The
earth has once again swallowed another soldier fallen in the anti Boko haram
warfront in the far North region of Cameroon. Marechal de logis Monjang Jerome
Mbelli from Batibo subdivision in the North West region was given last honours
at the Bamenda up station Army Headquarters by the regional governor Adolph
Lele L’Afrique Saturday April 22, 2017.
The
23year old soldier who met death while in service in Kolofata according to
Major Issa who read details at the last honours event died after a brutal
suicide attack on their car while they were returning from shopping on the 19,
April, 2017.
A
solemn last honour event ritual in pure military fashion in the presence of NW
Governor and other top ranking military officers justified the attention and
respect the state gives to persons who dedicate their lives in the fight for
the protection of fatherland.
Born
on the 30th of September, 1993, the deceased joined the defense forces
in March 2013 at 20 from the University of Yaounde I where he was on his second
year of studies. After several training stop overs in Koutaba and others in
Yaounde, Monjang was appointed in April 2015 to join the Gendarmerie family in
Mora particularly Kolofata in the fight against Boko Haram.
After
spending just about four years 28 days in service, family members spontaneously
screamed loud as they burst crying in frustration. Grace Ngonwei mother to the
soldier who could manage to talk to reporters expressed deep disappointment
after hearing her son’s demise.
Uba
Varsity games 2017:
Games
launched in a vast construction site
Higher education minister has officially opened
the 2017 University games hosted by the University of Bamenda Uba. Prof Jacque
Fame Ndongo who is still in Bamenda opened the games in its 20th
edition Saturday April 22, 2017. The heavily attended event which held in the
incomplete Olympic stadium of Uba practically laid credence to many who were of
the opinion that the University was not ready to host the event. While the
event went on, caterpillars could still be seen opening places around. Painters
could also be seen painting lawn tennis, volley ball and basketball cord. Also
conspicuous was the poor drainage system around the stadium and the sandy
football pitch instead of the announced synthetic turf. Though authorities
around Uba told the press ahead of the games that they were above 90% ready, many
amongst them the Mayor of Tubah Tanjong Martin Moshongong are of the opinion
that realization rate is far less than that.
Addressing the opening ceremony, the
outspoken Mayor accused Uba authorities for failing to respect town planning
rules in the constructions around the University. According to the award
winning Mayor it was necessary for the games to start with unfinished
infrastructure so as to permit the University sit with council engineers to
produce an architectural master piece. He lamented over the small nature of
roads leading to and from the University adding that government should hasten
the construction of the double carriage way from Bamenda to Bambili. Though the
University and Higher education authorities played down on the state of infrastructure
with the ideology that Uba is a baby university, Mayor Tanjong pleaded with the
authorities that they should not to allow the projects to go with the games but
be completed even after the games.
The strongman of higher education however
waved the infrastructural challenges declaring that the games will be very
successful. According to the Minister everything is beautiful as he showered
praises on Uba’s Vice Chancellor Prof Theresia Akenji for leaving up to “this
republican challenge” and putting in place the infrastructure that has made Uba
a top-notch University in the higher Education family in Cameroon.
Prof
Fame Ndongo throws flowers on Bamenda
In
what looked like a subtle way to throw flowers or flatter the people of the
host region North West region, the Minister of higher education noted that he
was very happy to be in Bamenda. “We congratulate the strong, fantastic, and
welcoming people of Bamenda and of the North West region.” Sounding very loud
and clear the minister did not give room for the ongoing crisis which he
masters well to distract him. Over and over he maintained that Bamenda is the
appropriate home for the games. In what looked like a contradiction, the
Minister also thanked the people of Bamenda and Tubah in particular for their
massive turn out.
Fan
clubs fan the event
In
different outfits and drums, the fan clubs carry sign boards announcing the
different options in their respective schools as they parade from one sporting
ground to another. As if to say the national Federation of University Sports
FENASU understood so well te value of this part of the games instituted an
award for the best fan club. Beginning from the commercial avenue where a
symbolic marathon was organized to kick start sporting activities, fan clubs
from the different institutions displayed the different aspect of their
communities. At the opening later in Bambili, fan clubs were the major
attraction with the host University staging an appreciated outing by the
thousands who answered present. Many could be seen jumping up from time to time
to cheer for the different fan clubs particularly with the passage of the
University of Maroua whose fan club carried symbolic guns reflecting the
struggle against the boko haram in the Far North region. The ceremony’s opening
march decried vices like drug addiction, corruption and promoted republican
values like protection of national integrity, peaceful co-existence, love and
national unity. 
“Bidoung challenge” steal’s show 
The
recent and popular greeting style by the Minister of sports and physical
education took center stage. At the commercial avenue where the opening cross
country started in the presence of the minister, students demonstrated an
avalanche of modified styles. In their excitement, the students practically
prevented the ministers from a successful unity walk as they stylishly grabbed
the hands of the charismatic Minister. Students could be seen in a chain of
about 50 executing the now known “Bidoung challenge.”
The
games mascot and monument (Bamenda games with Bafoussam mascot)
The
2017 games mascot and monument is another point of focus. The tall and imposing
figure at the heart of the university conceived and realized ny Nadege Noumsi
of the University of Bamenda has been christened “The town crier.” Uba
authorities say “the town crier “reflects the cultural milieu in which the
University of Bamenda is implanted.” This has however not been accepted by
cultural experts in the Northwest. The Town crier said to be the propagator of
the values of education has been interpreted by those with this thoughts as
rather a representation of the culture of the West region of Cameroon. From the
blue, red and white colours on the downer vestments of the mascot resembling
traditional attires from the West, the position of the gong carried by the
crier and the colours and shape of the cap, they further conclude that there
was either an error or no intention to have the North West represented in the
Mascot of University that has been largely occupied by people from the West
Region. 
Fame Ndongo saves face from Yang; “terminates” Biya’s computer
project.”
Amongst the guests at the opening event was
Dr Linda Yang wife of the Prime Minister and Head of government Philemon Yang.
In a special recognition of her presence, the Minister of Higher education noted
that as coordinator of Chantal Biya’s CERAC her being in Bamenda signifies the
presence of the First lady. Mindful of the differences that have existed
between the PM and the Minister of Higher Education as concerns the ongoing
Anglophone crisis, observers were taken aback with Prof Fame Ndongo’s event.
“Mr Philemon Yang as you all know is my boss and is a strong, illustrious, and
very important son of this beautiful region. Thank you for him.” Prof Fame
said. On the 500,000 laptops promised by
the Head of State, the Minister stated “I am very happy to inform higher
education students that the process relative to the special presidential
donation of 500000 computers will be terminated this year.” This did not go
well with the crowd until he added “It is a commitment of the Head of State!
The President of the Republic HE Paul Biya and as we speak, the biometric list
is being progressively constituted in all eight state universities and the 215
private institutes of higher education are being invited to work with the
division of information system in the ministry of higher education for this
Presidential offer.”
Tubah
Mayor lashes out at Consortium of parents dragging church leaders to court.
Taking
place at the time some Church leaders including Bishops of the Roman Catholic
Church have been dragged to court by persons who say they are representing a
consortium of parents, Mayor Tajong Martin did not mince words when he spoke
out on the prevailing circumstances. “We fear that this games might be going on
without the participation of all the Universities and institutions within the
national territory due to the prolonged Anglophone crisis rocking the NW and SW
regions which has affected schools at all levels.” While appreciating
government for reinstating the internet a vital tool for studies at the eve of
the games and appreciate the effort of the state in endeavouring to solve this
crisis, Mayor Tajong lashed out on the consortium of parents dragging some
church leaders to court saying “We condemn the act of some detractors dragging
the church to court and inflaming the peace that is already reigning. We exalt
the state to continue with meaningful dialogue so that schools should
effectively take off in these regions.” The event which has witnessed the
absence of leading schools in the NW and SW like St Louis University Institute
Bamenda, Catholic University Institute of Buea is the first in recent history
featuring only the two state universities in the NW and SW regions that Uba and
the University of Buea.
The
Private Universities Impact
Started
some 20years ago in the University of Dschang at the time for State
Universities only, the University games have become not just an event for
sports practice but also a competitive ground for exposure and positioning in
the milieu of higher education. Since the 2000 edition hosted by the University
of Buea when private institutions started participating then too was the
invention of the fan club which has become the animator during the games. They
do not only advertise the school but seeks to portray their school as best in
recreational or co-curricular activities. Amongst the most active fan clubs
this year like previous years are those from private schools. The schools that
use every opportunity to advertise are the private schools. To students in
private institutions of higher learning, their school’s participation in the
games is a clear sign of recognition by government and hence no doubt about the
quality of certifications offered at their schools. “It feels really good to be
here in Bamenda. I never knew my school was recognized by the Ministry of
Higher Education. I am happy that amongst the few schools that are here my
university is amongst.” Julie a first year student in one of the private higher
institutions from Douala noted. This feeling we gathered has not only remained
with the students but also to parents, sponsors and guidance as they consider
the participation of every school as authentication of their existence. Despite
the rigid conditions put in place for participation, many of the schools who
participate actually stretch themselves financial to an elastic limit to meet
up with the registration and management of athletes and fan clubs. At the
opening event in Bambili, many of these universities could be seen sharing
gifts and publicity materials to the guests and onlookers. This has however
added great value to the games as everyone competes just for the best.
Taking place under the theme “twenty years of
promoting talents for national development, peace, unity for an emerging
Cameroon, the thousands of students will compete for medals in different sports
disciplines amongst them athletics, basketball, football, handball, wrestling,
tennis, tale tennis, volleyball, Paralympics and fan club. The games will end
on Saturday 29 April 2017 after a medal and trophy award ceremony expected to be
chaired by Higher Education Minister and other members of government.