Entertainment

31, October 2017

Hollywood shaken by sex scandal involving Kevin Spacey ⁰

Sexual allegations against renowned Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey have shaken the US movie industry, which was already struggling to cover up a similar expose against powerful producer Harvey Weinstein.

The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences said Monday that it would not “honor” Spacey by giving him the 2017 International Emmy Founders Award next month.

The move came after Star Trek: Discovery actor Anthony Rapp accused Spacey of making sexual advances on him more than 30 years ago.

Rapp, who was 14 at the time of the assault, said Spacey, then 26 years old, physically carried him into his bed and attempted to initiate sex with the teenaged actor.

The A-list actor claimed in response that he did not recall the incident at all and felt sorry for the effects of what would have been “deeply inappropriate drunken behavior.”

The actor also tried to avert media attention by revealing that he has been a homosexual throughout all these years.

The allegations led video streaming platform Netflix to cancel famous political show House of Cards, which featured Spacey in the leading role.

Media Rights Capital and Netflix, who produce House of Cards, said in a joint statement that they were “deeply troubled” by the news.

“In response to last night’s revelations, executives from both of our companies arrived in Baltimore this afternoon to meet with our cast and crew to ensure that they continue to feel safe and supported. As previously scheduled, Kevin Spacey is not working on set at this time,” the statement said.

Spacey’s fall from grace came days the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Hollywood’s de facto governing body, voted overwhelmingly to expel disgraced American film producer Harvey Weinstein amid mounting accusations of sexual harassment, assault and rape by at least 30 actresses.

The ouster was unprecedented since the academy was founded 90 years ago, turning one of the biggest Oscar players in history into a Hollywood pariah.

Weinstein’s films have received more than 81 Oscars, according to The Weinstein Company, which he co-founded with his brother Bob Weinstein in 1979 after selling Miramax.

The 65-year-old movie mogul, who was born in New York City to a Jewish family, has denied the rape allegations, while acknowledging that his behavior “caused a lot of pain.”

Source: Presstv

29, October 2017

SOBA:UK Executive invites Sponsors, Celebrities to Rugby Annual Convention ⁰

Invitations to SOBA:UK Dinners are hard to come by, but there’s an easy way in: support heavily the interest and the brand of the Sasse Old Boys in the UK.

The President of SOBA:UK, Ayuk Akoh-Arrey released a list of expected attendees for the November 11^th SOBA:UK Convention hosting SASSE heavyweights including UK lawmakers, administration officials, journalists, and celebrities—as well as a healthy crop of SOBA:UK sponsors.

Top on the SOBA:UK guest catalogue invited to Rugby is our Chairman and Editor-in-Chief, the Right Honourable Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai placed alongside some of the VIP names on the list. Cameroonian celebrities and academics all are expected to attend. Below is the document sent to our Editorial desk today Sunday the 29^th of October 2017.

Invitation to SOBA:UK Convention

29th October, 2017

Dear Soter Agbaw-Ebai of Cameroon Concord News Group,

I am writing to formally invite you to the SOBA:UK Annual Convention on 11th November, 2017 at Dunchurch Park Hotel, Rugby, CV22 6QW, Warwickshire.

I would be most delighted if you can confirm your attendance to this event. The main event is on Saturday 11th, however on Friday night of the 10th we are organising a meet and greet, and networking with younger Sobans. There will be a buffet on the Friday night from 7 pm if you can make it.

The ticket to the event is complementary for you. Please let me know if you require any assistance with hotel rooms. There are very limited rooms still available at the actual venue, so if you would like to lodge there then please let me know as soon as possible.

For further information please check our website on: www.sobaintheuk.org, or promotional video; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjqqTN0nv0g

I look forward to seeing you.

Yours sincerely,

Ayuk Akoh-Arrey

President SOBA:UK Tel: +447956311637 soba@sobaintheuk.org

17, October 2017

2017 SOBA:UK Annual Residential Convention: Leadership says the “Old Boys” are ready ⁰

With excitement building amongst Sobans in the UK around the 2017 Annual Residential Convention slated from the 10th to the 12th of November in Rugby, it seems the leadership team headed by Ayuk Akoh-Arrey and his executive and event management teams, have ticked all the boxes on the to do list, and is satisfied with the preparations.

The Association wants to continue to deliver on its theme of “Building A Stronger Community”. Festivities, which include the SOBA:UK’s AGM and ceremonies, will kick off formally at 11am on the 11th of November at Dunchurch Park Hotel and Conference Centre, Rugby Road, Dunchurch.

Pre-SOBA:UK events across the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland are in full swing. These include media networking sessions, Sobans interactions with sponsors and local communities and dry runs of programs for the big day. During their address on Saturday the 11th of November, the SOBA:UK leadership team will highlight what has been achieved by so far since their recent election in the 2017 executive elections. The AGM involves members discussing SOBA:UK priorities and programmes for the year ahead, amongst many topics this year, extensions to the existing welfare structure to further support Sobans in various challenging situations in the UK, as well as new new proposals to partner with SOBA America in 2018 in giving back to the alma mater and encouraging academic and extra-curricular achievement in Sasse College.

Cameroon Concord News sought to discover how SOBA:UK has come to occupy the number one spot of Cameroon alumni associations in the UK. “It has taken a simple recipe – sustained effort and commitment by many Sobans. Ever since Ayuk Akoh-Arrey became president in 2014, with his background in financial services, he has sought to make the association financially strong. ” said Eko Ngwashi of the events management team.

In 2014 SOBA:UK set a vision
A number of volunteers organized themselves into six strategic teams to drive growth. “We were poised to set a long term plan to compete with the likes of the Eton college alumni at this meeting” says Secretary General John Bawak. “We believed the UK association deserved to boast of a big bank account and such a vibrant community that Sobans would feel comfortable talking about SOBA:UK at their places of work. That is the moment the SOBA:UK brand became crucial”.

What’s more, the potential for various members to take part in this growth by working in projects to drive the vision. This is how SOBA:UK gets people to participate in projects and activities that create the dynamic association that it is. The Charity and Welfare team establishes and reviews systems for Sobans in need. The events management team undertakes strategic leadership in planning and executing all their events. A Liaisons team is responsible for liasing with the executive team and Sobans and also with the wider Cameroonian community. A business and systems team manages offline and online coordination of the association, meanwhile a publicity and marketing team carries out the marketing. Newly elected Vice Secretary General Usamatu Babangida said “It is an easy association to join, it only requires to pay membership and there is so much work to keep you busy”.

Cameroon Concord News understands that a welfare scheme has paid over £16,000 to bereaved Sobans since 2006 when the first bereavement was issued. “Our bereavement scheme works not just because we pay out but because Sobans show up and see the families of those who are bereaved” says Financial Secretary, Batey Tako. SOBA:UK members have been known to make long road trips to be with the families of bereaved Sobans at their time of need. This extra-ordinary commitment towards each other is reciprocated in SOBA:UK events where hundreds of guests turn out in support of the association. The Welfare Team has also made over £17,500 in payouts to projects in Sasse over the last 10 years.

The Events management team boasts of three of the association’s most successful conventions in 2014, 2015 and 2016, which have seen sponsors of the likes of Lycamobile, Turkish Airways, SellamQuick.com, some other big businesses and media partners in Vox Africa, which won Channel of the Year at the African Pride Awards.

The SOBA:UK Residential Convention is the highlight of the summer for many Cameroonians in the UK. Cameroon Concord News gathered that due to levels of demand, preparations include tight security for the guests, the media and members of the public, both inside and outside Dunchurch Park Hotel. SOBA:UK’s Event Management team for 2017 has also authorized a “Book-Early And Get Up to £60 off” discount [www.sobaintheuk.org] to purchase a table for 10 people, with additional discounts for registered members.

Cameroon Concord News understands that the AGM is the forum where Sobans with any grievances or suggestions can attend and put their issues so that continuous structural improvements can be achieved within SOBA:UK. The president was quoted as saying that members who have genuine grievances are encouraged to attend the official AGM in 11 November, and put those to the General Assembly for deliberation. SOBA:UK we understand is financially very strong providing a good base to support its membership, which is at the heart of the Association.

Many other Sobans all over UK are also hard at work to ensure that people participate in activities and for the event to be a success as it was in 2016. As such, they have provided even greater public access to all SOBA proceedings. Sobans in other parts of the world and Cameroon who prefer to follow the event in the comfort of their homes can tune in to www.cameroonconcordnews.com for updates. The SOBA:UK convention will also be broadcast live on www.cameroonintelligencereport.com. The ceremony will also be covered by accredited journalists from various local and international media houses.

“We are confident that this greater access will allow more Sobans to hear directly from President Ayuk Akoh-Arrey about their association and about issues that concern them” noted Alfred Bate Bawak, a senior SOBA in the Midlands.

Cameroon Concord News

13, October 2017

Davido to answer questions on the killing of Tagbo Umeike and 2 others ⁰

The popular Nigerian pop star Davido has been summoned by the Nigerian police in Lagos after the suspicious death of three of his acolytes. The Afrobeat star with his real name David Adeleke was summoned by the Nigerian police in Lagos to be heard about the fuzzy circumstances around the death of three of his relatives in the space of a week.

The latest death is that of Tagbo Umeike, 35, whose body was abandoned at the General Hospital in Lagos on the 3rd October in the early morning after a very alcoholic evening. According to local police, he had consumed 40 shots of Tequila, with friends, including singer Davido.

The girlfriend of the deceased young man, Caroline Danjuma, a Nollywood actress has accussed the singer of having fled after having abandoned her friend. For now, the singer denied any connection with the deaths.

The tragedy started when the bodies of two other Davido comrades were found on the 7^th of October in a BMW parked in a private residence in the chic Banana Island area in Lagos.

By Chi Prudence Asong, CCN

12, September 2017

Petit Pays cancels Canadian tour ⁰

The captain of the Indomitable Lions of Makossa, Petit Pays has called off the remaining date of his North American tour in Canada after saying his tour organizer was extremely lacking in entertainment finesse. Omega Rabbi Rabba pulled out of the date in Montreal and has also cancelled a planned press conference appearance in the historic Canadian city.

Cameroon Concord News gathered Turbo, the mega star cancelled the tail-end of his tour due to the fact that the sponsor failed to provide air tickets and accommodation for him and the group, Sans Visa. His manager and spokesman, Eyong Eyong Ebot said all Canadian gigs have been cancelled “due to poor arrangements”. Eyong Eyong Ebot confessed Petit Pays had promised a great spectacle despite the passing away of his younger brother, Didier Pupee but the attitude of the organiser has been shameful, disgusting and disgraceful.

Insiders said this Saturday event in Montreal was annulled due to a complete breakdown of financial communication between Petit Pays’ US based manager and the promoter in Montreal. The organiser reportedly did a money transfer to Mr. Eyong Eyong Ebot via Money gram but later cancelled the transaction and has ever since been brandishing the receipt as prove that he paid the artist. The multi-award-winning Makossa star said he hopes to come back to Montreal some other time. Watch Petit Pays reaction in video below

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai
Cameron Concord News

11, September 2017

Jacky Biho, Sam Fan Thomas to run SONACAM ⁰

Cameroun has created a new corporation to manage authors’ rights. The organization has been named the Cameroon National Copyright Corporation (SONACAM). State radio and television reported that an executive bureau was also elected headed by the renowned Sam Fan Thomas.

The elections that held on Saturday the 9th of September 2017 also witnessed a major electoral victory for popular names such as Adeline Mbengkoum, Moussa Haissam, Ottou Marcelin, Calvino, Adeline Mbengkoum, Majoie Ayi, Sergeo Polo and of course the beautiful Jacky Biho. Some musicians of the new generation such as the likes of Salatiel, Duc-Z, One Love, Lab’l were also included in the executive.

Legendary artists Manu Dibango, Eko Roosevelt and Georges Seba were elected as honorary presidents. According to the statutes of SONACAM, the executive has a three year mandate renewable once. The Minister of Arts and Culture, Narcisse Moulle Kombi who chaired the first general assembly of SONACAM installed the elected bureau and urged them to work for the interest of artists. A total of 2,400 of the 3655 artists registered in the national musicians’ database signed up for the Cameroon National Copyright Corporation (SONACAM).

Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai with files from CRTV

31, August 2017

Oroko-USA National Convention: Setting the agenda for future accomplishments! ⁰

In September 1-3, 2017 the Orokos in the United States will converged in one of America`s historic and UNESCO protective heritage city of Boston in their annual cultural assemblage, in a public display of the rich Sawa cultures, unique in its identity.The event which is the most celebrated, brings together all the Orokos in the United States of America to communion as a family by show-casing its cultural grandeur, traditional regalia and delicate traditional dishes.

The Orokos are an ethnic indigenous Sawa tribe in the Southwest region of Cameroon under the administrative unit of Ndian division. It stretches its cultural and linguistic similarities with the Grand Batanga of the resort city of Kribi in littoral and neighbouring Nigeria. With two newly created additional sub divisions, Ndian currently has four sub divisions namely Mundemba, Isangele, Ekondo Titi and Kombo-Edinti. The Orokos are span across two other divisions in the Southwest region namely Meme and Manyu. Some of the major clans include; Batangas, Bimas, Bakundus, Ngolos, Ekombe, Balondo-Banagas, Balue, Mbonge and Bakokos. Ndian is also considered the largest division in the region in terms of its geographical size.

The growing numerical strength of the Oroko population and the emerging new demographics of future American-Oroko kids became a social call and responsibility to bring all the Orokos under a mother association.In effect, the Oroko Cultural Association-OCA-USA was a dream come-true ostensibly out of the euphoria to unify the Orokos in the United States. And in September 1997, OCA was born in Atlanta Georgia. After the inception and the birth of OCA, it has produced five democratic elected impact presidents in this sequential ascendancy; pioneer president Tata Rev. Sam Esala who reigned from 1997-1998, Tata Awanjo Felix 1998-1999, Tata Louis Etongwe 1999-2005, Tata Fred Bebe 2005-2009, Iya Dr. Mercy Mabian 2009-2013 and Prince Ferdinand Mediko 2013-2017.

The 2017 convention which is an election year is special. And whoever is going to occupy the highest office of the association will have the onerous task of providing constructive and responsible leadership to all Orokos in the diaspora and at home, of every social background, gender, education and belief and above all, he/she must answer the call for socio-economic regeneration and take the destiny of Ndian division in his/her hands.

Despite the fact that Ndian division is one of the richest constituencies in Cameroon, it has benefited little or nothing from its God-given resources. Perhaps it is deliberate perhaps it is accidental, but this political and economic backwardness of Ndian division is a classic example of why all the Orokos must reinvent themselves, by creating new visions and mobilising themselves to develop their own resources. A natural resource is a source of blessings. But those found in Ndian division leaves behind a record devastating poverty stricken population with no signs for things to get better even in the near future.

The local economy paralysed due to in accessibility of road linking two major divisions [Ndian & Meme]. Educational infrastructures and healthcare facilities are deplorable. The inconvenient truth is that there is still the existence of breathtaking rise of personal vilification within the Orokos and the absence of receptiveness. And no matter what, this convention in Boston is special in the sense that it will produce a new presidential team to pilot the association for another deserved mandate. More to that, it is in Boston where American revolutionary ideas were conceived. It is in Boston where the revolution started. And therefore it should be in Boston where the Orokos will set the agenda for future accomplishments. Welcome to the city of Boston.

Prince Etukeni Agbaw-Ebai

Secretary General, Boston

25, August 2017

CRTV: So fed up with mediocrity, Charles Ndongo calls veterans back on active duty ⁰

The general manager of the Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV), Charles Ndongo has launched a one-week exercise to push journalists to perfection. The operation dubbed, “La Radio des Icônes” or the Radio for Icons begins 28th August through 3rd September 2017.

During this time, fifteen former CRTV journalists who won the admiration of the Cameroonian people will present prime time news bulletins and programs on radio. Detailing the project to CRTV National Station newsroom staff, Charles Ndongo encouraged all to follow the footsteps of the icons that are being celebrated till date.

Renowned names in Cameroonian journalism like Abel Mbengue, Peter Essoka and Jean Claude Ottou hailed the Director General’s initiative calling it an opportunity to encourage the younger generation.

One of the media gurus on schedule, Peter Essoka advised the young journalists to be inquisitive, intuitive and humble. CRTV’s audience will therefore get another opportunity to listen to inspiring voices of the 80’s and 90’s.

Below is the program schedule:

Monday 28th August 2017
– One PM News Presenter: Jean Claude Ottou
– Sports Page Presenter: Abel Mbengue
– Three PM News Presenter: Peter Essoka

29th August 2017
– Les Matinées de la CRTV Presenter: Jean Marterne Ndi
– Seven PM News Presenter: Gideon Taka

30th August 2017
– One PM Presenter: Zacharie Ngniman
– Luncheon Date Presenter: Paul Kode

31st August 2017
– Les Matinées de la CRTV Presenter: Sally Messio
– Luncheon Date Presenter: Victor Epie Ngome

1st September 2017
– Five PM News Presenter: Barbara Etoa
– Weekend Sports Presenter: Njomo Kevin

2nd September 2017
– One PM news Presenter: Pascal Mebe Abah
– Saturday Evening Request Presenter: Mweng Meombo

3rd September 2017
– Dimanche Midi Presenter: Antoine Marie Ngono
– CRTV Afternoon Edition: Ngyetiko Musi

Source: CRTV

23, August 2017

Brother of legendary singer Petit Pays dies ⁰

The King of Makossa Love and Cameroonian music legend, Petit-Pays and his family have been mourning since Monday. Didier Moundi Mpoupe, one of the artist’s younger brothers died on Monday, August 21, 2017 in Paris apparently due to an illness. Cameroon Concord News gathered that the mega star got the news upon his return home from a tour that took him to the USA, Canada and in Essen in the NordRhein Westphalia province in Germany.

Information filtered at the time of filing this report that Petit Pays was back in France from where he will transport the remains of his little brother to Cameroon. Our attempts at getting to his US based manager, Eyong Eyong Ebot were futile.

The deceased had been a footballer. He joined Caiman of Douala in 2010 when Petit Pays was CEO of the Akwa Township club in Douala. He managed to score a goal from his first match in the first division championship as a substitute. The rest of his stay proved a little tumultuous. The coaches preferred to relegate him to the sidelines-a situation that placed Petit-Pays at daggers-drawn positions with the technical staff.

Didier Mpoupe was made famous by his renowned elder brother whose popular hits from the early 90s chanted his name in his songs. Music lovers will certainly remember Petit Pays always saying « Mpoupe Didier, la star d’Hollywood ».

By Rita Akana with files from Cameroon Info.Net

20, August 2017

Trumps skip Kennedy Center Honors amid political backlash ⁰

US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump will not attend one of America’s most prestigious art awards, the annual Kennedy Center Honors, the White House has announced.

“The President and First Lady have decided not to participate in this year’s activities to allow the honorees to celebrate without any political distraction,” a statement from the White House read.

The announcement came a day after members of Trump’s Committee on Arts and Humanities unanimously resigned to protest his refusal to condemn last week’s racist rallies in Virginia. Several honorees said they would boycott a White House reception for the awards.

Trump was widely criticized for blaming “both sides” for the deadly violence that erupted at a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville.

Kennedy Center Chairman David M. Rubenstein and President Deborah F. Rutter released a statement welcoming Trump’s decision to skip the ceremony.

“In choosing not to participate in this year’s Honors activities, the Administration has graciously signaled its respect for the Kennedy Center and ensures the Honors gala remains a deservingly special moment for the Honorees. We are grateful for this gesture.”

The Kennedy Center also said that the traditional pre-ceremony reception at the White House was cancelled this year.

Trump’s exceptionally turbulent week was capped by his Friday firing of chief strategist Steve Bannon, the latest in a series of high-profile West Wing exits in recent months. Bannon is closely associated with the white nationalism of the “alt-right” movement.

The president also stayed away from the annual White House correspondents’ dinner in April, with then-press secretary Sean Spicer citing Trump’s strained relations with the news media.

Source: Presstv