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1, November 2016

Yaounde: 255 Health practitioners graduate from the Faculty of Medicines ⁰

Some 255 health professionals have graduated from the Faculty of Medicines and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1. The Minister of Higher Education Jacque Fame Ndongo chaired the graduation ceremony during which the students received their end of course certificates on the 31^st of October 2016.

Addressing the laureates, the Minister of Higher Education outlined what it takes to be a good health practitioner who he described as life savers. At the end of the oath taking exercise, the graduates were officially handed over to the Minister of Public Health- ending seven years of training that was punctuated with field work.

The 255 graduates are specialized in general medicine, pharmacy and dentistry. During the ceremony, some outstanding students in each of the fields received awards.

CRTV

1, November 2016

Nigeria: Nine killed in a car bomb blast ⁰

Nine people have been killed in a car bomb blast at a military checkpoint in northern Nigeria. Officials and witnesses said on Tuesday that the bomb exploded at the checkpoint on a road leading to the northeastern city of Maiduguri. The victims were all aboard the explosives-laden vehicle. There was not clear if any soldiers were injured in the incident.

Preliminary reports said the vehicle was a minivan transporting ordinary passengers. The driver was also among the victims. There was no immediate claim of responsibility although local officials blamed the attack on Boko Haram, a Takfiri terrorist group operating in northern Nigeria and certain neighboring countries.

More than 20,000 people have been killed and some 2.6 million people have been displaced from their homes since Boko Haram began its terror activities in 2009. Many blame corrupt officials in the Nigerian government and army for the continued militancy. Recent reports say the terrorist group is receiving some of its arms and ammunition from corrupt Nigerian officials.

Attacks by Boko Haram had subsided in the recent past as leadership struggle in the group intensified. However, the months-long lull seems to have ended as the militant group has stepped up attacks on civilians and security forces in recent weeks.

Last week, nine people were killed and two dozen were injured when Boko Haram operatives carried out two explosions in Maiduguri. The attacks were aimed at residents of a camp of refugees who had run away from Boko Haram.

Presstv

1, November 2016

US: FBI Director recklessly engaging in a “blatant double standard” ⁰

The campaign manager of Hillary Clinton has accused FBI Director James Comey of recklessly engaging in a “blatant double standard” following his agency’s announcement to reopen an investigation into new emails sent by the Democratic presidential candidate on a private email server during her time as secretary of state from 2009 to 2013.

“Director Comey has made it known that he felt that he owed the information about the emails to Congress, but he has no problem depriving information to the American people, Sen. Harry Reid and to House members who have been inquiring about Russia’s attacks on our elections and our democracy,” Robby Mook told reporters on Monday.

“It is impossible to view this as anything less than a blatant double standard,” he added. The comments came after a CNBC report claimed that Comey was reluctant to publicly accuse Russia of interfering in the US presidential election, but was comfortable with disclosing that his bureau was examining some 650,000 emails recovered from a laptop belonging to Anthony Weiner, a former US congressman who was married to Clinton’s top aide, Huma Abedin, until their divorce in late August.

The campaign manager said the very idea of being cautious about blaming Russia, but reopening the probe into Clinton’s emails shows that Comey was more concerned about a foreign state actor than the Democratic presidential nominee.

He also accused the FBI chief of sending the letter to Congress while ignoring protocol as well as the “hallmarks of a good investigation.” “Director Comey is the one who opened this door, he is the one who broke protocol when he provided information on an investigation before it concluded,” Mook said. “He needs to immediately explain this incongruence and apply the same standard to Donald Trump’s associates as he as applied to Hillary Clinton.”

According to American writer and journalist Stephen Lendman, the FBI decided to reopen the investigation into Clinton’s emails only after it realized that Republican nominee Donald Trump was winning with a landslide in early voting.

Presstv

1, November 2016

Turkey: Samuel Eto’o scores as Antalyaspor beats Kayserispor ⁰

Samuel Eto’o ,the former captain of the Indomitable Lions gave victory to his team Antalyaspor, on Monday by scoring the only goal of the game from the penalty spot at the 28th minute. It was his first goal of the most difficult season of his career and it came against Kayserispor.

Antalyaspor has now left the bottom of the Turkish league table now occupied by Adanaspor. Samuel Eto’o has certainly not forgotten the huge bet he did to a supporter of the club. While the latter was very worried about the future of the club, Eto’o said his club would finish in the top 10 at the end of the season. If his prediction is not fulfilled, the former FC Barcelona has pledged to provide 100,000 euros (about 65 million FCFA) to the fan in question.

By Chi Prudence Asong with cables from CIN

31, October 2016

US Secretary of State John Kerry calls this year’s presidential election “embarrassing” ⁰

US Secretary of State John Kerry has called this year’s presidential election “embarrassing,” saying his job as the country’s top diplomat has become more difficult.

“There are moments when it is downright embarrassing,” Kerry told students at an event with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan during a visit to Britain on Monday. “This election has been difficult for our country’s perception abroad.”

Trump addresses a campaign rally at the Deltaplex Arena October 31, 2016 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. (Photo by AFP)

He made the remarks as the campaigns of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton were struggling with several controversies.

Trump has been under fire over his lewd and humiliating remarks about women while Clinton has been getting a lot of flak over her use of a private email during her tenure as secretary of state.

Last month, a 2005 audiotape was released of Trump’s comments about groping and kissing women without consent, which profoundly affected his campaign.

Clinton’s favorability has also decreased dramatically since FBI Director James Comey’s Friday move, which has led to revival of an investigation into Clinton’s email scandal.

Clinton speaks during a campaign rally at the Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, on October 31, 2016. (Photo by AFP)

Meanwhile, the business mogul has called the country’s election process “rigged”, with Clinton saying that he is straying into authoritarianism.

“There are times when it steps out of any norm that I’ve known — and I ran for president in 2004,” Kerry said. “I could never imagine debates that were not focused on real issues, so it’s been a real change.” “The way it’s made it difficult for me is that, you know, when you sit down with some foreign ministers in another country, or a prime minister of another country, and you say ‘hey, you know we really want you to move more authoritatively towards democracy’, they look at you…They’re polite but you can see the question in their head and in their eyes and in their expression. It’s hard.”

According to an ABC News/Washington Post Tracking Poll released Monday, 59 percent of registered voters have an unfavorable view of Clinton, and an identical percentage of voters dislike Trump.

Presstv

31, October 2016

Is Minister Grégoire Owona dead or alive? ⁰

Grégoire Owona, Minister of Labour and Social Insurance have been missing in action for some time now. The Biya acolyte who is also the Assistant Secretary General of the Central Committee of the ruling CPDM party has not appeared in any public event for the last three months. His last appearance was exactly after the last Olympic games.

Some members of his entourage have hinted that the dancing minister is receiving medical treatment abroad. Grégoire Owona, has also not been seen in any political activity in the country. Protocol officers in his office are quick to answer when asked about his where about that “the Minister is not here.” Nobody seems to know what is happening with Minister Grégoire Owona.

Cameroon Concord News Group had reported on his health including that of the late general manager of the Douala Port and also that of the late Assistant Secretary General at the Presidency of the Republic. A highly placed government official who spoke to our undercover reporter revealed that Grégoire Owona’s days in government are numbered.

Culled from Cameroon Intelligence Report

31, October 2016

Morocco: Protest rallies after a fisherman was crushed to death ⁰

Moroccans have staged protest rallies across the North African country after a fisherman was crushed to death in a garbage truck while trying to take back fish seized by police. On Sunday, thousands of outraged people marched on the streets of several cities, including the northern town of Hoceima in the country’s Rif region where the fishmonger lost his life on Friday.

According to local media and authorities, the street vendor, Mouhcine Fikri, jumped inside the trash truck that police used to destroy the confiscated fish in a desperate attempt to recover it when he was caught inside the crusher. Fikri, 31, was selling sword fish, which is not allowed to be fished during this time of the season.

Protesters blamed the police for the gruesome death and demanded an end to what they termed official abuse and injustice. Sunday’s rallies were called by activists from the February 20 movement, which organized demonstrations during the Arab Spring-style protests in 2011. Arab Spring refers to a series of uprisings and revolutions that started across the Middle East and North Africa in 2011 against unemployment, inflation as well as corruption, among other issues.

Fikri’s body was laid to rest in the area of Imzouren some 20 kilometers southeast of Hoceima in a huge funeral procession late Sunday afternoon.

Mourners carry the coffin of fishmonger Mouhcine Fikri who was crushed to death inside a rubbish truck as he tried to retrieve fish confiscated by police in the northern town of Hoceima October 30, 2016. (Photo by Reuters)

“I have never seen such a crowd in the last few years, since 2011 at least,” said Houssin Lmrabet, an activist from the town of Imzouren, where thousands took part in the funeral of the victim and protests that followed. “Everyone feels crushed by that garbage truck.”

In an effort to calm tensions, Moroccan King Mohamed VI, currently on a tour of Africa, ordered Interior Minister Mohammed Hassad to visit the victim’s family and to ensure a “meticulous” investigation. Hassad denounced the incident and vowed that an investigation would be held to “determine the exact circumstances of the tragedy and punish those responsible.”

“No one had the right to treat him like this…. We cannot accept officials acting in haste, anger or in conditions that do not respect people’s rights,” Hassad said. The Moroccan Human Rights Association also censured the “heinous” incident and recalled another incident in Hoceima, in which five youths died during 2011 protests of the February 20th Movement. That movement emerged amid the Arab Spring uprisings that began in Tunisia when vendor Mohamed Bouazizi set himself on fire after police confiscated his wares.

Presstv

31, October 2016

Apejes of Mfou wins the 54th edition of the Cup of Cameroon ⁰

Apejes Mfou, are the new cup holders of Cameroon football. The Club from the Central Region thrashed Bamboutos of Mbouda 2 goals to nil in a cup of Cameroon finals chaired by President Biya.

Two clubs battled for the 54th edition of the Cup of Cameroon and after a first dull and aimless half, Franck Boya opened the scoring in the 68th minute before doubling down on 73 minute.

By Ebong Kingsley

31, October 2016

Tony Elumelu and His TEF Outlook ⁰

The TEF Entrepreneurship Forum is the largest annual gathering of African entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, media partners, corporations, business, enterprise development agencies, academic institutions, business schools, accelerators, incubators, policy makers, and government agencies from across the continent and world-wide. The TEF Entrepreneurship Forum isa showcase of the innovation and entrepreneurial potential that exists in Africa – the next generation of African Business Titans.

The TEF Entrepreneurship Forum is held over two days and is the physical gathering of the 2016 Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurs from 54 African countries in Lagos, Nigeria. This dynamic platform allows the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurs to form networks, share knowledge, build cross border business partnerships,and connect with investors, link with corporate supply chains, influence policy makers and business leaders participating in the Forum.

We will explore plenary panels, masterclasses, success stories, TED style talks, sector specific networking session and entertainment. The TEF documentary, Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurs: Transforming Africa, will be screened at the Forum.This film tells the story of one man’s vision to harness the ingenuity and creativity of Africa’s entrepreneurs as an engine of economic growth on the continent.

As part of their learning experience, the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurs will participate in the Forum’s action packed agenda on a wide range of topics: Solving Africa’s Future Challenges, Access to Finance, Sales and Marketing for SME’s, Industrialization and digitization of Africa among others.

The second day will be a high-level policy gathering to discuss how to improve the ecosystem and to announce pledges from partners and stakeholders on their own agendas to promote entrepreneurship in Africa.

The Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme is an act of faith in our entrepreneurs to transform our continent. In the first year we spent over $8 million of our $100 million commitment – with $5 million going directly to entrepreneurs as seed capital. We have funded entrepreneurs, established pan-African networks and helped extraordinary people take control of their destinies.

At the end of our 10-year commitment, Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurs will become a generation of dynamic African business owners, who will prove that local business growth will drive Africa’s economic and social transformation. We believe that by the end of this “Decade of African Entrepreneurship,” thousands of businesses will grow and flourish, driving sustainable prosperity across Africa. Furthermore, they will create ripples and waves of economic transformation across the continent.

The TONY ELUMELU FOUNDATION

The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) was founded by Tony O. Elumelu, CON in 2010, a serial entrepreneur and investor who has a lifelong commitment to philanthropy. The foundation has an audacious mission: to equip and empower thousands of entrepreneurs across Africa so that they, rather than governments, aid agencies and charities will form the foundation of the continent’s social and economic development.

TEF aims to achieve its objective by adopting a tripartite approach:

1.Providing entrepreneurs with business management training, best in class mentoring, seed capital investment and life- long membership to a global network that cuts across all sectors and regions in Africa and is global in its outlook.

2. Promoting thoughts leadership on entrepreneurship through advocacy and evidenced based research as a guide for policy makers across the African continent.

3.Creating a discourse that puts African entrepreneurship at the forefront through thought-leadership programmes, strategic partnerships and long term commitment and the catalyst for long term growth and development on the continent.

The Foundation distinguishes itself by being first and foremost a change agent. Our guiding principles are derived from the economic philosophy of Africapitalism, which was developed by our founder. Africapitalism takes as its central tenet that it is an African led private sector that will effectively lead in the growth of the continent’s economies and be the catalyst of social and economic development.

TEF aims to ‘institutionalize luck’ through its flagship entrepreneurship programme, its portfolio investments, pan-African Network, advocacy activities and research, so that businesses large and small are best equipped to thrive across the continent.

By Cham Victor Bama

30, October 2016

More controversy on the Eseka train death toll ⁰

Ten days after the derailment of Camrail train 152 at Eseka, controversy still surrounds the official figures of the death toll announced by the government. Cameroon Concord News understands the debate on the death toll linked to the tragedy has continued to fuel a hostile public opinion against the Francophone Beti-Ewondo regime.

The figures provided by the government spokesman, Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary as 79 dead and 600 wounded has been rejected by the Eseka community leaders who were the first to bring relief to victims of the crash. The traditional rulers of the town have jointly stated that their people collected more than 200 dead bodies.

Amadou Sali, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Camrail said earlier today that there were 1462 passengers on board the train. Hours later, a company executive indicated that more than 1,600 passengers were in that Intercity 152 service.

Local media reports say between 1600 and 2000 passengers were on the derailed train with several hundred of these passengers not registered. A journalist with a sister publication, Cameroon Intelligence Report was quoted as saying that many bodies were buried in the night by security forces. The nation is now waiting for the findings of the Prime Minister Philemon Yang Commission.

By Sonne Peter