Headline News

1, July 2016

Elechi Amadi Author of The Concubine dies at 82 ⁰

Elechi Amadi is no more. According to Thisday newspaper, he died on June 29, 2016 in hospital in Port Harcourt, Rivers State of Nigeria, of an undisclosed ailment at the age of 82. Reacting to the news, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, said Amadi was “a consummate patriot, a great literary icon, a soldier’s soldier and development enthusiast.”

Eldred Jones, in “African Literature 1966-1967,” described the novelist as “a Nigerian author of plays and novels that are generally about African village life, customs, beliefs and religious practices, as they were before contact with the Western world.” Amadi is best remembered for his 1966 novel, “The Concubine,” which was described “an outstanding work of pure fiction.” His other works included “The Great Ponds,” “Isiburu,” “Sunset in Biafra,” “Dance of Johannesburg,” “Pepper Soup,” “The Road to Ibadan,” “The Slave,” “Estrangement,” “Les Grand Etangs,” and “The Woman of Calabar.”

Born in 1934 in Aluu, Rivers State, Amadi attended Government College, Umuahia, Survey School, Oyo and the University of Ibadan, where he obtained a degree in Physics and Mathematics in 1959. He was a land surveyor and later teacher in several schools, including the Nigerian Military School, Zaria from 1963–66. Amadi served in the Nigerian Army and remained there during the Nigerian Civil War, retiring as a Captain.

He also served in the Rivers State government as Permanent Secretary, Commissioner for Education and Commissioner for Lands and Housing. Elechi Amadi was a writer-in-residence and lecturer with the Rivers State College of Education (now Ignatius Ajuru University of Education), where he was Dean of Arts, Head of the Literature Department and Director of General Studies.

CAMTRIBUNE

1, July 2016

Biya rejects new Penal Code ⁰

The controversial Penal Code recently acclaimed expeditiously in the National Assembly has been rejected by President Paul Biya. Cameroon Concord News learnt Biya has ordered a second reading of the document from those CPDM comedians passing for honorable members of parliament. The 83 years old leader has asked for a reformulation of the article concerning the immunities of cabinet ministers.

We understand Mr Biya wants the controversial Article 127 of the Penal Code which prescribes penalty of imprisonment from one to five years to magistrates or police officers entrenching on the immunity granted to members of government to be rewritten.

A group of Social Democratic Front MPs had raised an objection before the debate on the amendment and blocked the amendment of the Penal Code, citing non-compliance of the internal regulations of the National Assembly in its Article 64.3. Work was suspended on Thursday with opposition members of parliament insisting that the ruling CPDM MPs must respect parliamentary procedures.

Sama Ernest (Cameroon Concord News)

1, July 2016

Cameroon and France to sign the third Debt Reduction-Development Contract ⁰

President Biya and the French Secretary of State for Development and Francophonie, André Vallini, recently held what both men described as “intensive and productive discussions”. Cameroon Concord News learned from government sources that President Paul Biya stressed on bilateral cooperation, the fight against terrorism and the going-on within the European Union.

Speaking of the Development and Debt Reduction Contract (C2D) with his guest, André Vallini, the Cameroonian dictator revealed that the cooperation formula has been “useful, efficient, virtuous and concrete.” Beyond the C2D, André Vallini reaffirmed the commitment of France to participate in the development of Cameroon.

Biya also called for greater coordination in the fight against international terrorism and hinted that there was an urgent need for intelligence sharing among countries of Europe, Africa and the United States. The French minister was accompanied during the Unity Palace audience by a large delegation including the French ambassador to Cameroon, Christine Robichon.

Minister Vallini is expected to sign the third Debt Reduction-Development Contract, aimed at supporting the Cameroon’s development. He will travel to Douala today to inaugurate major urban development projects and sign an agreement with the urban community on the “Douala Sustainable City” project. Lastly, he will inaugurate the new premises of the Pasteur Center of Cameroon for Clinical Research on Malaria and will visit the “Foyer de l’espérance” in Yaoundé, a benchmark institution for the reception, protection and reintegration of children and young people.

Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai (Cameroon Concord News)

30, June 2016

Nkoulou signs a 4 years deal with Lyon FC ⁰

Nicolas Nkoulou has been presented officially as an Olympique Lyonnais player. Cameroon Concord News gathered that Nkoulou signed a 4 years deal with the Ligue 1, France side.

The Cameroonian was presented to the public at a press conference on Wednesday by the President of Lyonnais, Jean-Michel Aulas. A native of Yaounde, Nkoulou has replaced another Yaounde citizen, Samuel Umtiti, who left Lyon for Barcelona.

Chi Prudence Asong (Cameroon Concord News)

30, June 2016

Yaounde: Public Health Minister launches European Union Project 48 ⁰

The Minister of Public Health, Andre Mama Fouda on the 29^th of June 2016, launched a European Union project aimed at improving on the management of epidemics. The three-year project launched in Yaounde will be operational in 11 countries along the Atlantic Coast of Africa. Apart from improving the management of crisis, the project will also reinforce surveillance and the alert systems.

Dubbed “Project 48”,the representative of the management team of the project, Marie Françoise Saron said the regional team to handle the project was being constituted by national experts. The experts will exchange notes during training sessions so as to be better equipped for the job.

Besong Esther Agbor with files from CRTV

30, June 2016

Penal Code Palaver: No more immunity for cabinet ministers ⁰

The Constitutional Law Committee of the National Assembly met recently in the so called Glass Palace at Ngoa Ekellé Yaounde. The CPDM MPs examined changes to the bill on the Penal Code by the Senate. The members of the Commission led by Zondol Hersesse found themselves once again facing the all powerful Minister of State, Justice and Keeper of the Seals, Laurent Esso to review a text that the whole house had voted for in a plenary session held on 22 June.

This reconsideration of a bill is consistent with the provisions of Article 30 of the Constitution of Cameroon. What is this new examination of the text? An amendment was made to Article 127 of the draft law on the Penal Code at the plenary session which was adopted by the Senate. At the center of many debates, the article concerned in particular “the encroachments of the court on certain immunities.” Clearly, the text adopted and sent to the Senate indicated that any magistrate or police officer who, in violation of laws on immunity stops or prosecute a member of government or parliament shall be imprisoned for one to five years.

The new formulation of the text, according to Senator David Siegfried Etame Massoma, President of the Constitution Acts Commission of the Senate now reads: “is punished with imprisonment of one to five years, magistrate or police officer who continues, stop or judge anyone, in violation of laws on immunity.” Clearly, the CPDM crime syndicate has once again moved the goal post and members of government are no longer covered by this provision.

Senator Etame Massoma also pointed out that the amendment to this article was introduced by the government following the debate that had aroused from this provision in the Penal Code. Pursuant to section 3-B of Article 30 of the Constitution, the text which was discussed yesterday in the Committee of the National Assembly will be again be adopted by the entire chamber. After this exercise, the Speaker of the National Assembly will pass the final version of the text to the President of the Republic for promulgation. The political calendar promises to be very heavy on the side of those pro Biya comedians at the Ngoa Ekellé glass house. The end of the current session is scheduled for tomorrow, Friday 1 July 2016.

Sama Ernest with files from Cameroon Tribune

29, June 2016

Controversial Penal Code adopted despite SDF disapproval ⁰

The National Assembly after scrutinizing the new penal code transmitted it to the Upper House where senators worked for five hours unending to examine the text. It was adopted despite the disapproval of the Social Democratic Front whose members staged a walk out. During the 28th June 2016 session the SDF Senators once again expressed discontentment with certain articles of the bill tabled for adoption.

The party insisted for some articles to be dropped but their views were not taken into consideration. Even though they abandoned the discussion table, deliberations continued and after five hours, the bill was adopted. Those who disapproved of the new penal code pointed out to specific articles therein. Most of those against, argued that the new law favours the rich.

A critical reading of the new text gives the impression that the Ministers are being emboldened unlike the former law where immunity was restricted only to parliamentarians, but now the law extends this immunity to members of government. The two months unpaid rents which leads to an eviction of the tenant, the con say, have been tailored to favor the landlord. The issue of adultery which many believe is a private family affair do not favor the husband who is considered the all powerful within the family circles.

These and other articles of the penal code especially that which relates to religious deceit are some issues that have not gained total approval. That notwithstanding, the Senate worked long hours this Tuesday, June 28 and adopted all 370 articles of the bill that was defended by the Minister of Justice, Keeper of the Seal, Laurent Esso.

CRTV

29, June 2016

Mendo Zenising: 33 Kumba inmates complete course in theological studies ⁰

Some 33 inmates of the Kumba Main Prison were recently awarded attestations after completing a course in Theological studies. The certificates were presented by a non-denominational institution, “Discipline the Nation Ministry,” at the graduation ceremony that held in prison. It was the maiden batch of inmates in the school and the first ever occasion for the prisoners as stated by the Prison Superintendent in his address.

While presenting the certificates to the graduating inmates, the head of the institution urged them to be ambassadors for Christ by preaching the gospel across the globe when they complete their prison terms. It was a timely study program given that the first batch comprises mostly inmates who were either rounding up their jail terms or those with longer terms. To those who were to quit the prison, the training equipped them to become transformed persons as they return to their various communities to restart normal life.

From the various biblical topics studied, it was clear that the inmates were already transformed into God’s servants to preach His word. The various pastors who spoke to the inmates cited the Biblical passage where Joseph was imprisoned for years but later emerged as a great leader. The prisoners were comforted and made to understand that their stay in prison was for a purpose and immediately it was attained, their release will be imminent. The graduating prison inmates were offered Christian literature and other gospel teaching aid to assist them in their new vocation of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Sama Ernest with files from CRTV

29, June 2016

GCE Board Registrar en route to Bamenda as marking enters Day II ⁰

The Registrar of the Cameroon GCE Board has left Buea this morning for Bamenda, the chief city in the North West region as the marking session of the 2016 session of the General Certificate Examination enters Day II. Sir Humphrey Ekema Monono is expected to arrive Bamenda in just under 3 hours.

In a telephone conversation he had with Cameroon Concord News earlier today, Sir Monono revealed that the board operates marking centers in Bamenda and Buea. The astute manager added that 9 marking centers are in BUEA and 7 in Bamenda .

The GCE Board Registrar also noted that an exhaustive marking guide have been made available to all examiners. Humphrey Monono hinted that the board staged a mechanism for effective marking which was aimed at evaluating the state of preparedness of the examiners.

EWANG John, one of the GCE assessors who confirmed that the mechanism for effective marking had indeed been carried out said it was to discover the strength and weaknesses of the examiners so as to adjust them. More than 6000 examiners are expected to mark at least 200 scripts each within 9 and 10 days respectively.

By Besong Esther Agbor

29, June 2016

At graduation ceremony: Buea IVTC Director says vocational training promotes economic growth ⁰

The Intensive Vocational Training College Buea has graduated its joined 35th, 36th, and 37th batches of trainees amidst high unemployment rate in Cameroon. The graduation ceremony took place on Friday June 24, 2016 in Buea, Fako division of the South West Region. The over 400 graduates were trainees of the 2013, 2014 and 2015 academic years pending graduation from the vocational training center.

In an effort to promote the training of bilingual secretary ship as a major tool to emergence, the government of Cameroon through the Employment and Vocational Training Ministry created six (6) public vocational training centers nationwide. The Intensive Vocational Training Centre, IVTC, Buea is the lone English center in Cameroon with five others spread across the country. The director of the center Becky Effoe Limunga revealed that vocational training promotes positive work ethics and enhance economic growth which is a prerequisite to gainful employment, asserting that, it was a golden opportunity for the public and employers to make material use of the facilities and training programs offered.

The South West Regional delegate for Employment and Vocational Training urged the students to meet up with contemporary challenges of the professional. The students were schooled on computerized accountancy, bilingual secretary ship and other lucrative courses. It is a one year training program upon which the trainee is issued an academic diploma.

Cham Victor Bama (Cameroon Concord News)