problems.

Elderly People Testimonies

Some 3 elderly persons, who count CDVTA largesse to the elderly people in the North West Region, were all unanimous that the organization does not discriminate when reaching out to them irrespective of their sex, religion, tribe, political leaning, race or nationality. They disclosed that CDVTA has given them farm inputs ranging from seeds, farming tools, fertilizers and has equally trained them in bee-keeping, omo, savon and rubbing oil production among others.

Above all, they instanced the last presidential elections during which CDVTA helped over 6000 elderly persons financially, to procure their national identity cards which helped them to perform their civic responsibilities by voting in elections and enabling them to travel freely within the country.

The North West Regional Secretary of the National Commission of Human Rights (NCHR), Ndi Nelson, who deputized for the National President of NCHR, Divine Banda, doffed his hat to CDVTA for assisting the elderly in many domains. He said old people need special protection and care from all and sundry but emphasized that respecting and caring for the old people should begin from the families. He ipso facto saluted CDVTA initiative of assisting the elderly persons.

CDVTA Recommended for Medal

Marveled over the whopping assistance to the elderly people in the country, the Secretary General at the North West Governor’s office who represented the Governor at the occasion said CDVTA has done so much for the elderly people that the North West Governor will recommend the Director, Francis Njuakom for a national medal. He said CDVTA activities of helping the elderly were in line with Cameroon government’s policy of assisting the elderly persons.

Above all the governor’s representative called on funders especially the Methodist Relief and Development Fund (MRDF) in the UK etc, to continue the assistance to CDVTA because the NGO (CDVTA) has proven its seriousness and transparency in all his deals with the elderly persons.

20.000 Elderly March Before Dignitaries

One of the highlights of the occasion was the over one hour march-past by some 20000 elderly persons drawn from 232 elderly groups across the North West Region. The elderly persons marched in their respective group uniforms alongside some 210 CDVTA volunteers recently formed in all the 7 divisions of the North West Region.

Elderly Persons’ Exhibition

The occasion which held under the theme: “Realizing the rights of older persons, celebrating the strength and positive image of old age, complementing government efforts in the care of older persons, shaping the future and giving our grand parents the dignity and respect they deserve”, wrapped up at the Bamenda congress hall with the viewing of arts and craft exhibited by elderly persons, eating, music, dance, laughing, cultural dance and fashion parade competitions by the elderly persons from the various project areas. Some handsome prizes were eked out to competitors.

CDVTA Achievements

CDVTA was founded and legally recognized by government in May, 1998. It works in collaboration with the government of Cameroon through the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralization and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. It has special consultative status with Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of United Nations since 2010.

Through CDVTA, elderly people are made to feel more included and cared for by the community through active club membership, regular home-visits by volunteers, intergenerational learning and sharing with local school children etc.

For the idealistic monumental unreserved services to the elderly in Cameroon in the last 15 years and on the recommendation of the Methodist Relief and Development Fund (MRDF) in the UK, CDVTA was accorded on 22 July 2008 an international award in London by the then British Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown at Number 10 Downing Street. And in a recent international conference by MRDF in Kampala Uganda, CDVTA was rated the MRDF’s success story.

Last month, November 2012, CDVTA was appointed Representative of Swiss International Body and Donor Nouvelle Planète.

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