High Risk Anglophone Publishers Meeting In Limbe

By IO Fossung

There are no doubts that Anglophones are marginalized in Cameroon. Even within the press domain, the discrepancy is total. It is common to read English messages/advertisements in French language newspaper, even though English language newspapers exist in Cameroon. Worse still, last year’s gratification of media houses after the October 9, 2011 presidential was limited only to the French media. What crime therefore has the Anglophone press committed in a bilingual and competitive Cameroon aura? This has been the preoccupation of Anglophone newspaper publishers, and moreso, those based in Bamenda. On Friday August 3, 2012 therefore, a team would be put in place in Limbe, to champion the Anglophone newspaper plight. Yet, Bamenda based publishers who long nurtured the idea to fight marginalization see themselves further marginalized in the wordly setup.

It was Christian Mbipgo Ngah, publisher/editor of the credible Guardian Post newspaper who hatched the idea of an Anglophone publishers’ conclave. Yet, he seemingly banked on the delay of Bamenda-based publishers in malting their intensions concrete. But by press time, Chronicle is aware that North West publishers had authenticated the existence of their association.

Chronicle is aware of the fact that North West publishers would be attending the August 03, Anglophone Publishers Association in Limbe, not on a begging-end. Accordingly, their association, which was born and legalized even before Christian Ngah’s ideas, had since had its constitution and executive.

The North West (Anglophone) Publishers Association has as its executive: Edward Chifuh of Vanguard (President) with Tim Finnian of Life Time as Vice; the Secretary General is Ezekiel Dotta of Watchdog; his vice - Richard Ndeh of The Herald Tribune. The Treasurer is Eric Motomu of Chronicle, while the Financial Secretary is Peterkins Manyong of The Independent Observer. Fai Cassien of The Eye and Martin Fon Yembe of Frontier Telegraph are Special Adviser, while Rolland of World Echoes is the Public Relations Officer.

North West based publishers were irked by the fact that when the Ngah-led team came to Bamenda, they were merely dictatorial. Worse still, Ngah led a crew to CRTV to project the fact that it was merely a Yaounde-based affair. Many Bamenda-based publishers detested the fact that Ngah did not mention the name of any Bamenda based publisher, but simply gave the impression that it was a Yaounde affair.

Limbe definitely would be a melting pot. An executive is expected to be put in place, not necessary to represent a geopolitical balance, but then an equitable representation of North West based, South West based and Yaounde based Anglophone publishers. What Chronicle subsumed was the fact that should the North West be negated, they would storm out to embrace their association long kept in reserve.

17 Million FCFA Now Exhausted To Complete New NOWEFU Secretariat

- Fon Teche Says Inauguration In December

By Tegha Otega

For those who thought that funds raised to finalize construction of the North West Fons’ NOWEFU Secretariat had been siphoned, may just be dreaming. Last Thursday July 26, 2012, Chronicle spotted Fon Teche, the NOWEFU President General at the Nkwen Mile 4 Secretariat site. The Ngyen Muwa Fon was supervising finishing touches of the Secretariat: Builders and the architect were at the site. Yet, what Chronicle observed was that far from public view of no work going-on, some 80% of the project had already been realized. Fon Teche told Chronicle that the project would be realized and inaugurated this December 2012.

The NOWEFU President told Chronicle that some 17 million FCFA had been spent to beef-up the structure, ever since he took over as NOWEFU President. He said though 15 million FCFA was raised during the last fundraising, all had been gulped, with a 2 million FCFA benefit. He said the amount would have been okay, but not of the fact that his executive had to pay debts, inherited from the former executive, as bank charges. To this, he posited that some 17 million FCFA had been gulped by the project under him.

When Chronicle inspected the work done at the secretariat, there were no doubts about the amount spent. Iron, plaited doors had been mounted; the ceiling and its painting completed; even the secretariat section of the Secretariat had been plastered.

According to Fon Teche in the next few weeks, the floor would be tiled. He told Chronicle that thanks to his lobby, Jean Perrial Nyodog, the Director of TRADEX had opted to tile the floor. He said it would cost some 6 million FCFA. The NOWEFU President however regretted the fact that Zaccheus Forjindam who had opted to paint the secretariat and provide a sound system had been sentences to life jail. To this, he said they would fox out a possibility to meet-up.

The NOWEFU Secretariat is just one amongst the myriad of projects of the North West Fons’ complex. A hotel of 21 rooms is also in the offing, just as a Rest House. Yet, the phases may not be realized, under Fon Teche’s reign. Commentators hold that for him to realize the completion of the secretariat project would be too much for his mandate.

Worthy to note, that Fon Teche succeeds Fon Aneng (Menchum), whose billboard was naught. It was instead during the reign of Fon Chafah XI (Ngoketunjia) that NOWEFU made a name. Earlier presidents like Fon Abumbi of Bafut (Mezam), Fon Sehm Mbinglo (Bui) had unquotable trappings. Only two (2) divisions are left to man/complete the NOWEFU rotatory presidency - Boyo and Donga/Mantung. For every Fon at the helm, his billboard would either be criticized or acclaimed.

Destituted “Nwerong” Guards Under Gendarme Probe After Clash With Nso Fon

By Shey Wirba

At least eight (8) care-takers of the house hosting the dreaded “Nwerong” secret society in Nso-land are in trouble. Last weekend, Chronicle gathered that the Nso population had been at odds with the postulations of these secret cult sentinels. Chronicle was told that Nso people took sides with Fon Sehm Mbinglo, following a decision to distant self from the “Nwerong” house guardians. According to a source, because the destituted could not come to terms with the Fon’s rebuke, they issued a communiqué. Its implications, Chronicle has been told, have been manifold, igniting the intervention of the State Counsel for Kumbo and gendarmerie security officials.

By press time, Chronicle gathered that the 8 alleged to have threatened the life of the Fon had been summoned for questioning at the gendarmerie. Accordingly, the manner in which they protested the Fon’s caution was seen as an aberration.

A source at the Nso Fon’s palace hinted Chronicle that Fon Sehm Mbinglo had just been realistic to state that it was amiss for those guarding the “Nwerong” house to come to the palace on a daily basis and spend all day long there. Accordingly, Fon Sehm Mbinglo is quoted to have been categoric that the guardians instead go do farm work and report to the “Nwerong” house only when there is a serious situation.

Irked by the Fon’s frankness, Chronicle gathered that some eight (8) of them wrote a disclaimer, in which they claimed their Fon had driven them. Accordingly, they posited that because their Fon had allegedly joined the CPDM, accounts for why he has now become funny.

When information about the strain in the relationship between the Nso fon and his supposed Nwerong protectors reached security officials, Chronicle learnt that it became an issue; that following instructions from the State Counsel, the eight had been summoned to report to the gendarmerie brigade for interrogations. Chronicle learnt that they have to be quizzed for threats to react violently and disrupt public order. It is even common knowledge in Kumbo that those affected have threatened fire and brimstone as a strategy to resist/detest their destitution as Nwerong palace guards.

The waywardness of the Nwerong guards is what Chronicle has been told the Nso population is bent to defend their Fon. Varied questions as to whether Nwerong guards belong/own the palace have been raised.

One of the Nwerong guards confided in Chronicle on grounds of anonymity that having made Fon Sehm Mbinglo what he is today as great they cannot quit uncompensated. Chronicle further learnt that the destituted are actually those who command traditional values/norms of Nso. That having catapulted Fon Sehm Mbinglo to that acme it becomes an aberration for him to disown them.

Fon Sehm Mbinglo appears to be the most clairvoyant Fon, Nso ever had. Chronicle is aware that he mingles with all sheds. He leads the Nwerong and Nguri secret societies in Nso land. It is believed that having had a mastery of Nso culture and tradition, he is aware and shies away from the traps that led his predecessors to their graves.

Within Nso-land, Fon Sehm Mbinglo is hailed for his level-headedness and leadership trappings. He stands as the best Fon Nso people ever had, despite his present unconvincing adherence to the ruling CPDM. For those who know him, they qualify his stand as purely strategic. He is considered as a man who acclaims merits; reason why though Njong Donatus is SDF Mayor, the Fon has seldom been heard castigating his trappings.

Ayaba Hotel Director Sacked!

- Bamileke (Doume Zacharie) Succeeds Nordist (Jean Baba) As Ex-Workers Bent To Strike July 7

Doume Zacharie (New Director)

Doume Zacharie, a native from the West region was officially installed as the new Director of the Government owned Ayaba hotel in Bamenda. The rite, conducted by Bountsebe Alphonse, Inspector No.1 in the Ministry of Tourism and Leisure took less than an hour. The inspector was the personal representative of Bello Bouba Maigari, Minister of State in charge of Tourism and Leisure. Doume’s installation, witnessed by the Socio-Economic Adviser to the North West Governor’s office, 1^st Assistant SDO for Mezam and staff of Ayaba hotel put a halt to the 10-year reign of Jean Baba. The appointment came in the wake of an announced strike action by some 35 ex-workers of Ayaba, billed for August 7, 2012. Yet, despite the change at the helm, Augustine Halle, spokesperson of the ex-workers told Chronicle that their strike must go on as scheduled.

It was 2.30pm, Thursday July 26, 2012, when the Ministerial decision, appointing Doume Zacharie was read out. The same decision No. 107/CAB/24^th July 2012 also appointed Nji Joseph Adu as the Director of Exploitation, a new position introduced at Ayaba. Nji Joseph hails from Widikum in Momo division. Interestingly, both officials have been appointed to serve on interim basis.

Doume’s appointment/installation came to put a halt to speculations that John Achu, a Douala-based North West businessman was to take over Ayaba hotel, over a privatization deal.

Pedigree of New Team

* Doume Zacharie holds and MSc degree in Management and Marketing, obtained from a Tourism Institution in Spain. He is also holder of BACC A4 Allemagne, and a BA holder in Psychology from the University of Yaounde. He served respectively as sub Director of Marketing; Inspector No.2 before his appointment as Ayaba Director. Born on October 15, 1956 in Bangou (West Region) Doume is married and father of five (5)

* Nji Joseph Adu is the first ever Director of Exploitation at Ayaba hotel. Born on December 13, 1967, he is a native of Widikum in Momo division. He is a holder of two Masters Degrees, one in International Hospitality Management, from the London Metropolitan University.

According to Minister of State, Bello Bouba both officials are tasked with re-establishing the honour which Ayaba hotel had in the past. They have been charged to make Ayaba, the leading hotel in North West and a hotel of reference. The Minister of State for Tourism also urged them to come out with an organigram, status of personnel and their salary scale. They were further urged to be courageous in the exercise of their delicate and exacting functions.

Minister Bello Bouba’s only word to the outgone Director, Jean Baba, was to thank him for his 10 years as Ayaba Director. While to the workers, the Minister urged them to collaborate with the new team.

The North West Governor on his part also urged workers to give their utmost support to the newly appointed/installed officials. He however appreciated the output of the outgone Jean Baba. And to the new team, he quipped: “Ayaba is the pride of the North West: keep it flying’. Sama Benjamin, of the Economic Affair’s division at the NW Governor’s office, represented his boss, who was conspicuously absent. Governor Lele Lafrique was in Yaounde at the time, attending the 3-days regional governors’ conclave.

Hotfiles Awaiting the New Director

Ayaba hotel came into existence in 1984 when the Agro Pastoral Show was hosted in Bamenda. Thus, the hotel is 28 years old today and has been managed by three Directors: Aoudou Tayinnig (West Region) Ngeh Jean Pierre (Bassa) and Jean Baba (Nordist). Doume Zacharie is just the fourth. Implicitly, no indigene from North West has manned the hotel. Expectations that with the projected privatization, John Achu, a NW Douala-based economic operator would take over have not seemingly worked. Some critics even denounced it, stating how it would have been a continuation of the implementation of the Santa mafia.

Shortly after his installation, the new Ayaba hotel Manager held an in-camera working session with the hotel staff. Chronicle gathered that Doume presented his roadmap, yet workers expressed worries about the new status the Minister’s representative harped on.

The declarations at the installation, that the new team should re-establish the fame Ayaba used to have had since been interpreted varyingly. According to observers and some journalists to whom Chronicle spoke to, it was an indication that Jean Baba had failed.

Augustine Halle, a former staff of Ayaba told Chronicle shortly after the installation that they cannot rescind their revendications. He wondered how in December 2010, Ayaba hotel made a profit of over 88 million FCFA only for management to cry of being in red a month later (Watch out for palpitating interview in our upcoming edition of Chronicle).

The newly installed would however have to grapple with the points raised by the 35 dismissed workers of Ayaba. Last July 7, 2012, they tabled a memo titled “Strike Notice” to the new Governor of the North West Region. In the one-paged memo, they noted how since March 2, 2011 they have been on the streets, yet have written to quarters and no response.

According to the memo, the ex-workers are requesting payment of 10 months unpaid salaries and 2 years leave allowances; that though their social insurance (CNPS) dues had been deducted for the past 15 years, they had never benefited family allowances from CNPS. They also complained that there was no termination letter; yet when they protested, they were arrested, tortured and detained for 5 days in three gendarmerie cells in Bamenda.

The 35 protesting workers therefore had these words for the Governor: “We and our children are tired and what we have to do is to take up permanent residence at Ayaba hotel gate, as from the 7^th of August 2012, only to leave when our problems are resolved”.

Other Encumbrances

The December 2010 presidential visit for celebrations marking the 50^th anniversary of the Cameroon Armed Forces in Bamenda was landmark. Ayaba hotel, for the first time, witnessed refurbishment. The lift, which had gone comatose, was revived with the installation of a new one. At least 500 million FCFA was spent to bring back Ayaba hotel to life. The intercom system was démodé; water and electricity in rooms were nonfunctional. In fact, following Chronicle’s investigations, the hotel system was collapsing.

Worse still, Jean Baba persistently complained of high taxes and the inabilities to pay workers, some of whom were overscaled. Some of the problems, Chronicle gathered, still persist today. Reason why Bello Bouba’s representative reiterated the fact that the new Director is tasked to bring back Ayaba to its envious premier position, which it used to occupy. (Affair a suivre…)

Here Are The Six (6) Mayors Caught In Same Web As Tenoh Lawrence

The public Treasury expects some 163.690.000 FCFA to be chipped-in. yet, only 17.3 million FCFA may come-in, following the arrest and incarceration of Lawrence Ndangoh Tenoh. The Batibo Mayor had initially paid-in 700.000 FCFA out of 18 million FCFA, which he was supposed to have paid-in, for communal stamps he collected. Mayor Tenoh was not alone in the deal, wherein allegations are rife that Mayors had exploited to line their pockets. Tenoh too was not the highest debtor, yet, the first to be picked-up. If cognizance was taken as to who had to be picked-up first: according to the amount owed, then Agogho Johnny, CPDM Mayor of Andek would have been the first, with 34 million FCFA; then Amahndong Godwill, CPDM 1^st Deputy Mayor of Njikwa with 32.8 million. Tenoh would have been fifth, after the SDF Babessi Mayor, Tikanjoh Stephen with 21.8 million FCFA and SDF Mbengwi Mayor, Tah George Mbah with 20 million FCFA.

Tenoh could just merely be scape-goated, given his other malfeasances. With indications that Mayor Tenoh would appear in court on Thursday July 2, 2012, the six other Mayors, placed on same list have allegedly been restive. Political commentators however hold that the implication of the Mayors would become a political regress in their varied constituencies/municipalities. What interests did each of them represent? This has been the question.

Political Implications For 6 Mayors

* Mayor Tenoh Lawrence is of the Batibo SDF stronghold; a constituency wherein Hon Joseph Mbahndam, a legal mind/constitutionalist operates. Mbahndam stands for transparency and would not want to back a corrupt Mayor. It is widely held that if SDF caused Mounchipou Seydou to be jailed; attempted to effect arrests of Iya Mohammed and Issa Tchiroma, it cannot therefore preach virtue, yet practice vice. For those who say Tenoh’s arrest is to crush Hon Mbahndam therefore, may score a point given that the CPDM mayor for Andek and North West Regional President of the United Councils and Cities of Cameroon, UCCC is also hooked. According to facts, Tenoh took stamps worth 18 million FCFA, yet paid just 700.000 FCFA. By implication, he has 17.3 million to pay back.

*Agogho Johnny is Mayor of Andek (Ngie). He was supposed to have been the one arrested first to set an example, given that he took stamps worth 34 million FCFA (the highest so far), yet no franc paid back. According to Chronicle’s investigations, the mayors collect the stamps unknown to their municipal treasurers: they auction them at a give-away price in the black market and thereon pocket the money. This had since been unveiled.

*Amahndong Godwill is First (1^st) Deputy Mayor of Njikwa. He received stamps amounting to 33.8 million FCFA and paid-in only a million FCFA. Implicitly, he owes 32.8 million FCFA. Commentators have since questioned how the first deputy could be indulged in financial transactions, a domain reserved only for the mayor. But as Chronicle gathered, Amahndong is a lousy and pompous fellow. It is alleged that he easily swayed the ageing mayor of Njikwa Aziah Venom Smith.

*Tikanjoh Stephen is the SDF Mayor of Babessi council in Ngoketunjia division. This is the heaven of Hon Yoyo Emmanuel, the man expected to stage a come-back into parliament. Tikanjoh took stamps for 22 million but paid-in just 200.000 FCFA. By implications, he still has 21.8 million FCFA to pay-in. Allegations are rife that Tikanjoh’s stamps were stolen while other  sources allege that nothing of that sort happened.

Tikanjoh just recently graduated from ENS Bambili. He is one of the mayors whom Fru Ndi discarded. He survived thanks to Hon Yoyo’s prowess. Yet, with the stamp racket, it is not Tikanjoh but Yoyo’s image in mind. Yoyo is a straight-forward gentleman who will not want a stain on his name. Should Tikanjoh be guilty, Yoyo would distant himself and allow him to face the law.

*Tah George Mbah is the SDF Mayor for Mbengwi. He is supposed to pay-in 20 million FCFA in same stamps deal like Tenoh. It is unclear as to how Mayor Tah George auctioned his own stamps, though allegations are rife that he could have exploited same channel like Mayor Tenoh. The Batibo mayor allegedly auctioned his to a certain Emmanuel Becks. Today, he is said to be in bad shape.

* The Balikumbat and Ndop Mayors respectively are Wasum Augustine and Ntoh Daniel. Each of them collected stamps for 10 million FCFA, paid-in 205.000 FCFA. They are thus expected to pay back 9.795.000 FCFA each.

* Other Casualties include Godlove Awanakam, former SDF mayor of Andek with 4 million FCFA; Mbon Wilfred, former CPDM mayor of Mbiame with 6 million FCFA and Kum Simon Buh, a businessman of the Mbiame council, with 8 million FCFA.

PCC Plagued Over Massive Exodus From PC Ngomgham After Rev Warah’s Dismissal

- Synod Clerk Petitioned About Varied Anomalies

By Shey Wirba

It was Rev Abwenzoh William Membong, Synod Clerk of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, PCC, who signed the decision, confirming the termination of Rev Che Warah Solomon. In the 2-paged documents, the Synod Clerk reiterated to Rev Warah that “you have terminated your services with the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon”. Signed last June 02, 2012, Rev Warah received his termination letter on June 05, 2012 (3 days later) and signed. Rev Warah was not categoric in a press release he signed in reaction, 11 days later. Yet, over a month after the dictate, the Presbyterian Church, PC Ngomgham where Rev Warah served as Assistant Pastor has reacted sharply. The reaction, Chronicle is aware, follows the stranded nature of Christians who worshipped at PC Ngomgham. Accordingly, within the last 6 weeks, all has not gone well at PC Ngomgham.

A memo titled “Re-termination of Rev Che Warah Solomon”, a copy of which Chronicle has, pinpoints on the nitty-gritties. The memo is co-signed by the Parish Pastor, Rev. Teddy Kangong; Congregational Chairman, Fred Amohlon; his Vice Ngwa Emmanuel, Secretary, Aseka Obed and 13 Elders.

The most satanic aspect of the memo is the fact that the immediate effects of the termination of Rev Warah on the Christian community of PC Ngomgham has been “massive exodus of Christians; a drop in financial contributions and scape-goating and suspicion of session members”.

In the last edition of Chronicle, we pinpointed some of the hidden facts why Rev Warah was sacked from PCC. Yet, most of those attached to him have not been able to be convinced.

According to the Ngomgham congregation, they urge PCC hierarchy to provide to them authentic information about the faults of Rev Warah. To this, they say run-away Christians would be convinced about Rev Warah’s destitution and stage a forceful come-back.

So far, Rev Warah operates at the Bamenda congress hall every Sunday. At one point, he preached at the “Nkanikwi hall” at Ngomgham. Attendance at his service has been massive and unprecedented. It is believed that 90% of Christians at PC Ngomgham have joined Rev Warah in his new ministry. Some style it “Zion”, while others merely aver that Rev Warah is still to come out with a name for his new ministry.

One factor accounts as to why Rev Warah has pulled Christians of PC Ngomgham towards his ministry. His healing prowess, which had since been contested by PCC hierarchy, has projected him to fame. Commentators however argue that Rev Warah had been pulsating outside the dictates of PCC. According to a PCC insider, even Moderator Asana had been the one protecting him from being destituted. And when the decision was reached in Kumba last June, many thought it was long overdued.

According to the June 06, 2012 reaction by the Ngomgham congregation, following the dismissal of Rev Warah, and addressed to the PCC Synod Clerk, with the PCC Moderator, Mezam Presbyterian Secretary copied, it reads:

“We received with utter shock and consternation news of the termination of our Associate Pastor, the Rev. Che Warah Solomon - a termination which has put every single Christian in confusion, bewilderment and wild speculations. The immediate effects on our Christians community are legion and include amongst others;

i) Massive exodus of Christians

ii) A drop in financial contributions

iii) Scape-goating and suspicion of session members

We write therefore not to question why, but rather to solicit information and enlightenment on the faults he committed so as to be able to explain same to the Christians.

Alternatively, we plead with hierarchy to assign someone from its ranks to do the explanation to our Christians in a bid to bridge the communication gap that currently exists.

While looking forward to receiving a response from your office, we remain yours in the service of the Lord”.

Lele L’Afrique Deben Tchoffo Adolph: Level-Headed, Unassuming Administrator

When one thinks of any ENAM product the first idea that comes to mind is repression and suppression. If the product is from the customs department a businessman or woman, especially those dealing with import/export thinks first cut throat custom duties, brutal seizure of goods and some other forms of trauma and psychological torture associated with such ways of life. If it is about a taxation official, the first idea that comes to mind is harassment and exorbitant taxes. This one is so visible that no businessman in Cameroon would want to have anything doing with a tax official. Through these unscrupulous tax officers, government has over the years tax many Cameroonians out of business. This would not have been a problem if the taxes went anyway closer to the central treasury. The evil thing about tax officials is that they prefer to land the businessman heavy taxes so he/she can resort to underground negotiation methods. The bribes they receive end up in their bank accounts and they buy flashy cars and fly our streets.

Then enters the civil administrator, the famous landlord or ‘Chef Terre’. This category of ENAM graduates is all visible, all knowing and all-present. They are found in every ring of public life. Since Cameroon independence and the replacement of colonial administrators by civil administrators, an average Cameroonian has appreciated civil administrators differently. Before the liberty laws in 1990 and before the reintroduction of multiparty democracy in Cameroon, civil administrators have virtually controlled every aspect of life in the sub divisions, divisions and provinces. They controlled the social, the cultural, the economic, and the political. They had to give a vignette of approval for every event to take place, public or private. They were the ones that ordered the tax drive. They ordered arrests and administrative detentions. They decided what amount of freedom a community should have. Individual freedom is the preserve of the civil administrator. With the introduction of liberty laws and a strong civil society, civil administrators have had the challenge of readjusting to the new landscape. Most of them have continued to resist change and to claim that as personal representatives of the Head of State, civil administrators were above the new laws. Some have continued to ignore all constitutional provisions that guarantee more rights and freedoms to the individual citizens. It is still commonplace to hear that a civil administrator violated an individual’s life and even ordered for his/her detention for upwards of 15 days renewable. Another category continues to rule by arêtes and orders, as if we were in the pre-1990 era. They use the pretext of “maintaining law and order” to harass and intimidate the citizens when modern administration demands dialogue and constant concertation.

President Paul Biya’s New Deal policy of bringing the administration closer to the people did not mean that civil administrators should operate like CIA agents policing every individual’s moves, prying into people’s affairs. It meant that civil administrators should change from operating like the village school headmaster to become facilitators of development every where they are assigned to work.

The Real Administrator

As stated earlier, a real administrator is one who is a facilitator of development in his assigned constituency. He is moderator and above all, a resource person to all development initiatives of the community. He is a link between the government and the governed. He is the custodian of laid-down norms of society. He is a reference, mentor and leader. He is a lover of people, not a “juju”. He is the first to be consulted and the last to be confrontational. Given the stress and the challenges that individuals and communities face in their daily struggles to make ends meet, civil administrators at least, the ones worth the salt, are supposed to be level-headed and with a high sense of good judgment. These are the character traits that immediately come to mind when one thinks of the new Governor of the North West Region.

Governor Lele Lafrique: An Epitome of Level-Headedness

March 23 to today July 23 marks Governor Lele Lafrique 120 days at the helm of leadership in the North West region. The 120 days have been marked by a certain quietude and serenity that no other Governor before him has enjoyed. Despite the tension created by former governor Abakar Ahamat few months before he was transferred, Governor Lele Lafrique has navigated through such waters without any major incident. Working against the background of his understanding that force is the weapon of the weak while dialogue and concertation is that of the strong, new North West Governor, Lele Lafrique has used his first 120 days to understand the Bamenda man. As a new administrator with a new mission and vision for the people of the North West, Governor Lele Lafrique has taken up time to tour all the seven divisions and some key sub divisions. During the tour, he took time off to listen to all and sundry and to dish out some pieces of advice where necessary.

At each lap of the visit, he pledged his total collaboration and availability to the people of the North West. He stressed the need for peace and unity and reminded all that there can be no development without peace.

The level-headed governor never minced words when it came to addressing ills that are plaguing the North West. He advised communities to desist from resorting to violence each time there is a boundary problem. As a typical grassfielder, he wondered why communities that have lived together for centuries suddenly turn round and start fighting and killing each other over a small parcel of land. The governor stressed that if someone has grown up in a community; he or she must know the boundary between that village and another and should not expect a civil administrator to show him the boundary. He however cautioned them that since all land belongs to the state, all land disputes be referred to the land consultative board. The soft-spoken civil administrator was keen to notice that most of the conflicts in the region were generated by elites who unfortunately preach peace during the day and violence and revenge during the night. He promised to work with all stakeholders in the region to see to it that intertribal wars are a thing of the past. The Governor’s level-headedness was demonstrated in triumphant detail when it came to working sessions and audiences. He received all and sundry, provided answers to all questions and all worries. As he ended up in Bamenda, he advised the population, especially a group of vagabonds that move round with a certain A.C Risky in the name of civil society to desist from creating conflict where there is none, and to seek the consent of the administration when they have any crisis. He also took time off to talk to motorcycle riders or “benskins” who do not seem to respect any laid-down rule. He advised them to be duty-conscious and to respect the prime minister’s text regulating the sector.

As a level-headed administrator, he has not been as highhanded as Abakar Ahamat. For his 120 days as Governor of the North West, he has attended public occasions where prayers have been said. He has not asked that no prayers be said at events that he presides. On the contrary, he has preferred to let sleeping dogs to lie. Unlike Abakar who suspended CAMCCUL meetings, Lele Lafrique has preferred to wait for Yaounde authorities. He even went ahead to authorize the holding of a CAMCCUL General Assembly Meeting recently at Azam Hotel where far-reaching resolutions were taken.

Lele Lafrique: An Unassuming Governor

Governors have come and gone in the North West. But no governor appears to be as simple and as easygoing as the new governor. No sooner did he arrive Bamenda on March 22, 2012 than news went round town that immediately the man checked into Ayaba Hotel, he soon disguised and hired a benskin to take him round town so he can see for himself how Bamenda vibrates. He was reported to have gone into the streets without any escort. Unlike his predecessors Governor Lele Lafrique is so unassuming and so simple that the post of Governor does not make his head big. He does not seem to like a lot of protocol and reason why when somebody gets to his office, he or she is received without any question as to class or position. For his unassuming nature, we say kudos and keep on keeping on, Governor Lele Lafrique.