2020 Mount Cameroon Race of Hope: Former champions emerge winners!

              Tatah Carine, female champion of 2020 Mount Cameroon being escorted.

By Christopher Ambe 

Godlove Gabsibuim and Tatah Carine,both  natives of  North west region of Cameroon,  on Saturday ,February 22,emerged winners, respectively, in the  senior male  and female categories   of  this year’s Mount Cameroon Race of Hope, which was the 25^th  edition.

Both winners- who are not first-time champions- each bagged home a cash prize of 10 million Fcfa, for covering the 42 km course from Buea Molyko Stadium to the mountain summit and back.

About 300 of the 520 athletes from seven countries, who had registered, participated in the race, which took place amidst very tight security, to counter any surprise attacks from separatists, who, last year called for a boycott of the race but remained silent concerning this year’s event.

Athletes who took part in the race came from seven countries viz: France,Zimbabwe, Kenya,Uganda,Niger,RCA and Cameroon.

In this year’s race, Gabsibuim Godlove , the 32 year-old father of three, who had previously won the race four times (2012, 2013, 2015 and 2018), emerged victorious  in 4h 35m, while Tatah Carine, 22 year-old and two-time winner(2018 & 2019) of the race, finished it in 5h24m.

Simplice Ndoungue, 44 year-old carpenter from Lebialem, won the second place and Elvis Nsahbinla, 24, got the third place in the senior category (men), each receiving seven and five million Fcfa, respectively.

In the senior category (Women), 24 year-old Mildred Kitan,a student from GHS Kumbo, emerged second in 5h30m and Wirngo Kpufanla secured the third position, smiling home also with seven and five million Fcfa respectively.

Handsome prizes were also awarded to winners of the other categories of the race such as the relay race, junior and the veteran 

The Minister of Sport and Physical Education, Prof Narcisse Mouelle Kombi and Emmanuel Motombi Mbome, President of Cameroon Athletics Federation, co-chaired the launch of the race, on Friday February 21 at the Molyko Omni sport Stadium.

The Minister Mouelle kombi, who chaired the start and closing ceremonies of the race, commended its smooth organization and spirit of fair play, which prevailed. 

The Local Organizing Committee of the race was chaired by Southwest Governor Bernard Okalai Bilai, who accompanied Sport and Physical Education during the ceremony.

In his speech at the launch, which was marked by march past, cultural dances and musical displays, Sport Minister Mouelle Kombi reiterated President Paul Biya’s call for a return to normalcy and peace in the restive Northwest and Southwest Regions of Cameroon.

This year’s race witnessed a far more impressive turnout of the Buea population, who thronged the stadium and lined the race course to cheer the athletes.

What is today called Mount Cameroon Race of Hope, with the official sponsor being the Cameroon Government, started as Guinness Mount Cameroon Race in 1973 with Guinness SA as the official promoter. 

The 1973 maiden edition saw John Ekema emerge as the champion.

It was only in 1982 that the race opened its doors to women and that year, Emilia Mojoko Ngondja became the first-ever woman to win the race.

In  1996,the the race was christened  Mount Cameroon Race of Hope, and the Cameroon Government and Cameroon Athletics  Federation became the official sponsors and promoters.

Cameroon:Barrister Mafani Namange Elected New Mayor of Buea

New Mayor of Buea,David  Mafani Namange,being followed by jubilant crowd after his election.

By Christopher Ambe

David Mafani Namange, who is the Southwest Regional Manager of Credit Foncier, is the new Mayor of Buea and will be assisted by four deputies.

 Buea ,with a population of over 200 thousand people, is the capital of the Southwest Region of Camerooon. Buea Council has fourty-one(41) councillors.

Namange, alongside his deputies, was elected yesterday February 18, following the victory of the CPDM at last February 9 Municipal Election in Buea.

The CPDM  had won the election with  6,368 votes(85.6%) out of the total 7,588   who actually voted, and its lone challenger, the  SDF secured 1,068(14.2%).

But a total of 43,320 had registered while 35,732 (82.5%) of the voters boycotted the election, largely because of death threats from separatists seeking the independence of minority English-speakers from Cameroon, a majority-French speaking country.

Namange,will be assisted by  Mrs. Molinge Enjema Minerva, as 1^st Deputy Mayor;Mr Edward Mosoke,as 2^nd  Deputy Mayor;Chief Motove Marcus, as 3^rd  Deputy Mayor  and Mrs. Vevanje Enjema Magdaline,as  4^th Deputy Mayor.

The election of the mayor and his deputies was presided at by the SDO for Fako Divison,Engamba Emmanuel Ledoux and witnessed by Senator Mbella Moki, who had served as Mayor of Buea for eleven years.

Chief Njie Mandenge ,second eldest councilor was chair of the electoral bureau ,after Dr. Amos Namanga Ngongi,who is the eldest councilor declined to chair it as required ,because he was a stakeholder in the election.

Councilors Dr. Amos Namanga Ngongi , Dr. Hannah Etonde Mbua and Dr. George Mafany Teke (who had earlier indicated his intention to run for the mayor’s job)   raised preliminary objections concerning the candidacy of David Mafani Namange,which led to heated public debate.

So heated was the debate that the SDO suspended the session for 10 minutes,to permit the councilors reach an understanding. 

Upon resumption, Dr. Ngongi who initially stood against Mafani Namange, withdrew his candidature and the latter was overwhelmingly voted Mayor of Buea . 

The SDO was forced to send out members of the public as noise in the hall seemed to be disrupting the smooth running of the session. Only the SDO, traditional rulers and councilors were left in the hall during the election, as a mammoth waited outside

Challenges Ahead

The new mayor has taken office at a time that Buea Councils has a lot of unresolved problems.

For example, the 330 workers of the council who receive a global 28 million Fcfa  as monthly salaries ,have now gone for three  months without salaries, even as  Buea council  reportedly has the lowest salary scale when compared to other councils in the country.  

The mayor will also face the non-payment of salaries for years to several council workers who served under late Mayor Ekema Patrick .Their salaries were suspended allegedly because the workers paid allegiance to Namange when he became Buea CPDM Section President and was at odds with the late mayor.

The mayor will have to settle huge CNPS and HYSACAM debts owed by Buea Council

Another thorny problem begging for immediate solution is the water crisis that has hit Buea for years, forcing people to travel long distances in search of it.

Mafani Namange’s Profile

Namange has been Fako III (Buea) president for more than five years; had been YCPDM president for Buea. Namange has worked with Credit Foncier (bank) in Buea, Bamenda, and Douala for more than 20 years and is currently the Southwest Regional Manager of the bank.  

He was recently sworn-in as a lawyer and is a PhD student of International Law (University of Buea); he is married and a father.

 A staunch CPDM  militant, Namange  joined the  ruling  party   in  the  90’s .He once  led its youth wing in Buea and served as   CPDM Central Committee’s  Charge de  Mission  for many years .

Who is most suitable to be Mayor of Buea?

Expectations of Residents

Supposed candidates for Mayor of Buea: 1-David Mafani Namange  2-Dr Amos  Namnaga  Ngongi 

 3-Dr  George Mafany Teke  and  4-  Kange Williams Wasaloko

By Christopher Ambe

The ruling CPDM emerged victorious at the February 9 municipal election in Buea.

And tomorrow Tuesday February 18, the  41 councilors of Buea Council  will elect  a new Mayor of Buea and his four  deputies amidst high expectations of residents.

But it appears the  councilors will not freely choose as they would have wished  to, following  a circular from Jean Nkuete , Secretary-General of the Central Committee of ruling  CPDM ,which  says   candidates for the office of mayor and  deputies  will be invested by the party. He warns that the councilors, who had taken oath to observe party discipline, must honor that commitment or risk being sanctioned. 

Whatever the case, what is of paramount interest to the Buea electorate is their rapid socio-cultural and economic development, especially when they recall, with regret ,that the past five or so years registered little or nothing for the common good, partly because of the Anglophone crisis  that brought the economy of Buea to its knees and “misplaced priorities.”

 Having been deprived of their much-needed development  and accountability in the recent past ,and conscious that councils henceforth manage up to 15 percent of the State budget,dwellers of Buea ,the former capital of German Kamerun, former capital of British Southern Cameroons, former West Cameroon, former capital of Southwest Province and now capital of Southwest Region, now badly need a people-friendly, development-oriented ,transparent and stringent manager as  their mayor; not a gambler or demagogue propelled for selfish motives. 

Yes, Buea residents now want a mayor of substance, whose executed projects will be visible as the council building itself; not a good-for-nothing  bully or political lackey  who will be unduly influenced by  some  partisans or administrative authorities to do what is of no importance to the interest of the public.

In fact,Buea now needs a man-of-action mayor who will spread out projects across the municipality, and not to particular localities .

 Buea needs a mayor who will solve -once and for all, for instance, the persistent water crisis, which has hit the municipality since 2013;a mayor who detests corrupt practices.

And this calls for a mayor with relevant credentials, with tested and proven managerial skills, one who is tried-and–tested with abundant work experience; one who is God-fearing.

According to reports, four councilors have already indicated their readiness- pending their investiture by party, to gun for the mayoral seat of this strategic town.

 The four reportedly aspiring to be Mayor of Buea are:Dr. George Mafany Teke, Mr.Kange Williams Wasaloko, Mr.David Mafani Namange and Dr.Amos Namanga Ngongi,all natives of Buea.

          BUT WHO ARE THESE CANDIDATES ?

1-Dr. GEORGE MAFANY TEKE, who is the Southwest Regional Delegate for Scientific Research and Innovation, is a staunch CPDM militant. He holds a PhD in Economic Geology since 2010. This CPDM Central Committee’s Charge de mission for Fako Division is married and has children.  Soft-spoken and a good listener, Dr. Teke is a renowned geologist and has been a lecturer at the University of Buea. He has worked as a consultant with several institutions such as SOWEDA. Dr. Teke had served as CPDM subsection president for Small Soppo and Secretary for Buea CPDM. He is a Presbyterian and Member of the Christian Men Fellowship (CMF)

While detractors of this civil servant say he needs to gather much more experience in management and leadership, his admirers think he can deliver if given the opportunity to be mayor. 

2-KANGE WILLIAMS WASSALOKO is a seasoned and outspoken journalist working with the State broadcaster CRTV. Presently, he is the Manager of the Southwest Regional Station of CRTV, Buea.

 Mr. Kange, who studied journalism in Nigeria and University of Buea,is married and a father of several children; he  is also publisher of the award-winning Magazine, The SUMMIT.  

He joined CRTV in 1996; was a broadcaster with FM 94(Yaounde) and later served as Chief of News in CRTV Bertoua. Mr. Kange was Senior Reporter at CRTV National Station before his appointment as CRTV Buea Station Manager in June 2017.

Mr. kange is credited for launching new CRTV radio programs such as ISSUES (an interactive slot) and participating in some.

 His radio programme, ISSUES, aired on Saturday morning and which he moderates, offers him the opportunity to advocate social justice, peace, unity and development. He once served as Public Relations Officer of University of Buea and later University of Yaounde 1 for several years.

Broad-minded as a journalist worth the salt should be, Mr. Kange is confident that if elected mayor he will leave his footprints on the sands of time in Buea.

3-DAVID MAFANI NAMANGE,who is the party’s Buea  municipal list leader, has been Fako III(Buea) president for more than five years; had been YCPDM president for Buea. Mr. Mamange has worked with Credit Foncier (bank) in Buea,Bamenda,Douala  for more than 20 years and is currently the Southwest Regional Manager of the bank.  

 Recently sworn-in as a lawyer, Mr. Namange is a PhD student of International Law (University of Buea);he is married and a father. Many say his leadership of the CPDM in Buea would have been more successful if not of the Anglophone Crisis that slowed down party activities. His admirers think that because he joined the CPDM  in the  90’s ,has led its youth wing in Buea, served as  Central Committee’s  charge de  Mission  for many years and currently Buea CPDM boss, he has sacrificed enough to  be compensated  with the office of  mayor.

4-Dr. AMOS NAMANGA NGONGI is a retired senior UN official and holds a PhD in Agronomy (USA), among other certificates.  He served as Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and as Head of UN Peace-keeping in DRC (from 2001-2003); worked with the World Food Program for 17 years and even became its Deputy Director for seven years, managing more than ten thousand workers spread in  over 84 countries.

In the war-torn DRC, he successfully brought out rebels from the bushes to form a unitary government. He is a good peace crusader and crisis resolution expert.

 Dr. Ngongi, noted nationally and internationally for his transparency and efficiency, also served for several years as Member of the United Nations Management Board. 

Although he went on retirement in 2003 as a senior staff and returned to Buea, he was still contracted as President of Alliance for Green Revolution for Africa (AGRA), an Africa-led and Africa-based independent organization for food security -headquartered in Kenya, where he served for five years.

Looking ever young, Dr.Ngongi,who has extensive experience in agricultural development, management, peace and security issues, began his career as an agricultural extension officer in Cameroon, helping farmers to improve yields and to diversify and market their crops. It was during his tenure as agric officer in Fako,that yam production started in the division.

But in 1980, he was assigned to Cameroon Embassy in Rome; four years later he joined the World Food Programme, becoming its Deputy Executive Director in 1994, a position he held until his appointment as UN Undersecretary-General, Special Representative and Head of the UN Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2001.

 Since his retirement from the UN, Dr Ngongi has undertaken several high-level missions, including a study on food reserve systems in Africa.

 Locally, he has contributed in  enhancing development in Buea in various forms:major  financier of the Wonyalyonga Community hall; donated  to Muea Health Centre & electrified Bonakanda Health Center; hugely supported the building of the co-cathedral in Buea; fought and defended  Buea Town Green, which led to the cancellation of an illegal layout that was set up. Dr. Ngongi, who is a dependable CPDM militant, wants to become mayor of Buea Council, where he had already served as a counselor for five years and better understands the needs and worries of Buea denizens.

 It is on record that, in all the offices that Dr.Ngongi worked in and out of Cameroon, no allegations of embezzlement and mismanagement were leveled against him, projecting him, according to critical observers, as the kind of leader/manager that Buea needs now.

Focused,humble and generous, Dr. Ngongi is not a political noisemaker.

 This committed catholic Christian, husband and father does what he means and means what he does for the common good.

With his wealth of experience and broad-based networks, Buea residents say it will be a privilege for them to have such a personality at the helm of their council now. “It is time for a prophet to be recognized home,”said a Buea CPDM militant of Dr.Ngongi. “Decentralization requires good mangers.”

Jean Nkuete, Secretary-General of the ruling CPDM,warned in a circular  to Representatives and Charges de Mission of the Central Committee and Municipal Councilors, dated 13 February 2020 and titled “ Nomination of CPDM candidates for the election of Municipal Executives”:

 “ At the time when decentralization is being strengthened ,our councils and city councils, especially those controlled by the party ,must be administered by competent, outstanding ,impeccable ,dedicated and committed militants vis-à-vis the law and ethics, with human qualities and skills to best meet the legitimate needs and aspirations the people.”

 Buea residents, therefore, count on the CPDM Municipal Group to validate candidates based on meritocracy, and not corruption.

“Manoeuvres aimed at corrupting Municipal Councilors or any other actor in the process of setting up the Municipal Executives shall lead to the disqualification of their candidates”, cautions the CPDM’s Secretary-General, in the aforementioned circular.

Tommow will be a new dawn in the Buea Municipality.

CPDM Wins Buea Council as 82% of Registered Voters Boycotted.

                    Who will become the next Mayor of Buea?

Southwest Governor Bernard Okalai Bilai about to vote on Election Day,February 9,2020

By Christopher Ambe

 The CPDM, which has managed Buea Council since 2002, was on Tuesday proclaimed winner of the February 9 municipal election in the Southwest regional capital, whereas its lone challenger, the SDF, has alleged vote-rigging.

The CPDM won with  6,368 votes(85.6%) out of the total 7,588   who actually voted, and the SDF secured 1,068(14.2%).

Magistrate Ako Kenneth Tanyi, chair of the Council Supervisory Commission, proclaimed the results in the absence of SDF representatives, who reportedly boycotted.

A total of 43,320 had registered but the election was massively boycotted as separatists seeking for the independence of Anglophones had threatened to disrupt the poll and attack anybody who would come out to vote.

The threats, despite beefed –up security by the State, kept thousands of voters indoors.

In fact, out of the 43,320 registered voters, 35,732 (82.5%) stayed away from voting.

It is unclear whether the SDF, which alleges rigging, filed any case in court.

 Efokoa John Mofoke , the SDF municipal list leader told this  reporter, yesterday , how his party’s representatives  at  polling stations in  the Bwitingi neighborhood were chased out at gun point, reportedly because they turned down bribes to endorse ballot-stuffing.

Now with the CPDM declared winner of   Buea Council, the battle now is: who will become Mayor of Buea?

David Mafany Namange, Buea CPDM President was the municipal list leader. But that does not automatically mean that he will be the next mayor.

“It is not automatic that municipal list leader will be the next mayor. But he could become. It depends on how the councilors play their game”, Hon. Meoto Paul Njie, who was CPDM campaign leader for the municipal and parliamentary elections in Buea, yesterday told this reporter on phone.

 There are reportedly at least two other councilors who have vowed to gun for the juicy office of Mayor of Buea. Councils now manage  more money, up to 15% of the State budget.

It would be recalled that in 2002, late Arthur Lisinge Ekeke  was the CPDM municipal list leader- and there appeared to be some party arrangement that he be the lone candidate for the office of mayor.

But, a shrewd Charles Mbella Moki (now two-term senator), defied the supposed arrangement, and accepted nomination as a challenger to Lisinge. 

At the end, Mbella Moki won Lisinge Ekeke by 21  to 20 votes and became the Mayor of Buea.

  

Buea:Tole Vigilantes Appeal for Support to Confront Amba Fighters

Christopher Tambe Tiku (in suit),ELECAM  Board member, greeting  polling agent in Tole,Buea

By Christopher Ambe

Tole, in Buea subdivision is generally known as one of the bastions of Amba fighters in Fako Division.

The separatist fighters have, of late, inflicted a lot of pain on the population of that locality and its environs, which largely depend on subsistent farming and petty-trading.

St Joseph College Sasse,near Tole had to relocate to Tiko because of the atrocities of Amba-fighters and farmers were attacked and extorted.

But now determined to bring the Amba-imposed suffering to a stop, youth in Tole have formed a large vigilante group to identify and confront the separatist fighters. 

The vigilante group has already arrested and handed to the military some amba fighters, who were terrorizing the locality. 

But the group is poorly equipped and is in dire need of support to completely get rid of the armed separatists from the locality, Christopher Tambe Tiku, ELECAM Board member and Southwest Regional Secretary of the National Commission of Human Rights and Freedoms, was informed , Sunday,February 9 in Tole.

Tambe Tiku, who braved the odds to answer present in Tole, was there to   assess the conduct of last February 9 municipal and parliamentary elections.

Surprisingly, the population of Tole came out in their numbers to freely cast their votes.

 As voting was going on, the  Tole vigilante group positioned itself nearby to ensure that threats by separatists that they would disrupt the polls did not come to fruition.

When Tambe Tiku spotted the vigilantes who positioned themselves stationed about 100 metres from the ballot boxes, he looked worried (thinking they were separatists in disguise) and approached them in the company of armed gendarmes to know their motive.

But Mr.Tiku had a pleasant surprise when he learned the group was the Tole Vigilantes, who were there to ensure that no body dared disrupt the polls.

 The vigilantes briefed Mr. Tambe Tiku how they have been collaborating with Cameroon Military and Security forces to fish out amba fighters in their communities, so as to give peace and a return to normalcy a chance.

The ELECAM member and rights advocate hailed the group for doing just what is required of good citizens. 

 He immediately telephoned Southwest Governor Bernard Okalai Bilai, who reportedly promised his administration’s support to the vigilantes in the days ahead.

Christopher Tambe Tiku,ELECAM  Board member, greeting  polling agent in Tole,Buea

And, because of the beefed-up security in Tole by the forces of law and

order and the Tole vigilante group,life in the locality is fast returning to normal.

Municipal & Parliamentary Elections: Hon Meoto Paul urges Bonjongo to vote for CPDM candidates to attract more projects.

Hon. Meoto Paul  Njie urging  Bonjongo Court Area to vote for CPDM candidates at Feb.9,2020 polls

By Christopher Ambe

Hon Meoto Paul Njie  , former director of cabinet  at the PM’s Office  in Yaounde and head of CPDM campaign team for Buea subdivision, has described  the  Bonjongo Court Area  as a  bastion of the ruling party and urged  its  inhabitants to  vote only for CPDM candidates  at the February 9 municipal and parliamentary elections.

 Hon Meoto said the CPDM is synonymous to development, adding that the party’s victory at the coming polls in the court area would attract more development projects.

He  gladly introduced the CPDM parliamentary candidate for Fako West Constituency (Buea Rural),Hon Emilia Monjowa Lifaka and her altenate,Ekpa  Mukoko Abel Pronso , as well as all the  41 CPDM prospective councilors  of Buea council, to the cheering crowd that turned up to listen to  campaign messages. 

Turning to Candidate Lifaka, who has been MP for Fako West Constituency since 2002, Hon Meoto likened her to a responsible hunting dog that brings back its prey home to the master. 

He reiterated declarations by previous speakers that Hon. Lifaka has tirelessly worked for the development of the constituency that includes Maumu,Lysoka,Idenau and the BONAVADA area.

Hon.Meoto was confident that, the popularity of Hon.Lifaka, who has served as Vice President of the National Assembly and is Chairperson of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association plus the projects she has brought to the constituency, makes her SDF challenger for the parliamentary seat a lightweight.

The two CPDM parliamentary candidates for Buea Urban & Buea Rural being presented at Bonjonjo  rally

The parliamentary and municipal candidates publicly received traditional blessings from chiefs of the Bonjongo Court Area,as Chief Ngeke of Mapanja urged them to use  every opportunity at their disposal  to enhance development in their communities.

The CPDM parliamentary candidate for Buea Urban, 34-year old Magistrate Malomba Esembe, who came to boost the campaign, was also presented to the public.

Alluding to the decentralization, Meoto said councils henceforth manage 15 % of the state budget, which means more money is allocated for local development.

 “This is not the time to give the Buea Council to the opposition”, he warned, adding that by law councilors are responsible for electing representatives of the coming regional assemblies.

“If it is the CPDM that wins, Government will be more willing to give development projects”, the head of Buea CPDM campaign team, assured.

He warned Bonjongo residents:” Please make no mistake to vote for the SDF”

 Other speakers at the rally who included Buea CPDM Section President ,David Namange Mafany; Fako III WCPDM president, Mbua Hannah Etonde and Buea YCPDM  President Njie Franklin Njie, credited Hon.Lifaka with several realized projects in the constituency. Such projects are schools, health centres, community halls, Scholarship schemes, employment of youth and improved roads.

They reaffirmed that a vote for Hon.Lifaka is a vote for more socio-economic and infrastructural development.

In her response, Hon Lifaka was particularly thankful to Hon.Meoto for mobilizing to ensure the CPDM will overwhelmingly emerge victorious at the coming polls.

She vowed that when reelected “I will continue to lobby for the projects you need here-such as potable water and improved roads.

“We in Bonjongo know only the CPDM and no other party. If you have a hunter (reference to herself) you cannot lack meat in your pot”, she told the rally, attracting cheers and public assurance of CPDM victory.

A sample of the CPDM ballot was shown at the rally, which ended hitch-free despite threats from separatists that electoral campaigns and voting in Anglophone Cameroon would be disrupted.

Cameroon:Senator Mbella Moki’s Favorite Sister Laid To Rest

Hearse transporting the remains of Lydia Ngowo Mbella epse Fru for burial

By Christopher Ambe

Late Lydia Ngowo  Mbella epse Fru

The remains of the favorite sister of Senator Mbella Moki Charles were on February 1, buried in Buea, following a crowd-pulling funeral service at the Apostolic Church, Likoko Membea, Buea.

Lydia Ngowo Mbella epse Fru, 66, a retired teacher, died last January 12 at the Buea Regional Hospital of a cardiac problem.  

The mother of four and grandma of five died 10 years after her beloved husband Fru Moses Ndeh had given up the ghost on January 9,2010 -and was buried in Santa, Mezam Division of the Northwest region. They got married in 1982.

 Mrs. Fru had lived with her husband in Bamenda for decades, but only returned to Buea months before her death, because of ill health. 

She was buried at her parents’ Likoko Membea residence, thanks to an understanding between the Fru and Mbella families. 

Mrs. Fru was a   famous deaconess of the Apostolic Church in Cameroon and her enormous contributions to the spiritual growth of Christians and the infrastructural development of the church were acknowledged in eulogies at the requiem, which assembled mourners from far and wide.

The funeral service was officiated by four Ministers of God viz: Apostle Dr. T.V Ndih, Rev. Evangelist Eric Fon Fortu, Pastor Penn Hardison and Elder Egbe Michael.

Mourners at the burial and picture of Late Lydia Ngowo Mbella epse Fru

Apostle Dr. Ndih, in his sermon on “Death and Resurrection “, which drew inspiration from the Bible book of John 11: 9; John 11:25 and John 11: 34, emphatically said   death is a faithful servant that must come to everybody.

The clergyman urged all and sundry to be prepared for death, which, he said, is a divine verdict passed unto the world when man sinned. “Everyone is a sinner because of Adam,” he said.

But he advised mourners not to worry about the way death visits. “We cannot wage a war against death. Only Jesus Christ conquered death and this is the one to whom Lydia has given her life” the Apostle said.

He was optimistic that Late Mrs. Fru would be favored by God. “On resurrection day, she will wake up,”he predicted. “When it comes to resurrection only believers will wake up. Death has no power over Lydia.”

The Apostle drew the attention of mourners to the Bible book of Revelation   which talks about second death.

 “But cowards, traitors, perverts, murderers, the immoral, those who worship idols, and all liars-the place for them is the lake burning with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Consequently, the Minister of God implored everybody to “give their lives to God early enough.”

In his eulogy, Senator Charles Mbella Moki said her deceased sister had an extra-ordinary personality and    was not only a sister to him but acted more like his mother. She was a huge source for inspiration to many, he added.

Recalling how instrumental the deceased had been to his upbringing, Senator Mbella Moki   sobbed, “My moral fabric has been shattered!”

Other eulogies from family members, friends, the church and colleagues described late Lydia Ngowo Mbella as motherly, God-fearing and exemplary in her different activities.

In a published tribute, Professor. Ndiva kofele Kale, a cousin to the deceased, said “her generosity was legendary and universally appreciated”.

For his part, Professor Julius N. Esunge(USA), said, “Her golden  voice may now be silent ,but the impact of her love,kindness,hospitality and generosity  will proceed into many generations unhindered because she did all for the glory of Christ in whose presence she will dwell for all eternity”

Lydia Ngowo Mbella epse Fru was born in 1954 to Pa Bernard Mbella Woka and Mama Elizabeth Nalova Mwambo in Likoko Membea ,Buea,

She was trained as a Grade II teacher at then Baptist Teachers Training College (BTTC), Soppo-Buea and later obtained the Teachers’ Grade One Certificate. She was integrated into the Public Service in the then Ministry of National Education. She taught in primary schools in Buea, Limbe, Fundong and Bamenda.

Mrs. Fru also obtained a Diploma in Cookery, qualifying as a kitchen expert.

“Visitors to her home went back with a lasting impression about her dishes and so did all who attended ceremonies that had the organizational and gastronomical touch of [Lydia Ngowo],” remarked her biographer.

She leaves behind her children, grandchildren, relatives, friends and the Christian Community to mourn and remember her.

University of Buea: Dr. Kingsley Ngange Presents New Publications to Public

The New Publications  co-authored by Dr. Kingsley L. Ngange,of University of Buea,Cameroo

By Christopher Ambe

The Head of Department of Journalism and Mass Communication (JMC), University of Buea, Cameroon,has presented three new publications which he co-authored to the public.

The 2020 publications published by renowned international publishers can be ordered directly from AMAZON,viz:

1)   Ngange, K L.(2020) .Social Media use in the 20218 Presidential Election in Cameroon. In M N Ndiela and W.Mano (Eds), Social Media and Elections in Africa, Volume 1: Theoretical perspectives and election campaigns(pp.119-146),Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillian

2)  Ngange, K L. (2020) .Mass Media and Society: Cameroon.In D.L Merskin(Ed).The Sage International Encyclopedia of Mass Media and Society (pp.245-249), Thousand Oaks. CA:Sage

3)  Ewusi, S K & Ngange ,K L(2020).Peace, Governance and Security in Africa: Getting it right, In F.R Aravena(Ed). The Difficult Task of Peace: Crisis, Fragility and Conflict in an uncertain World (pp.37-57).Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan.

Dr.Kingsley L. Ngange, did the mini launch of his published works on January 31, at the University of Buea, during a ceremony chaired by Dr. Michael Fossung,Vice Dean in charge of Research in the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences of same institution.Dr. Fossung described the three publications as “works of substance”, urging the author to make copies available to the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences.

Dr.Fossung said the Faculty would be proud to have such significant publications and promised the author its support.

“To publish is one thing and to publish with renowned publishers is another”, the Vice-Dean said, noting that other people’s works are rejected after going through a rigorous scrutiny.

The Vice-Dean said with such quality publications Dr. Ngange would not take long to be raised to the rank of professor. 

“I can say with certainty that Dr. Ngange is already on his way to becoming a professor”, Dr. Fossung said, a prediction which the author saluted with a shout of Amen and the audience followed suit with thunderous applause.

In his remarks, Dr. Ngange said he thought it wise to bring the publications early to the knowledge of the public so they could start benefiting from the research works in one way or the other.

 “It is said in academia that you either publish or you peris. I don’t want to perish I would keep publishing”, said  Dr. Ngange who  has been   Head of Department of Journalism and Mass Communication ,University of Buea  now for about three years.

He disclosed that research leading to the scholarly publications took him at least one year.

Dr. Ngange, who worked before as a public relations assistant at University of Buea, journalist with Cameroon state-owned broadcaster (CRTV) before becoming a lecturer, is one of two media experts representing Cameroon in World Journalism Studies (WJS)).

  Dr. Ngange has published and contributed to several other books such as “Anglophone Lawyers and Teachers strikes in Cameroon (2016-2019): A Multidimensional Perspective,” which he co-edited with Emeritus Professor of Literature, Kashim Ibrahim Tala.

It should be noted that Dr. Ngange was the first student to successfully defend a PhD thesis from the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication (JMC) of University of Buea(UB) in December 2012. He was the also the first ex-student of same department to become a lecturer there after obtaining his Master’s degree in Europe.

 His PhD thesis was titled, "Redefining Journalism Roles in Democracy: In Search Of Evidence from Elections Coverage Using Mobile Phones and Internet in Cameroon"

 The mini-books launch on University of Buea campus was predominantly attended by university students and lecturers.

A question-and-answer session graced the ceremony.