Cameroon Unveils 2016 Women’s AFCON Mascot, Anthem And Logo

Yaoundé—President Paul Biya last Friday approved the mascot, anthem and logo of the 2016 Women’s African Football Cup of Nations to be staged in Yaounde and Limbe from November 19 to December 3.

The unveiling of the mascot comes barely a week after a CAF inspection team visited the country and declared it ready to host the tournament.

The mascot, a lioness named Lili-the first two syllabuses of the lion and lioness; the male and female national soccer teams of the country is clothed with the three colours of the Cameroon flag; Green, Red and Yellow—holding on its right hand the official match ball of the tournament by CAF.

On its T-shirt is inscribed, “CAF Women’s African Cup of Nations, Cameroon 2016,” same writing on the logo which is the African map with a star on the position of Cameroon.

The anthem; a bilingual song recorded in a French studio in Paris has as lead singers renowned Afropop singers; Charlotte Dipanda and Richard Kings, featuring some national and international stars.

It celebrates brotherhood amongst the continent’s people through the championship as well as women and their achievements. It also expresses the country’s gratitude to CAF and FIFA for granting it the rights to host its first Women AFCON (and the second AFCON, after the Men AFCON in 1972) ever organized by the country.

On Thursday, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced that it has banned Equatorial Guinea from participating in the tournament for fielding a player whose age differed from a previous she declared in 2014.

The two-time African champions fielded Brazilian-born midfielder Camila Nobre do Carmo Oliviera whose date of birth is 10/06/1988 but was registered as Camila Maria Nobre Carmo with date of birth as 07/10/1994 at the 2014 edition of the tournament in Namibia. Mali was brought in to replace the country.

Current holders Nigeria and hosts Cameroon will thus be joined by Mali, Ghana, Kenya, Egypt, Zimbabwe and South Africa at the tournament.

By Ndi Eugene Ndi

SDF Launches Signature Campaign for Immediate Release of Laurent Gbabo

Bamenda—Cameroon’s leading opposition political party, the Social Democratic Front (SDF) has launched a petition calling for the immediate release of Laurent Gbabo, former president of the Cote d’Ivoire.

Mr Gbabo who was president of Cote d’Ivoire since the year 2000 is on trial at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, where he is being accused of charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity following a “short period of civil conflict” that erupted in the country after he refused to step down following his loss to Alassane Ouattara in the 2010 presidential election.

Supporters of Mr Gbabo however argue that most of the atrocities committed during the post-election civil war were carried out by rebel forces on the side of President Alhassane Ouattara.

Cameroon’s leading opposition leader, Ni John Fru Ndi who launched a petition in the country calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Laurent Gbabo from The Hague custody said the former Ivorian leader should be freed from the “unjust, unfair and unsustainable situation” in which a few known impostors of the legitimacy of the international community have placed him.

 “Everyone knows that Africans in general and Cameroonians in particular are against the violence of justice that is perpetrated by the United Nations system through the International Criminal Tribunal to President Laurent Gbabo,” Mr Fru Ndi said at a National Executive Committee rally of his party in Bamenda, Northwest of Cameroon at the weekend.

Mr Fru Ndi who described the former Ivorian leader and founded of Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) as a friend and brother said his party, the SDF accompanied the FPI in its long march to liberate the Ivorian people, “because we shared same ideals.” Both were member parties of Socialist International.

“That is why I launch this appeal for the release of this true son of Africa, not only as a friend but as someone who believes in justice,” Mr Fru Ndi clarified.

The Cameroon opposition leader said the petition was not meant to change power in Cote d’Ivoire nor its purpose that of establishing the truth about what happened.

“This petition is only about the liberation of President Gbagbo because in the absence of all the responsible actors of Cote d’Ivoire’s crisis, any decision taken by The Hague will be void of any legitimacy,” Mr Fru Ndi stated.

He said the opposition party hoped to obtain the adherence of a vast majority of Cameroonians across the political spectrum.

“I am signing this petition today for the dignity of Africa, for justice for peace. Please, unconditionally liberate President Laurent Gbabo,” Mr Fru Ndi said.

The signature campaign which was earlier launched in the Cote D’Ivoire by ex-culture Minister, Bernard Dadie and ex-Prime Minister Koffigoh and has already gathered more than three million signatures, according to reports.

The first vice chairman of the SDF party Mr Joshua Osih told local media that the party hoped to assemble about ten thousand signatures in contribution to the needed 22million.   

Musa Shey Nfor Re-elected CamCCUL President

Bafoussam, Cameroon—The president of the Bamenda Police Co-operative Credit Union Limited (BAPCCUL), Musa Shey Nfor has been overwhelmingly re-elected as president of the Board of Directors of the Cameroon Cooperative Credit Union League (CamCCUL).

Musa Shey Nfor

Musa’s mandate was renewed at the 48^th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Micro Finance Institution in Bafoussam on Saturday June 25, 2016 as he garnered 146 of the 148 valid votes cast.

Speaking prior to his election, the incumbent CamCCUL president thanked the government as well as international and local development partners for choosing the MFI as a principal credible agent in poverty reduction at the grassroots.

He said the network is growing despite challenges, noting that while the credit unions are "using ATMs (Automated Teller Machines) for modernization, enemies of progress have developed and are using ABMs ( Automatic Blackmailing Machines) which consist of Rumour Harams aimed at spreading falsehood to create panic.”

Musa however rejoiced that CamCCUL has surmounted such challenges and changed senseless divisions into meaningful unity and solidarity through inclusive proximity financial services for members nationwide.

“From Batoufam, Kolofata, Meyong-Messala, Munyenge, Baatesing, Fura-Awa, Victoria, Garoua-Boulai, Nwa, Oku, Mora Mvondou…, CamCCUL network is making the difference,” Musa said calling on government to put in place accelerated, protected and truly simple loan recovery procedures for credit unions.

Performance Indicators

Musa was confident that if such loan recovery measures are put in place, it will “check the unfortunate attitude of those who borrow big from small credit unions, refuse to pay, but prefer to fight them using big means.”

On behalf of the Minister of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development (MINEPAT), the national director of the Sub Project for Poverty Reduction at the Grassroots (SPRPB-2), Bopda Florence said through CamCCUL the Ministry has been able to reach out to over 200 groups.

The General Assembly also adopted the league’s five-year development plan which amongst other things aims to improve on the measurement of performance indicators.

“That is one of the exigencies which we are very happy because all our international and national partners and the government ministries such as MINFI, MINADER, MINEPAT…which have given us the project want that we should continue along this line which has given us the credibility,” the reelected CamCCUL president said of the plan.

“Secondly, there is the chronic issue of loan delinquency, which is a national phenomenon and together with the government through the Ministry of Finance that is the key challenging area that we are going to tackle,” Musa added.

In an earlier address, West Regional Governor, Awa Fonka Augustine who chaired the opening ceremony of the AGM hailed CamCCUL for its poverty alleviation drive.

By Ndi Eugene Ndi with jottings from The Eye

Young African Leaders Initiative: What NUDP Youth Leader, Ndansi Will Tell Obama

Yaounde, Cameroon—Among the one thousand of Africa’s most promising young leaders, representing all 49 sub-Saharan countries who are taking part in this year’s Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders in America is Ndansi Elvis Nukam from Cameroon.

Ndansi at the Cameroon presidency, he is one of the 1000 YALI 2016 fellows

Ndansi and his twenty-three other peers from President Biya’s country arrived the US Friday last week for a six-week intensive academic and leadership course focused on Business and Entrepreneurship, Civic Leadership, or Public Management. He will be at the Wagner College of New York, one of the 36 institutions of higher education in the United States hosting the fellows.

He’s the only Cameroonian among the twenty-six fellows at the institution and will be upgrading his skills in civic leadership.

The youth leader said he is in America to hone skills and learn best practices which he will implement back home to create lasting change not only among young people but also to underprivileged communities in his home country.

“It’s amazing to see the different things that each of us here do. There are not so great but little things that are done in extraordinary ways with passion,” Ndansi said by phone from New York after meeting his course mates.

 Their stay in the US will culminate in a Presidential Summit with the White House tenant in Washington, DC. But what will he tell President Obama at the meeting if given the opportunity?

“I will first let him know he has inspired lots of youths in Africa and around the world that everything is possible if only you believe in yourself. I will also let him know that youths of Cameroon and Africa atlarge say Yes We Can! Yes we can become presidents, yes we can become the biggest entrepreneurs, yes we can become the best public managers and we need his support,” Ndansi said.

Ndansi is the lone Cameroonian among the 26 fellows at Wagner College

Ndansi Elvis Nukam has been working in the domain of community health for over eight years, and has a key interest in providing basic health care to under-served communities in Cameroon.

Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, the PhD candidate in Health Economic Policy and Management hopes to expand the activities of Unite for Health Foundation, his NGO by opening micro-clinics in many more under-served communities in Cameroon in order to provide basic health care and reduce maternal mortality.

By Ndi Eugene Ndi

WICUDA Yaounde Scrounges Over FCFA 6M For Cultural Complex

Yaounde, Cameroon—The Yaounde chapter of the Wimbum Cultural and Development Association (WICUDA) has raised over FCFA 6million for the completion of the organization’s cultural complex under construction at the Oyom-Abang neighborhood, south of the capital city.

The money was collected at a fundraising at the uncompleted cultural complex last Sunday June 12, 2016.

The Wimbum people who have as common denominator the limbum language are from Ndu and Nkambe sub divisions of Donga-Mantung Division in the North West Region.

But according to the chairperson of the WICUDA Yaounde fundraising, Dr. Fuh Calistus Gentry, Secretary of State in the Ministry of Mines Industries and Technological Development, just like every north westerner is called “a Bamenda man,” everybody from Donga Mantung is referred to as “a Nkambe man.”

The Donga Mantung Division which has five subdivisions—Ako, Misaje, Ndu Nkambe and Nwa used to be referred to in the colonial days as the Nkambe Division, thus according to Dr Calistus Gentry, “we are one people.”

The chairman who launched the fund raising with FCFA 2 million lauded the Wimbum people whom he described as hardworking.

“I want to commend the Wimbum people for their hard work, I expect the rest of the Division to copy the example of the Wimbum people,” Dr Calistus Gentry said.

Like the chairperson, Hon Awudu Mbaya, Member of Parliament for Nkambe central who launched the funds collection with FCFA 1 million said he was glad with the massive turnout of invitees.

“This is the kind of solidarity we should have not only amongst the Wimbum people but the whole division,” Hon Awudu said as he urged the chairperson to always invite his colleagues; members of government to “come and play njangi” each time he is called to chair such an event.

Symbol of unity and power

The immediate past president of WICUDA Yaounde and coordinator of the complex project, Nfor Lazarus Bungong explained that the structure will host ceremonial halls, a lodge for Wimbum traditional rulers, a museum for the exhibition of Wimbum cultural artifacts, a limbum language center and an information center.

In an earlier welcome address, the president of WICUDA Yaounde, Ngwatu Emmanuel was all praises to the initiator of the project, Ma Shey Patu who he said, “we are only building on a foundation she laid.”

He said the complex upon completion will be a symbol of unity and power of Wimbum people in the nation’s capital. “It will be source of identity and pride for all of us. It will attract tourists, researchers and all who want to know about our culture.”

On behalf of the association, the president promised supporters of the project that WICUDA shall be accountable to them. “We will endeavor to give you a monthly progress report on the complex.”

Quoting Anne Frank, the WICUDA Yaounde president encouraged all to give towards the project for “no one has ever become poor by giving. You will not become poor because you gave to the completion of the WICUDA complex,” Ngwatu Emmanuel said.

Though the association targeted FCFA 17 million, Ngwatu Emmanuel told this reporter at the end of the event that he was happy for what was raised at the first phase.

“We tasked our village meetings to each contribute at least FCFA 50,000 and we have about 30 village meetings in Yaounde. When they will bring-in their contributions, plus the money that has been coming in, we will be at about 9 million,” the WICUDA Yaounde president said.

Other chief launchers of the fundraising included (not limited to), Simon Tamfu, Dr Richard Tantoh, Dr Bawe Mohamadou, Hon Ngala Esther and Bungong Lazarus.

NUDP Youth President, Ndansi Elvis to Meet Obama

Yaounde, Cameroon—The national youth president of the National Union for Democracy and Progress (NUDP) party, Ndansi Elvis Nukam is amongst 24 Cameroonian youth selected by the USA to participate in this year's Young African Leaders Initiative/Mandela Washington Fellows Program (YALI/MWF).

2016 YALI Fellows pose with DCM of the US Embassy in Yaounde (Embassy Website) 

The fellowship is the flagship programme of President Barack Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative and a key component of his commitment to invest in the future of Africa.

The 2016 fellows selected from nine of the ten regions of Cameroon will join the list of many other Cameroonians who have benefited from the programme which began in 2014.

They will be posted to hosting colleges and universities in the US in diverse disciplines for a six-week intensive programme on academic excellence and leadership, focusing on business and entrepreneurship, civic leadership, public management, and renewable energy.

Their stay in the US will culminate in a Presidential Summit with the White House tenant in Washington, DC.

“Make the most of this opportunity, learn from the contacts whom you will meet in Washington, D.C. and the academic institutions you have been assigned to, and also offer the best representation for Cameroon, teach the American people about Cameroonian values and about what makes this nation, its cultural heritage, and potential special,” deputy chief of mission at the US Embassy in Yaounde, Matthew D. Smith urged the fellows.

The White House developed the initiative in recognition of the critical and increasing role young Africans were playing in strengthening democratic institutions.

Below is a list of the 24 Cameroonian young leaders selected for the fellowship this year:

1)     Arrey Lyonga

2)     Elvis Nukam Ndansi

3)     Epamba Tuwa

4)     Goddy Epie Ngene

5)     Guillaume Olivier Madiba

6)     Jean Pierre Bandoukeli Boep

7)     Lazare Songue Momisse

8)     Lorretta Ntui

9)     Luma Likanjo

10)Mohamadou Aminou

11)Yufenyuy Emmanuel

12)Nkembeteck Nkwa

13)Pascal Nchumuluh

14)Rabiatou Ahmadou

15)Stephanie Epiliki

16)Lilian Ngwongem Ngwana Epse Banmi

17)Vumomsi Vutumu

18)Nde Tawembe Daniel Duplex

19)Adidja Amani

20)Ethel Tebid

21)Dopgima Guelleu

22)Kyeng Tetuh

23)Rita Zaumu

24)Theresa Morfaw Fonjia

By Ndi Eugene Ndi

Militant Group Tells Nigerian Gov’t: Reclaim Bakassi from Cameroon or we will resort to violence

Militant group known as Bakassi Strike Force has called on the Federal Government to reclaim the ceded Bakassi Peninsular from Cameroon or it would be forced to take up arms.

The group in a boat-display, brandishing all kinds of weapons on Friday at Esighi axis of Bakassi, in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State lamented the neglect of Bakassi people by the Federal Government and other local and international stakeholders.

Speaking during the display, leader of the group, General Simple also known as Humble Lion said the people of Cross River and Akwa Ibom states have been sidelined by the Federal Government in the amnesty programme.

According to Simple, “The Bakassi Strike Force is an indigenous group made up of youths from Akwa Ibom and Cross River states, totalling 642 foot soldiers.

“You will agree with me that Akwa Ibom and Cross River states are part of the Niger Delta region, yet we have been completely sidelined from the amnesty scheme and other empowerment programmes for the youth of the area.

“Yet it will interest you to note that it is in Obubra, Cross River State that the team of Niger Delta militants was hosted, when states such as Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Edo and Ondo refused to host the rehabilitation camp for the militants.

The group accused the Federal Government of ceding the oil rich Bakassi to Cameroon, stressing that the indigenes and habitants were not consulted before the area was ceded.

“To make matters worse, after taking over our land, the Cameroonian forces began to harass and molest our people. They even levied us with heavy taxes which became entirely unbearable.

“Therefore, when it became obvious after several petitions that the federal and state governments were not ready to protect us and even the United Nations, we invited our Ijaw brothers who were already in the arms struggle to resist the Cameroonian operatives, but unfortunately, they embraced Federal Government amnesty programme when it was offered and abandoned us.

“As indigenous youths, we have no other option than rise to defend and defend ourselves from the operations and injustice from the Cameroonian forces. The Federal Government should reclaim Bakassi from Cameroon,” he added.

By Daily Post, Nigeria