Senator Bochong Francis Nkwain is Dead!

Yaounde, Cameroon—Senator Bochong Francis Nkwain, from Boyo in the Northwest Region has passed on.

Senator Bochong Francis Nkwain

A member of government for ten years,  he served successively in three government positions from 1987-97 as Minister Delegate in Charge of Relations with the Assemblies, Minister of Mines, Water and Energy, and Minister Delegate to the Minister of External Relations in charge of the Commonwealth. He was one of the 30 appointed as senators by President Paul Biya in 2013.

The 83 years old politician gave up the ghost at the Yaounde Central Hospital on Sunday 19 October 2014.

Family sources say the senator was admitted into the hospital on Wednesday 15 October 2014.

Senator Francis Nkwain began his career as a teacher with the Catholic mission, then becoming a diplomat in the Cameroon civil service. After serving for a while, Nkwain told this reporter that his career took a leap when the choice of former president, Ahmadou Ahidjo fell on him as arithmetical replacement of former west Cameroon prime minister, Hon. Augustine Ngum Njua as member of the national assembly from their common constituency, from their common constituency, then part of Wum Division and later Menchum with another Member of Parliament from that constituency and his choice fell on Nkwain.

Narrating his political career when he was just appointed as senator, Nkwain told this reporter that five years after Ahidjo forced him into politics; the terrain became too rough for him.

“And I decided to go back to my diplomacy and leave the political ground to those who felt it was their field”, he said.

Nkwain was rejected by home politicians who nick-named him ‘Atangana’; that he came from Yaounde.

He returned to his diplomacy and served as a Counselor at the Cameroon Embassy in Moscow, and Washington before his government career began.

At the death of Minister Awonti Joseph Chongwain, Nkwain was recalled home and appointed. He was then appointed Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of the Assemblies on December 4, 1987 in replacement of late Awonti. He stayed in government until December 7, 1997.

He late served most recently as board chair of the University of Dschang, until last February.

Back in politics, following his appointment into the government and a vocal supporter of the ruling CPDM at its lowest moments in the 1990’s, Nkwain faced rejection in his constituency where the main opposition SDF was very popular.

He was nick-named “Atangana” because of his support for the ruling party considered to be the political platform of the Beti ethnicity who occupied most strategic government and party positions.

In the political wilderness for 16years, Nkwain however played active roles as CPAM Central Committee until 7 December 1997 when he retired from active politics.

Nkwain has never hidden himself as an apostle of President Paul Biya.

His death brings to two, the number of senators who have died since the upper house of parliament was set up. Senator Fon Fontem Njifua of Libialem passed on earlier this year.

The president of the Senate, Marcel Niat Njifenji paid a condolence visit to Nkwain’s family on Sunday evening.

By Ndi Eugene Ndi in Yaounde.

Lionesses Welcome New Team Press Officer With Victory

Yaounde, Cameroon—The Indomitable Lionesses set off to a resounding start at the 2014 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Championship in Namibia.

The team led by Enoh Ngatchou edged South Africa one goal to nil in its first game in the tourney on Sunday October 12. Their male counterparts drew 0-0 with Sierra Leone in Yaounde a day before on their day-3 qualifiers for the 2015 AFCON.

Leocadia Bongben-Team Press Officer of the Lionesses

The victory recorded by the Indomitable Lionesses is the first since Leocadia Bongeben became the team’s press officer.

Cameroon has competed in nine of the ten finals of the Africa Women's Championship, reaching the knockout stages on eight occasions.

The Indomitable Lionesses have been runners-up twice, finished third twice and were fourth on four occasions.

Besides that, they won the gold medal at the 2011 All Africa Games and secured a berth for the 2012 Olympic Games.

By Ndi Eugene Ndi in Yaounde

Three graves for Biya's mother-in-law

Yaounde, Cameroon—As the remains of the head of state's mother-in-law is expected in Cameroon today, controversy rages over where she will be interred.

The family, we learnt is split over whether she should be laid to rest; in Bangou (her husband's place of origin), Nanga Eboko (where she was born) or Mvomeka (the place of origin of her daughter's husband, the head of state).

According to a French language newspaper, La Meteo, except last minute changes, all is set for the head of state’s mother-in-law to be buried in Mvomeka this weekend.

Madam Mboutchouang nee Ndongo Mengolo Rosette Marie, mother of Chantal Biya, the First Lady of Cameroon died on October 2, 2014 in South Africa after a period of ill-health.

By Ndi Eugene Ndi in Yaounde

Breaking News: Mayor Mangoh Jones drops dead!

Nkambe, Cameroon—The  former mayor of the Nkambe council in Donga Mantung Division has died. Mangoh Jones Tankoh died on Sunday October 12, 2014 at about 5PM (GMT+1) following a malaise.

According to reports, the senior citizen collapsed at his village (Mbor-abi) meeting in Nkambe. He gave up the ghost while being rushed to the Nkambe district hospital.

Mangoh at the burial of his former 2nd deputy Nfor Balery in August

Mangoh’s demise comes exactly one year and twelve days after he was voted out of the Nkambe council where he served as Mayor for seventeen years on the Social Democratic Front (SDF) ticket.

A family source has described the former mayor’s passing away as ‘shocking’ because ‘he was not even sick.’

The senior citizen reports say was at a Rotary Club donation in Nkambe on Saturday October 11, and attended church service on Sunday before the malaise that led to his demise.

Mangoh at the Nkambe grandstand

Mangoh’s death brings to four the number of mayors who have died in the Donga Mantung Division since the September 30, 2013 twin elections.

Nfor Francis Balery who was second deputy during Mangoh’s regime died last August 2014 at the Banso Baptist Hospital.

Emimi Emmanuel, former CPDM Mayor of Ako council died on March 21, 2014 after he lost the council to the SDF.

Nfor David Karngong, former SDF mayor of Ndu died on December 1, 2013 after his in-law, Emmanuel Bunyui ousted him from the mayoral position when the SDF retained the council.

By Ndi Eugene Ndi in Yaounde, with contributions from Tamfu Jude in Nkambe.

Paul Biya Mourns Mother-in-Law

Yaounde, Cameroon—The mother of Chantal Biya, First Lady of Cameroon is dead. The Civil cabinet announced in a release that  Madam MBOUTCHOUANG nee NDONGO MENGOLO Rosette Marie, died on October 2, 2014 after a period of ill-health.

Madam Mboutchouang (in CPDM regalia) and daughter Chantal Biya

The 60years old woman was militant of President Paul Biya’s ruling CPDM party and mayor of Bangou in the West Region of Cameroon.

The first lady, Chantal Biya on Thursday through her facebook page regretted that nothing can replace her mum. 

"May your soul rest in peace Mum. Nothing can ever replace you.", said the bereaved first lady.

Like his wife, President Paul Biya on Friday said he  regrets to  make the announcement.

 “With deep regrets, I announce the death of Madam MBOUTCHOUANG nee NDONGO MENGOLO Rosette Marie, mother of my wife Madam Chantal BIYA, the First Lady of Cameroon”, Mr. Biya wrote on his facebook page.

The post about the mother’s dead came several months after the first lady has been silent on the social media. Her last post before her mother’s dead was in April 2014.

Beside the message, the first lady also posted a photo of her Mum, taken last January during the news wishes presentation at the unity palace.

By Ndi Eugene Ndi in Yaounde

Château FC Lifts WICUDA Yaounde Unity Cup Again!

Yaounde, Cameroon—Chateau FC of Ngoa Ekelle, has been crowned champions of the Wimbum Cultural and Development Association, WICUDA Yaounde Unity football tournament for the third consecutive time.

The boys of Tanyu Patrick defeated Young Stars FC of Taku by two (2) goals to zero (0) during the final that was played at the military football stadium in Yaounde on Sunday September 21, 2014.

'Mfuh' FC played the warm-up final match

“Though it is often said there is no magic in football, I believe that there is magic in it, and the magic is hard work”, Tanyu Patrick, coach of Chateau FC said at the end of the match.

The third consecutive victory according to Tanyu Patrick is an encouragement for him and his boys to work harder for further victories.

Despite the fact that Young Stars FC did not win, their coach, Dr. Ndi Richard Tantoh was very optimistic.

“To have come up to this level is already a wonderful achievement, I want to congratulate my boys for coming second out of the fourteen teams that participated. We started at the fourth position, came up to the third, and this year we are second, so it is evident that next year we will be first”, Young Stars coach said.

Young Stars FC planning to win next year

The coordinator of the Wimbum unity football tournament in Yaounde, Mr Takwa Joakim held that the aim of the tournament is to keep Wimbum youths in Yaounde busy as well as to identify football talents amongst the youths.

Lumumba Patrick, striker of Chateau FC retained the best player trophy for the second consecutive time while Ngah Haison Afanyu, goalkeeper of Young Stars FC was voted best goalkeeper of the tournament.

An inaugural match played earlier between ‘Mfuh’ FC and Wimbum Veterans ended in a goalless draw.

Speaking before the commencement of the finals, the president of the Wimbum Cultural and Development Association, WICUDA, Yaounde, Mr. Bungong Lazarus Nfor called for fair play between both teams.

The 2014 edition of the Wimbum unity football tournament that began in the month of June witnessed the participation of fourteen teams divided into two pools of seven teams each.

The champions, Chateau FC backed home the sum of CFA 235.000F together with the coveted trophy and gold medals while the runners-up, Young Stars FC had an encouragement cash prize of CFA 141.000F in addition to a trophy and silver medals. The third place was won by MYNACO FC of Mbot who also received an encouragement cash prize.

By Ndi Eugene Ndi in Yaounde

TB Joshua says SCOAN Building Collapse was an Attack

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM THE SYNAGOGUE, CHURCH OF ALL NATIONS IN RESPECT OF THE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2014 INCIDENT

"Emmanuel – God is with us.

Prophet TB Joshua

"The pain of one is the pain of all. It is indeed a sad and painful moment for the families and friends who have lost loved ones. It is equally so for us in The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations (The SCOAN), under the leadership of Prophet T.B. Joshua.

"On Friday, September 12, 2014, at about 12:44pm, one of the buildings on The SCOAN property unexpectedly collapsed, tragically resulting in death and injury. Nigerians, South Africans and citizens of other nations were affected. This incident was preceded by the appearance of a strange aircraft which flew very low over the building four times and then disappeared.

"Since the day of this incident, The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations, its members and partners, have worked in collaboration with the Nigerian, South African and other nations’ authorities to ensure that survivors are rescued, attended to with the best medical treatment, cared for in the most humane and hospitable manner and reunited with their families, while those who passed on - martyrs of the Kingdom of God - are retrieved, identified and treated respectfully.

"Amongst those we are working hand-in-hand with, are: The Federal Government of Nigeria, the Government of the Republic of South Africa, Lagos State Government, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the Lagos State Ministry of Health - doctors and nurses, the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), the Red Cross, the Nigeria Police Force and various Non-governmental and humanitarian organisations and construction and engineering corporations.

"It is very sad that inaccurate reports are coming from some quarters that we are not cooperating with the rescue teams and other agencies in collating information and providing assistance on the incident. Contrary to this, we want to categorically state that the church has provided assistance when and where required and continues to do so - good Christians are good citizens.

"We emphasise our commitment to cooperate with all relevant authorities in establishing the cause of the collapse of the building. The church views this tragedy as part of an attack on The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations and in particular, Prophet T.B. Joshua. In due course, God will reveal the perpetrators of this unfortunate tragedy.

"We wish to express our gratitude to all who continue to work tirelessly, show their solidarity and share their condolences in this grievous time, particularly all Government and non-Governmental bodies mentioned above, Diplomatic Missions, National and International media houses, society groups, traditional rulers, all concerned citizens and the residents of our local community, Ikotun-Egbe. We equally appreciate all members and partners of The SCOAN and Emmanuel TV, along with Christians and clergy worldwide for their prayers and support.

"To all those who lost family members and loved ones, please accept our heart-felt commiserations. No one knows by the present sign or situation what the future holds. We must therefore live each day as if it were our last and leave tomorrow’s trouble for the One who bore our troubles on the cross. We thank God for the martyrs and we pray for the family members and loved ones left behind."

For further information, please contact the Crisis Control Centre:
+234-(0)-909-735-1553
+234-(0)-909-735-1549
+234-(0)-817-223-3070
+234-(0)-802-535-4478
+234-(0)-805-165-2864
+234-(0)-807-528-2495

Source: Facebook