Limbe Paramount Chiefdom Saga rekindled after 12 years in the cold

Pursuant to the commissioning of the New Senior Divisional Officer for Fako on July 18, 2017, undertones of his terms of references as intimated by the Governor of the South West have immediately taken steam as the Limbe Paramount Chieftaincy saga which had become a twelve years cold file is anew making headlines. In a letter delivered by Prince Jerry Nambeke Manga Williams to the Kingmakers of the Limbe Paramount Chiefdom served on a substituted basis copied the Press, the prince calls on them to immediately commence the due process to introduce the successor of the late Paramount Chief, His Majesty Chief Fergusson Manga Williams. He also calls  on  the Kingmakers to assemble and perform the roles and functions ascribed to them according to tradition and the Chieftaincy Law of Cameroon and to prevent the opportunity of individuals claiming the rights of succession illegitimately

. In the letter in which he calls himself the Crown Prince he also frowns on the disbarred Limbe Royal Traditional Council warning them not to dare reawaken the claim of succession to the Limbe throne as founded on the unwarranted principle of rotation but that it is a singular issue of the Manga Williams fief. To get the set up from a holistic perspective the unabridged version of his correspondence of 24th July 2017 is published here.

“This is a substituted service of correspondence to the Honourable Kingmakers of the Limbe Paramount Chiefdom Court area. The Honourable Gentle Kingmaker Fiefs of BonaBile Chiefdom, Dikolo Chiefdom, Bonagombe Chiefdom, Manga Williams, Carrs, Mokebas, Martins, Monjimbos, Burnleys, Wilsons and a carbon copy for the Administration.

It is unfortunate that barely moments following the installation of the new SDO for Fako, individuals have again commenced the somewhat endemic submissions to becoming the Primary Chieftain of the Limbe jurisdiction. Preposterous!!!

Considering the Governor’s appropriate July 2017 warning during the commissioning of the new Prefet  of Limbe in matters of the misguidance these endeavours elect for ingratiation, we are  once more and in furtherance to the salient reminder we had drawn to the attention of stakeholders of Limbe on the propriety to acquit themselves properly in defence of their oaths of enskinment as custodians and or notables through downlink designations respectively, reiterating  to our fellow Kingmakers of Limbe  that the decree of enstooling the Paramount Chieftain MUST be in accordance with the Bakweri tradition of Chieftaincy succession and in recognition of the Cameroon Chieftaincy Law overtly and plain. A focal point of reference are the two probable causes of 1908 tying Johannes Manga Williams (OBE) and 1961 tying Fergusson Manga Williams (Late).

Honourable Kingmen, the roles and functions of the Kingmaker Council is of great importance. Inter alia to sustain the royal  paradigm of continuity (‘Le Mort Saisit Le Vif’) and guarantee the checks and balances of the governing chiefdom, you are of an issue. Implicatively this Council efficiently circumscribes the interference by usurpers and impersonators who may elect to hoodwink the Administration amid moments of its ineffectiveness as it is during the period of 2005 till present and all the misfortunes it underlie. Importantly, this council because it is downlink-able, nominates and produces the succession for enstoolment by the federated chieftains and eventual consultation and decree by the Administration in principle.

Whereas Limbe is a recognized case of established kingmakers where by omission and commission by yourselves the Kingmen and by the Honourable Quarter Heads respectively, formerly skewed the due process; of the one side of the coin, due to the ignorance of the rightful Kingmakers and of the other, ingratiation by the Quarter Heads underlying the status quo where the Manga Williams Family has been constantly indignant and undermined. (No offense implied towards the Quarter Heads. They are Honourable men who have served the nation and Limbe honourably elsewhere.)

Nevertheless, the fresh call to evoke the illegitimate ‘Royal Traditional Council’ which was discharged is of no issue. The same provoked the stalemate when it unwarrantedly assumed responsibility and shoehorned the misplaced footwear of the Kingmakers and forthwith skewed the due process of the sacred Bakweri Chieftaincy succession tenets amid its inferences of a certain commission suggesting rotation. What!!!

Whilst the Paramount Chiefdom of Limbe is inclusive, a clear term of reference is of the essence to the Federated Chiefs, Kingmakers, Quarter Heads in order  to put all misgivings and selfish interests in a box and fasten tight. The problematiques of the city of Limbe are more equal and surreal priority than individuals fancying ingratiation in defiance to and in flagrant delicto contrary to the norms and at the expenditure of the denizens.

Whereof I finally crave and urge with strict overtones the Honourable Kingmakers to without fear or favour, warrant yourselves a commission to forthwith constitute yourselves in view of delivering due process for the matter of the Limbe Paramount Chieftaincy succession and in strict accordance with the Cameroon Law on Chieftaincy and in recognition of the Bakweri Tradition of Chieftaincy succession. At the expiration of the expedient but notable exercise should the Administration be offered the invite for consultation, nay as expedient the call as space and time as may be granted by the Almighty God. I end with the few quotes here-below for your gestation. “Men make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better.” -Harry S Truman
“Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them.” ― William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night
 Sincerely,

Email:edevnewspaper@gmail.com/ Tel: +237678401408/ +237696896001

NW Ad-hoc Committee President calls upon Gov’t to review reports on the Region

Crecy Tawah, President of the Ad-hoc Committee for the evaluation of resources in the NW Region of Cameroon that was created by Governor Aboubakar Ahmat has called upon Government to review reports of the Committee and if possible go ahead with the implementation of some of the ideas that were mentioned therein. Among other things, he mentions the creation of the Bamenda Free Trade Zone and the economic Benefits of such a venture for Cameroon as a whole. The retired Diplomat and Minister Plenipotentiary made these appeals recently in an exclusive interview he granted this reporter in Bamenda.

Crecy Tawah

Talking about his development initiatives, he said he was simply trying to contribute his own little quota in terms of what he had seen across the world. He puts it in these words; “When we got into the quarry sector we were challenged by Aboubakar Ahmat, Governor of the North West Region at the time and following the directives of the Prime Minister Philemon Yang created an Ad-hoc Committee for the evaluation of resources of the North West Region and I had the privilege of being made the President of that Committee. The governor said rather than looking at the hills around us as obstacles to development, we should look at them as developmental opportunities through the use of rocks found in them. As a result of that, there are now three quarries in the North West Region. When Governor Lele L’Afrique came, he continued with the initiative. Some of the ideas still have to be pushed forward. For instance the idea of the commercial free trade zone has not yet been implemented and we are hoping and praying that government will implement that.”

Expressing the way he felt about the evolution of the Socio-Political landscape in Cameroon at the moment, he said he was very satisfied in a number of ways but conceded that there were also some challenging issues. Hear him; “There is the Anglophone problem that has been there for some time. It is a problem that must be dealt with. It is not the only problem in Cameroon but it is among the thorny issues in the country including the Boko Haram problem in the North of the country. There are also developmental issues affecting the various parts of the country. Cameroon is a country with two inherited cultures and as an Anglophone; I feel that our own aspect of the culture has been ignored in the mainstream of political dialogue.”

He however praised President Paul Biya for introducing a Common Law Bench at the Supreme Court and  for doing a couple of other things to re-instate the Anglophone legal system and a couple of things to ensure the smooth flow of the English Educational system. “It is a nation building process and it has started. Anglophones must be involved in the general process and treated as part of it. However we should avoid problems, violence and destruction while seeking for solutions. When you are in the international arena that’s when you appreciate the importance of the Bilingualism that we enjoy in Cameroon. Across the Continent we talk of African unity but that unity is not achievable when in a small country like ours we cannot successfully preserve what we have in our cultures. I also challenge Francophones who believe that when you talk of the Anglophone problem it means that you are challenging the unity of the country. That’s not true. When we have two cultures we should for example in each of the Technical fields use the culture that is better as the measuring rode. If this is done, then the country will be a better one for all of us. There are a lot of Cameroonians of Francophone origins who are regarded as an integral part of Anglophone culture. For those of us who went to the Yaounde University, there was nobody who was more Anglophone than Professor Ntamark and all Anglophones were proud of him notwithstanding his Francophone origins. The Fobete family constitutes another shouting example. Anglophoness is not a question of exclusion but of how Cameroon becomes a better country” he explained.

This head of the Alanyifu clan; one of the largest clans in Mankon and the overall head of the Tawah family said he chose the CPDM because he was convinced with the policies of its leader President Paul Biya. “His idea of Communal Liberalism and balanced development was ideal. I know that no human organisation is 100% perfect but I chose the CPDM because it is the best when you take a look at it from an overall perspective. When you look at the political landscape of Cameroon, it is the best in the market and I believe that through the CPDM, Cameroon will achieve its development goals faster than with any other political player that is on the scene at the moment.”

edevnews.blogspot.com/Email:francoeko@gmail.com/edevnewspaper@gmail.com/ el: +237696896001/+237678401408/+237669542467

Bimbia soon to be raised to UNESCO heritage site

 Bimbia, the Slave Trade Village within the Limbe III Municipality is on its path to becoming a UNESCO Heritage site which will raise the place to the status of a global tourist site.

The announcement was made by Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, Cameroon Minister of Arts and Culture, at the opening of an international symposium on« Bimbia,place of slavery, humanity’s memory » which held at the Yaounde National Museum from the 20th to the 22nd of June.

Narcisse Mouelle Kombi: Cameroon's Minister of Arts and Culture

Speaking at the conference in the presence of four members of government and Gilles Thibault, France’s ambassador to Cameroon, Mouelle Kombi admitted that «Bimbia is a file with high stakes and a transcendent cause”.

For his part, Gilles Thibault, France’s ambassador in Cameroon boasted that his country was the only country that had instituted a day in remembrance of the Slave Trade and its dehumanising effects. He said the works of many Cameroonian writers on the subject justified the holding of the conference.

Meanwhile, Jacques Martial, president of Memorial ACTe, Guadeloupe-France, said no society could be validly founded on the principle of oblivion.

Also speaking, Patricia Afade Beauchamp, initiator of the projet TOSTEM- Mémoires libérées , said it was necessary to valorise slavery sites like Bimbia, while at the same time respecting this ugly past.

A sketch titled « Révolte des esclaves » was then staged and it evoked tears from Madame Youssouf Hadija Alim, Minister of Basic Education.

After the holding of workshops on the theme for two days, participants undertook visits to Limbe, Buea and the palaces of some chiefs in the West Region.

Speaking to the press at the opening of the symposium, HRH Chief Epupa S. Ekum,of Bimbia, said his village was already a tourist site which only needed development. He said within the Ministry of Arts and Culture and the Ministry of Tourism everything possible was being done to harness the place to promote tourism. “The Ministry of Arts and Culture has already built a reception house and they are putting up other structures inside the slave trade village. The Government should support the Ministry of Arts and Culture and the Ministry of Tourism, so that it can become a world tourism center. We are supposed to give them land to develop the place. I already gave them land for the building of the structures.”

Adapted from The Horizon Newspaper

edevnews.blogspot.com/Tel:+237696896001/+237678401408/Email:francoeko@gmail.com/ edevnewspaper@gmail.com

Bilingualism and Multiculturalism in Cameroon:

 National Commission allocated FCFA 700 million budget

The National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism now has the financial and organizational wherewithal for the effective commencement of work.

Peter Mafany Musonge

The Commission had its second session at the Yaounde Mont Fébe Hotel on June 14, 2017 during which the members adopted the Commission’s plan of action, the organizational chart and the internal rules and regulations. The Commission’s Chairperson, Peter Mafany Musonge disclosed the information to the press after the session. He also said the Commission already had a head office. He thanked the Head of State, President Paul Biya for according the Commission three floors at the Emergence Ministerial Complex in down town Yaounde. He also disclosed in his opening speech-oath session that the Commission has also been allocated the sum of 700 million FCFA to function till the end of the year when its budget will be voted. He stated that the Commission’s Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Secretary General had been visiting the head office to ensure that everything was ready. Cameroon’s National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism, Mr Musonge told the press that its members, had been working out cooperation modalities with a similar commission in Canada.
It should however be recalled that the creation of this Commission was triggered by the present Anglophone Crises going on in Cameroon. A reasonable segment of public opinion has questioned the relevance of such a commission considering the present situation in Cameroon. Other opinion shade however hold that the commission will eventually contribute enormously towards promoting unity by showcasing Cameroons Cultural diversity and Bilingualism; two important factors hitherto almost ignored in government policy.  

edevnews.blogspot.com/Email:francoeko@gmail.com/edevnewspaper@gmail.com/ Tel:+237678401408/+237696896001/+237669542467

Lawan Bako’s UDP Strategises to woo electorate

In the absence of any postponement, at least four elections will be held in Cameroon in 2018. This has kept some parties already working hard to capture votes. One of the parties already in preparation mood is the United Democratic Party (UDP) of El Hadj Lawan Bako.

El Hadj Lawan Bako

Apart from making a strong showing at the national day march past in Bamenda, the party has developed programmes tailored at helping the poor as a strategy of wooing supporters

The party which is described as an inspiration for resilience and survival in a nation where many political parties die at birth while others only exist on press releases features prominently at most national events. It stands solidly by the unity of the nation and justice for all as the way forward for peace, togetherness and development.  “We are strong and alive because we are consistent and what we said yesterday is true for today and tomorrow,” UDP chairman, El Hadj Lawan Bako, told Cameroon Tribune.

The 25-year-old party has since 2005 been an inspiration through its Family Support programme.  “In Cameroon, the UDP is the only party that is very close to and feels for the family. The Family Support Programme started in 2005 and we have been at the service of the poor, disabled and needy with basic togetherness needs,” Lawan Bako boasted. The UDP has  impacted on the lives of many people with farm tools for rural women, basic livelihood gifts to men and women with disabilities, savon, salt, clothing for the “have nots” and sport competitions for youths in areas like Boyo, ancestral home of its National  chairman, El Hadj Lawan Bako and Bui, home of its Regional Chairman, Kwatekwa  Neneng.  The UDP chairman stated that through the programme, they easily mobilise militants and sympathizers in peace, development and for elections.

That apart, the party counts on membership contributions to survive without neglecting extra efforts and sacrifices by its President for survival. The UDP also takes credit as a front line member of the Presidential majority in Cameroon and “ we have been steadfast in deeds and acts that inspire confidence in our militants,” El Hadj Lawan Bako said.

Adapted from Cameroon Tribune

edevnews.blogspot.com/Email:francoeko@gmail.com/ edevnewspaper@gmail.com/Tel:+237678401408/+237696896001/+237669542467