Movers and shakers in Noni

King Makers Confer Title of “Fon of Diaspora” on Illustrious Son!

By Francis Ekongang Nzante

Traditional Power brokers in Djottin-Noni have in an unprecedented move conferred the powers of Fon to an illustrious son. The difference however is that this new Fon will take care only of the Diaspora without influencing the way things are done back home. The maiden “Fon of the Diaspora” is Dr Nfii Ndikintum Kangong. This elevated position is referred to in the Noni Language as Nfon Nkwantè

This development comes against the backdrop of  a very successful Extraordinary Congress of the Djottin Area Development Association DADA that took place recently in Yaounde. Following the active and selfless commitment of their son to ensure the success of the Congress, the traditional Powers of Djottin-Noni decided to confer ambassadorial powers to Dr Nfii Ndikintum Kangong.

A close look at Nfon Nkwantè Nfii Ndikintum Kangong reveals that he has always been interested in the development of his Homeland. Prior to this recent development, he had been conferred the title Shey Ngenfwè which literally translates as an Agent of Development.

This notion of Nfon Nkwantè (Ambassador of the village)was hatched following the enthusiasm that has been ignited amongst the new generation of kedjottin in the recent past. It is simply the thirst for a new Djottin.

In the immediate past,  a Motive force has emerged, with a particular style proper to it, provoking a massive response to this burning desire to rebuild Djottin.

The notion of Nfon Nkwantè as proposed by the Traditional Powers of Djottin is motivated by the wish to provide an informed leadership among kedjottin outside Djottin. 

It is further geared towards giving the Nfons of Djottin “an international voice to speak on their behalf, everywhere, outside Djottin, where need be. This means the holder of such a position has the Authority of the Nfons to represent them everywhere outside Djottin.”

This implicitly means that the holder of this position exerts Ambassadorial prerogatives for the people of Djottin.

In a nutshell, the position is one of leadership for those in diaspora. It is a representation of the Nfons in the diaspora. It means being an Ambassador for Djottin “entailing negotiations for mutual cooperation benefits with the world outside Djottin.” 

This initiative clearly has “no conflict with, nor modifications to, the Traditional setting back at home, nor one with the traditional mission of DADA.” 

 This knighted illustrious son had already shown what he was and is capable of for the good of all kedjottin during the DADA Extraordinary Congress in Yaounde. During and after the Extraordinary Congress, he demonstrated his love and devotedness to the course with an uninhibited sacrificial tendency.

The Kwiyfon has, by this act, simply paid homage to a deserving son of the soil and empowered him not to relinquish his efforts but to, on the contrary, redouble them to cultivate love and unflinching attachment to his homeland.

 It is expected that kedjottin should welcome this innovative move and behave in such a way as to write the name of Djottin in History as the first to succeed in  making functional, the post of Ambassador of a village.

In a write up by Shey Nkene Ndinayi Thomas Tata-Gwei, emissary of the Kwiyfon entitled “The Bush on Fire” he enjoins kedjottin in the following words:

“Let us join hands please, to welcome our Ambassador, Nfon Nkwanté Nfii Ndikintum and give him the courage to show that Djottin has made no mistake in honouring him with such a high distinction and lofty calling. 

May the Good Lord buttress our endeavours and guide and protect him as he strives to make us a better people, living in love, and sacrificing for homeland, and, consequently,  enabling us and our posterity to enjoy the fruits of our labour.”

At the time of publication, this reporter had not succeeded to reach Nfon Nkwantè Nfii Ndikintum Kangong for comment.

 

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Book Launch

Publication on Life and Ministry of Archbishop Cornelius Fontem Esua Unveiled!

By Francis Ekongang Nzante

A publication focused on the Life and Ministry of His Grace Cornelius Fontem Esua, Archbishop Emeritus of the Bamenda Arch Diocese will be launched in the first half of the month of February in Bamenda.

The publication which is titled Indelible Footprints is a well crafted narrative that runs through the life of one of the greatest builders of the Roman Catholic Church in Cameroon from his birth in Mbetta in the Kupe Manenguba Division in the South West Region of Cameroon to his present life as the Archbishop Emeritus of the Arch Diocese of Bamenda.

It is a masterpiece and a product of the collective work of a cross section of dedicated people ranging from Religious to laity. This collection of Priests and Reverend Sisters working in close collaboration with the Chamber of African Elite Biographers successfully crafted a story that provides a vivid picture of the life and ministry of the Archbishop Emeritus.

The book is divided into four parts. The first concentrates on the early beginnings of the life of the Archbishop Emeritus. Here, early German and Mill Hill Missionary activities are vividly painted. It also touches on historical realities at the time like the effects of the Second World War. The difficult circumstances surrounding his first journey out of Mbetta on his way to Saint Joseph’s College Sasse, his life at Sasse College and the nursing of priestly Vocations also constitute parts of the first part of Indelible Footprints.

The second part of the publication wades through his life at the Bigard Memorial Seminary in Enugu, Nigeria and at the Pontificio Collegio Urbano, Roma in Italy. Part two also takes us through his Priestly Ordination in Mbetta and the beginning of his work as a priest in Mamfe. In part two we also see the earliest efforts put in by the respected Professor Bernard Fonlon that resulted in the creation of the Saint Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary in Bambui. Light is  equally shed on his studies at the Pontifical Biblical Institute and in the Hebrew University.

By virtue of the fact that he was the maiden Bishop of the Kumbo Diocese and that most of his Pastoral works were carried out While he was in Kumbo, Indelible Footprints in Part three focuses almost completely on his life as the Bishop of Kumbo. The narrative in part three zooms through the creation of the Kumbo Diocese and the appointment of the first Residential Bishop. The subsequent imbroglio that came in the wake of his appointment as Bishop of Kumbo is vividly described. The Ad Limina Visit and Episcopal Ordination in Kumbo with its pump and pageantry are revisited with admirable artistry. This segment of the Publication which constitutes the nucleus, touches principally on Primary Evangelisation and challenges in establishing the Kumbo Diocese.

From Kumbo, the narrative shifts to Bamenda when His Grace Cornelius Fontem Esua was appointed to the Metropolitan See of Bamenda as Archbishop. From Kumbo to Bamenda, the Prelate is seen shepherding the flock, empowering, inspiring and shaping people.

The publication takes time to zoom in on the Archbishop's Biological family. As the vivid narrative runs through, we see a character with steadfast humility realising projects with long term impacts. We see him carrying out Priestly formation, we see him in the Youth Ministry and in family life. However , the most important thing in the life and ministry of the Archbishop Emeritus as hinted in the narrative is the Strategic Plan for Evangelisation. His achievements are enormous and are indeed surprising when we take into consideration the enormous health challenges that the Prelate had. The narrative does not ignore his role on the global stage of the Catholic Church.

Like a shepherd that does not abandon the sheep in danger, the Archbishop Emeritus maybe retired but is not tired.

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CEO, EM Cameroon Recognized as Driving Force in Agricultural Innovation

The Chief Executive Officer CEO of EM Cameroon Dr. Sama David Ngoh has been deemed as a worthy recipient of the Cameroon Performance Award CPA 2021. 

According to a report presented by the Organising Committee of Cameroon Performance Awards, “Dr. Sama David Ngoh, the CEO of EM Cameroon is one of the driving forces behind Agricultural Innovation in Cameroon. 

EM Cameroon guided by the vision of Dr Sama David Ngoh has over the years promoted Organic Agriculture in Cameroon through the usage of EM Technology. This has immeasurably improved upon the quality of food consumed by Cameroonians.

 In the domain of Agriculture, there is the Foliar fertilizer which is used for all green plants. There is EM for Livestock which significantly reduces foul odours, improves animal health reduces mortality rate, improves fecundity and improves upon the quality of meat, dairy and eggs. Meantime EM for Environmental Protection is used to clean up polluted waters, oil spills and recycling of organic waste into quality fertilizer.

 MIDENO, the leading Agricultural stakeholder in the Northwest Region in recognition of the quality of the activities of EM Cameroon has constantly collaborated with this institution in its outreach initiatives to Farmers in the North West Region. Dr. Sama David through the innovativeness of EM Cameroon has not only improved upon the quality of food that Cameroonians eat but has improved upon the quality of life of Cameroonians through its environmental protection efforts” the report stated.

It is because of these achievements that Cameroon Performance Awards found Dr Sama David Ngoh and EM Cameroon deserving of the Award. 

The Award was conferred by Mr Francis Ekongang Nzante, National Coordinator and Chairperson of the Organising Committee of CPA on Sunday March 30th, 2021 at the National Head Office of EM Cameroon in Bamenda.

In an interview after receiving the prestigious Award Dr Sama David Ngoh stated the way he felt in the following manner: “I want to thank you for recognising what we have been doing in the promotion of Organic Agriculture in Cameroon. This serves as a booster and is going to push meus to do some more work in sensitizing people about Organic Agriculture.”

He intimated that EM Technology is imported from Japan and deals with Agriculture in general. This includes Livestock production and Crop production. EM Cameroon he said was homologated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development MINADER and in 2018 it was givyen the homologation by the Ministry of Livestock, Fishery and Animal Production in Cameroon.

On Environmental Protection, Dr Sama David Ngoh said EM Technology reduces Ammonia Gas and odour. This he said accounts for odourless farms for those who are doing Livestock Production. EM Cameroon he further said collaborates with the Bamenda City Council in terms of drainage. There is also a meaningful collaboration with the Bamenda Regional Hospital in terms of odour elimination in toilets. EM Cameroon he further revealed collaborates with a number of Mission Schools to eliminate odour in the School Campuses. As a result of EM Technology people can do any farming activity without fear of odour in the urban space he posited.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development MINADER he said have been buying EM Cameroon products and distributing them to Farmers all over Cameroon. Same with GPDERUDEP phase one and two which have also been buying the products and distributing them to farmers in the North West Region. EM Cameroon has also been collaborating with MIDENO. The latter has been buying EM Products and distributing them to farmers especially during the launch of Farming Seasons. This took place in 2019, 2020 and 2021. EM Cameroon also collaborates with the PIDMA Project which is supported by the World Bank. Here EM Cameroon simply supplies the Cooperatives that are being sponsored by the World Bank for maize production in the North West and West Regions of Cameroon. EM Cameroon products he said were a better alternative to Chemical Fertilizers.

Author: Francis Ekongang Nzante

CAMEROON PEOPLE MAGAZINE

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“The Vision of FADCA is to get Everything Functioning Again"

President FADCA, Bamenda Chapter.

Mr Musi Vincent is the President of the Fanji Development and Cultural Association FADCA, Bamenda Chapter. In this interview he declares that the greatest desire of FADCA is to see that things return to normal once more in Bafanji. The crisis he intimated, has prevented FADCA from effectively functioning for a period of three years. He begins by delving into the origins of FADCA. 

Excerpts

FADCA as it is called now, is the brainchild of Mr Peleke Mungi Vincent who deemed it necessary to bring people together with an intention of making his village to grow like he saw other villages developing around him in Kumba where he resided.  This was in 1972 and it started as the Fanji Development Committee FDC. A group of people who thought in the same manner and who believed in the initiative came together. It gained momentum and was highly welcomed by the village. 

………….

 What were the major achievements of FDC?

………….

FDC did quite a lot for the village thanks to the open handedness of Pah Peleke who did not want to see people in the village suffer. With time, it metamorphosed into FDU, Fanji Development Union but there was still a name problem. It was really development oriented and went ahead to do a lot of work in the village. In 2001  Fon Ngwenfuni II thought that a more englobing structure should be put in place. That's how the name was changed to FADCA: Fanji Development and Cultural Association and the present National President is Nkweti Patrick who is based in Douala.  

…………..

It is obvious that FADCA was created to meet up with the Cultural and Development needs of Bafanji. How has it lived up to these expectations?

………………..

Without the existence of this structure, Bafanji would have been lagging behind in many ways. FDC was able to structure the equipment at the health center. That was the aim of the founders. They wanted that there should be some kind of health facility in the village. So the founder went ahead, built it and handed it to the Prebytarian Church. That was in the domain of health so shortly after the creation of FADCA we took it upon ourselves the responsibility to lobby for the creation of Educational Infrastructures in Bafanji. We were lucky to be given a Government High school that very year. Afterwards we thought that there was the need for a Technical College. We lobbied again. In Cameroon you must lobby to get things done. This entails talking to key persons to get things done. We eventually got a Government Technical College. We did not stop there. We went ahead, lobbied and got a Government Secondary School to serve as a feeder school for the Government High School. At the level of Secondary Education we have three schools and we can’t begin to count the primary and Nursery Schools.  FADCA has been very instrumental in all of this not only lobbying but also participating in the building. FADCA almost singlehandedly built the Government Technical College. However the government actually brought in lots of investment at GBHS where they built about seven classrooms. At the level of education we did quite much but we didn’t stop at that. Of course we had set objectives like Health, Education, Farm to Market Roads, but the next very important thing was drinking water. What we had which was provided by the CIAC System lasted only for a short time and collapsed. Water remains a priority. Unfortunately, the topography of Bafanji doesn’t favour what we call Water by Gravity and presently we are still looking for ways to solve the problem of water. Right now it remains a very serious challenge.

………. 

What about Electricity?

…………..

We took advantage of the Government's Rural Electrification Programme. As God would have it we convinced the Government and 80 million FCFA was made available for the Electrification of Bafanji. 

……………

Who are some of those key personalities in Bafanji that have been pushing to see that most of these projects are realised?

……………..

You've had people like Pah Mungi Peleke may his soul rest in peace who put in so much and at the time he was not even the President. Others who bought the idea include people like late Feko Vincent, late Tamba Patrick, Pah Fekeme, Mr. Pezumbiah Philip, Pah Peyechu Thaddeus, Mr Sungpewoh Williams, Mr Nkweti Patrick amongst others. These are people who have been at the forefront of the activities of FADCA as National Presidents. You have people like Pah Ngufor Peter though he has never been National President, he served at one time as Treasurer.  He stands like a pillar around which every development initiative evolves. He has always been there for us and has constantly been behind our Development initiatives.

…………..

Bafanji is in the Balikumbat Subdivision, an area which was particularly hit by the crisis. You people showed resilience and sailed through. How was this done?

…………

Apart from just being resilient, I will add determination, resoluteness and the forward looking nature of our people. I recall the Intertribal skirmishes of 1995 – 1998 during which Bafanji was almost wiped out. About 400 houses were burnt down. You would expect a people coming out of this to crumble but no. We kept on as it is traditional of us. We've stayed focused and thank God we are moving on.

……………….

How are you people facing the challenge of school attendance in the crisis?

………………..

It is regrettable, The schools are empty. You find children with their parents living in deplorable conditions in the neighbouring Division in the West Region looking for education. The three colleges are closed down and more than twenty primary schools are closed down. The teachers are threatened here and there and they are desperate because they can’t work. The situation was compounded by the COVID 19 Pandemic. We've been educating the villagers about it. Elders like Pah Ngufor Peter also stepped in with basic needs to help the villagers protect themselves from it like Face masks, Bucket taps, tablets of soap, Hand Sanitizers, Wash hand basins amongst other things. These things were distributed to the villagers and some were placed at strategic places throughout the village.

……….

Can you comfortably say that Bafanji has proven to be an example to emulate as far as participatory approach to development is concerned?

………………

You are very correct. Honestly what took place in 1972 with the creation of FDC, a self reliant development oriented platform was the first of its kind in the then Ndop Subdivision made up of 13 villages. So the idea of participatory approach to development in that Subdivision was brought in by Bafanji people. It is true that other villages picked up the idea and have even gone further than us. It is true that we have our own peculiar situation. Lots of people have benefited from it and we learn from each other. It is unfortunate that we have not remained at the forefront because of the man-made catastrophes that we went through. 

……….

How is the collaboration between the older and the younger generation?

…………

We are lucky to have a young, talented, dynamic Fon. The Fon of Bafanji, Fon Ngwenfon II is a Magistrate by Profession. Recently he suggested that we should begin a nursery from where we can groom those who will take over the leadership of FADCA tomorrow and insisted on the fact that there should be a Youth Wing and of course two months ago we put in place the Youth wing of the Association. Transitions in the Association have always been smooth since they are guided by a laid down constitution. It is a three year term renewable once and therefore a President can’t put in more than six years in office. We have made it possible for that change to be smooth. In this way we constantly re-structure the Association by bringing in younger people. The new National President is a young 40 year old gentleman working with a Parastatal in Douala.  His team is equally young and those of us who constitute the older generation are always behind them giving the necessary guidance. That movement from the old order to the new has always been in perfect order. 

……………

What orientation do you think the Association should take this year 2021?

…………….

2021 is obviously a very difficult year. With the crisis, FADCA at the National Level has not been functioning for three years. People are scared because Bafanji is the base and we can’t go to Bafanji freely because you never know what may happen to you. So if things were to come back to normal honestly speaking we will be ready to contribute as much as it is necessary to bring in Portable Water and to restructure and reconstruct our Community Hall which has been abandoned. Our vision is to get everything functioning again but this can only be possible if  the crisis and the COVID 19 threats are removed.

Interviewed by Francis Ekongang Nzante.

...............

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At Reception of New Year Wishes

 Mr Ngufor Peter calls on Compatriots to stick to the Truth.

-Predicts Progress in 2021.

By Francis Ekongang Nzante

Ngufor Peter Njontor, the Chief Executive Officer of Farmers House and an elite from the Northwest Region of Cameroon has called on his fellow Compatriots to stick to the truth and has predicted  progress in 2021. He was speaking on Sunday January 17th 2021 within the confines of his Foncha Street Residence in Bamenda in an occasion which saw him celebrating the onset of the New Year 2021 with the Bafanji Community. 

“This particular celebration this year is very special because we all know what 2020 meant for the whole country and for us as individuals and for this part of the country. Thank God that year has passed and we had to celebrate the New Year 2021 which from all indications will bring us progress, good health so we are all praying for that. The message I also gave my compatriots was that we should stand for the truth. You can never replace the truth. You can tell lies and it’s easier to tell lies but you will have to defend that lie all your life.”

The CEO of Farmers House further admonished those who turned out for the occasion to stay away from dirty behaviour like back stabbing and urged everyone to make 2021 a better year. He said considering that the Bafanji Community was a small one, it wasn’t advisable for any body to fault his brother or sister. 

The event he said marked a celebration of the end of the year 2020 and the beginning of the New Year 2021. 

The take home feeling he said was that of total satisfaction. Considering the fact that the Northwest and Southwest Regions and to an extent the country as a whole lived in constant fear, it was very satisfying to have an opportunity to celebrate, he said. 

Quizzed on possible challenges in the year 2021 Mr Ngufor Peter said it wasn’t possible to predict on possible challenges in 2021. To buttress his point he mentioned the COVID 19 Pandemic which took everyone by surprise. “We did not see Corona Virus coming and if we had to predict anything last year, we would have gone wrong. However if challenges do come we will face them as we get there. You will bear with me that every one you saw here today was happy. They were like prisoners freed from captivity. They were all at ease and celebrating with me their happiness was doubled.”

The President of the Fanji Cultural and Development Association Mr Musi Vincent on his part expressed his feelings in the following manner: “We have it as a routine to meet at the end of every year. We were forced to push it this time to the third week of the year because of some other imperatives. It’s been a habit for Bafanji people to come together to communion and serve each other and give thanks to God for keeping them alive despite all the challenges they've gone through.” The Association at the level of Bamenda had no problems he said adding that at the National level it had been under going some restructuring. This he said was necessary because new blood was needed to come into the Association and give it a new push. 

Commenting on the importance of Pah Ngufor Peter to the Bafanji Community he said “Pah Ngufor is more than a human being in the Bafanji Community. They see him as a God sent person who despite his own personal difficulties gives enough time to serve his people. He has no replacement. Every Sunday he is the first in the meeting house. He sets the standard, sets the example and encourages his own children to emulate his examples.”

Music Vincent who is also a retired School Administrator said most of the New Year Messages presented to Pah Ngufor were done in the Bafanji dialect with an intention of enhancing a complete understanding of what was being said. He further said Pah Ngufor Peter's main concern had always been Peace, Love and Harmony adding that the message was especially addressed to those who some times present obstacles to these virtues of peace, love and harmony. His central message Mr Musi Vincent said  was that the Bafanji Community should stick together as one formidable force.

Like Mr Ngufor Peter, the President Mr Musi Vincent said if the Bamenda branch came together as a United  force, they could become strong enough to influence the National Structure to make sure that things get better.

Meantime Mr Ambipo Elias, an elite from Bafanji and erstwhile President of the Bamenda branch of the association said they were celebrating a difficult end of year 2020 and a hopeful beginning of the year 2021. “By the grace of God and by the means made available to Pah Ngufor Peter our mentor, our father, almost our everything he decided that he will host the whole village in Bamenda in his compound and we are here today to celebrate with him and to show gratitude to him and give more grease to his elbow so that Farmers House, the source and the root that God has used to provide for him should continue to prosper and give him more things for this generation and for generations to come” Ambipo Elias said in hommage to the host of the day. 

He described Mr Ngufor Peter as a generous giver and as someone who doesn’t concentrate only on the present but as someone who equally works for posterity. He said it was for these reasons that they were praying that God should continue to give him more wisdom.

Mr Ambipo Elias further said that the crisis in the country had greatly affected the activities of associations around the Ndop area including Bafanji. “Things were asunder for sometime but by God’s grace towards the end of the year the core of the Fanji Development and Cultural Association FADCA had been restituted. Restoration has been made and there is a new Executive Committee which came up and they are very vibrant.”

Ambipo Elias said they were available and ready to guide the team that had been put in place adding that the village could bounce back even in the midst of crisis if the new Exco was given the necessary support.

 “Our village was not too shattered but when one village is shattered, it affects all the other 13 villages that make up the Ndop area. So when we pray, we do that for all the thirteen villages” Ambipo Elias explained. 

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EULOGY FOR Batonnier TCHAKOUTE PATIE CHARLES

 Yaounde, the 13th November 2020

(In The Form Of A Letter To Him),

FROM Senator/Barrister KEMENDE HENRY GAMSEY

Dear Learned Brother, Mr. President, Sir,

What really happened to you after you and I in your Bar office in Yaounde, drew some lessons from the passing-on of your Learned Brother and predecessor, Batonnier SAMA Francis ASANGA. This was after you had consoled me upon joining you at the club of orphans. I had not finished thanking you for the show of solidarity in that regard when you decided to exit the world of the living. One of the lessons we drew from SAMA’s death was that he was late in seeking medical attention and that by the time he seized the hospital, it was already too late. What then happened in your case such that you were rushed to France and died less than three days after? I would want to think that you were overtaken by work to an extent whereby you forgot about some of your supposedly delicate medical dispositions. No, No, Mr. President, you fell into the very trappings we analysed of Batonnier SAMA Francis and it would appear, from the look of things, that nobody is spared that temptation, for all of us most often forget we are made of flesh as opposed to iron, even though iron equally gets weak.

I had often told you personally that since joining us in the Bar Council (after you had stayed off for some time), I never for one minute regretted knowing you. Without waiting to praise you through an eulogy like this, I praised you in your face for your piercing and didactic contributions over every topic under discussion in the Bar Council. Proof of my appreciation of your intellectual wealth is when after specially inviting me for the Elective Bar General Assembly in Douala in 2018 that saw you elected Bar President, I put in all it took for that successful outing. I even supported some of your candidates I would never have supported but for my love for you in particular, and the Cameroon Bar at large, for I had withdrawn my candidature in a bid to concentrate on my debut of the Senate experience. Thereafter, even though I watched you from a distance (i. e. away from the Bar Council), your performance did not the least disappoint me. Until your untimely departure, your second mandate was a foregone conclusion. However, God the Almighty knows why he has called you home just when you were at your best.

Batonnier TCHAKOUTE, permit me hereby inform you of the aftermath of your departure in the life of the Cameroon Bar Association. To tell you how human being make meaning only when alive, shortly after news of your death covered the entire social media and other media landscapes and while the Cameroon Bar was still gripped in an atmosphere of disbelief, who to fill the vacancy created (both in the short and long terms) became the subject of discussion, some openly and others behind the scene. I hope you do not take offence hearing about this, even if it has to do with some of your hitherto closest associates. After all, you are quite conversant with our grassfield tradition that the throne is never left vacant and that meetings by Kingmakers for a new Chief multiply with each passing day. Never mind, for you shall hear more to your disbelief when the first witness shall personally meet you.

Batonnier, to conclude my short story of events after your demise, we are presently feeling what it takes to be professional orphans. You would not want to believe that the Courtroom at  Bonanjo – Douala; the official shrine of Justice; the pride and source of the Lawyers’ power; ‘caught fire’ in the night of the 10th December 2020 when your colleagues were teargased and others received bullet wounds. Our bereavement through your passing-on meant nothing to the Forces of Law and Order and the Authorities commanding their actions. The treatment that was earlier meted out to the Common Law Lawyers repeated itself before the Douala – Bonanjo Court of First Instance. From the streets and now into the Courtroom, there is no gainsaying the fact that our professional identification papers and windscreen stickers shall soon have no meaning. God forbid! 

Please, Batonnier TCHAKOUTE, intercede for us in order that the good Lord and Most High could save our world-cherished profession. You cannot imagine that everyday everybody in one way or the other, play the role of the Advocate but nobody wants to see the professional Advocate. This can only happen in Cameroon, a country of the ‘jamais vus’.  Let this incident not however, worry you a lot since you cannot return to do what you could have done in the circumstances. What I can tell you in order that your spirit can rest in peace is that unless some of us are taken off the scene, we shall not see the worst happen. Faced with the challenge of survival, the Lawyers are expected to sharpen their legal fighting skills, for that remains the only weapon they understand manipulating better. With you, Batonnier SAMA Francis and Batonnier Bernard MUNA on the other side, we are sure to succeed, God being our helper.

Without much ado and in order not to disturb your quiet and deserved rest, permit me end here by wishing you safe journey to the world of no return. We shall live to remember you as the Bar President who made a historic tour of the country in a bid to ensure continuity in the life of the Cameroon Bar Association. We now understand you bid us farewell as you moved from one Court of Appeal to the other, over-seeing the swearing-in of young colleagues.

ADIEU, ADIEU, Most Learned Batonnier, Our Bar President !!  You are FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS.

MAY YOUR SOUL REST IN PEACE !!

Yours truly,

              Senator/Barrister KEMENDE Henry GAMSEY

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Frontline Academician and Health Developer Receives Performance Award

Professor Egbe Philip Egbengu, Head of Department of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the Catholic University in Cameroon CATUC, Bamenda and Medical Director of the Royal Victoria Clinic in Bamenda has received the Cameroon Performance Award. This took place on Saturday in the city of Bamenda within the confines of the Royal Victoria Clinic premises at Loh Benson Quarters, Foncha Street. 

According to the Organising Committee of Cameroon Performance Awards through the words of its National Coordinator, Francis Ekongang Nzante, the Award is in recognition of the efforts Professor Egbe Philip Egbengu has been putting in the Academic Field building a formidable Department of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the Catholic University CATUC Bamenda. "It is also in recognition of your efforts as Medical Director of the Royal Victoria Clinic during these trying moments of the COVID 19 Pandemic" he said.

The CPA Organising Committee emphasised that because of these inputs, Professor Egbe was truly a Frontline Academician and a Health Developer.

On reception of the CPA Award, Professor Egbe said, he wasn't aware that sometimes when you do some of these things you were observed. He recounted how he started the clinic in the heat of the Anglophone Crisis. Against all the challenges as well as advise from friends and colleagues who discouraged him, he went ahead. "Professor Berynyuy who was one of the first patients here certainly remembers how this place was very bushy. We maintained our focus and started from no where and today we are where you find us. Some people may think it is time to sit on our laureals but no, it is time to work. We have just realised only 30% of what we set out to do." 

The professor did not fail to mention contributions from well wishing Cameroonians. He equally mentioned Rev Father Bintum and Professor Berynyuy whom he said had constantly chipped in very constructive ideas as he worked on the Royal Victoria Clinic Project.

The next thing in his program would be a Mental Health Outfit he said adding that he had been receiving lots of encouragement and ideas on this project from Reverend Father Bintum whom he said had been a driving force in his project all along. 

Talking about his dream for Royal Victoria Clinic the Health Developer said "It is not just us here. We have a lot of inputs from friends of the clinic and well wishing Cameroonians who have visions which impact on our professional calling. Visions which we incorporate into the grand project of Royal Victoria Clinic. It is not just about opening a clinic. It's about opening a standard clinic." He said it was unfortunate that when Africans study abroad and see top quality structures, they always failed to maintain the same standards when they wanted to build their own structures back home. 

Royal Victoria Clinic he said was trying to fill all those lapses. "This project is trying to meet all those ramifications, the technical quality, the professional calling, the social impact or the impact on society. We are trying to incorporate all of these and come out with a strong Blueprint that will represent health in Cameroon not only in our contemporary time but also in the future."

Professor Egbe Philip Egbengu has been involved in teaching and the practice of Professional Medicine for almost fourty years. Commenting on this, he said medicine was not just the intellect but the application of what had been gathered over the years. 

In building the clinic, cognizance was taken of certain present realities like the COVID 19 Pandemic. The reception area at the entrance to the clinic as well as the entrance to the Laboratory are provided with glass shields that separate the patients from the health personnel attending to them. 

Medical Practice today he said goes with the necessary technology adding that in that domain, Royal Victoria Clinic could comfortably hold its head above water level. 

Though Royal Victoria Clinic provides Health Services, the professor unequivocally stated that they were also in business. "We've gone past that stage when health was considered as a humanitarian activity. When you make health a business, you do it better."

Proudly stating the achievements so far made by the clinic in one year seven months, the professor said there was no hospital in Bamenda and by extension the North West Region that had the standards of Victoria Royal Clinic. He said  that's why when you come to the clinic your health problems were solved. 

Professor Egbe Philip Egbengu said he was very gratified to be recognized by the Cameroon Performance Awards. "I am not the only Medical Doctor around and if I can be singled among the few that have been recognized by your Award out of the 2900 doctors in the country it gives me the greatest pleasure. Secondly it's like a showcase to my establishment. There are very few occasions where five media organs will visit an organization like ours so I have every reason to be grateful."

The Professor seized the opportunity to take his guests on a guided tour of the clinic from the reception area through the spotless and we'll equipped Laboratory to the wards.

Les Gens Du Cameroun

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